After seeing The Bogmen at the Bowery Ballroom, I headed over to Fontana’s to see Topaz. I was debating between this show and the GarageABenevento show at BBKings uptown, but when I heard the lineup it was an easy choice. You can’t get any better than Topaz, Joe Russo, Scott Metzger, and Justin Wallace. I’ve always been a Topaz fan and was disappointed when he moved down to Texas, but for me the night was all about Justin “NASTY” Wallace. Ever since seeing him play up at that Lenox Lounge post Soulive show I’ve been hooked. Watching this little white accountant looking guy with a bass guitar the size of king kong (in comparison) just relentlessly lay down that hard, nasty funk is nothing less than SICK!

(photo by penpusher)

The rest of the band seemed a bit out of it, which was probably caused by there only being a handful of people in the room. I was actually surprised by how empty the bar was at Fontana’s…then again, it was Christmas Eve Eve. I was pretty ripped by this point (see being five feet from the beer table at the Bowery), so the lack of energy from the nonexistent crowd and the stage didn’t bother me at all. I couldn’t name a song they played besides Earth Wind & Fire’s “Everything Is Everything” and an extended “Emotional Rescue” tease, but I was loving every minute of it. Cheme sat in during the second set, but he has never impressed me and this night was no different. One other note, Topaz has been working on his harmonica playing and it really showed…he was also doing some cool effects with the harmonica vox and his vocals. I hope this lineup plays again real soon…any openings at the FREAKS BALL??