PAKT - Live in Syracuse (September 11, 2021) (2024) [Hi-Res]

Our travel entailed 3/4 of PAK(T) and our label honcho and manager Leonardo in a van from NYC, quite a long journey complete with speeding ticket! As for me, I had an early start but was quickly trapped by an accident on the I-76 expressway getting out of Philly. This put me behind by over an hour, and added stress, so it was gonna be close. Once I made it through to I-80, I had to press the pedal-to-the-metal to 80-90mph to make our soundcheck. I listened to Nefertiti and Red on the way up, and made it just in time. Thankfully no speeding tickets for me! The rest of the band was on stage set up. Rushing is a crazy thing when you’re on tour. But it all worked out. A great and helpful crew here, and the sound is quite good, and BIG! It was so great to reconnect with Percy, Alex, and Kenny! Nice vibes! After soundcheck, we retired to the ‘green room’ which offered many sugary delights on the table, cupcakes, jellybeans, assorted candy, donuts, etc but no real food. Sugar is the last thing we were looking for. It was quite odd. Eventually we were fed some bar food prior to the gig—strange salads, and something resembling chicken tenders! In the green room was a giant swordfish suitable for a big trophy wall. Everything here was surreal to us. We chatted about all kinds of things and joked about the lack of deli tray. remember saying to Percy that Steve Hackett was playing the same day as us in Liverpool UK, as we were playing Liverpool NY. Percy worked with SH on Voyage of the Acolyte back in ’75, I think it was. Liverpool Syncronicities.

But what a gig it was. I’m happy this one was documented. I think this set echoed our travel day, speeding upstate NY trying to beat time. It was a great sprawling set. We stretched and unleashed some great music. It was fresh and good to play again, and felt like we were all in it together, chemistry, one collective improvisation. High points all around. I love the way we listen, and carve out and sculpt the music. Great vibe, and the audience was loving it and vocally letting us know. We even got deep into some mutated sputtering blooze. You never know what will show up or vector in during our sets. I think this concert displays some jaw-dropping soloing too, and exquisite interplay. Folks there were so blown out, and we talked to many afterwards. Magic was present. I’m so happy this was recorded and it does sound great. You don’t always get a good sounding recording night to night. Markus Reuter did a great job mixing and mastering this set. Thanks Markus! I think you’ll agree. Can’t wait until our next gigs in December. We hope you’ll come see us, and in the meantime, enjoy this PAKT in Liverpool concert. Until soon!

PERCY JONES - bass
ALEX SKOLNICK - guitar
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums
TIM MOTZER - guitars, electronics