Click to watch

Tarantula A.D. performs "If You Deny Me, I'll Be Lost"

Reports of slack-jawed, wide-eyed, awestruck audience members came in after NYC’s Tarantula A.D. last toured the Northeast. Adjectives like “compelling,” “mesmerizing” and “bewitching” best describe the band’s almost entirely instrumental live show. Relying heavily on cello, guitar, percussion, violin and whirlwind synthesizer sounds, Tarantula A.D. has built an impassioned rock-fan following despite the marked absence of lyrics. A three-man band comprised of Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurrianns and Gregory Rogove, Tarantula recently released a debut full-length entitled Book of Sand (Kemado) to critical raves. The CD was recorded in multiple locations, beginning on the Pacific coast and ending in a New York City warehouse. Vocalists Sierra Cassady (CoCoRosie) and Devandra Banhardt (whose stamp of approval is beginning to seem like an “O” book insignia) were tracked down while on tour in Europe to record bits for Book of Sand, the sessions held in a European hotel bathroom and the Paris Metro, or wherever they got the chance. A bonus track on the album, the gospel-inspired “If You Deny Me, I’ll Be Lost,” also features vocals, but unfortunately, the record distributor spiked it due to worries that it might be considered blasphemous. This dashed Tarantula’s hopes to have created the first instrumental record with a Parental Advisory warning. Guess they’ll have to go back to Europe, where the album is allowed to remain intact. For what’s sure to be an interesting contrast, master sampler Tim Fite opens the show.

thursday, July 27 at 7pm. The Icon, 391 Ellicott St. (842-0167) www.thebuffaloicon.com. $10