Tech’s own Bishop Don rocks local scene

Big things do come in small packages. Just ask Bishop Don. The rock group is made up mostly of twenty-somethings, yet it has a maturity and confidence with the microphone that eludes many college bands.

A band of three members, Bishop has been entertaining the local music scene for over a year. Their self-titled CD consists of seven deliciously simple yet penetrating songs.

While most college bands lack any musical luster and still gain fame via the internet, Bishop has taken a more conservative way to make fans: by making good music and entertaining people in local venues.

They have a minimal presence on the web, whereas their influence on the local music scene is much more significant.

Bishop is a regular at the Dark Horse Tavern and Smith’s Olde Bar, both famed for the quality of local artists who perform there. The band is a self-described melting pot of musical styles: rock, punk, funk, reggae and hip-hop.

Their CD begins with a Dylanesque harmonica riff followed by a three minute introduction to the vocal brilliance of the singer and guitar player Blair Crimmins. Crimmins has a voice that invites you to close your eyes and enjoy the moment. The guitar, bass, and drums fit his voice like a glove, neither overpowering nor too weak.

The third song is the pinnacle of the entire CD. Entitled “If You Can’t Feel It,” it almost defies definition.

The next four songs have minor flaws. They move slightly towards the extravagant guitar riffs found in rock music of the 80s, only to retreat back to the modesty of the first three songs. “Traffic” comes dangerously close to the mindless repetition of monosyllabic nonsense that fills the airways.

Eager fans or curious students can catch their next live concert this Oct. 18 at Smith’s Olde Bar. A selection of their songs is also available at www.mp3.com.