Words by Zachary Franck Photos by Scott Harris and Dino Perrucci

There aren’t many co-headlining bills out there that are funkier than Lettuce and The Motet. So, The Cap had to give fans not one, but two nights of high-octane grooves. Both shows were more than solid with packed dance floors, wide eyes, and even wider smiles. The mutual respect that both bands have for each other makes a co-headlining bill that much more special. They delivered the goods and took The Capitol Theatre on the ride of a lifetime.

It was the first time that I saw The Motet with their new singer, and to be honest, I was a little apprehensive at first. But he did his thing, and The Motet could definitely have a future with him. As always, drummer Dave Watts was an unbreakable backbone, but bassist Garret Sayers was the musician that shined the most – his skills had my jaw on the floor, I almost dropped my drink during one of his solos. Joey Porter is also one of the most unique keys players in the game, and when he locks in with Watts and Sayers, it’s impossible to stand still. Both sets were strong and The Motet unquestionably warmed the crowd up, but once Lettuce hit the stage, The Cap erupted on another level.

Lettuce is a force to be reckoned with. When it comes to their sound, they’ve continued to transform and evolve, always keeping fans on their toes. I'd consider them the pioneers of future-funk. By blending psychedelic rock with jazz-fusion, world music, and hip-hop, the band has created a sound that is drenched in musicality and swagger. New York is home to them, and they love playing The Capitol Theatre; Adam Deitch grew up right across the Hudson River from Westchester. One of the best things about Lettuce is that they’ve studied the greats that came before them, every single band member is a true student of the game. So, whenever they get a chance to play a high-class venue like The Capitol Theatre, they’re guaranteed to turn it up a notch, or three. And that’s exactly what they did, not for one night, but two!

Although Eric Krasno and Neal Evans are no longer touring with the band, they haven’t missed a step. The highlights were definitely 'Trillogy' and 'Phyllis' during the first night. Ryan Zoidis and Benny Bloom are probably the most original horn section out of any bands in the live music scene. Not only can they play the hell out of their horns, their use of pedals and effects create unmatched soundscapes that add extra spice to an already tasteful sonic recipe. Nigel Hall also carries his responsibilities behind the keys with confidence and power. Adam "The Pocket" Deitch's reputation proceeds him. He is one of the best drummers in the world, his pocket is impeccable. It’s not hard to tell that he spent countless hours listening to hip-hop on his Sony Walkman as a kid - his drum breaks are second to none. And since March 9, the death date of Biggie Smalls, had just passed, it was only right that the Lettuce treated fans to a blissed-out cover of ‘Juicy’ out of 'Gang Ten' on night two. Other highlights included top-notch versions of 'Purple Cabbage' and 'Mary Jane,' the Rick James cover.

It’s always cool to see a band, one that truly respects The Capitol Theatre, leave everything they have on the stage. Lettuce has said it before, that it’s one of their all-time favorite venues, and they proved it. The truth is, they’re a different band than they were three years ago. They’re continuing to stretch out their compositions with mesmerizing improvisation, creating intricate musical moments that are both distinguished and intrinsic. I’ll listen back to both shows for months, and I know I’m not the only one.

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