It is always wonderful to see a good crowd out to support local music. The Owl Acoustic Lounge was packed for local progressive rock band the New Weather Machine, Saturday, March 3.

 Unfortunately I missed Open Channels, but arrived in time for the New Weather Machine.

 The band, including frontman Jon Martin, guitarist Jason Oakes, bassist Jason Schultchen and drummer Clayton Smith played a few tracks from their most recent CD “Seas of Dawn,” but mostly focussed on brand new material, which was  more in the vein of straight ahead rockers.

Both Oakes and Martin showed some substantial guitar playing chops with heavy riffs and hot solos.

 One of many highlights was a slower, ’70s inspired  number with a delay soaked  riff and long opening riff.