Funky band pushes envelope: ‘it’s classier than nasty’
By NAT FORT on January 19, 2012
Red & Black Student Newspaper
JazzChronic gets down and dirty.
“Spank Your Mom” was the first song Gnarly G, the band’s saxophonist, wrote especially for his wife — but with a twist.
“Even when I write dirty songs, they still come out pretty clean,” he said.
When JazzChronic played at the Bear Creek Music and Art Festival in 2011, it only changed one curse word to follow the festival’s regulations.
Even with the occasional curse word, JazzChronic’s music has found fans for its sounds, which stray from typical radio fare, members said. Courtesy JazzChronic
“It’s very naughty,” said keyboardist Howard Stroud, who performs in the band with Gnarly G alongside bassist Bill Baker and Justin Willis, on guitar and vocals. “It’s classier than nasty, though. It doesn’t come off as X-rated. It’s easy to understand.”
Whenever JazzChronic plays, someone from the audience undoubtedly requests the tune. But the band remains cautious about playing it just anywhere.
“You can’t play it at a family festival,” Gnarly G said.
One of the challenges the band members face when writing songs is staying true to what they like, but also suiting the tastes of their audiences.
“The women like it a lot for some reason,” Stroud said. “It’s really hard to know what is going to move people.”
JazzChronic not only got naughty in a song, but also with the law. During one practice, the band violated the noise ordinance.
“We’re off the hook now,” Stroud said.
“Groovathon,” the band’s latest album, and the Bear Creek Music and Art Festival were two memorable parts of 2011.
“That was really the apex of our band,” Stroud said.
The band’s participation in the festival gave Gnarly G a chance to see and hear other saxophone players — “All my saxophone heroes were all playing there,” he said.
AthFest also hosted JazzChronic, which performed at Rye Bar in 2009 and 2011.
“It’s a dungeon,” Gnarly G said. “It really is. But you can pack it with 100 people.”
By contrast, the band is looking forward to its performance at the Melting Point.
“[It] is really intimate,” Stroud said. “It has great sound. We’ve enjoyed playing on the outdoor stage when it’s warm outside.”
JazzChronic also looks forward to the opportunity.
“We’re the headliner,” Stroud said. “We’re playing with Vertigo Jazz Project. We want to execute things real well. If people like funky stuff, the kind of stuff they won’t hear on the radio, then they’ll like this.”
Additionally, one of the band’s latest songs is “Never Gonna Stop (Loving You),” which was Gnarly G’s second attempt to write a song for his wife.
“It’s definitely a love song,” he said. “I finally got it right for her.”
JazzChronic
WHERE: The Melting Point
WHEN: 10:30 p.m.
PRICE: $5
Calendar Pick
Flagpole Magazine Athens, GA
Rock Creek Park Dam Jam 2011
Wednesday June 15, 2011
Friday, June 17 & Saturday, June 18
Tent City
Twelve bands are collaborating this Friday and Saturday, under the direction of Logan Wallis and Allen Roper, to bring you the 2011 Rock Creek Park Dam Jam. A 45-minute drive will transport you to the park situated next to the Soquee River in Habersham County for two days full of jam rock, funk, jazz, Americana and more.
“This is a festival for music lovers of all ages. A two-day campout with some of Athens’ best local music and other bands throughout the South,” says Wallis. The festival boasts an impressive lineup, including 2011 Flagpole Athens Music Award nominees for best jam band Lefty Hathaway and Sumilan plus local favorites JazzChronic, Tent City and Laissez Funk. Also on the bill are reggae/dub/funk fusion quartet Domino Effect from Savannah, soulful jazz/funk band Those Cats from Statesboro, bluesy Savannah rock band The Looters and eclectic jam band Spong. Richard Chamberlain, perhaps best known for his work with the group Free Lunch, and Thomas Galloway of Mama’s Love will also be playing solo sets.
Rock Creek Park should provide a lovely setting for the weekend with a waterfall as your backdrop. In addition to the live music, you can also enjoy fishing, beer pong, a slip and slide, and ultimate Frisbee among other activities at the park. Bring your own beer and pay just $5 for entry, or pay $25 and enjoy free keg beer all weekend long.
Gates to the park open at noon on Friday, and the music starts at 4 p.m. For more information and the detailed schedule, check out www.tentcityband.com/Tent_City/rockcreekparkfestdetails.html.
Sarah Page Maxwell
Threats & Promises
March 2, 2011 - Flagpole Magazine: Colorbearer of Athens, GA
Music News & Gossip
By Gordon Lamb
Where You Goin’?: The No Where Bar seems to be making steady strides in becoming a regular music venue featuring original bands. Justin Willis, guitarist/vocalist for Athens band JazzChronic, is handling the booking for the shows, which take place on Friday and Saturday nights. You can check out what’s happening down there this Friday, Mar. 4, when JazzChronic itself plays with Big Daddy Love, or Saturday, Mar. 5, when Domino Effect plays the bar’s Mardi Gras party. For more information, please see www.playlivemusic.com
Best Bets
Athens Banner-Herald
Published Thursday, February 18, 2010
The week's best bets.
Perry Johnson Jr. Family Benefit
8 p.m. Tuesday, 40 Watt Club
Quite the lineup. Timi Conley, formerly of Fuzzy Sprouts and Aqualove, is joined by Andrew Hanmer on drums and Jay Rodgers on bass for Kite to the Moon, a funky Athens psychedelic act. The Suex Effect is a psychedelic funk/rock power trio. Jazz Chronic makes for a psychedelic fusion of funk and freak. The Adam Payne Band plays acoustic rock with a ’90s college radio vibe. $6-$8. (706) 549-7871 or www.40watt.com.
Best Bets
Athens Banner-Herald
Published Sunday, February 07, 2010
The week's best bets.
Friends of Advantage Behavioral Health Systems Charity Luncheon
12:30 p.m., The Melting Point
Eat lunch while enjoying JazzChronic, an Athens group that plays a bewitching blend of
different styles. $25. (706) 254-6909.
www.meltingpointathens.com.
Festival searches for unknown Athens talent
Red & Black UGA
January 31, 2010 by ASHLEY STRICKLAND
For six years, the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival has been building up its reputation as a four-day summer festival where “music and mother nature meet.”
Mama's Love is one of the local band's competing in tonight's Waka Winter Classic at New Earth Music Hall.
Set against the scenic backdrop of Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark., this year’s festival is already promising names like STS9, Blues Traveler, Zappa Plays Zappa and John Butler Trio, and tonight could change everything for one Athens band and take it from hometown all the way to playing next to the big names.
Ongoing is the Waka Winter Classic, a 20-city tour made by Wakarusa in order to find the best of the unknown bands in the country.
Tonight, the Winter Classic is stopping by New Earth Music Hall in Athens to hear JazzChronic, The Head, Mama’s Love, Sumilan and The Incredible Sandwich.
Wakarusa has not included Athens as a stop in the past, but recently realized what a great music scene they were missing out on and decided to open the competition to include bands from this area.
Wakarusa’s Winter Classic Battle of the Bands
Who: Mama’ s Love, The Incredible Sandwich, The Head, Sumilan and Jazz Chronic
When: Tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: New Earth Music Hall
“We get such an audience from all over the country that we wanted to hit some spots that we don’t normally get to to find some great bands,” Tasha Riggins, event coordinator for Wakarusa, said.
“It’s a great way to introduce new talent to a huge audience and a great way for us to find some great bands and musicians that are really popular in places like Athens but we haven’t yet heard. It’s good for the bands, good for us and great for the fans. Athens is a new stop for us, but it was an important stop because we know Athens is a big college town and music city, so we figured there would be a lot of great talent there.”
The five bands playing tonight have been chosen by the Waka Winter Classic judges via their applications to Sonicbids.com.
Sonicbids.com is a music Web site where bands can submit a press kit and music for entry into the battle of the bands in their specific city.
About 60 bands enter per city and the coordinators narrow it down to five or six.
What can tonight’s winner expect? A spot to play onstage between June 3-6 this summer at Wakarusa.
After all of the cities have been visited, fans will vote online again. The winner of all the winners gets a second spot at Wakarusa on one of the main stages.
The bands playing tonight are counting on fans to get them to Wakarusa.
The judges have made their picks for the battle, but fans will determine who wins the war and goes on.
Most of the bands were lucky enough to have friends on the lookout for them and entered the battle of the bands in the nick of time.
Tonight, they will have 40-minute sets, starting at 9 p.m. and going until 2 a.m., to prove themselves to be the best of what Athens has to offer and worthy of gracing the stage this summer.
Mama’s Love, a rock and funk-driven jam band from Athens, is looking forward to playing in the battle with their fellow Classic City bands.
“The competition is really good and jam-oriented,” Thomas Galloway, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Mama’s Love, said. “Some are probably better instrumentally than us, but we’re focusing on song structures, and catchy songs, not long improvisations. We want to make ourselves look unique through our song selection, lyrics and quality.”
The attention is timely for Mama’s Love — their new EP drops on iTunes this week. They aren’t viewing the Winter Classic as competitively as others because they consider tonight’s show to be one amongst friends.
JazzChronic has a similar view, almost. Their set is going to involve a few long songs of ’70s funk rock instrumentals.
“It’s going to be an awesome night of music,” Justin Willis, lead guitarist and vocalist for JazzChronic, said. “It will showcase the jam/funk scene of Athens.”
Luke Powell, a.k.a. Gnarly G, an iconic member of JazzChronic, felt a little more competitive about things.
“We’ve been Facebooking [our fans] like a mama jama,” Powell, saxophonist and vocalist for JazzChronic, said. “And we’re going to bring the jams. I would almost feel bad if we win. Almost.”
A progressive jam rock band, The Incredible Sandwich is merely grateful for the opportunity to play the Waka Winter Classic tonight.
“I think it’s most important for all of us to realize we’re very blessed to be in a music town,” Matt McKinney, lead singer and guitarist for The Incredible Sandwich, said.
“It’s a good stride for our town. It’s a tricky situation, playing in a battle against friends, because we have to cram all this music into a 40-minute set and let the emotions run with you.”
The Incredible Sandwich is also releasing a new album soon and already at work on a new one.
The benefit of constantly writing and recording means that the band has a big chunk of music at their disposal when the time comes for competition.
But how do the bands in tonight’s line-up pick their sets for a 40-minute show?
“We’re going to play our normal show and hopefully the impression will be that we’re a great band,” McKinney said. “Obviously, we all want to win. If we don’t win, we’re not going to quit doing what we’re doing already.
Dispatch from Terrapin Brewing Company
Athensjazz411.com
All I really wanted to do was check out the sounds of JazzChronic, a local fusion group I’d heard only on their site. The gig was tour day at local micro-brewer Terrapin Beer Co. So I asked the van’s navigator, Gertrude, to set a course for 265 Newton Bridge Road, and Pat and I were off to industrial Athens. Terrapin, it turns out, is housed in a big beige building on the left soon after you turn left onto Newton Bridge from Chase Street. The first surprise — should it have been a surprise? — was that they needed someone out front to direct the cars to parking spots, like Six Flags or something. Did anyone say beer? We stood in line with a score or so of twenty-somethings ready to party. We could hear JazzChronic through the wooden fence separating the parking lot from the good-time crowd. For some reason, the ID checker — who “checks everybody” — didn’t check us. Huh. Anyway, we paid the eight bucks apiece for some fancy souvenir glasses and some beer tickets, then headed into the big room — high ceiling, no frills, beer bar at the far end, and really big shiny tanks huddled over to the right. We took the tour. (You should take it, too. The story of the company is well worth a listen.) It turns out that one of my former students is training to be a summer tour guide! And Doug from basketball was there. And one of Pat’s co-workers from Food Services was there. Anyway, we ordered the Golden Ale, which is very nice. And award-winning. Then we headed outside to a large expanse of lawn full of youngsters having fun in the sun. Some guys were serving up delicious barbecue sandwiches at a long fold-up table, and JazzChronic was serving up some high-energy amplified funk-rock-jazz (in that order) from an outdoor stage on the right. We had a blast! JazzChronic will never be featured on XM’s “real” jazz channel. Jazz is only a piece of what they do. They’re all about the beat. So the Terrapin gig seems just right for their sound. The beer tours, by the way, continue today and tomorrow at Terrapin.
JazzChronic surprises, succeeds with new album
The Voice (Gainesville State College Newspaper. Watkinsville, GA)
Right off the bat with track one, "Openly Closed," JazzChronic opens up their first album, "Share the Wealth," on a good note. Solo guitar rhythms, followed by drums and saxophone; bring an upbeat jazz feel to this track. "Openly Closed" made me feel like a warm sunny day. It leaves a listener excited to see what the album has to offer in the next eleven tracks. JazzChronic introduces the funk in the second track, "Shotgun Wedding," with repetitive sounds that get you're your body in the one move grove, rocking back and forth of course. Track three, "Share the Wealth," is very put together. It sounds like a song a jazz band would play in the background at a suit-and-tie dinner and gives off great vibes that make you relax and smile. The band's rhythms harmonize throughout the entire song, making it really shine. "Drop tha Funk" is the first time there are any vocals and those consist of, "I'm ready, are y'all ready?" "Yea." "Then why don't we drop the funk on their dome." And that is exactly what "Drop tha Funk" does the entire song. Throughout the rest of the album, JazzChronic really displays a new put togetherness and grownup sound. Track nine, "Spank Your Mom," starts with a 10 second sax intro and laid-back, slow groove. Then the vocals come in, keeping the slow groove until the chorus hits with a fast and frank, "I want to spank your mama on the hiney." This song is very sexy throughout the verses and silly in the chorus. Background female vocals come in at the three-minute mark of the six-minute song and add to the already very diverse vocals.
"Share the Wealth" shares for sure. Shares the unity JazzChronic has found. They have found their niche; they have found their sound. The rhythms are on time, consistent, and fluid. The CD is a very light and easy listen. The jazz makes you feel good, and the funk comes in and gets your body moving. The drums, the sax, the guitar, bass, and keyboards flow into a masterpiece. For any already JazzChronic fan, this album will blow you away! For anyone who is not, after listening to "Share the Wealth," I can promise that the next time you see they are playing, you will not miss it. "Share the Wealth" is the grownup, matured JazzChronic. They know exactly who they are and that is exactly what they do. And exactly why this CD gets an A+ review from me. It is not bias, it is what it is; JazzChronic came into their own through "Share the Wealth." What more could you ask for than a first album to, not only define who they are, but show how far you have come. Check out "Share the Wealth," you will not be disappointed, but oh so pleasantly surprised. I sure was!
By Whitney Conner
Voice Staff Writer 924167533@gsc.edu
The Athens Blur Magazine May 2009,
Will Hackett, reviewer
Athens band JazzChronic released their first full-length album entitled, "Share the Wealth." The genre-jumping production incorporates soul, funk, acid-jazz, and rock to literally share the riches of musical talent and collaboration. This innovative and creative work truly creates a powerful musical experience that will, in the words of the band, "melt your mind." As the latter half of the name of the band's name alludes, be sure to stock-up on your MJ, sit back and realize the musical experience. Titles such as "Do the Math," and "Soul True" will be sure to take the listener to audio-vana, a place of listening heaven that all JazzChronic fans have grown accustomed to. The group will be playing numerous shows around Athens in the upcoming months, including a 5/2 set at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens.
Descriptions of JazzChronic shows
From Athens Jazz 411
Sax dynamo GnarlyG is the dude who makes it all work, and work totally, for this ensemble that stirs up a smokin' bouillabaisse of funk, soul, rock, and jazz. (I caught Gnarly's soloing at the 2009 AthFest, and I was totally blown away.) Leon Campbell, a seasoned sticks man from America's great Northwest, keeps the beat for JazzChronic. Rounding out the ensemble are Justin Willis on guitar, Bill Baker on bass, and Howard Stroud on keys. These guys stay busy, playing from Athens to Memphis and at points in between. You can contact JazzChronic by email (jazzchronicgigs@charter.net) or by phone (678-630-9923).
From AthFest
JazzChronic (4:10 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2009 Hull Street Stage) - Led by the superior reed work of Gnarly G (who plays with several other local ensembles), JazzChronic plays a bewitching blend of fast-paced styles guaranteed to keep audiences in constant motion.
JazzChronic brings diversity to Athens music scene
The Voice Gainesville State College Oconee Campus October 23, 2008
By Whitney Conner
JazzChronic, far from the typical Athens bred band raised on the epic rock and roll influences of the Classic City, prefer a different genre.
Mixing jazz and funk in fusion JazzChronic doesn't mind being the typical Athens band. Playing their unique sound all over the city and the state of Georgia for the past two years, JazzChronic has earned a reputation and fan base following them from one downtown venue to another.
Taking a good look inside the band revels JazzChronic is more unique than what meets the eye. Diverse in age, race, backgrounds and musical influences, they manage to blend perfectly. Watching all five guys interact onstage and off, it's clear this band doesn't make it work; it's all natural. As Leon Campbell, drummer says, "It was love at first beat." Campbell continues, "We love to turn people with our music, when we play there is no beginning, no end."
With their musical influences including James Brown, Grant Green, GreyBoy All-Stars, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Carl Denson, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, Dana Colley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, they all agree the funk brings them together. Even so, JazzChronic can't help but let some of the rock and roll roots shine through. "At times [our music] is real rock and at times it's real chill.", Justin Willis, lead guitar describes. GnarlyG, saxophonist, adds "An experiment of cultural rhythms." Each member of JazzChronic brings their thoughts to the table during the writing process. With the addition of the two youngest and newest members in the last year, Justin Willis, lead guitar and Bill Baker, bass, the keyboardist Howard Stroud describes their input as "young guns, new ideas." When they know the music's right GnarlyG says, "When it hits you, it hits you." Another unique quality JazzChronic offers Athens, the town possesing every cover band imaginable, they have yet to play a single one. With growth and transformations, mixing old sound with the new, the guys always wanted to wait and cover only when they felt securely JazzChronic. Now, without a doubt, their fans and they as well, know who exactly JazzChronic is. And so it may be in their close future; the addition of a few old school hits to their set list. "We are closer to playing covers than we ever have," says Stroud. "[The cover songs will be] something that people don't really know, but kind of know, in the back of thier heads when they hear it or recognize it." says GnarlyG. "No Free Bird," laughed Campbell. JazzChronic's music and image wishes to be perceived as "positive, happy," says Campbell. "People can get something from our band. We've got white dudes, black dudes, old dudes, young dudes." "Fans can see our band and in the back of their heads think, that's cool that this whole mish mash of people can get together and play some music," says GnarlyG. Baker adds, "[we] just try to get people to have a good time." Their love and appreciation for music doesn't stop in the blending of the sax, keyboards, guitars and drums. Each member has great appreciation of what the others bring to the group. "I like playing with all of them because we are all really coming into our own; each one of them is inspiring in one form or another through their playing and through their actions, that's it. I like them so much, all of them," says GnarlyG. JazzChronic welcomes everyone to experience them "Smackin' th' taste outta yo' mouth." with their fusion music. Keeping ears and eyes open for JazzChronic is not challenging. In fact, the likelihood of JazzChronic playing directly across the street from the Georgia Theatre at the Nowhere Bar happens more often than not. If you can't find them there, rest assured, they are more than likely downtown somewhere.
Be sure to check JazzChronic out on Oct 30. They could not promise anything specific, but do plan on something wicked for the evening, assuring to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. Along with seeing them live, check out JazzChronic's MySpace www.myspace.com/jazzchronic, and find information including upcoming shows, pictures, and much more.
By Whitney Conner
Voice Staff Writer
924167533@gsc.edu
Funky Groups
The Red and Black (UGA Athens, GA)
ROBBIE OTTLEY
Issue date: 9/24/09
Section: Out & About
Conventional wisdom says funk is dead: Parliament represented the height of the genre and purist funk has little relevance in modern music.
Entropy, an Atlanta band returning heavy funk to its soul, R&B, and jazz roots, disagrees - and so far, audiences like their experiment in funkology.
The band recently returned from a successful tour of the West Coast.
ENTROPY and JAZZCHRONIC
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: New Earth Music Hall
Price: $8
"Out West, they don't get to see a lot of acts like us," guitarist Bryan Goodman said. "They see a lot more reggae and bluegrass and electronica-type stuff, but as far as more pure funk … I don't think they get it as much."
Saturday night will be a funky night indeed as Entropy performs with JazzChronic, a band that fuses funk with jazz and rock and whose members' ages range from 22 to 57.
"[Keyboardist] Howard [Stroud] has been in bands since he was in college at UGA in '81 [or] '82, and he's played more gigs than I could ever think of," Willis said.
JazzChronic is working on a new album, which introduces a wider variety of musical influences than its rock-oriented debut.
"The newer stuff has been a lot more organ-based - almost soul-jazz, like the early Wes Montgomery and Grant Green," Willis said.
Entropy is likewise working on a new record, with singles expected by the end of the year and the full release by spring 2010. With female and male lead vocals, Goodman expects the new album to have a more rounded sound than Entropy's first two albums.
"Recording, in and of itself, is pretty much the polar opposite of playing live," Goodman said. "Live is sort of a continuous stream of moments that you try to blend together into this overall experience, whereas recording is like you're freezing a particular moment in time."
Athens' music scene is better known for rock and pop bands, but Goodman said funk still has its place.
"Music fans, in general, are music fans," Goodman said. "I haven't really found anyone who's just a reggae fan or just an electronica fan or just a funk fan."
Music and Racing in Athens
Athens Banner-Herald
This is the weekend of the UGA/Athens Twilight Jazz Festival and Twilight Criterium. It’s sports, music and partying that no one can do like Athens. They close the streets (see map) to traffic and form a 1 KM race track. The race goes clockwise for 80 KM. Meanwhile, partiers have snagged outdoor tables both inside and outside the course. Then everyone proceeds to cheer the racers with downtown Athens’ food and drink. Really, this is one of the state’s best street parties - sports enthusiasts, music lovers and everyone who likes to eat and drink are there.
Did you know that jazz is a uniquely American form of music? The UGA/Athens Twilight Jazz Festival starts at noon Friday, runs until 9:30, then at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and is free. Featuring Jazz Guitarist Mimi Fox, the U. S. Army Ground Forces Jazz Guardians, trombonist Andy Martin, Athens’ own Baby’s Blue Swing Set featuring Mary Sigalas, JazzChronic, Rand Lines Trio, Walter, Classic City Jazz, Georgia Brass, UGA Jazz Band, One Ton Tomato, Jazz Truth. There will also be some high school and college ensembles. There will be jam sessions at Cine starting at 9:30 p.m. Friday, at a cost of $5.
Not really a racer but like to pedal? They have just the event for you. It’s a 50 or 100 kilometer ride through northeast Georgia’s rolling countryside past Beaver Dam Farm (built by Kenny Rogers hence the name Gambler). Like a poker run, you pick up cards at several stops and the best hand at the end wins.
Athens gets into this bike/music celebration by bringing Bike movies to the Lab at Cine - including Breaking Away, Quicksilver and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
Getting there: Take 316 East, which turns into Atlanta Highway. Follow Atlanta Highway another three miles to downtown. There’s a parking garage in downtown. If you’re not familiar with Athens, you’ll want to come back.
Insider’s tip: This is a university town. The cops know exactly what it means if you are driving 2 miles under the speed limit or it takes you too long to dim your lights. And they’ve heard ‘em all. Bring a designated driver.
The music scene in Statesboro is alive and kicking
The 11th Hour, Statesboro, GA.
Brent Hulsey, owner of the Louisiana-inspired local hotspot, The French Quarter Café has taken it upon himself to inspire the community and area into reviving the music scene into what it once was.
"Each quarter we’re going to do a music festival," said Hulsey. "We’re really trying to push the music and art scene and get people out and involved in music here in Statesboro. We take a lot of pride trying to be the best music venue here in town."
Over the summer, French Quarter played host to a summer music festival, which attracted acts like Tent City. Now, they're bringing a welcome back party of their own as they host the first Fall Music and Arts Festival.
Starting at 8 p.m. with a cover of $5 to enjoy the night's drink specials and three acts that are entertaining and talented.
First up comes the local favorite, The Next Level Ensemble. A group whose inspiration ranges from Ozzy Osbourne to Herbie Hancock and India Arie, they are the new hot group to hit Statesboro.
To hear Next Level and get more information on them, check out their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/nextlevelensemble.
Next there's JazzChronic, a band from Athens who describes their sound as, "the intersection of our influences and the amalgamation of our imaginations to create a fusion flavored music born from funk, jazz, rock, r&b, hip hop and world music with exuberance, youthfulness and experience."
Check them out at www.myspace.com/jazzchronic.
The headliner of the night is Machine Funk, who pays tribute to Widespread Panic.
The band is made up of: Sean Mills, Kyle Hurst, Mike Brown, Greg Buie, Parker DeWitt and Chris Hall. Together since 2006, the band has shared the stage with performers such as: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, North Mississippi All-Stars and Jojo Herman of Widespread Panic.
For more on Machine Funk, check out their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/machinefunkband.
JazzChronic CD Review from www.jazzandsoul.eu
JazzChronic
Share the Wealth
© 2009 JazzChronic
Contemporary rock, funk injected jazz music with a key role for Gnarly G's saxophone playing and the Half Dozen Brass Band.
Well-balanced grooves with a professional sound, subtle without being too complicated. Suited as background tunes and clubbing as well.
Our top tracks: Openly Closed, Soul True and Spank your Mom.
Duration: 66.04 (12 tracks)
Genre: Jazz | Fusion
Labeled: Recommended
Don't Funk Me So Hard Mister!!!
The Nooze, Gainesville, GA July 2008 Edition
TN: Okay, Howard my man let the readers of the Nooze know about JazzChronic. How long have you guys been kickin' its jazzy little ass?
JC: From the beginning. it's been about 4 years, but this current lineup has been jazzing it for about a year and a half now.
TN: What's your current line up?
JC: Leon Campbell on drums, Bill Baker on bass, Luke "GnarlyG" Powell on sax, Justin Willis on guitar and me, I hammer on synthesizer.
TN: The recorded material I've heard from you guys sounds pretty live. Is it all recorded off the board at gigs?
JC: Most of it we recorded live at the Melting Point in Athens, some of it we did overdubs on the laptop but yeah, most of it is right off of the mixing board so you get the live feel, you know.
TN: However you're getting the sound you guys are getting, keep doing it. We get lots of requests on Nooze Music Radio (www.thenooze.net) for your material. The listeners are digging it.
JC: Well, that's what counts.
TN: That's what I'm saying.
JC: I think the direction that we are taking is capturing a certain audience.
TN: Yeah you definetly have found a niche. Have you got any plans to get out of Athens and maybe come to Gainesville?
JC: Well, we're working on it. We've played on the square for the Blue Sky concert Series not too long agoand we did a few gigs at Rhythm and Brews before they closed down. You know we are always looking for a new gig so send 'em our way.
TN: Definetly. You guys will definetly go over in the more sophisticated venues. Especially with that original sound you are pulling off. I really like "Spank Yo Mom."
JC: (Laughter) Yeah, I thought you would dig on that. We really go to take off on that one because of long the cut is. The boys all get to improvise on that one.
TN: You guys need to move on up to Helen and give 'em a taste of it.
JC: Yeah, we did Bigg Daddy's a couple of times back a while ago and I played at Tea Time with another band.
TN: Where are you going to be the end of July?
JC: The 25th. we're going to be at our place called the Nowhere Bar, the 26th we're going to at Farm 255, (both in Athens). We've been trying to break in there (Farm 255) and finally it's coming through for us.
TN: Well, you definetly deserve it Howard. Keep punching and don't funk them people too hard now.
JC: (Laughs) Okay, but I can't promise nothing, you know. Ya'll come see us!
America is Sweet
Snarky Puppy Tour - Post 8 – The Star City
April 4, 2010
I grew up in Virginia. Kind of.
I grew up in northern Virginia, which is effectively its own state. Unlike the rest of VA, there’s no regional accent. Unlike the rest of VA, there is no real embedded community, as most folks that live there have government jobs and move a lot. And unlike the rest of VA, there’s really no actual culture.
Like Roanoke’s own Texas Tavern. More on that in the next post.
Roanoke is a cute little city in southwestern Virginia with its heart in the right damn place. It’s been growing over the last 5-10 years in all of the good ways and none of the bad ones. A new arts center, and no new Wal-Marts. New wicked music venues, and no new douchey night clubs. So awesome. We lucked out a year ago with a new promoter named Carlos Aranguren (who sounds like a South American mob boss when he talks, so jealous) and he has hooked us up with big crowds and great venues ever since. He’s also a sweet drummer. Look out, ladies.
So it’s Saturday night, and we play Martin’s Downtown. This place rules. Great food, a super cool staff, and always, always, always a fun crowd to play for. Roanoke knows how to DRINK. It gives new meaning to the joke “Slow-a-noke.” As in, people’s reflexes and motor skills after a night at Martin’s. Anywho, Taron threw down in place of Sput and some crazy new stuff happened on stage. It was really, really cool. And the band that opened, Jazz Chronic from Athens, GA, was super cool. Great music and really, really nice dudes. A much-appreciated rarity.
(bold and underlined emphasis by Chronic)
Without much to-do, we went back to the hotel, looking forward to the next three days of recording with John Ellis and Jason Marsalis. I’m keeping this post short to conserve for the next one. All I’m going to say is, don’t sleep on the Slow-a-noke.
Artist on Artist Interview
June 2, 2010
JazzChronic Meets Colonel Bruce Hampton
This Friday at Last Call, the legendary Col. Bruce will share the stage with young Athens band JazzChronic. We thought it would be fun to pair the two bands in advance to talk about how the business has changed over the course of Bruce's decades-long career. Flagpole listened in as JazzChronic guitarist Justin Willis chatted with Col. Bruce via phone. Willis has been a fan of Bruce for years, particularly his work with Aquarium Rescue Unit, and he jumped at the chance to pick his seasoned brain. Bruce was forthcoming and charming, laying out the challenges of the music industry in simple terms and recalling the "archaic" beginings of rock and roll in the '60s.
Col. Bruce Hampton
Justin Willis: Hello sir, how are you?
Bruce Hampton: Good, sir, how are you today?
JW: I'm doing excellent, very nice to speak to you.
BH: I love your band name—JazzChronic—that's wonderful.
JW: Yes sir, that's Howard Stroud; he's been playing music for a long time, and that band name has been around a lot longer than I've been playing in it. But we've been trying to do the live music thing for a while now. It's been going pretty well.
BH: Good man, good. Are you the guitarist?
JW: Yes sir, I play the guitar and we've got a keyboard, saxophone, drums and bass.
BH: That's a great name. Haha!
JW: It helps book sometimes. I guess it's original and people seem to like it.
BH: If you put jazz in front of it that's scary,
JW: It is, especially if you're not playing straight-ahead jazz. It's definitely more new school jazz, I guess you'd call it.
BH: Yeah that's why I like the name.
JW: Well, my manager here and I came up with a few questions—trying to do a story here—so maybe I'll just shoot 'em at ya and see what you have to say about them. Let's see here. You've been in the business almost 50 years, and I guess the industry has probably changed a lot since you've been playing. We were wondering, since the business has been going through so many changes right now, we were wondering if maybe this is one of the bigger ones you've seen?
BH: That's a great question, and here's what's funny. When I started in 1963, if you opened for a band you got $100. That hasn't changed today! It's still $100 if you open.
JW: If you're lucky!
BH: That's just amazing, through the years it's never moved (laughs). You know, I started in '63 and this feels like '63 again. Really it's like the whole thing is changing so quick. Trying to find itself. There's not really a music business any more. Nobody knows what to do.
JW: Right, well I feel like so many people would play for free these days, just like the rest of us, we all love to play and if someone says 'do ya'll wanna open for this great band?,' they'll do it, you know, for nothing.
BH: Right, right right. It's the most brutal business there is. In the past three years of economic downturn, I've seen at least 30–40 percent of the bands disappear that were traveling and making somewhat of a living. They are all gone now. If you weren't in the business five years ago, it's almost impossible to break out unless you're backed by millions of dollars.
JW: That's true. Just being talented sometimes don't get you anywhere any more, you know?
BH: Talent will get you absolutely nowhere. But if you get in the door it'll make you last.
JW: Do you have any advice for musicians like myself and others in Athens about how to keep it going, how to stay alive in the business; if it's possible?
BH: Yeah, quit and go get a computer job. (laughing)
JW: Ha, that's probably the best advice for sure!
BH: Or sell food! I laugh, but beyond the laughter there's seriousness, too. You know, if you have to do it there's a gun at your back. You know you have to do it. When you're in your 20s, it's fun and 99 percent of people quit when they're 30 when they're faced with, you know, sleeping in their car or whatever.
JW: Yeah, eventually you want to be able to settle down and have a family and all that stuff.
BH: Right, right and reality hits. It's like the universe…you don't choose it, it chooses you. I'm basically a very shy accountant, and I wake up every day and I wonder what I am going to do when I grow up. After 10,000 gigs and close to 50 years of doing it, it's amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I don't care what level you're on, it's not an easy business. Whatever it appears to be it never is. No one really knows what it is any more. The formulas don't work.
JW: I guess it used to be just play your ass off and people will hear it and love it and these days you've got to promote it or have a look sometimes…I don't know, it's all about knowing the right people, that helps as well.
BH: It's like any business; it's all about who you know. The key is: booking agent, management, who are going to do it for the long haul. You can play for fun…really the key is if you really got to do it, just go do it, but let the universe take care of itself. Just go give 100 percent, play every gig like it's your last, and don't worry about anything. Take care of your business during the day…you can't be idealistic about it, but you gotta be realistic about it. Eventually, water finds its own level.
JW: What are some of your favorite venues you've played? What about in Georgia?
BH: My favorite venue is definitely Red Rocks in Colorado. The Fillmore East was the best venue I've ever played. It was just amazing, that was the best. In Georgia, it's always hard to beat the Georgia Theatre.
JW: When you first started in '63, did you think you'd be playing this long? Is that what you wanted to do? Did it just start off as fun?
BH: I had no idea. A guitarist in a band brought me to a gig and he just said, why don't you go try to sing? Which is like operating on bull brains in Bulgaria when I was 15 years old, or whatever. I got on stage and the first song I sang I just absolutely smoked, and I went, 'this is what I'm going to do the rest of my life'…But I had no idea what I was doing at the time.
JW: And 40 years later you're still doing it, so that means something.
BH: Hopefully it's all still a mystery to me. I mean there's nothing more boring that going to hear an expert. You know what he's going to do. I'd rather hear somebody with wonderful intention who is also going to play something exciting to me. But it's hard to find, everybody's good now! That's the problem.
JW: Would you say that persistence and patience is as important as play ability?
BH: Much more so. I mean players now, I'm sorry, there's 200 good guitar players in every city. When I was growing up, if you owned a bass you got a gig because nobody knew what a bass was. We wouldn't say 'that guy is good or bad,' but he owned a bass so we hired him.
JW: He had four songs at least!
BH: Yeah, four strings at least…we were not sure what it was in those days, but I remember that's how we hired a guy. We made him go buy a bass, and they had one that was broken, and he played it! And he'd only had it two weeks. Things have definitely changed. Another funny thing, to show you how archaic it was in the '60s, I had never heard a monitor my first nine years. Until I went to New York City, I didn't know what they were.
JW: You were just plugging in and playing.
BH: Yeah, we just had a PA…and nine years without a monitor.
JW: Yeah and that comes around and it's whole nother world. Do you enjoy touring more or sitting down and putting together a record in the studio?
BH: I like to tour more. I like to play live. Records are sort of boring to me. Unless you do them in two days, then I like them.
JW: Yeah, that's more live.
BH: I just like to have them as truthful as possible.
JW: Well one of my favorite records is always going to be that Mirrors and Embarrassment thing that you did with Matt Mundy and Herring and Oteil and all that. That's a great album. I absolutely love that.
BH: Thank you.
JW: I went to Atlanta to study and music, and Jimmy [Herring], this is before he signed on with Panic in '06, so he was coming in like every five to six weeks; I got to do some lessons with him throughout the year which, of course, was huge for me. He always talked about how you were a huge inspiration to him.
BH: There is no better guy than Jimmy Herring.
JW: Nah, he's definitely the nicest guy I've ever met, man.
BH: He's been a great friend for 25 years, and there's not many better players. The great thing is, man, as big as he is and as starstruck as he is, it's never gone to his head. If somebody asked him a sincere question, he will sit there for 20 minutes and help. There's not many like him.
JW: Do you still get to see him and play with him often, or does the Panic thing keep him busy?
BH: Well, he's real busy but he'll come out. He sat in with us four or five times this year. He's got a 15-year-old son who is better than anybody named Carter Herring who comes and plays with us quite a bit.
JW: Oh wow, is he playing guitar?
BH: Better than anybody.
JW: Wow! Well I knew he had a daughter but I didn't even know he had a son.
BH: Yeah and his son is dangerous (laughs).
JW: Awesome. A buddy of mine from Atlanta, Nick Johnson, I believe he plays with you some, doesn't he?
BH: He sure does. He's a marvelous player.
JW: That guy is great. I know Duane as well, doesn't Duane Trucks play the kit with ya'll?
BH: Duane's playing drums with us, right. And he's out with Derek for the next three weeks. We're going to bring in a marvelous drummer named Marlon Patton.
JW: Oh yeah! He's very familiar with Athens guys of course. He's one of the top jazz players in town, period, really. Not just here, really, anywhere I guess.
BH: Yes, he's a bad man.
JW: And will Nick be here Friday?
BH: No, our guitarist Perry Osborn will be there.
JW: So I guess you just switch bands out depending on schedules?
BH: Yeah I have like eight people I rotate, but Kris Dale on bass, Perry Osborn on guitar and Duane on drums are the basic core of it.
JW: Last question I've got for you—do you have any funny stories from the road you'd like to mention? Maybe an Athens story you can remember from back when?
BH: I've probably got close to three million. Uhh, I remember in 1963 seeing Otis Redding at a frat party playing bass. That scared me. That's the way you do it, huh? I've never seen a better group since. They had Johnny Jenkins on guitar, he's the gentlemen who taught Jimi Hendrix. He played an upside down, left-handed Stratocaster and wore very flamboyant clothes and Otis was in his group called The Pine Toppers. If you ever get a chance to hear him play guitar, he's one of the best.
JW: Is he still living and playing?
BH: No he died five years ago. Johnny Jenkins.
JW: I will definitely check that out.
BH: Yeah that was right before Otis joined Booker T & the M.G.'s. Hendrix used to sit and watch this guy play every weekend. Hendrix was stationed in Atlanta in the army, and he played with the Isley Brothers here and Little Richard. Matter of fact, I was in town—I didn't get to see it—but Little Richard fired Jimi Hendrix for out-dressing him one night. Haha! So that's another good Athens story! That was in like '65 or as late as '66. But Hendrix was Little Richard's guitarist and he played in Athens and Atlanta and Columbus. They would play those three cities a lot.
JW: I didn't realize he came down South that much. Well I do appreciate your time today Colonel Bruce.
BH: What a pleasure! I can't wait to hear you guys.
JW: I look forward to meeting you on Friday hope you have a good week!
BH: Yes sir, take care.
Transcribed and edited by Michelle Gilzenrat
JazzChronic plays music to get the crowd moving
June 23, 2010 by JEN INGLES
Filed under AthFest, Variety
Athens quintet JazzChronic brings the funk downtown for Athfest this weekend.
The band describes its sound as a fusion of funk and rock, and said it will deliver a rollicking set of tunes to get the crowd moving.
“I love playing Athfest because it’s always a big party,” saxophonist Luke “Gnarly G” Powell said. “You can let loose a little more than normal.”
JazzChronic’s tight playing and groove-heavy tunes have made the band a hit at downtown venues, fraternity houses and festivals. The band’s sound is rhythmic and a little bit raunchy, coaxing hips to shake and shoulders to sway. Band members said they are excited about playing the festival again this year.
“You’re going to play for a lot of people you wouldn’t normally play for,” guitarist Justin Willis said.
JazzChronic, with one full-length album already under its belt, will perform some new songs for listeners at Athfest, as well as fan favorites.
“Playing at Athfest is a must for anyone who calls themselves an Athens musician,” Willis said.
Powell said he enjoys performing at the annual festival, and always makes time to check out other acts.
“I love playing for sure, but I love going down and seeing stuff,” he said. “There’s always so much to see.”
