Footing the bill - Quactus combines an amalgamation of styles with a good sense of humor
Originally published October 2, 2008

By Bryce Propheter

It’s not often that while wandering the desert one comes across a prickly saguaro with a bright orange beak protruding from its top. But then again, it’s not very common to hear music that combines elements from every conceivable genre of music into a single melodious masterpiece either. Quactus, however, fits the bill for both of these unlikely scenarios.

The Los Angeles-based band formed when rhythm guitarist Seth Gordon placed an ad on Craig’s List seeking like-minded musicians. And in February 2006, Quactus began touring only eight months after meeting. They released their first album, Once a Pond, a Spine …, earlier this year following almost two years of recording (if you don’t understand the title, read it quickly).

The band consists of Gordon, Gabriel Weiner on lead guitar, Gregory Zachan playing bass, and Matthew McDuffee as the percussionist. Everyone in the foursome has extensive backgrounds in the musical field, and each member takes turns writing music and contributing vocals.

I know what’s on your mind: How does one come up with the idea of crossing a web-footed bird with a desert-inhabiting plant? While the exact story remains a mystery, I did manage to get some of the information. “It all started with the letter Q,” explains Weiner. “We wanted Q somewhere in the name. And somehow we just came up with the word and we kind of laughed about it for a half hour straight. And we instantly came up with the logo and everything.”

The logo proudly spoken of is precisely what the name Quactus implies—a typical green saguaro cactus with two big white oval eyes and a duck bill.

The exact musical style of Quactus is as hard to describe as the origin of their name. Because of the varying styles and influences found throughout the music, Quactus doesn’t really fit into one specific genre, nor should they. There’s definitely a heavy jazz and classical influence in many of their tracks. But to leave it at that would be too simplistic. Some of the beats are reminiscent of reggae, while they incorporate hooks from pop music. Perhaps the best way to describe the music is to list the many influences they use to create and hone their style.

“I’m literally influenced by everything,” says McDuffee. “Growing up, my parents had season tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra every year. I absolutely love jazz, rock, hip-hop, electronica, industrial, dance music, basically every style out there. Oh and I forgot metal. I’m the hugest metal-head of all time.”

These varied interests and influences in music are shared by every member of the band, helping Quactus create music that is uniquely their own. Although the sound and improvisational style of Quactus draws immediate comparisons to other jam bands like Phish, the Grateful Dead, and Umphrey’s McGee, other influences that are hidden somewhat deeper within the tracks include the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Slayer.

It doesn’t end there. The members of Quactus take pleasure in playing live and it is there that they use their improvisational prowess to really shine. In order to give their fans something new at every show, they’ve developed a system of hand signals while on stage as a way to communicate with each other during their set and change the songs on the spot.

“At the drop of a hat we can change from reggae into metal or into funk, to an extent,” Weiner says. “I don’t like playing the same thing twice.”

And the members of Quactus have guaranteed nothing different for those attending their show at Flag Brew. They’ve promised a high-energy show with intense and extended jam sessions that will be completely free-form, as well as a cover song or two. They’ve also promised good melodies, good songwriting, and some great musicianship.

“Watching Gabe (Weiner) solo on lead guitar will just blow your mind,” Gordon says.

Quactus maintains that they play music because they love playing music. But they admit that the possibility of being able to support themselves by doing what they love remains their ultimate, long-term goal. In fact, Weiner has hinted that an opportunity for bigger things in the future of the band, including playing festivals and getting more exposure, has already presented itself.

“I don’t want to say too much since it’s still in its infancy,” Weiner says. “But we’ve been offered something that would enable us to get our name out there more.”

With such talent and expertise and a sound all their own, it’s only a matter of time before more people learn of this small jam band from Los Angeles.

Quactus will be performing at 10 p.m. at Flag Brew on Sat, Oct. 4. Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is free. For more information on the band, visit their Web site at www.quactus.com. You can listen to select songs from their album at www.myspace.com/quactus.