Steve Bernstein’s Sex Mob SEXMOB and Guido Brignone’s “Maciste All’Inferno” (Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia)

When my husband saw the meeting planner for Steve Bernstein’s Sex Mob on his calendar his initial, and only, reaction was to ask me what, exactly, I had signed us up for.

To both his delight and mine, Steve Bernstein’s Sex Mob proved to be a fantastic four-piece jazz band whose usual specialty is deconstructing well known tunes. 

On this evening, however, we were treated to their original work as the soundtrack to Maciste All’Inferno, an Italian silent movie from 1926 in which the protagonist, Maciste, is dragged to hell and must try to escape.  The music was wonderfully innovative, evocative and fun.

We went from not knowing a thing about this unique group to becoming fans in the space of a couple of hours.

If you have the chance I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by spending an evening with Steve Bernstein’s Sex Mob.