S. F. Weekly

 Paroxysmal and unpredictable, spazz-core trio the Molecules was a Bay Area underground fixture in the early '90s. Formed in 1990 by guitarist Ron Anderson, drummer Thomas Scandura, and bassist Chris Millner, the Oakland-based band went through two more bassists before calling it quits in 1997. The industrious Molecules played local shows constantly; they seemed to specialize in opening for Japanese noise bands. The oft-challenging performances predated much of today's avant-weird by a decade, serving up a genre scramble that drew equally from prog, no wave, punk, and skronk. The group's aggro-improv sometimes seemed more appreciated outside the Bay Area, as evinced by several U.S., European, and Japanese tours. The Molecules will collide once again when Anderson, now Brooklyn-based, stops over in SF for a reunion on his way to a Japanese tour with the group RonRuins. The current Molecular lineup, with John Shiurba on bass, is the same one that last played Paradise Lounge in December of 1997. The Molecules perform Friday, April 7, at the Hemlock Tavern at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $7; call 923-0923 or visit www.hemlocktavern.com for more info.— Mike Rowell

  original link - http://www.sfweekly.com/Issues/2006-04-05/music/hear.html

 The MoleculesBy Chris Sabbath

PREVIEW Bay Area noise fanatics who pine for the resurrection of Frank Zappa's ghost and splurge on Boredoms-style thrash and no wave get the next best thing — the Molecules' first performance in almost a decade. The trio's tense shows during their ’90s heyday ravaged listeners' ears with tangled webs of free improv, proggy punk, and space funk. The Molecules went through a string of bassists, the last being Guardian employee John Shiurba (Spezza Rotto, Eskimo), who will play this reunion show. Nevertheless, guitarist Ron Anderson and drummer Thomas Scandura managed to release several exceptional albums and kept up a hefty touring regimen that included jaunts across North America, Europe, and Japan. The band's keen approach to deconstructing song arrangements and experimental willpower were adored by many Japanese noise rockers and led to collaborations and tours with Otomo Yoshihide, Melt Banana, Merzbow, and Ruins. This frantic and exciting show is definitely not for the fainthearted. Dada Swing and Ill Ease also play. (Chris Sabbath)

THE MOLECULES Fri/7, 9:30 p.m., Hemlock Tavern

1131 Polk, SF. $7. (415) 923-0923, www.hemlocktavern.com

 original link - http://www.sfbg.com/printable_entry.php?entry_id=241