Must See Shows: Fall Risk at Darcy's

Saturday, Aug. 19

When I first speak to Rick Lopez, drummer of the self-described "intense, beastly, drone-hop rock n' roll improv on wheels" outfit Fall Risk, he is quick to acknowledge the wealth of youthful musical talent that surrounds the Erie art and music scene.

"I take influence and draw energy from my former partner in crime Ian Smith, McKenzie Lee Sprague of Optimistic Apocalypse (who we've been following since her days in Cold Pizza), Ian Maciak, the boys in Wave Trails (Cameron Fish and Zach and Ben Hyman), the unparalleled Jack Stauber, Ethan Oliva of Barlow and so many others," Lopez says enthusiastically.

Of course, this isn't Lopez's first band or his first time playing with guitarist Joseph Popp, with whom he shares a creative partnership all the way back to 1990 in an outfit called Blood Pudding. But as you may have gathered from Lopez's description, Fall Risk is an entirely different (and nearly indescribable) ballgame.

"I'd like people to listen to us by hearing us play live. We do relentless non-stop sets, like 40 to 60 minutes without stopping, morphing through different ideas and rhythm frames. And if they want to hear something online, there are some decent live videos available, but please do not attempt without some good headphones," Lopez laughs.

Lopez is quick to note local influences and speak of his musical history, but if you wish to truly experience the tour de force that is Fall Risk Live, you'll have to be at Darcy's Pub & Grub. — Aaron Mook

9 p.m. // Darcy's Pub & Grub, 3746 W. 12th St. // 21+ // facebook.com/DPGTHELOCAL // $3