Skeptics may well cluck their tongues at the mention of the Active Percussion Duo. "If they're so very 'active'," they ask, "then how come I've never heard of them running the Boston Marathon, sledding the Iditarod, or even dancing frenetically? And doesn't the very word activity conjure images of urban rioting, reckless military adventurism, and goose-stepping?"

Interesting questions all, but entirely wide of the mark. For the Active Percussion Duo espouses activity not for it's own sake, but in the service of thoughtful and free-wheeling percussion music, often improvised but not always.

Members of the duo include Michael Brenneis and Geoffrey Brady, who collectively comprise half of Madison's beloved Tomato Box band, and seperately contribute to other beloved bands such as Albert, Yid Vicious, Ten Sleeps Trio, and the Theramones. Between them, they play all manner of drums, bars, stuff that fell off of cars, and much more. Imagine the immense effort involved in consolidating, cataloguing and playing such a vast and disparate array of percussiana. Is that active enough for you? Why not come and see for yourself?

The Duo will be performing in the respendent intimacy of the Mother Fool's Coffee House and Place of Performances on December 18, starting at around eight-o-clock. Admission is five dollars (cheap!) and in addition to playing for you, the Active Duo will be happy to answer any questions you may have, banter good-naturedly, and let you buy them drinks after the performance. Lots of them!