In years past, Gary Pruitt’s band 2 1/2 Brains has been more like an open stage. He’s had several rotating musicians, but nothing stable. For the past few months, Pruitt has been collecting audio and video equipment for a brand new project. The result has been a monthly videocast. “Well, you have a hobby,” jokes Andra Lee Suchy, a recent guest musician on the December episode of 2& 1/2 Brains Live videocast, In Performance. It appears to be more than a hobby.

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Pruitt has always had a knack for song writing. He’s comfortable performing solo or with a hodgepodge of musicians. His latest project is tightening up the music that Pruitt has always done well. The production of the 2& 1/2 Brains videocast is reminiscent of radio variety shows of old. The video is sharp, the audio is clear and balanced. Pruitt humbly reminds us that all of this is made possible through the wonders of improved technology at the consumer level, “We live in the Age of Marvelous Toys”, He quips. All the better for the rest of us to enjoy these toe tapping shows.

 

Gary Pruitt, joined by Dan Neale on guitar, Matthew Probst on 7 string electric cello and Gypsy Scott on drums, have become a force, easily crossing musical genres through the set. Pruitt describes the group as “one of the best bands in the Cities.” The band’s hybrid sound of rock, blues and country brings to mind the sounds of the latest Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore collaboration. The band’s performance of “Cleveland” on the December episode of the 2& 1/2 Brains Live video cast warms up a cold winter living room. Suddenly, the listener’s room becomes a sawdust covered floor in a little roadhouse bar in Austin, Texas. “I like weed and I like women, I like Jack Daniels and I like bars, I like lazy days spent playing guitar, I like lonely Highways and fast cars” Pruitt belts out over Dan Neale’s slide guitar licks. Matthew Probst’s electric cello work gives the band a unique, raw, real music feel that appeals to indie music fans. Yet, Probst’s cello playing dynamics will also appeal to country bluegrass fans who are used to the more traditional screech of the fiddle.

 

The monthly 2& 1/2 Brains Live videocasts can currently be enjoyed at http://www.facebook.com/pg/ Gpers1111 . But, let’s hope that this band can be enjoyed live in the near future. Whether they’re treating the audience to original music or one of their covers, 2& 1/2 Brains will have drinks raised and every foot stomping. ” - • - Monica Millsap Rasmussen • - Twin Cities music critic.