AdaM: Wubakia's guitarist, primary composer, and vocalist. The formation and evolution of the band has fueled a rapid expansion of his thoughtful and transportational songwriting, expressive guitar playing, and naturally magnetic stage presence. His command over the guitar and the wide range of effects he calls upon to sculpt its sound are hypnotic, and the frequent, contagious smiles that spread across his face during his high-energy performances keep our friends in the audience feeling right at home and thoroughly entertained.
Meet Maitland Vaughan-Turner: A quite-nearly graduated UCSC Computer Engineering major who decided at the last minute that he liked his own assignments much better; a chamber-violinist turned rock-bassist; a psychedelic pirate who will choose a sarong over pants any day of the week. With his extensive electronic knowledge, Maitland quickly expanded his role in the band from bassist and songwriter to also include overseeing Wubakia's hefty sound-engineering demands. An accomplished musician and eccentric by any standards, Maitland contributes an enticing songwriting style, an exploratory approach to jamming, and endlessly danceable, grooving bass lines.
A consistent student of jazz and tinkerer of any instrument in his path, Kris Yunker displays complete command over the 600 pounds of keyboards he splays in front of himself at every show. These include a shredding hammond-leslie, electric pianos, a clavinet, and even computer-sampling-triggers. With over 12 years of experience journeying through the realms of jazz, funk and Gamelan music, Kris fills out Wubakia's sound with heavily jazz-influenced voicings and phrasings, dynamic supporting rhythms, mind-bending soundscapes, and ripping solos that push the energy through the roof.
Larry LeBron - drummer extraordinaire - Compelled by the heady mathematic intricacies of prog rock, Larry takes an exacting and methodical approach to crafting and executing unique rhythms for Wubakia's arrangements. Through his natural talent for rhythmic creativity, Larry adds a whole other level of craftiness to Wubakia's songs and jams. His steady presence and focus keeps everyone grounded and connected, even when he's displacing rhythms as the jams plunge into periods of abstraction. With an evident jazz influence, Larry makes the utmost use of his expansive kit (and occasionally things beyond his kit)
Influences
Sun Ra, Zappa, Britney Spears, Phish, MMW, Antibalas, your mom, my dad, ALO, Critters Buggin, King Crimson, magic music from outerspace, Grateful Dead, Niel Young, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, the voices in our heads.
Sounds Like
A handful of sand getting thrown at a plateful of beets, amplified several hundred times, with feasting monkeys in the background...
When no other name fits, invent one... and make it fun to say.
Defined as the inverse of deja-vu, this experimental psychedelic fusion band's name conveys how you'll feel at one of their shows. You're doing something familiar yet somehow, it's completely fresh, like the first time - that's wubakia.
Fans who've witnessed this quartet interweaving Balinese Kecak chants into Isaac Hayes' Shaft or hauling a Hammond organ into a eucalyptus forest for a Pranksters-style test (complete with coordinated multi-layered video projection) will attest that this group lives up to its name.
Wubakia features four musician/vocalists: Larry LeBron on drums, Adam Schwartz on guitar, Maitland Vaughan-Turner wielding the bass, and Kris Yunker on an array of keyboards. These players bring to the stage a passion for experimentation and a diverse set of influences, ranging from Yes and Pink Floyd to Britney Spears and Sun Ra. This adds up to a widely varied catalog of songs and a live experience that's constantly pushing new ground.
On a given night, they'll share a soulful Grapefruit Sunset, laden with dynamic improvisation, and segue smoothly into a retro-funky rendition of the Sesame Street Pinball Number Count. The jam will resolve into the anomalous Traci Malone, in which listeners are submerged on a sonic journey to probe surreal watery depths. This all transpires without a pause in the sound, as the crowd dances in a fervor and the musicians' smiles grow. Everyone in the venue knows things won't unfold in quite this way again.
Wubakia has been thriving in the Santa Cruz scene for nearly two years, captivating crowds at Moe's Alley, the Catalyst and Don Quixote's. Now, they're actively embracing more listeners and locales, so keep an ear out.
If today's feeling new in an uncanny way, it might be time to check their tour schedule!
Hey whats new with you? Alot of new shit coming for 2010!!! Hit up the page, sign the guest book, and if you like the music there are download links for iTunes. We really do appreciate the support!! New plan, new music, new artists, new shirts (Teamed up with Living Local Clothing), new EVERYTHING!!! Stay in touch and stay posted, So. Deep SD is at it real big right now. Text Tony V at 619-961-8492. And unlike these other people who post a number.....mine is my direct contact, no automated replies. Hit me up!!! Tony V So. Deep SD
Ciao=D Have an happy XMas!!!^^ How are you dear?? Are you enjoying these days???=D What gift Santa Clause had gave to you???xDxD I wish you a Merry Xmas!! Kisses
i you like my music i am sending out cd's for free
