A wide selection of musical produce shared the aisles at Arlene’s Grocery on May 22, 2009. During each hour of the evening audiences sampled a different act: God Tiny(NYC, NY), Musiciens Sans Frontieres (NYC,NY), Cancel Winter (Toronto, Ontario), Measure (Brooklyn, NY), Atom Strange (NYC, NY), Fighter/Lover (Toronto, Ontario), and Ever Since (Thornwood, NY). Sound shoppers seemed to take a shine to Atom Strange whose heavier rock sway stood out among the lighter fare.
While extensive sound checks commonly occur at Arlene's, the benefits of extra time and care were revealed in Atom Strange’s atomically loud but well-balanced sound. Their show highlighted each member’s contributions from Rick Dunn’s (vocals), Alex Rude (guitar/vocals), Tony Baptist (drums), John Reed (bass), and Tom Denman (guitar/vocals). Blasting through a 40-minute set, Dunn’s higher register and virtuoso vocals broke through Rude and Denman’s intertwining solos and strums, and Reed’s intricate and booming bass lines, while Baptist mesmerized onlookers with a string of “stick tricks,” adding flair to his thunderous and speedy precision. The Memorial Day weekend material drew from an album in the works and included a flowing “The Voice,” which showcased 
Dunn’s vibrato, and the quartet’s newest single, “Cosmic Disturbance,” available in hard-copy at shows. A fervent “Breathe” was followed by “The Hero Dies Alone” that highlighted Atom Strange’s psychedelic underpinnings, and “Terminal” that exemplified the band’s heavy metal roots, Dunn’s lung capacity, and his ability to lengthy wails. Undulating melodies and power chords of “On My Mind” segued into guitar-bending “Visor Burn” and spacey “Mine.” Closing with a vehement version of The Beatles’ “Come Together,” Atom Strange did not estrange their fans though their rendition seemed to make some diehard Beatles-followers uneasy at the start. In the end, Atom Strange’s stage presence and relentlessly pounding beats mesmerized these strangers into fandom.
Travel to www.atomstrange.com and myspace.com/atomstrangeband (Include the word “band,” otherwise a rapper who “tried to steal [Atom Strange’s] name” will pop up.) for photos, upcoming tour dates, and track previews. Atom Strange's self-titled album is available on iTunes, and new material is currently being processed. Meanwhile, pick up a demo when Atom Strange hit New York on July 17, at Le Poisson Rouge or when they land in a venue near you.
