The Mercury Program

Without a doubt The Mercury Program have established themselves as one of the most exciting bands to some out of Florida in a long time. The band's breathtaking recordings and hypnotizing live performances have quickly gained them a dedicated following. Formed in the summer of 1997, the band has come out of its shell with its refreshing mix of angular guitars, rhythmic bass lines, jazz-influenced drumming and ethereal vibraphones.

The Mercury Program then released a new EP in early 2001 entitled All the Suits Began to Fall Off, which demonstrates the band's maturation and comfort as a quartet. Tom Reno's guitar parts are loopy and sprawling, while Sander Travisano's bass lines ground the band somewhere in the country between jazz, rock, and blues. Vibes and rhodes take a more prominent role, and there is even some use of a cello. Unlike previous releases, this EP doesn't include any of the usual sparse bits of vocals, instead All the Suits Began to Fall Off is completely instrumental. To the road the boys headed, touring for two weeks in April and three in May. Sold out shows, enthusiastic audiences and praise from the press followed TMP around the eastern half of the country. With two successful tours under their belt within a year, the Gainsville boys hit the road again in July and August for a 5 week western tour with the Fire Bird Band (ex-Braid). They were excited, and you know what happens when Southerners get excited! The tour was a complete success, having TMP play to its biggest audiences and performing its most intricate set to date, combining material off all three releases and incorporating a "desktop" into their set.