The Bad Plus ‘Never Stop' Innovating

Jazz popsters the Bad Plus will take over Anthology on Dec. 8.

The Minneapolis-based trio -- made up of pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King -- formed in 2000 and recorded their first album after playing just three shows. It wasn't long before one of their dynamic live recordings made its way to Columbia Records, which resulted in a major-label deal and a widely acclaimed sophomore release, 2003's These Are the Vistas. Since then, the band has released five LPs, including this year's Never Stop, for which they're currently touring.

The band is widely known for reworking pop hits by David Bowie, Neil Young, Pixies, Black Sabbath and others. The LA Times has called them "figureheads for a genre-blind mini-movement in jazz, earning perhaps as much attention for their skewed takes on such modern rock figures as Nirvana and Aphex Twin as they have for their deadly cohesive, virtuosic interplay."

The Bad Plus' new album, however, is their first to contain only original compositions. Never Stop has been praised as a step forward for the band, a return to form and a crowd-pleaser. It's sure to be a blast in the live setting -- along with the numerous creative covers that they'll play.

The Dec. 8 show at Anthology is sure to be packed, so get your tickets before they're gone.

T. Loper is a writer and photographer for the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.

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