There's something inherently sensual about the act of listening to music: unwrap the CD; slip the disc into the player; slide the headphones onto your ears; sit back in a cozy chair; close your eyes; now listen...

The Feed understand this heightening of the senses better than most. Their music is first about feel: the grooves, the riffs, the punch. They're a blues-influenced rock band, this St. Louis trio—Dave Grelle (keyboards, vocals), Ben Reece (saxophone, bass, vocals) and Kevin Bowers (drums, vocals)—with nary a guitar in sight. It is, in fact, this absence of guitar that makes The Feed's music uniquely distinctive and unforgettable, with powerful, soulful sounds emanating from the overdriven signature Fender Rhodes keyboard, screaming saxophone and swinging drums.

Charged with adrenaline, the band's live show crackles with electricity. Even guitarless, the sound is bigger than you'd expect from a threesome. The music's engaging, feel-good rock 'n' roll, with Dave effusing personality and showmanship behind the keys.

Yet instrumental prowess alone does not a band make, and it would be a grave injustice to overlook The Feed's edgy, oftentimes gritty lyrics. The dichotomy of a refined, almost classical sound-Ben's swirling sax betraying his classical and jazz background-combined with raw lyrics and situations is oh, so inviting, much like the addition of deep, dark fudge atop a perfectly wholesome scoop of vanilla ice cream. And oh yeah, you'd better believe there's a cherry on top.

Following the 2006 release of a self-titled debut EP and well-received regional touring, The Feed have returned to the studio. Their first full-length, currently slated for release in spring '08, is yet another attempt at keeping it raw: transporting the vibe and electricity of a live performance into the studio, where it can be captured and preserved for release and repeated listens. Best to seek out your favorite listening spot now...

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