PETER BANKS INFUSES INFUSION

London Fans Witness Battle Of The Guitars

Peter Banks was in fighting form when he jousted with fellow guitar god John Etheridge alongside jazz-fusion group Db Infusion at London's 'Spice Of Life' venue on April 5th. Infusion plays intense Latin tinged instrumental arrangements such as 'Yo Yo' from their excellent album 'Dreamscape'. Etheridge was guesting with the band, which is led by guitarist Danny Berdichevsky. Peter Banks, seated in the audience, was invited to join in the fun.

Danny, together with keyboard virtuoso Gonzalo Carrera, Ollie Usiskin (drums) and Lakis Economou (bass), launched into a riveting set greeted by cheers from the hip crowd at the popular jazz venue. They reached a climax with a finger-cracking version of 'Flight Of The Bumble Bee.' Danny also played brilliant Spanish style acoustic guitar. However, the highlight of the evening came when Peter Banks took to the stage. 'More guitar solos!' he had bellowed, after an earlier exchange between a fired up Etheridge and combative Berdichevsky. The band laughed, but soon Peter was taking his place in the front line, checking his 'Pod' a miraculous device, which replaces all known PA technology. "I'll just be ten minutes setting up," he joked after bowing down deferentially to Mr. Etheridge.

Although Peter later claimed he didn't know the tune, the key or the arrangement, the founder member of Yes soon adapted to the band's format. He engaged in some brilliant exchanges with Danny and John in an exciting battle of the guitars. John was playing a hollow bodied Gibson 335 with subtle dexterity, while Peter favoured his bright salmon pink Ibanez Jem 777, a real eye catcher.

It was great to see the highly undervalued Mr. Banks thoroughly enjoying himself as he played with all his old Yes fire. Returning to his table near the band after an exhilarating set, he revealed that he and drummer Dave Wagstaff, also in the audience, planned a new Prog Rock group, together with Gonzalo. With that line up it could be the biggest group since Yes, ELP and King Crimson!

Footnotes: After the gig we congratulated the young drummer who played such great solos with Infusion. Only to discover the promising 'youngster' is aged 35…Peter would like to remind us that Infusion has 'nothing to do with tea making, whatsoever.'

Chris Welch


For complete review check out Chris's Corner
http://www.repertoire.de/