First I saw KUDU open for Meshell in Sacramento. I went to Portland specifically to see KUDU again. Then, I went to Chicago because I had to see Parks play drums for Meshell. Minneapolis was mostly because I wanted to see Tasha and her band open for Meshell. It was an added bonus that Parks was still with her and that she let him solo quite a few times...

Anyways...

Here is why I became a fan of this guy and why I refer to him as a monster. About halfway through KUDU's set in Sacramento, they did this interlude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiy6NTqPl_0

You can find more of their stuff here:

http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ayoutube.com+kudu+nuttyblaque

I highly recommend both of KUDU's albums too. Deantoni said he's going into the studio in the next couple of weeks to record new material...

http://www.myspace.com/kudu
http://www.myspace.com/deantoni

And in case you're wondering, Meshell's a huge fan of both him and his band. It's easy to see/hear why... hear him playing drums for her on her MySpace page. In my opinion, his playing is why some of the songs on TWHMMTMOMD are so good...

I remember at one point I was very disappointed I was going to have to settle for KUDU instead of catching Van Hunt opening for her. Now I'm glad I caught them instead...

ah man, I think of Deantoni when I get behind the drum kit the way bassplayers always talk about Jaco. There really isn't another drummer like him out there. Such a visionary embracing D&Bass drumming and the electronic drum programming aesthetic into his playing. I was so sad to see him end his brief stint with the mighty Mars Volta, but from listening to some of these new bootlegs that have surfaced, I'm excited to here a new Meshell/D record sometime soon (hopefully). Check out this little youtube clip of him with TMV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUQD_0bAdKo

I saw them in SF, late Oct., and they definitely left an impression. their new stuff sounds like they're taking it to the next level.