20 Reasons Taken

20 Reasons Taken took the stage with tremendous enthusiasm, not just for themselves, but for the other bands on the bill and local music in general. Lead vocalist/guitarist Mison Bones fired up the crowd with his impassioned plea for fans to support local music.
They, too, came across with considerably more energy and power live. 20 RT’s rhythm section was incredibly tight with bassist Sanford Douglas pumping and throbbing, but also adding melodic interludes to the bands all-original set of rap and rock. Stylistically I’d put them in the modern rock genre-bending category along with bands like Incubus. Bones’ voice, which sounds a bit thin and a bit raspy on record, possessed more potency live.
The anchor of 20 RT’s sound, guitarist Dain DiMattia, had great tone and control. His main axe was a Gibson Nighthawk but he occasionally picked up a Danelectro. Both were played through his Line 6 Modeling head and he’s quite a talented player, providing much of the group’s muscle.
Douglas told me before the show that the group is working on some recordings here in Madison as some members have recently relocated to the area in order to be nearer each other. They’ve promised to keep me up to date on that and the band’s other activities, so stay tuned.
It occurred to me as I watched these bands and noted the crowd reaction, that the live music scene is definitely turning a corner. The quality of the bands continues to impress and clubs like the Annex, who go out of their way to bring in and showcase local talent, give us all new hope. The sound reproduction on this night was yet again simply remarkable. It is never too loud in the Annex and I can always hear every instrument with clarity.
- Rick's Cafe

20 Reasons Taken took the stage with tremendous enthusiasm, not just for themselves, but for the other bands on the bill and local music in general. Lead vocalist/guitarist Mison Bones fired up the crowd with his impassioned plea for fans to support local music.
They, too, came across with considerably more energy and power live. 20 RT’s rhythm section was incredibly tight with bassist Sanford Douglas pumping and throbbing, but also adding melodic interludes to the bands all-original set of rap and rock. Stylistically I’d put them in the modern rock genre-bending category along with bands like Incubus. Bones’ voice, which sounds a bit thin and a bit raspy on record, possessed more potency live.
The anchor of 20 RT’s sound, guitarist Dain DiMattia, had great tone and control. His main axe was a Gibson Nighthawk but he occasionally picked up a Danelectro. Both were played through his Line 6 Modeling head and he’s quite a talented player, providing much of the group’s muscle.
Douglas told me before the show that the group is working on some recordings here in Madison as some members have recently relocated to the area in order to be nearer each other. They’ve promised to keep me up to date on that and the band’s other activities, so stay tuned.
It occurred to me as I watched these bands and noted the crowd reaction, that the live music scene is definitely turning a corner. The quality of the bands continues to impress and clubs like the Annex, who go out of their way to bring in and showcase local talent, give us all new hope. The sound reproduction on this night was yet again simply remarkable. It is never too loud in the Annex and I can always hear every instrument with clarity.
- Rick's Cafe