It's always been about the groove, the pocket. You know it, and this quartet knows it. In fact, they've all known it for a long time, even while cutting their teeth working with various ensembles, some of them excellent, some not so good. It's all part of the growth experience, no regrets. Among the better gigs for these four have been the Boston Horns, Porch Rockers, Soul Inspiration, Chubby Checker and Frankie Avalon, Vital Functions, Dr. Awkward, as well as a few Broadway and off-Broadway shows along the way.
Who knows what it takes to bring creative minds together in the right formation? A culmination of influences and experiences, a gelling of attitudes, personality types, a mutual love for the music of New Orleans (and specifically of the New Orleans-born funk pioneers The Meters), an unspoken collective realization that it's all about the groove, the pocket. Immediately upon playing together, it was apparent that this project would be more than a rambling jam band, and far more than just the sum of it's parts. The time had come to cancel any other prospective auditionees, time to put the ear to the ground, and start playing the rhythms and harmonies of the people. Get back to people's basic human desire to feel the rhythm, to sing along with the band, to shake their asses, and get it in their souls.
Far from "a Meters cover band", this group consists of four unique individuals: Mark, Mike, Russ, and Mike. (Upon hearing Russ' playing, the other three waived the unspoken prerequisite that all band members have a name that starts with "M"...) Each of these members brings to the table his own unique interpretation of the New Orleans style of funk that the group focuses on. There are Meters tunes, as well as other staples of the New Orleans sound, along with a peppering of originals that echo the feel-good, tight-yet-loose grooves, and the overall improvisation. Some jazz influence here, some African influence there, a little Miles Davis mixed with some Stevie Wonder, maybe with a little bit of Maceo Parker sitting in with Sly & The Family Stone added to the mix. Would Coltrane approve? How would Frank Zappa feel about it? Would this pass the James Brown test? Mark, Mike, Russ, and Mike, collectively known as Trick Bag would like to think so. It is all about the groove, right?
Living for the groove, giving it up for the pocket. This is the real thing, because, you know, these guys really give a funk about the music. How about you?
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Hey! I thought I would drop by and say hello :) I hope that you had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I wish I was out in Boston so I could come hear you guys play!!! I send you very best wishes :)
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