NXNE: BRYK KEYED UP
Holy Joe's, Thurs, June 8

Piano problems almost sank acerbic singer/songwriter Dan Bryk's North By Northeast showcase -- but not quite. Unfamiliarity with the keyboard -- his own Wurlitzer got busted while in the hands of Sloan sound guy Brendann McGuire -- forced Bryk to stop dead in the middle of the opening tune.

"I hate this piano," he grumbled, one of many times throughout the set that he complained. Fortunately, Bryk's got a great instrument in his voice, which comes across powerful and pure as it wraps around those bitter ballads.