Arriving at the House of Blues I was surprised to learn the most anticipated band to see that night wasn’t the headliner but a relatively unknown duo with big league potential.  Thenewno2, based out of LA by way of London, stepped onto stage.  Generally a two-man crew now became a full five piece band live.  Questionably self-described as alternative surf rock, the overall tone sounds more like Radiohead and Massive Attack than anything that resembles The Ventures or Jack Johnson.  The band, headed by Dhani Harrison (lead vocals, guitar and mixer) and Oli Hecks (drums and keys), mix an interesting blend of classic rock, a pinch of new wave, a dash of breakbeat and sampling, and nice healthy dose of alternative.  Chaotic creativity is what I call it.  With multi-instruments, synthesizers, and electronic manipulation, what seems like a hot mess on stage came together harmoniously.

     They started their set with the first track off their latest CD You Are Here “So Vain.”  It was immediately apparent the audience embraced the unusual combo.  Harrison took to be a natural onstage but somehow had the composure of a reluctant hero.  He seemed fully intense that it was almost like he was lost in his own music—and I do mean that in a good way.  The audience willingly became lost with him.  “Another Jon Doe,” “Say” and “Out of Mind” were more familiar songs they played from their Myspace list.  But nothing topped the set more than the song “Yomp” which was an obvious fan favorite.

     Thenewno2 was a pleasant surprise for me.  I was expecting a regular surf group or a rehash of 60’s rock but thenewno2 exploded into a whirlwind of non-linear imagination.  And although Harrison’s pedigree is a shoe-in for greatness (yes, he’s the son of the late, great George Harrison) don’t define the band by those terms.  Thenewno2 is on a path all their own and their unexpected creativity is the piped piper.  Drop what you’re doing and follow.