Joe Troop (violin, lead vocals); Charles Cleaver (piano); Chris Roszell (banjo); Seth Barden (bass); Daniel Yount (drums)
Influences
Stuff Smith, Louis Armstrong, Bireli Lagrene, Florin Niculescu, Paul Abordatoa,
Dizzy Gillespie, Calypso, Django, Adrian Rollini, Ella, so many more great artists!!!
This layout was handmade with love by the folks at My space or yours? Go get one!
Sounds Like
Here's our review from the Triangle's Independent Weekly publication:
INTRODUCING...
02.14 FIREHOUSE RHYTHM KINGS @ THE CAVE
"Swing is a debaucherous, scandalous, very sexual music," says Joe Troop, bandleader of the Firehouse Rhythm Kings, who will offer the perfect set for Valentine's Day. Bass and drums provide the backbone to a 1930s Southern-musicians-gone-urban-North quintet that includes piano, violin and rhythm banjo. With backgrounds in bluegrass and jazz, members identify as Southern. "There's a lot of lonesome raw power in Southern music," says Troop. Upbeat swing translates songs from the juke joint to the club with the clear-cutting tenor scatting of Troop and solos that exude pure happiness.
Remembering the group from when he attended UNC-Chapel Hill, Troop rekindled the Firehouse Rhythm Kings this past summer after about four years of dormancy with the help of original keyboardist Charles Cleaver. After several years of playing in swing bands abroad in Japan and Spain, Troop brings his experiences with him to the group. Recently returned from a month-long gypsy-style tour of Spain, he reflects, "The nomadic spirit of European swing really inspires me." But in the end—whether it descends from Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt or Stuff Smith—swing is about letting loose, being yourself and dancing. While the Firehouse Rhythm Kings plays the occasional ballad, Troop says, "For the most part, our music is really raucous and in your face, and people dancing is the best thing for swing... We want people dancing to our music. That should be in bold letters, with exclamation points." 10 p.m. —Andrew Ritchey
The Firehouse Rhythm Kings is a swing ensemble based in Carrboro, North Carolina and has in a short time ammassed a respectable brigade of fans and dancers.
Though the band often invites horn players to sit in, there are only five permanent members. Joe Troop, a veteran of multiple swing bands on 3 continents leads the band with hot fiddling, powerhouse singing and unique compositions. Charles Cleaver plays the piano with brute force and lush harmonies. Chris Roszell (tenor banjo), Seth Barden (bass) and Daniel Yount (drums) lay down a thumping rhythmic foundation guaranteed to make you jump and jive!
The Rhythm Kings tip their hats to the past with their tedious arrangements of swing classics, but they also showcase a nice collection of finely-crafted compositions that traverse many musical genres from funk to flamenco. Come see these guys live, and you'll leave the show feeling fantastic. Swing! It just feels so good!
[in response to your status comment] Good news of good groups spread FAST; TWO Shakori appearances!, and the second one especially was packing them in early. Everyone there was having a swell time swinging. Yep: swell. Congratulations!
Online Now!
