For nearly two years, and roughly 90 shows, the Mahogany Throttle has been brewing up its own brand of American instrumental rock & roll. More commonly known as art rock, the band's adept use of textured sound, heavily amplified instruments and odd time signatures, makes them different from the rest.

This is definitely not dance music. Mahogany Throttle's very heavy sound is more reminiscent of a dark movie score or a thunderstorm. The band absolutely blew the doors off of The Social (434 S. 2nd St.) on Sat., Aug. 11.

There are three pieces to this musical jigsaw puzzle. David White, lead guitarist and unofficial bandleader; Brent Budsberg, bassist extraordinaire; and the backbone -- drummer John Gleisner. Each is constantly challenging the others musically; bouncing new ideas and sounds back and forth.

Much of Mahogany Throttle's music is improvised within a framework. It is rock and roll in the spirit of avant garde jazz. The music is ethereal, dissonant and not always pleasing to the senses. But it always engages the senses and stirs emotions.

Check out the band's Web site, www.mahoganythrottle.com, for upcoming gigs, live tracks, some early demos and selected songs off their album "Push Forward for Speed."