"Visionaries in a musical rite, Crab Nebula generate a deeper groove and create a sound that makes this band the alternative to alternative. Somewhere between determination and obsession lies Crab Nebula, a strong, tight band that throws out some sick changes that seem to jump in all by themselves."Flash Magazine, Virginia Beach
:: CD Reviews ::
"Four of Norfolk's finest come together to create a harmonious composition of jazz, funk, and groove.
With an influence of late 70s rock and intercutting melodies, it's no wonder Crab Nebula is nominated for one of Ninevolt's Local Music Awards. Followed by lighthearted, yet impulsive electric and acoustic guitar, the quartet produces sounds that jam soft and easy groove, to a powerful, animated drum and bass. The band goes through complicated rhythms and tempo changes with not one basic feel, but many different feels. The electric guitar produces melodic, hypnotic riffs, while the expressive tempos and a balance of soul and feeling lead the chord progressions. Primary influences consist of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report.
While their current 3-song demo features an all-instrumental Nebula, the gentlemen do have future plans to incorporate lyrics. With more than a decade of work and two solid years as a united group, CN has played venues like the Norva. Don't miss the opportunity to hear this rarity.
Their next gig will feature the foursome headlining on February 14 at Chick's Beach Cafe. Be sure to check out www.crabnebula.net to hear Crab Nebula."
"...the new Crab Nebula compact disc is my favorite. These songs swing and groove, and each note is perfectly arranged and played.
To comment on two songs in particular: "Action Figures On Parade" displays impressive fretwork and improvisation. The musicians do a good job of arrangement so that into its fourth minute, it sounds like a song within a song as it shapeshifts into something different. But like all good jazz musicians, Crab finds their way back into the original melody and groove that you can't seem to get out of your head.
The last song, "Stereo B(rightmindintrospect)" starts with a funky bass riff that segues into a great example of four musicians performing as a cohesive unit. Each one propels the other to form a collective harmony of beautiful dissonance until the opening bass riff duets with soaring guitar, closing the disc.
In sum, Crab Nebula is hard to categorize - it's a mixture of jazz, fusion, funk, and the creative side of progressive rock. More to the point, forget genres, Crab Nebula is great music."
Andy Shelton, Beaufort, South Carolina
:: Live Reviews ::
"With the superb Crab Nebula backing her up, Cesca wailed out a set of powerfully emotional originals with passion and a voice that can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.""Remember the name Cesca�
She recently played a surprise one-set gig at the Outer Banks Brewing Station on her way to the main stage at the world�s largest annual music industry showcase, South By Southwest. It was Family Tree�s bill, the good-natured guys from Virginia were glad to give Dare County a chance to catch this exceptional talent that�s sure to be making a lot of noise well into future.
With the superb Crab Nebula backing her up, Cesca wailed out a set of powerfully emotional originals with passion and a voice that can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Whether shaking the rafters belting out poetically angry rock jams or getting sultry 1940s style with a soft croon, this is a woman about to become a household name. Thankfully, she�ll likely be the artist to put the final nail in the coffin of the prepackaged, plastic pop that�s been passed of the industry execs as music in recent years.
While her overall style recalls the classic blues rock of yesterday, the tight arrangements in the music give the songs a modern feel. And there�s that voice. She may have the chops to claim the throne left vacant by Queen Joplin."
The Rip Current, December 2003, Manteo, N.C.
Reporter: Matt Artz
Show Date: October 24, 2003
"It's one thing for a band to conceive of searing songs and pull out every stop in the studio to craft them. It's another thing for that band to achieve a level of technical mastery that allows them to evoke their vision live.
Enter Crab Nebula.
The show Saturday December 14th at The Norva, in Norfolk, Virginia proved that true originality may demand irreverence, and in capable hands, the experience is stunning.
Based out of Norfolk, Virginia, the four guys in Crab Nebula showed the ease inspired by being a local favorite in rare performance on a home stage.
They began the set with "Action Figures on Parade," a song that left the bartenders a bit lonely as much of the booze-swilling crowd squeezed onto the floor to see this vigorous and visual song unfold like a narrative gyroscope. Tonight "Action Figures on Parade" showed most clearly how collaboration and alchemy remain Crab Nebula's lodestone as in few other bands. Each player presents deliberate and inventive musical phrases - there is no noodling here. The effect is coherence, and it plays not like an orgy of egos, but like a communion of superheros committed to the cause.
"Blue" highlights the expressive playing of bassist Fern Glass. The song strides along with melodic lyricism that propels it to a dynamic finish for which the audience showed raucous appreciation. The crowd's familiarity with even the new songs didn't tempt the band into standing in a corner of assured territory. Improv was afoot, most notably in "Stereo B" and "Phosphorous."
Crab Nebula consistently manages to bridge different musical influences in a way that doesn't sound derivative. Some listeners might hear Brand X for an instant, or the briefest channeling of Weather Report, but such similarities flare into something wholly original before the shout-out becomes imitative. All that is hardly relevant, however, because listening to Crab Nebula, you'll be reeling or reveling, and looking forward to more shows and nights like this one Crab Nebula pulled out."
: : Community Involvement : :
Crab Nebula
is asked by North Carolina Public Schools to be part of their Cultural Arts Program
"On January 16, 2004, Crab Nebula, a regional "jam band" will provide entertainment for our students. They will also talk to our students about what it is like to be involved in a band and engage them in interactive musical exercises. This program promises to be a very exciting performance."
First Flight Flyer, November 2003, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
:: Audience Comments ::
"You guys have a great band and fill a unique niche in the market."
Ed Quidley
Wilmington, North Carolina
"I have seen ya'll play plenty of times. I now live in northern VA and it's great to listen to ya'll while I work, via internet.
Keep pushing the limits."
Leigh Phelps