RAQ
(rak) is a psychedelic, progressive rock quartet from Burlington, VT. Formed in 2000 with original keyboard player Marc Scortino, Raq released their first studio effort "Shed Tech" a year later. In 2002 Scortino left the band and was replaced by Todd Stoops. Along with Chris Michetti (Guitar), Jay Burwick (Bass) and Greg Stukey (Drums) the band would released their sophomore album "Carbohydrates Are The Enemy" later in the year and embark on their first national tour. The quartet has played Tennessee's Bonnaroo Music Festival, California's High Sierra Music Festival, Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, Florida's Langerado Music Festival, New York's moe.downand [Camp Bisco] Festival, Massachusett's Berkshire Mountain Music Festival, and Massachusetts Garden of Eden Festival . In 2006 Harmonized Records signed RAQ and helped release their third studio album "Ton These".
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RAQ TICKETS
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Music
Glide Magazine says, "They've invented the concept of
jambands even having an old school style to bring back in the first place."
[1]
Touring
In its first national tour in
2002, the quartet played in front of thousands at many of North America's musical festivals including Tennessee's
Bonnaroo Music Festival, California's
High Sierra Music Festival,
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, Florida's Langerado Music Festival, New York's
moe.down, Massachusett's Berkshire Mountain Music Festival, and Vermont's Garden of Eden Festival . The band has also appeared at venues such as the
Great American Music Hall in
San Francisco and the
Knitting Factory in
New York City. RAQ completed a tour of
Colorado performing in front of sold out crowds in
Telluride,
Denver and
Breckenridge .
Hiatus
As of the time of this writing RAQ, is no longer touring, but plans to play again in the future.
Chris Michetti is touring with his own band simply called Michetti. The band originally also included Rob O'Dae on bass and Tim Sharbough on drums. Sharbough has been replaced by Greg Stukey on later gigs. Jay Burwick opened for Michetti on a short tour in early 2009,with a solo acoustic set, usually joined by Chris Michetti for one or two songs. Michetti usually performed a mix of new songs and various covers, while Jay Burwick performs a mix of new songs ( http://www.reverbnation.com/jayburwick ) ,hilarious covers, and classic RAQ tunes. Both "Michetti" and Jay Burwick solo, play in and around the New England area constantly and plan on more extensive tours in the future.
Recognition
RAQ was chosen as a 'New Groove of the Month' by Jambands.com, and nominated for a 'Jammy' Award in the category of 'Best New Band'.
Relix Magazine featured the band in its Spotlight section, saying "RAQ has the ability to captivate an audience, dropping jaws with hyperkinetic improvisational splendor." The band was also highlighted by Relix as one of the top bands to look out for in the summer of
2005.
Discography
Shed Tech
Released:
March 1,
2001 (debut album - currently out of print)
Artists
- Marc Scortino: Keyboards/Vocals
- Chris Michetti: Guitar/Vocals
- Greg Stukey: drums
- Jay Burwick: Bass/Vocals
Track listing
# Time Bomb
# There When I Land
# Verde Burro
# Tunnel Vision
# Hot Wired
# Confuzor
# Weakling
# Guilty Pleasure
# Last Bag
# Welcome to the Donkey Show
Carbohydrates
Released: 2002
RAQ's second release and first to feature keyboardist, Todd Stoops. The album was produced by
Grammy Award winner Mark Johnson (Paul Simon, Los Lobos, Jackson Browne) in Colchester Vermont at Egan Media Productions, and mixed by Johnson in
Los Angeles.
Artists
- Todd Stoops: Keyboards/Vocals
- Chris Michetti: Guitar/Vocals
- Greg Stukey: Drums
- Jay Burwick: Bass/Vocals
Track listing
# Shirley Be a Drooler
# TheDownLow
#
Beauregard
# Georgia
# Brother from Another Mother
# The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
# Circumstance
# Carbohydrates Are The Enemy
# Sweet Cream Butter
# Hannah Can
# Barometric Whether
# The Anthem of Beauregard
Ton These
Released: 2006
RAQ's third album. Recorded at
Phish guitarist
Trey Anastasio's renowned recording studio
The Barn, in Vermont.
Artists
- Todd Stoops: Keyboards/Vocals
- Chris Michetti: Guitar/Vocals
- Greg Stukey: Drums
- Jay Burwick: Bass/Vocals
Track listing
# Walking in Circles
# Forget Me Not
# Tumbling Down
# Glimpse
# Lush of Lush
# Bootch Magoo
# Will Run
# City Funk
# One of These Days
# Said & Done
# The Whistler
# Botz
References
- RAQ: In The Mouth Of The Lion