The original lineup of Boogie Matrix Mechanism is returning to Dayton — which the band described as its “home away from home” — on Feb. 1 at Yellow Cab Tavern.
Dayton’s WAHFU, a dynamic rock band with its own distinct genre-bending sound, will also be performing on the bill.
Chris Houser, who is the guitarist for improvisational Dayton band the Werks, will be sitting in on a few songs with BMM, too.
In its two decades as a band, BMM has released a total of five full-length studio albums. Its latest, “Undertones of Technicolored Madness,” was cut in one day, and released in 2023. While one could assume that the songs are reminiscent of mid-career Oingo Boingo, or that the vocals hearken to Danny Elfman, it’s quite possible the band arrived there on its own.
“One thing about Boogie Matrix Mechanism that I always firmly believed was that we had a very original sound,” Johnny said. “Although you might catch a glimpse here or there that might remind you of something, the overall feel of the band and the music we make does sit by itself. I was really proud of that.”
The “hippie hop jam rock” label does work well in BMM’s case, with vast overtones of hip-hop found in lead vocalist Brian Bell’s remarkable lyrical talent. Amidst genre-fluid instrumental vamps, he somehow jams 570 words into eight minute songs.
That might be an exaggeration, but not by much.
In 2003, Glass Candy, the seedling that eventually blossomed into BMM, started on the Bowling Green open mic scene. One night, Glass Candy was gigging and a hardcore band out of California, also named Glass Candy, was playing that night, too. There were confused folks in piercings at one gig, and confused folks in cargo shorts at another.
The Ohio-based Glass Candy realized the name was already out there, and started going by Boogie Matrix Mechanism instead — a name unlikely to be copied.
BMM has been an integral part of the Ohio jam band scene, which also includes Dayton’s Subterranean and especially Columbus’ Ekoostik Hookah. Through lineup changes — the exit and reentrance of lead singer Brian Bell, the band’s period of being fronted by Johnny K, drummer swaps, etc. — Boogie Matrix Mechanism helped build upon close-knit jam scenes across the Midwest.
“It was an ultimate goal to continue to progress that scene,” Johnny said. “I was lucky enough to be a part of that at a time where I feel it was doing so well.”
At one point, after the band spent so many years touring and crafting epic-length records, Boogie Matrix Mechanism decided to hang it up.
“It was just time,” Johnny said. “We felt like we had done and accomplished so much. We had to move on with life, with our careers, with our families. It wasn’t under any bad terms whatsoever. It felt like it was the most peaceful parting that you could possibly ask for.”
BMM played one final show in Dayton, and one final show in Toledo, its hometown. The band eventually reunited at Hookahville 2024, opening for Ekoostik Hookah. After an overwhelming response, BMM was reinvigorated to book more shows, and to record new music.
“For me, the most enlightening and inspirational part of this whole experience is about going out and having fun, making music with my friends and my brothers,” Johnny said. “It’s about making the perfect storm for each individual show, to be able to go and play music, just to do it. That’s what we’re trying to do right now.”
Brandon Berry writes about the Dayton and Southwest Ohio music and art scene. Have a story idea for him? Email branberry100@gmail.com.
How to go
What: Boogie Matrix Mechanism / WAHFU
When: 8:30 p.m., Feb. 1
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. 4th St., Dayton
Cost: $15
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