The Effective Dose (ED)

There's a hint of a new kind of scene floating down around the potholed destitution of our city’s less glossy neighborhoods. Despite the unfortunate demise of Harpers Ferry—a room too boated for its own good—and the closing of the Allston Sound Museum, which was a testament to the greasy virility of paint-sniffers and meth-heads, there persists a fleeting gasp of the incarnate underground among the warehouses of Brighton/Allston. It’s called the Magic Room Art Gallery, and it just might be the hippest venue in Boston.

Ensconced in the same grim warehouse that contains the Brighton Sound Museum (and operated by the same crew), the Magic Room boasts an arsenal of lasers, DayGlo projectiles, swinging Tarzans, neon-plastered backdrops, lurid videos, religious artifacts, a side room furnished like a 19th-century opium den ... and a disco ball—all the ingredients of boiling chancre sour on the limb of straight society.

The 'Room has been open for about a year now, and has sported only a humble 30 or 40 events in that time, operating in what would seem a sort of legal gray area—the loophole lounge. I was almost disappointed when, under further investigation, I learned that the place was entirely and indisputably kosher, with all the necessary permits on full display. But, then it still has plenty of underground essence to spare.

The proprietor, a Mr. William Desmond, also owns and operates the Sound Museum practice spaces, and is the man behind the “living-room atmosphere and gallery vibe.” Movie screenings and art shows are also held here, a nice bourgeois element reminiscent of Merry Prankster times. But the room’s true calling is live music, and it slings a state-of-the-art, high-octane sound system that came from the ill-fated Axis night club (formerly located next to the similarly extinct Avalon on Lansdowne Street).

This sound system most definitely goes to 11, but in the intimate setting of the Magic Room Art Gallery it’s rarely necessary to turn it up past four. Showcasing experimental acts, the 'Room usually caters to the local scene, but the stage is sometimes commandeered by anyone from traveling Genesis cover bands to original members of the Mothers of Invention.

I learned about this esoteric nightspot from guitarist and jam-scene veteran Mike Rabito of the Boston-based jam band the Effective Dose. The Dose played the 'Room last month in an appearance that was among the first of what may become more promotional campaigns, with street teams spreading the word about the show. Of course, the standard rule still applies: It can’t be cool if too many people know about it. So let’s keep it under the radar for a bit and let the vibe percolate.

Coming out to the hip, new venue for the first time to see the Effective Dose with all the rest of the ED-heads, I was impressed by how the band's chillin’, no-violence groove was amplified by the setting. The Dose dished out a rowdy good time, complete with intricately absurd and absurdly kickass originals like “Be Nice to the Robots” and “Sonic Apotheosis,” classic covers like Led Zep’s “Good Times, Bad Times,” and the sax appeal to keep it real. See it for yourself when ED hits it upstairs at the Middle East on December 11.

The show progressed with all the refracted lasers, paintball-splattered rollercoaster backdrops, trapeze kamikazes, and delirious disco-ball rodeos you’d expect out of a first-rate circus, demonstrating that the Magic Room has the specs to make a run with. And if we can keep Those Grimy Hands off of it, for even just a little while, we may even have the feral-fetus inklings of a scene.

Words by Matt Bartlett. Stay tuned for more Sonic Stew from him. - Sonic Stew

Effective Dose is not your average jammy, Phish-wannabe band. It puts out high-energy, sax-heavy music to get good and drunk and dance like a fool to. Okay, so maybe that is sort of like Phish, but the five guys heading up ED throw in an eclectic set of influences to create a style that is all their own, with a lot more reggae and dub and a lot less extended jamming. Templeton - My Secret Boston

The dosers are ready to drop tomorrow (Thursday, April 7) as Effective Dose takes the stage at Precinct for some full-bore sonic “apotheosis.” Fresh off the release of their new album, Better Than Placebo and a rowdy debauch at Triumph Brew Pub in New Hope, Pennsylvania—I got a couple of blank spaces after that night—the Effective Dose is poised for a loaded weekend. The crew will be lacing the streets of NYC after this sure-to-delight gig in the Union Square police station turned music club and sports bar.

The album itself is pure test-tube delirium soaked with the kind of good, wholesome frenzy that would have had Owsley Stanley himself brimming with pride, may he rest in peace. This fan-friendly foursome has its chemistry in order, and with such dazzling monstrosities as “Fractalize,” the groove-tranced “Full Throttle Flaps Down,” and my personal favorite, “Drama,” the new disc has an hallucinatory pulse that will be on full display this Thursday at Precinct. But beware of floating capsules in your ear or you may find yourself spun, twisted tight, and beaming on party paper all night long.

Who's got my Effective Doses? Bartlet - My Secret Boston

The dosers are ready to drop tomorrow (Thursday, April 7) as Effective Dose takes the stage at Precinct for some full-bore sonic “apotheosis.” Fresh off the release of their new album, Better Than Placebo and a rowdy debauch at Triumph Brew Pub in New Hope, Pennsylvania—I got a couple of blank spaces after that night—the Effective Dose is poised for a loaded weekend. The crew will be lacing the streets of NYC after this sure-to-delight gig in the Union Square police station turned music club and sports bar.

The album itself is pure test-tube delirium soaked with the kind of good, wholesome frenzy that would have had Owsley Stanley himself brimming with pride, may he rest in peace. This fan-friendly foursome has its chemistry in order, and with such dazzling monstrosities as “Fractalize,” the groove-tranced “Full Throttle Flaps Down,” and my personal favorite, “Drama,” the new disc has an hallucinatory pulse that will be on full display this Thursday at Precinct. But beware of floating capsules in your ear or you may find yourself spun, twisted tight, and beaming on party paper all night long.

Who's got my Effective Doses? Bartlet - My Secret Boston

"Most of their songs had unique elements to them and I think that is what drew me to liking their music. They had some pretty rockin' songs, a reggae song and the saxophone made some of the stuff funky. I was really impressed with the guitar player as well. Insane.. finger tapping and all that jazz. Good stuff." - http://kdbostonmusic.moogo.com/blog.html

Each week, we let a local band tell us about themselves. This week, get to know The Effective Dose. You can catch the band's next area show at the Rock On Groove Cruise on Friday, June 5.

Band Name: The Effective Dose

Members:
Kyle Ruggieri: Drums & Electronics
Michael Rabito: Lead Guitar, Electronics & Vocals
Will Raymund: Guitar, Percussion & Vocals
Andrew Krahn: Keyboards, Electronics and Saxophone
Jason Felitto: Bass & Electronics

Website:
www.myspace.com/theeffectivedose

How did you form?
Our guitar player, Mike Rabito, had been playing in Burlington, Vermont and moved to Boston to play with drummer Kyle Ruggieri in the summer of 2007. The two of them put together the current line up over the next year.

Who are some of your influences?

We love anything that is progressive and revolutionary! Our bass player, Jason Felitto, and Mike have a regular meditation practice and enjoy the works of writter/producer/trancendental meditation advocate David Lynch. We all look to find inspiration from all things in life but musically are feeling Balkan Beatbox, The Bennevento Russo Duo, Umphreys McGee and Led Zeppelin today at least...

Finish the sentence, someone would like your band if they like...

...to celebrate life!

What has your most memorable moment as a band been?

Some of our most memorable moments come when we are practicing. We like to play improvisational games that we design to increase our skills in various areas. There are a few moments that have also translated to the stage where we all end up coming back to each other at the same time to acknowledge that we are all feeling the same thing. Sometimes that thing is, "Wow, that was ill!" and sometimes it, "How did that happen?" but it always leaves us feeling more united.

Walk us through your songwriting process.

We make songs in stages. Some one will have an idea and we sit down with it or jam on it in practice. We will chart out somewhere to start and then continue to refine it as we play it more and judge the crowd's and our own personal reactions.

Who is the best musician in your band?

Jay, the bass player, is also a classically trained piano player that is ranked as one of the 20 best in the world... sometimes he busts out some skills on some sub-harmonic keys and he is not too shabby at bass either! The title for most talented will have to go to him. Our Berklee trained keyboard/sax player Andrew Krahn is not far behind though and definitely has the edge when it comes to technology. Krahn programs all of the keyboard sounds, drum triggers and midi bass tones himself.

What is your favorite local venue?

We love to play on the Rock On! Boston Harbor Cruises and are doing one June 5! Last summer we left the dock and went under a double rainbow that turned into a thunder storm; we jammed with the Gods on that voyage!

What separates you from other local bands?

We are always pushing ourselves to do new and different things as well as we can. Recent addition Will Raymund, for instance, has allowed the band to enjoy new vocal, harmonic are percussive territories that have taken things to even higher levels.

What do you have coming up that people should know about?

That boat Cruise on June 5 for one and we will have our first album (working title Continuum) coming out in the fall. You can get all the information you need at www.myspace.com/TheEffectiveDose or our Facebook group True Life: I am an Ed Head

Convince our readers to see your next show.

If you like to just float for a while (literally and figuratively) come aboard the Rock On! Boston Harbor Cruise and get you Effective Dose!!

Updated: 6/5/2009 - Boston Music Spotlight @ http://bostonmusicspotlight.com/article.php?id=2257

Great east coast music show! - Sully's Cafe

State your Mind will be Rocking Bills Bar in Boston with The Effective Dose This is one of those "Really shouldn't Miss" Double bills. There are two of the hottest up and coming Jam Bands in the Boston Scene! I Loved SYM at the middle east a while back, and have been anxious to check T.E.D.
live! - Dan Sullivan

The Effective Dose will be performing at the LEGENDARY Nectars, in Burlington VT. If you are in Northern New England, here's a chance to catch some great tunes from the scene a little further south! - Daniel Sullivan

"This group of upcoming young musicians really get the crowd in the palm of their hand... where apparently there is a dance party!" - The Dig

The Effective Dose opened their set with an instrumental psychedelic funk jam. Having been listening to them for quite a while at the recommendation of a close friend, this was my first opportunity to see them play out. Impressive was their member’s multi-instrumentation. Will Raymund was seamlessly switching between rhythm guitar and hand percussion while Andrew Krahn was going between his tenor saxophone and the ivories all night. Not playing anything other than my own skin flute, anyone that can play more than one instrument, and unrelated ones at that garners, my respect. My new buddy Mike Rabito was on lead guitar (yes Nettles, you were right, I would like his shit) and blazing the trail, from melodic funky riffs to straight shredding, he was giving his fingers a major workout. Jason Felitto was grooving out the baselines on stage right, splitting his attention between the crowd and the band. Kyle Ruggieri was on the kit providing great back beat and even better fills. Instrumental heavy all night, they next chose a very Floydy psychedelic piece “Zero Gravity Room:”
04.24.09 The Effective Dose performing “Zero Gravity Room”

Andrew of The Effective Dose

Andrew of The Effective Dose
Rabito of The Effective Dose

Rabito of The Effective Dose

All night Andrew was using crazy effects on his sax and keys, not something I’ve every really seen or heard before, and lent greatly to their funky sounds, I really dug it. I’m a sucker for brass. Moving along they went into a great version of “Faust’s Poodle” and if I recall correctly, the first song all night to feature lyrics. Not being fully knowledgeable in their volume of work, I will admit to hounding Rabito for help in nailing down the titles for set list accuracy’s sake. Breaking into a heavier rock number, “Secular,” with which I was familiar, they reminded me a bit of Nirvana with the driving rhythm of the song:
04.24.09 The Effective Dose performing “Secular”

“Pig Fat and Pajamas” was their next choice, this one had me put my camera away and start shaking my ass, by this point in the night I was getting my second wind and was ready to groove a bit more. Bobby replaced my brother’s roll as crazy dance partner for the night as most females, even Nicole, are remiss to my anti-rhythm dance style (ie: fat white hippie Irish-American boy with no moves.) All night the theme of their set was the driving jams. Wanting to showcase to their fans some of their newer material, they played “Hollowface” a song that they had premiered out the previous week in Vermont, the crowd was appreciative:

04.24.09 The Effective Dose performing “Hollowface”

Wanting to keep the stage red hot for State Your Mind next, they played a song which everyone could sing along (anyone catch the Donovan reference,) Toots and the Maytal’s “54 46 (What’s My Number){Sublime has also covered this}.” The crowd obliged and sang the verses along with the band. As they wound down I recall declaring aloud “DAMN that was effective!” - http://sullyscafe.com/?p=259