The word around town following the Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party's 2003 costumed Comfest performance was that more people left during the band's set than stayed. A listen to the forthcoming release, Having Friends Over for Sex On the Table, reveals why the band drives away droves of people -- they're afraid of things that make them uncomfortable.

However, the disc also makes it clear why Rancid Yak is one of the more innovative and talented bands in town. The music -- a mix of Mike Patton's various projects (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, etc.), Frank Zappa's humorous punk, John Zorn's avant-garde jazz, and Sepultura's structured speed metal -- is heavily flavored with blaring horns, keyboards, and spastic guitar playing.

Rancid Yak has been through some personnel changes -- adding horns and a new guitarist -- since the release of their self-titled CD in 2001, and the changes have allowed the band to tighten things up while exploring new boundaries. The end result is a jazzy and funky mix of experimental, abstract and bizare music like none you've heard before.

The band's Halloween show at Ruby Tuesday with, among others, the Means and the Husher, will serve as the official CD release party.

-Chip Midnight
Columbus Alive, Vol. 20, No. 43
October 30 - November 3, 2003