I’ve seen Think: X at least two dozen times since 2018. When they took over the Wisdome in the downtown LA Arts District for a few years it was an obsession of mine. The ambiance, the music, everything about it, encapsulated us all with a dynamic laser light show. Upward and outward visuals had an opiate-like effect on the mind, body, and soul. A hallucinogen heaven, yet it needed no drugs nor booze; it was a trip that was addicting and intense.
Saturday, July 20, at the Mint in Los Angeles, this outfit again proved their sound and stage presence holding it together with no need for a light show. Under the full moon, they performed to a packed house.
Comprised of an all-star lineup of musicians including Norwood Fisher on bass, Stephen Perkins on drums (whose son Eden Perkins came out to jam along with the band for a couple of songs that night), Will Champlin on the keys, Kenny Olson on guitar, Derek Day on vocals and guitar, legendary saxophone artist Scott Page, and Roberta Freeman on vocals, also the gorgeous bad ass singing to the audience and playing the tambourine. Scott and Roberta led this tribe together, and both performed with the original members of Pink Floyd.
They performed Syd Barret’s classics like “Wish You Were Here,” “Money,” “and of course, the encore, “Comfortably Numb,” was as fresh and exciting as the original. Think: X is an epic onslaught on the senses that is absolutely brilliant and surreal to witness live. A tribute to Pink Floyd like none other.
“I have become comfortably numb… bitch!” shouted Derek Day into the microphone, and then American badass guitarist Kenny Olson blasted off into a guitar attack. Scott Page seemed to make sounds happen through the rays emanating from his fingers. He then brought us back to the present, the greatest gift of time. “Now is what’s real; now is all we have, for everything else is an illusion.” You could escape reality for a few hours as this group delivered sounds with ingredients that dreams are made of. After the show, I enjoyed conversations with Scott Page and Roberta Freeman.
The storm of the world will always be around us, and music is the ticket for us to come together and escape. One great thing about this show was that it was truly an escape from all of that.
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Let’s talk about the Mint:
Scott Page: The Mint is one of my favorite rooms to play in LA. The sound guy is fantastic. It’s so classic and intimate, the way the room feels for musicians. It has a special sound that inspires the musicians and transcends the people in the room. The spirit of the room was pretty high. I felt it, and I felt like everyone else felt it. It helped lift the band and everybody had a great time.
Roberta Freeman: The Mint is iconic! So many great bands have been there, and being home, all our friends were there, and so many familiar faces, fans, and people we hadn’t seen in a long time. It was a super special show. Jonas, the soundman at the Mint is so good in how he made it come together. Being on a smaller stage, we’re a little family, and we felt comfortable and right. Everyone was so happy to be there; the energy was through the roof when we hit the stage.
What was the highlight of the night for you?:
Scott Page: Seeing Perkins‘ son with him was a highlight because I used to go places with my dad. It was a proud papa moment. That was great. Perkins has a feel and a vibe of his own when he plays, and he helps inspire. He’s one of my favorite people to play with.
Roberta Freeman: We did “Shine On” for the first time, which was exciting. We didn’t rehearse the song; we did a bit of a different arrangement, which was my highlight. We were having such a good time with the rest of the set by the time we did “Shine On,” we all looked at each other like ‘Let’s fuckin do this!’ Even if we made mistakes, we knew it was going to kick ass anyway. It was so nice to have Eden on stage, we had such great energy.
What plans are in store for Think: X, future shows, etc.
Scott Page: These were the first shows played since the jazz fest we did in New Orleans, and Perkins just got off tour with Janes Addiction. Separate from Think: X, I’m going to Nashville, unveiling the Moon EXP. I actually put Pink Floyd on the moon through Space X and NASA. It launched on February 15 and landed on February 22 with a hard drive that is supposed to last a billion years. I’ll be playing w Gerardo Velez , the original percussionist with Jimi Hendrix. I’m doing an unplugged version of Dark Side of the Moon in Nashville to celebrate the launch and landing.
Roberta Freeman: Talking about doing a show in Cabo, it’s always nice to travel with these guys they’re great travel companions.
Think: X doesn’t need flashy visuals to blow minds; their raw talent and chemistry do the trick every time. This isn’t just a show; it’s an experience that reminds us how powerful music can be.
Scott and Roberta teased some cool stuff on the horizon. From new shows to wild projects, Think: X is always pushing the envelope. Until the next gig, keep dreaming, keep listening, and keep escaping with the magic of live music.
Article, Interview & Photographs by Maggie St.Thomas
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