Boud Deun, from Warrenton, VA, arrived with a roar on the new-music scene in January 1994, performing frequently and astonishing audiences up and down the East Coast of the United States. Performing constantly, Boud Deun shared the bill at clubs and festivals with groups like Gong, The Aquarium Rescue Unit and Porcupine Tree, as well as headlining numerous solo gigs. Although obvious parallels were apparent between Boud Deun's work and instrumental greats like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs, and King Crimson, there were additional influences from musicians as far-ranging as Minor Threat, Minutemen, Dead Kennedys, David Grisman, Leonard Bernstein, and Igor Stravinsky. The band members’ combined backgrounds in acoustic music, jazz, punk, bluegrass, and classical music further fueled Boud Deun's innovative instrumental sound. Their star burnt brightly and in their not-quite-four years of existence, the group played hundreds of shows, released four albums and won many fans. Their last show was September 26, 1998.

Many musicians listen to their old albums, and in particular live recordings, and say, “All I hear are the mistakes.” Well, I do hear the mistakes (there are plenty) but I also hear some amazing music.

Firstly, I hear phenomenal drumming. Rocky should be up there with the greatest of all time. In my book he is.

Second, I hear controlled chaos. I love it! These songs are weird. Especially Mat’s. Try to follow along with the surrealist logic (is that an oxymoron?) of “Waterford.” Those parts are ultra-specific yet seemingly random. I remember Mat once described this composition as a “dance song” and I suggested, “Mat, you couldn’t dance to this song unless you had three legs and one was longer than the other.” I think we were both right.

Third, thanks to Greg’s violin, I hear that Boud Deun could be as lyrical and rhapsodic as any vocal group. Listen to the tender lilt of “Ranileigh Gardens” and the dynamic middle section of “Burnsville” to understand that Boud Deun sang as much as we played (almost as much).

Finally, I hear my languid voice talking to the audience. I sound so blasé. And maybe I was. I know on a certain level, I took this band for granted. I had no idea this kind of musical kinship was so rare. Someone should have told us. They did, over and over. We didn’t listen.

Shawn Persinger, Fall 2025

Boud Deun is a band that just get markedly better as time goes on, & their releases go from strength to strength. The Stolen Bicycle, their 2nd Cuneiform release, is simply their best yet. The playing is as sharp & superb as ever, while the compositions [which includes their 38 minute/16 part "Churches"] are ever-more notable and intriguing. I don't want to be accused of over-loading the hype machine, but without any prompting, I have heard them called the best band in America many times, & it's kinda hard to to say much beyond that.