What might happen if Jan Hammer (Miami Vice Theme), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Michael Shrieve (Santana) formed a hardcore trio? Most likely it would be something like the 5-year-old Boston band Psychotic Larry. Uniquely this group consists of a drummer, a bassist and a keyboard player who pipes his keyboard through some heavy distortions to create their own type of synthcore. There are other bands who have been considered industrial synthcore such as Nine inch Nails, but this team uses no sequencers, guitars or samplers which sets them apart and possibly into a new genre.

I spent about a week with the Psychotic Larry CD "Masters of Synthcore" before the show and began getting curious about what the performance would look like. I was excited to see a heavy trio with no guitars sound like there are at least five band members and at least two guitars. I was later told by Etto Green, the keyboard player and vocalist, "expect the unexpected".

Upon a great introduction and opening by the first three bands, Psychotic Larry took the stage to show their friends and fans what they do best. The set consisted of a few crowd favorites like "Joss the Gypsy" and "Mr. Soupy" as well as a couple tracks off their new album called "Cop Porn" which is due to be released in September or October at the latest. The show was very strong and held its own against the rest of the talent in the room that night. Midway through the show they played their Devo cover "Whip It" which got the entire Middle East Upstairs hall felling the cool-groove vibe. Once Etto changed out his keyboard for a fully charged one halfway through the set, he was able to rock out and prove that there�s no need for a guitar in their synthcore scene. Etto is rightfully confident that what they have to offer is unique and impressive, he says "�love it or like it, you�re not gonna forget it". It is that confidence shown through the music that draws the crowds to their shows in order to see what it means to be a heavy-rock trio sans guitars.

Psychotic Larry provides a high energy, big sound show in a presentation that will intrigue music lovers for some time to come. Don�t miss a chance to see them. For more info: www.psychoticlarry.com