Cult Maze

35,36 and CD Release Party - Space Gallery 11.23.07 Portland, ME
with Diamond Sharp, Gully and Elf Princess Gets a Harley

Amid full bellies, Thanksgiving leftovers and football games, Cult Maze's CD Release party for their new album 35, 36 was held at Space Gallery on November 23rd in Portland, Maine. The music scene there has thrived in its fishbowl, comprised of a dedicated core of musicians, artists and friends. It's been described by insiders that notable bands from Boston and beyond could be headlining a show in Portland, but the crowds only come if they've landed a local favorite as the supporting role. This particular evening was a Leviathan showcase of local groups, Cult Maze accompanied by opening acts Diamond Sharp, Gully and the debut of Elf Princess Gets a Harley.

The night opened with a comeback from Diamond Sharp. Jason Rogers, front man and driving force delivered favorites to the forming crowd with the spot-on backing vocals and bass playing of Sydney Bourke. A short but satisfying set was followed by a performance from Gully, also celebrating the release of their album, Six Songs. In between break down and set up Elf Princess Gets a Harley, a one-man concept by Brandon Davis was accompanied by a enthusiastic gift of hand-claps from the audience as well as lady vocals and Andrew Barron of Cult Maze lending his sticks and snare once he was finished setting up on stage.

Cult Maze took the stage to a crowd that had grown to the club's capacity, about 250, a good proportion of Portland's total population. They drove a technically proficient but hard rocking performance under the shadows of a full size poster of Celtics great and infamous Reggie Lewis, for whom they've named a song on the new album. With members of the crowd dancing and singing along to old songs and what they'd sampled of the new on Myspace, it's clear Cult Maze has star status in Portland, Maine.

They get this status for a good reason, too. 35, 36 as a whole is a 10-track example of all things essential to good music: great melodies, a sense of humor and a dark side. "Treble Treble" carries the notes of longing suggestive of a love song with a break down of claps and bright guitars to ease the pain. Crowd favorite "Reggie Lewis" instills nostalgia with its title while carrying the listener through over eight minutes of bouncing bass lines and great guitar phrasing. The band usually plays rock and borderline metal, but just as easily moves to synthesized sounds and soft lyrics in "Sticky Limo," a track where lead singer Jay Lobley's vocals take turns impressing with Peet Chamberlain's double keyboard artistry.

The challenge is getting the music to you – short of a trip two hours north to Bullmoose Music in the Old Port, the only way to hear their music is via their Myspace page, www.myspace.com/cultmaze. At least check this out if you can't make the drive. It's a good enough thing to see people making local music, but it's a great thing when the music actually sounds good.

Originally published in Spare Change News 12/06/07.