THE PAN

The Pan @ CBGS 5/03/03

Chris Pan Launois has been a stalwart musician undauntedly performing the NYC scene for nearly a decade. Through the years, his band Pan has vacillated from folk rock to world beat to now edgy rock and roll and has always maintained the liberal, geopolitical vision of activist Launois. The last time I had seen the band, Launois and percussionist/keyboardist Cassandre had an overtly sexual shtick that culminated in a naked Cassandre spinning in a pirouette while having finger paint poured on her. Now I'm not one to disparage "performace art" during a musical act, especially when there is a beautiful naked women involved, but I always felt confused and distracted by this sexual element in Pan's performances. I could never figure out whether it was a parody of the cotton candy sexualization of rock and roll as seen in pop stars like Brittany Spears or a return to the suppressed primal desires of man that can only be revealed in a repressive society through one's sublimation in musical form. Irrelevant of intent, the entire sctick just seemed contrived and served only as a detraction from the music of the band.
For the mindless, run of the mill performers, this circus act will do. Such bands have little else to offer. Pan's music is far too thoughtful and needs only to rely on its solid rhythm and superb song writing skills. So, I was happy to see the Pan drop this element from their show and, judging from the relaxed demeanor of Launois at the Pan's recent CBGB's performance, I think the band agrees.
Pan has always had a way of attracting some of the best rock performers in the city. New drummer, Joey Repice, supplied a back beat behind bassist, Martin Ewens, so solid that he seemed to have had been in the band for years. Raed Elkhazen delivered an impressive Robert Fripp guitar style that brought tension to the melody. Multitalented Cassandre easily moved between her playing of percussion, keys, and singing. The musical sound coalesced into a post-punk new-wave ala early INXS, but darker and smarter.
The present lineup is certainly the best yet delivered, but the true force behind The Pan has always been the thoughtful lyrics being sung through the brooding baritone vocals of Launois. He is the reincarnate of Jim Morrison with the enigmatic bearings of Leonard Cohen. Pan's first number, 'Little Bit of Love', is a sardonic tale of several discontents. All of the song's characters are dissatisfied with the inanity of the world. They wander haphazardly through the motions of life, searching for purpose, even feeling, often through their own vices, each desiring, 'a little bit of love'. The song reveals much of Launois. Perhaps he himself, after years of music and activism pursuance, is feeling the tinges of hopelessness and apathy. The entire sentiment was reinforced in 'Swinging' which has Spider Man (Launois is a lifetime comic book collector) chasing after the villain but swinging through the air by a thin spider 'thread'. One is lead to think that Launois feels the string is about to snap and he will endlessly plunge toward the unilluminated metropolis below. However, even in the darkest of times, Launois manages to keep his sense of humor. We were reassured of his safe landing when Pan performed 'The Edge', a story of a multidirectional journey through a boundless, chaotic universe. Launois has 'a good laugh' at the world's insanity and accepts, even relishes, the paths that he has chosen...'If I took the wrong road then it wasn't’t really all that bad'.
Pan provide a sharp driving show that is sure to please. The next time you see the band listed in the Village Voice, spare yourself the cost of a pack of smokes and go see this top shelf band. Keep an eye out for their fall release, 'Everybody Knowz.'
Info: http://www.thepan.com/

Scott D.

WARNING: CHRIS PAN MATERIAL MAY INCITE SORROW, ANGER, REBELLION, JOY & POSE THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY. CAUTION ADVISED. THERE ARE NO PRACTICAL METHODS TO SUPPRESS EXPOSURE OF THE PAN MUSIC BROADCAST ON WEB, RADIO & TV. FURTHER, CHRIS PAN’S ACTIVISM & POLITICAL DISSENT REMAINS FULLY PROTECTED BY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY U.S. CONSTITUTION. EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION IS NOT AN OPTION	CHRIS PAN PROFILE:
	AMERICAN BORN, PAN PARTICIPATING TO:
	1 - SHUT DOWN RED GRADE INDIAN POINT NY NUCLEAR REACTORS.
	2 - LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA & BIO-FUEL PRODUCTION OF HEMP.
	3 – ENCOURAGE CRIMINAL CHARGES OF FRAUD, DERELICTION OF DUTY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE BE BROUGHT AGAINST BUSH, CHENEY, RUMSFELD, RICE, ROVE, WOLFOWITZ & COLLABORATORS.
	4 – EXPOSE WHITE HOUSE DELIBERATE FAILURE TO PREVENT 9/11 ATTACKS, PAN CLAIMING ATTACK WAS ALLOWED TO PROCEED, IN ORDER TO INSTIGATE PRE-EMPTIVE ILLEGAL WAR IN IRAQ.
	5 – SUPPORT US TROOPS PURPORTEDLY MISUSED BY CHENEY-RUMSFELD.
	6 – RETURN DRINKING AGE TO 18 FOR TROOPS.
	7 – AND OF MOST IMPORT, WARN PUBLIC, 21ST CENTURY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE STOLEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEFRAUDED UNTIL FAIR NATIONAL STANDARD REFORMS ARE ENACTED.
	PAN ALBUMS DISTRIBUTED BY: CDBABY.COM CHRIS PAN PERFORMS INTERNATIONALLY WITH PRIMARY FOCUS N.Y.C.
	BACKGROUND: REGARDING POLITICAL STRATEGY, RESOURCES & FREE PRESS, CLICK ON: “LINKS” AT: WWW.THEPAN.COM
	ADDITIONAL PAN PROFILE & PAN ACOUSTIC AT: MYSPACE.COM/CHRISPANMUSIC

WARNING: MATERIAL MAY BE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY. CAUTION ADVISED. PAN'S 2004 ALBUM 'EVERYBODY KNOWZ' FEATURES CD ROM PAN PSYCHEDELIC MUSIC VIDEO 'ANYTHING AT ALL' AND LIVE CBGB VIDEO. SEXY, FUNNY, DARK, 'EVERYBODY KNOWZ' BEST & MOST ORIGINAL PAN ALBUM TO DATE. FEATURED TRACKS DISCLAIMER: REGARDING TRACK #10: 'EVERYBODY KNOWZ,' C. PAN ARGUES CENSORSHIP IS CONTRIBUTING TO SOLID FUEL DESTRUCTION OF THE OZONE. TRACK #11: 'NOW THAT U KNOW,' C. PAN URGES INVESTMENT IN AIDING AMERICAN GHETTOES BEFORE DOMINATING OUTER SPACE WITH NUCLEAR POWERED SATELLITES. TRACK #12: 'PUSSY CAT' IS ABOUT UNPARALLELED SEX OR ARGUABLY BASED ON A SENSITIVE CAT.	CHRIS PAN PLAYS ACOUSTIC INTERNATIONALLY. THE BAND PAN CONCENTRATES PERFORMANCE IN NYC. C. PAN VIDEOS BROADCASTING IN MANHATTAN EVERY SUNDAY MORNING @ 3AM ON CH. 67 (EST), WORLDWIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY ON: WWW.MNN.ORG SAME PAN TIME & CHANNEL. NYC SHOW DATES & OTHER EAST COAST EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED. INFO & BOOKING CONTACT: PANMAIL@AOL.COM TEL: 1-212-560-6535 PAN, WITH HUMAN INGENUITY, CONTENDS THE NEXT REBELLION MAY BE AMUSING.
Home \| Bands \| Reviews \| Photo Journal \| Editorial \| Guestbook \| Links \| Who'sThat? \| Contact \| Archive Reviews Pan @ CBGB's To have your release reviewed, click here. The Pan @ CBGS 5/03/03 Chris Pan Launois has been a stalwart musician undauntedly performing the NYC scene for nearly a decade. Through the years, his band Pan has vacillated from folk rock to world beat to now edgy rock and roll and has always maintained the liberal, geopolitical vision of activist Launois. The last time I had seen the band, Launois and percussionist/keyboardist Cassandre had an overtly sexual shtick that culminated in a naked Cassandre spinning in a pirouette while having finger paint poured on her. Now I'm not one to disparage "performace art" during a musical act, especially when there is a beautiful naked women involved, but I always felt confused and distracted by this sexual element in Pan's performances. I could never figure out whether it was a parody of the cotton candy sexualization of rock and roll as seen in pop stars like Brittany Spears or a return to the suppressed primal desires of man that can only be revealed in a repressive society through one's sublimation in musical form. Irrelevant of intent, the entire sctick just seemed contrived and served only as a detraction from the music of the band. For the mindless, run of the mill performers, this circus act will do. Such bands have little else to offer. Pan's music is far too thoughtful and needs only to rely on its solid rhythm and superb song writing skills. So, I was happy to see the Pan drop this element from their show and, judging from the relaxed demeanor of Launois at the Pan's recent CBGB's performance, I think the band agrees. Pan has always had a way of attracting some of the best rock performers in the city. New drummer, Joey Repice, supplied a back beat behind bassist, Martin Ewens, so solid that he seemed to have had been in the band for years. Raed Elkhazen delivered an impressive Robert Fripp guitar style that brought tension to the melody. Multitalented Cassandre easily moved between her playing of percussion, keys, and singing. The musical sound coalesced into a post-punk new-wave ala early INXS, but darker and smarter. The present lineup is certainly the best yet delivered, but the true force behind The Pan has always been the thoughtful lyrics being sung through the brooding baritone vocals of Launois. He is the reincarnate of Jim Morrison with the enigmatic bearings of Leonard Cohen. Pan's first number, 'Little Bit of Love', is a sardonic tale of several discontents. All of the song's characters are dissatisfied with the inanity of the world. They wander haphazardly through the motions of life, searching for purpose, even feeling, often through their own vices, each desiring, 'a little bit of love'. The song reveals much of Launois. Perhaps he himself, after years of music and activism pursuance, is feeling the tinges of hopelessness and apathy. The entire sentiment was reinforced in 'Swinging' which has Spider Man (Launois is a lifetime comic book collector) chasing after the villain but swinging through the air by a thin spider 'thread'. One is lead to think that Launois feels the string is about to snap and he will endlessly plunge toward the unilluminated metropolis below. However, even in the darkest of times, Launois manages to keep his sense of humor. We were reassured of his safe landing when Pan performed 'The Edge', a story of a multidirectional journey through a boundless, chaotic universe. Launois has 'a good laugh' at the world's insanity and accepts, even relishes, the paths that he has chosen...'If I took the wrong road then it wasn't’t really all that bad'. Pan provide a sharp driving show that is sure to please. The next time you see the band listed in the Village Voice, spare yourself the cost of a pack of smokes and go see this top shelf band. Keep an eye out for their fall release, 'Everybody Knowz.' Info: http://www.thepan.com/ Scott D.
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