* Artist Direct - "Instantly, you know it's going to be a good time."
* Ultimate Guitar - "Chad Smith's Bombsatic Meatbat's were born and are now delivering the monstrous dose of funk that has been missing for a while. This is one act that shouldn't remain under the radar."
* Rolling Stone - "There is a heavy 70’s fusion vibe (a la vintage ‘Return to Forever’)."
* Anti-Music (Morley Seaver) - "I absolutely love this album. This is a super-charged record that runs the gamut of moods…Chad and the guys are pouring their joy of music out through each and every note."
* Shakenstir - "The most exciting and exhilarating instrumental music I heave heard in a while. If there's one album that has the potential to turn people onto modern instrumental music, it's this one. Magnificent."
* Crave Magazine - "The Meatbats take pride in fusing together a dizzying array of influences, including old school funk, punk, and 70's R&B which feels like a spontaneous party-funk celebration of soul."
* Type 3 Media - "This album oozes cool while avoiding the pitfalls of pretension that instrumental albums often fall victim to. With one swing, 'Meet the Meatbats' hits a home run."
* Music Radar Magazine (Joe Bosso) - "This record has a cool retro vibe. It feels like the Billy Preston record that Billy Preston never made."
* OC Weekly - "Solid jam band funk that manages to avoid the typical tendencies of sonic instrumentals wankery. Fans of meaty, hard-hitting funk hybrids on this side of the world betta' recognize."
* Shakefire (AJ Garcia) - "Think Frank Zappa, a jazz exploration of funky sounds, totally jam worthy but with intelligent design. If you've ever lain your hands on a guitar, a drum set, or a keyboard this album is going to be the motherland. Enjoy!"
* Bill's Music Forum - "An intriguing listen and will be fun to play at parties."
about Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats
Bombastic, funky, sexy and loud, Chad Smith (drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers & Chickenfoot) is breaking out on his own with guitar star Jeff Kollman, multi-faceted keyboardist Ed Roth, and Motor City bass ace Kevin Chown. Together, they comprise what is easily one of the most interesting and unpredictable instrumental bands to come along in years; Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats. Their sound creates a cutting edge sonic experience with a plethora of influences, fusing together styles as diverse as classic rock, old school funk, punk, and 70’s R&B.
The Meatbats sound is as uncalculated and spontaneous as their accidental beginnings, forged as an outgrowth of Jeff, Ed, and Chad’s recording and touring with rock legend, Glenn Hughes. Kollman recalls, “Whenever I would jam with Ed and Chad at Glenn Hughes’
rehearsals, we would warm up with some impromptu Jeff Beck kinds of grooves. One day
Chad said, ‘Hey, we should record something like this!’ Next thing you know we were in the studio making an album!”
Needing a bass player to round out the group, Kollman contacted long time friend, bassist
Kevin Chown. “I called him on the day of the first recording session,” continued Kollman.
“He came over and saved the day - we got five tunes down in no time and the rest is history!”
Nothing is ever the same way twice with the Meatbats. They stretch the envelope in their
exhilarating live performances, often deviating from the original arrangements to keep things fresh. No one knows (even the band it seems at times) just where things may end up musically. Each performance becomes a unique experience enjoyed by the listener.
“My influences, through my brother, were so many of the groups that came out of England in the late 60’s and early 70’s,” reflects Chad Smith. “Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Ginger
Baker from Cream, Deep Purple with Ian Pace, Queen’s Roger Taylor, Keith Moon with the
Who; those groups were the ones that I really loved. I wanted to play like those guys. When I started learning to read music in school during fourth grade, initially I held the sticks in the traditional grip. But, I remember practicing and thinking if I turned my left stick around I could get a lot more power and hit a lot harder. I like to hit hard. Hitting hard is very important for me - that’s the way I play and the way I feel it. Playing guitar, that’s all great and everything, but hittin’ stuff…AWESOME!”
The Bombastic Meatbats debut album, “Meet The Meatbats,” speaks for itself. Consisting of
10 songs written in the span of a few days at Chad’s pool house in Malibu (known as “The
Tiki Room”), songs including “Need Strange,” “Oops! I Spilled My Beer,” “Battle For
Ventura Blvd.,” and the hauntingly beautiful “Night Sweats,” exude a live wire feel, sarcasm, and excitement rarely found in the current world of digitally induced “perfection.” It is instrumental music with a soul and a sense of humor.
“This was the least amount of time each of us has spent agonizing over a record,” notes
Kollman. “It’s funky, musical, and compositional. The melody is king.” “These recordings
are very much live in the studio…it’s totally old school that way,” adds Ed Roth. “Nothing
feels as good as a record cut with four guys recording live together, listening, and playing off of each other’s riffs. Even without a vocal, you can sing almost everything that everyone played on this record. That is real soul.”
Since their first live performance in 2007, the Meatbats have conquered Japan with a sold out tour and have thrilled audiences around the U.S., while also regularly performing at L.A.’s famed jazz venue, the Baked Potato. “This band has a thing!” insists Kollman. “You can tell Chown and Chad both did their time in Detroit. They come from the same place musically and geographically. They are the funky heartbeat of this group. Chown’s a mix of Detroit Rock and Motown, while Chad brings that sick rock/funk groove that has helped sustain the Chili Peppers for all these years. Ed’s got the gritty funk and 70’s R&B thing going on. His clavinet playing is genius and he’s so great with leaving space in the arrangements. He has taste, knows just what to play, and his life goal is always ‘keeping it sexy.’ As for myself, I protect and defend the rock guitar!”
Look for Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats to inspire a new generation of instrumental
music fans. Their debut CD “Meet The Meatbats” is available now!
Meatbats, thanks a ton for the request. Sounds alot like what me and my friends are playing. All hail Jeff Beck ! Chad, you ever go to Dom's anymore? The last time I was there he told me you had been in to see him. Keep it groovin' !
Hi, Meatbats :) Was nice meeting you in Fukuoka & Tokyo! I really enjoyed your performance in Japan!!! I would like to express my sincere appreciation for every kindness you gave to me ;) Arigato! I look forward to your next visit!! :D Love you forever <3
Hi Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, I agree it is a great new album with lots of smooth jazzy, funky & rocking energy bursting at the seams. Beautiful work flows naturally. Good luck with the new album sales! =)
Thanks so very much for your gracious add, and a very good morning to you!
You have wonderful music on your page and you have great music influences as well.
Have a wonderful week, wishing you and yours a Very Happy, Healthy & Safe Thanksgiving, many well wishes, blessings, and inspiration to you, and much continued success to you. All best! Arlene :D http://www.myspace.com/arleneweiss http://blog.myspace.com/arleneweiss
Very Serious. Friends Please Read and help this little boy.
Ok all you metal heads , geeks , spazzes and just plane nuts. Please read and get this message out to the peeps of this earth.
Body: My niece Roberta posted a notice over on Facebook that I would like to share here as well. An immediate response is needed for this little boy: Quote from Roberta's Facebook page: "Lets all Help out. Thanks to all. Diana Harrison Biorkman (friend of a friend) has a 5yr old son Noah. He is in the last stages of a 2 1/2yr battle with neuroblastoma cancer. The family is celebrating Xmas next week, & Noah's request is to get lots of Christmas cards. Lets get him some!! Please send cards to.......
Noah Biorkman 1141 Fountianview Circle South Lyon, MI 48178 USA (please feel free to repost)"
Now.... all that is being asked is for you to dig up a Christmas card from a drawer, or purchase one for a dollar or two and help make this last Christmas a wonderful one for Noah. I myself have mailed off my card today and I am reaching out to you for help. Please send this sweet little boy in his last days some joy in the mail. I thank you in advance for your response. I know you will come through.
!!! THANK YOU THOUSAND GRACES(THANKS) CHAD AND I ASK YOU FOR THOUSAND DISCULTAS FOR BEING LATE SO MUCH IN ANSWERING YOUR COMMENTARY!!! THOUSAND GRACES(THANKS) FOR YOUR GOOD WAVE SOS ONE OF MY IDOLS Q ADMIRE VERY MUCH,AAAA AND AVERIGUE HERE IN ARGENTINE IF YOUR DISC WAS HERE IN MUSIMUNDO AND STILL THEY DO NOT HAVE IT BUT THEY ME ARE GOING TO OBTAIN IT, SOS RE I GELD AND THE BEST BATERO Q EXISTS SEGUI ASY, And Q GOD T BLESSES VERY MUCH!!!
My attempts to create an Open at the Mama Buzz Cafe have failed. The will be no open mic at the Mama Buzz cafe. The "Every Second Sunday" open mic has been double booked for the second month in a row. It is clear I'm not suited to be the host of an open mic. Thank you all for your interest and support. My sincerest apologies to all musicians poets that hoped and even planned for this open mic.