Tag Archives: dumpstaphunk

Dumpstaphunk, Brooklyn Bowl, March 23, 2013

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579796_10151421223611575_2065743179_nHigh level notes:

  • The Bowl was packed – sold out, line out the door and holding because they were at capacity.
  • I did not have the fried chicken this time – I had the BBQ Wings. Still just as delicious.
  • I did not bowl this time. Last time I bowled a 43. I will not bowl there until I have practiced sufficiently to bowl over 43!
  • There was a bachelorette party in the crowd, I saw a blowup penis, bouncing up and down in the crowd. I tried to see if there was a reaction from Dumpstaphunk, but I think these guys have seen it all. No blow up penis is gonna change Dumpsta’s funk factor.

Opener: The London Souls

These guys are high on the radar. They rock it down with their old school rock (shredding guitars, hard beats of the drum – think Led Zeppelin with a Lenny Kravitz vibe – that’s The London Souls.  I just saw them last week at Bowlive IV.  They never disappoint.

Dumpstaphunk

Nick Daniels III – Bass, Vocals
Tony Hall – Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Nikki Glaspie – Drums, Vocals
Ian Neville – Guitar, Vocals
Ivan Neville – Hammond B3, Clavinet

You know about the whole two bassist’s thing right?  For a funk band, the more bassist’s you can get on the stage the better.  It works.  It’s deep – it’s nasty funk.  In a very good way.

Did you know they all sing?  That their songs have lyrics – that it isn’t a jam fest where you go deep into one song for 20 minutes?  (You all know I love a good 20 minute jam, but sometimes it’s not for everyone)  Did you know they are releasing a new album in June?  This will be their second album – they played a few songs from the new album on Saturday night, and from what I could tell around me – everyone was diggin’ it.  I was diggin’ it.

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photo by: Vernon Webb

I didn’t have my notebook, I wasn’t taking notes – I was trying to observe the crowd around me but I have to tell ya’ll – it was a party.  It felt like Dumpsta brought the party with them all the way from New Orleans.  They have an energy that gets everyone moving, up, dancing, laughing, smiling, hootin’ and hollering.  The Brooklyn Bowl in itself has magic – great club, food, atmosphere, music and then Dumpsta comes in and throws a bit of Louisana charm all over the walls and it just becomes one big dance party.

The night ended with a dance party – no joke – a dance contest that lasted well throughout the night.  The Dance Contest, billed as “Soul-Clap” started at 1am, and danced well into the night.  The dance floor was full.  My friends were still bowling.  It was another beautiful night at The Brooklyn Bowl.

Highlights: 

  1. Tony Hall took off his bass at one point, to where he was playing this gorgeous blue guitar.  (Or was it a bass?)  If anyone has a picture of this, I’d love to see it.  It was absolutely amazing.
  2. Ivan Neville got up from behind the keys to play guitar with Tash for the last couple of songs.  That was smoking, I do hope the tapers caught that.  Five guitars – Ivan, Ian, Tash, Nick Daniels and Tony Hall.  Sickness.
photo by: Vernon Webb

photo by: Vernon Webb

Set List:

Blues Wave
Gasman Chronicles
Water
Take Time
Color Blind
Dancing to the Truth
Quazar
Deeper
Put It In the Dumpsta
Meanwhile… (w/Tash)
Living in a World Gone Mad (w/Tash)
Lt. Dan
Nikki Glaspie drum solo madness
Shake Your Money Maker (Ludacris cover)
Public Service Announcement (Jay Z cover)
Vivrant Thing (Tribe Called Quest cover)
Do Ya
One Nation Under a Groove

Here’s a great YouTube from last year’s Jazz Fest with Dumpsta and The Neville Brothers.  Kids, it doesn’t get any better than this.  Enjoy!

Wanee Festival – Friday, April 20, 2012

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I woke up and hung with my camp family while some people trekked up to the Peach Stage for Bruce Hornsby.  Even in camp I could hear Bruce playing a soulful tribute to Levon Helm with “The Night They Drove ‘Ole Dixie Down” and “Ride That Train”.  It gave me the chills and I wasn’t near the stage.  My friends told me it blew them away.

I do finally motivate around 1:30 to go see Buddy Guy.  On a hot afternoon, the sun beams down on the field and my notes go something like this:  playing with one had, keyboardist explosion, deep southern groove, Buddy is BAD.

Yes, Buddy is bad singing “Nobody Loves Me but my Guitar,” and then he stops and banters with the crowd.  “Wait a minute, wait a minute.  Ya’ll brought me here to sing the blues, we will not disappoint!”  He goes into “Hoochie Coochie Man” and then stops again to scream at the crowd.  “I was in India, and even they didn’t f*ck up the words like yall have.”  Yep, Buddy Guy is a character – but can belt the blues like nobody’s business.

Then he does this bit where he leans on the speaker, turns the guitar around and sings this song where he plays a lick with his belly – or more to the point – his man parts.  Uh huh.  Seriously.

Then I move over to the mushroom stage to hear Mickey Hart’s new band that I had been hearing really great things about.  I wanted to hear it for myself.  The crowd goes wild on the first song, Not Fade Away, and the female singer, Crystal Monee Hall, brings a nice feminine voice to the mix.  Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) is on base and then we go into some of Mickey’s new songs from his latest album, Mysterium Tremendum.  I can honestly say this was the set that blew me away with new sounds, great jams and hard hitting percussion and bass.  Some new music that really blew me away with its experimental groovy danceable jams.  The third song began sounding reminiscent of early Pink Floyd with a bit of space and drums mixed in.  The jams were hot and new and fresh.  I can’t wait to see them again.

SET LIST:  Not Fade Away >, Let There Be Light, Time Never Ends > Who Stole The Show?, Starlight Starbright, Cut The Deck > Bertha >, Supersonic > jam >, Fire on the Mountain

photo by: Shelly Smith

I then move back to the Peach Stage to see Tedeschi Trucks Band.  If you know me at all, you know I’m a huge Derek Trucks fan.  No, I was not disappointed at this set.  They are greeted by a loving crowd.  Tedeschi sings the first note of the first song and the audience is captivated.  The sun beams down on the field, Susan Tedeschi banters with Derek Trucks’ guitar.  The horn section is tight and sharp.

A few songs from Trucks’ old band, Derek Trucks Band were dusted off with “I Know” with Matt Mattson singing.  It was a strong rendition, with a B3 keys explosion from Kofi Burbridge, and a just a tiny bit of shredding from Derek Trucks.

“Love Has Something Else to Say” was changed up a bit, there was a sick trumpet groove by DeShawn Ross, Oteil Burbridge, bass, was squirming in the background, hitting the sickest bass groove.

I then found some food while they played “Midnight in Harlem.”  Derek noodled for a bit while I was on the ticket line, and then they began the song. Derek and Kofi start off the song sultry and soft.  It is a beautiful song, Susan sings it perfectly – there is no one else out there with her type of voice.  It was chillingly beautiful.  And it was silent during Trucks’ solo.  A field of 20,000 people, silent.  He shreds that guitar to a silent crowd.  Wow.

The second DTB song was Majoun, with its soft and dreamy bantering flute and guitar also kept me swaying in the crowd.  Full set list below:

Don’t Let Me Slide, I Know, Love Has Something Else To Say, Midnight In Harlem, Down Don’t Bother Me / Band intros, Lord Protect My Child, Nobody’s Free, That Did It, Mahjoun > bass > drums, Darlin’ Be Home Soon >, Bound For Glory

I needed a break after that one; needed some food, more drink, and a rest back at camp.  On the way back to the site I heard Bonerama from the Mushroom stage.  A little bit later I heard Furthur begin to play. I sat in a chair at camp (home), and listened to both bands play. Continue reading →

2011 Catskill Chill Festival, Camp Minglewood, Fri & Sat

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The Scene:  Talk about a Chill Festival.  This small little festival was tucked away far into the Catskill Mountains, at a summer camp called Camp Minglewood.  It had all the makings of a lovely summer camp; cabins for campers to sleep, docks and a lake for swimming, halls for eating and gathering.  This weekend, Camp Minglewood was transformed into a vendor filled, camping, music loving extravaganza.  Tents were mixed with the cabins, electricity was available for coffee percolators in the morning, hot showers (yes, I said HOT showers in the cabins) and the people were friendly.  So friendly.  Did I mention friendly?  Hugs and good mornings from strangers and friends alike.  It felt like one large big happy family, who were all floating on air from music overload, shared experiences and dancing hard.

Friday:  So, after a long day at work, and a longer ride up to the Catskills, getting our wristbands, parking the car, finding the cabin, and unloading, we were able to catch the evening’s last set.  My friend and I found our friends and I was jonesing for some music already.  We bolted from our posse and went to find the music.  We made the last set of the night, Break Science.  I remember there were about 300-400 people, and some very heavy beats from Mr. Adam Deitch.  After I got my fill from head nodding, and some hip shaking, we went to check out the fire drum circle. Jumping through mud puddles, we checked it out, and was treated to a fire dancer twirl right next to us.  I put my toes near the fire, got warmer (thankfully!) and wandered around.  We went back to the cabins to chill out with my posse, check out the vendors, understand the lay of the land, and think I passed out at 3.  Oh – we had bunkbeds, typical for a summer camp.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve slept in bunkbeds.  (side note: bring padding for bunkbeds).

Photo by: Josh Raskin/Tiny Rager

Saturday:  Ok, so I was hurting this morning.  Between the crazy long week, the dancing and wandering till 3am, the bunk beds and waking up to the sound of the drum circle still going on, I have to admit… I was kind of hurting.  If you know me, you know I am not the most lively, cordial, talkative person in the morning, and my new cabin mates learned that quickly.  I found the coffee truck, bought three cups, gave one to my friend and drank the other two quickly.  It helped…  It was beginning to help.

The day was gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky, the sun was out, the weather was a perfect 80 degrees.  It was spectacular.  And perfect.  And very Catskill Chilling.

The Heavy Pets: I gathered myself together, took a shower, ate a bit of food (don’t remember what it was), and got myself down to the stage for The Heavy Pets.  It was a really nice way to start the day.  The Main Stage wasn’t packed at all – probably under 400 people.  The Pets jammed, crazy guitar licks, heavy groovy bass drum, bouncy, trippy kind of music.  There was room to bounce.  There was room to jam.  I was relaxing into the vibe of the festival – the Chill.

Photo by: Josh Raskin/tinyrager

There was a surprise birthday party for me and a few other Virgo babies, that was completely a surprise for me.  The coordination to get at least 20 people together, at a certain time at a festival is a feat in itself, but to have candles and goodie bags for the birthday boys and girls, well… all I can say is I am grateful.  (And thank you, Karen.)

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Photo by: Phrazz

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds:  Wow.  Hello there.  I’d never seen these guys before and… wow.  Rage-o-rama.  Horns galore, incredible harp player, and the chick that sings – WOW.  I was impressed.  We had trombone, trumpet, sax, bass sax, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, drums, singer.  The horns do a great dance in sync, Sister Sparrow sings it hard – full Aretha/Whitney/Janis in your face (the chick is about 5 feet nothing and maybe weighs 25 pounds.  How does that work?!?)  This band is on my highlights list.  They are fun.  They are funky.  And I danced my butt off.

Photo by: Robyn Gould

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Steve Molitz Talks Catskill Chill, Sept. 6, 2011

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Catskill Chill Music Festival, Hancock NY

September 9 – 11th.

My buddies are putting on this great festival and it will be my first year attending.  Travelling north a few hours into the woods of Upstate NY, near the town of Bethel, NY close to the infamous Woodstock of ’69, the lineup touts such great acts as:

  • Umphree’s McGee
  • Conspirator
  • 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzmann
  • Dumpstaphunk
  • JGB w/ Melvin Seals
  • Perpetual Groove
  • Particle
  • Big Sam’s Funky Nation
  • Zach Deputy
  • Pimps of Joytime
  • The Heavy Pets
  • …and more.

I was lucky to get an interview with the keyboardist from Particle, Steve Molitz, and Jambands.com picked it up before I could get it on View Skewed.

Check it out here:  http://www.jambands.com/the-loop/2011/09/06/steve-molitz-talks-catskill-chill/

I’ll be covering the Chill for View Skewed, so stay tuned.  This should be a great end of the summer festival!

Wanee Festival, Day 3 – Saturday, April 16

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Ed note:  If you haven’t read Day 1 or Day 2 before Day 3, you should start there.


Lost Vortex #3: You knew it was coming, right?  Things happen in threes.  Sunglasses.  Gone.  Sheesh.

Back to camp, hangin’ with the camp family with coffee in hand, we hear flute sounds coming from the Peach Stage.  10:30 am, it was time to boogie.  I went down to see the goings on with my girl.  Her brother was playing with the Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio this morning, and we wanted to get up there and see the music.  The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio was lovely morning music, nice and jazzy with shredding rock, a flute here and there, keys, killer.  Yep, just beautiful.  After the show, we were told that Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were stranded in Iceland because of the volcanic ash, so they were gonna re-jigger the schedule around and there would be a jam session before Johnny Winter.  I laughed out loud, I love Wanee impromptu jams, they are so sweet… heh, we are in for a treat later today.

Spirit of the Suwanee Magical Moment: I asked my friend to call my phone, one last time, maybe someone will pick up?  She looked at me crazy but appeased me.  The next thing I know she’s saying “Hello?  Hello?”  The person on the other side says, “Wow, I just turned the phone on this second and it rang.”  Yes, that is what I’m saying…magical.  He found it in another campsite, in the dirt, two days ago.  Wow.

Went back to the campsite, chilled with my camp family and waited for Dr. John. The Peach Stage and the Mushroom Stage’s schedules had slipped because Sharon Jones couldn’t make it, and my timing was getting off.  The dilemma:  Dr. John vs. Robert Randolph vs. Dumpstaphunk.  I decided to go see a bit of Dr. John, then go see Dumpsta, then go see Robert Randolph and the Word.  I was feeling a bit schizophrenic, to be honest.  I had total “I’m gonna miss a really great set” anxiety going on.  I had camera, notebook and earplugs.  I left the camp and started on my journey.

A Family Affair with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk is on stage.  Wow.  Good lord they threw down.  A Sly set, holy schmoley.  It was a breezy hot afternoon, people were raging out, the sax and the trumpet were loud and strong. Ivan’s keys were screaming, bass low and groovy.  Whooo, out of control funky, and now I can hear The Word with John Medeski, Robert Randolph and the North Mississippi Allstars from the other stage.  So, I decide to run over to the Peach Stage after Everyday People to see Robert and the Word, but still can hear Dumpsta and want to get back there to that crazy rage.  See, schizophrenic.

I did run back to the Dumpsta craziness.  Danced hard, my legs now were beginning to ache, serious ache in my calves, but it didn’t matter, I can’t stand still.  Legs and hips had a mind of their own, cuz this was going DOWN.  One of my personal highlights of the festival.  Phewwwwww.

I went back to my camp for hydration purposes, and could still hear The Word featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars playing from the other stage.  They sounded so sweet, Funk + Southern Rock… Rage.  Yes, it was raging.

So now, the next dilemma I had was The Black Keys vs. The Funky Meters.  Yes, it was getting insane.  So, I decide to get to the hammock and listen to the Funky Groove of the Funky Meters before the Wanee Family Funk Jam that was going on.  And, wow, did it go on.

Wanee Family Funk Jam: If I thought Dumpsta and the Funky Meters brought it in….I was wrong.  I mean, Dumpsta was way insane, way amazing, way fun, but this Funk Jam stuff.  Hot.  Way hot.  Way deep.  Damnnnn.  Let’s see – Dumpstaphunk and The Funky Meters, Cody and Luther Dickinson, Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, JoJo Herman, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Matt Grondin.  Yep, that’s what I’m talking about.

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Dumpstaphunk + Rebirth Brass Band, Highline Ballroom, 4.1.10

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Preshow: Venue: Insane to get in.  Total chaos between the will call line and the line for tickets.  Couldn’t get in, venue staff was less than helpful.  Painful.  Yet, still, my show karma stayed with me, and throughout all the chaos to get into the place, I was able to get settled and find a place before the band went on.  Love that.

Rebirth Brass Band: Now, who doesn’t love a stage full of horns?  Yep. That’s what I’m talking about.  Horns, loud and true.  New Orleans funk was in the house, and they came out like a punch in the face and didn’t stop.  The band is: Phil Frazier - Tuba Keith Frazier - Bass Drum, Derek Shezbie – Trumpet, Glen Andrews – Trumpet, Stafford Agee – Trombone, Corey Henry – Trombone, Derrick Tabb - Snare Drum, Vincent Broussard – Saxophone, Chaderick Honroe – Trumpet.  Whoo.  The house got hot and these guys frikkin wailed it.  The Highline was totally packed, groove was on, people were jammin all around me, and the place was lifted.  The crowd was psyched.  The horns were LOUD and we just started.  Dumpstaphunk hadn’t even shown their faces yet.

Set Break: Saw lots of friends in the house.  People were smiling, or maybe shining was the word.  There was a drop off of crowd during the set break, all the better for me, more room to dance.  So, from being packed with no room to move, I was able to have a little bubble of space to shake my hips.  Fabulous.

Photo by: Karen Dugan

Dumpstaphunk: Um, Ivan Neville.  Rocks.  Highline Ballroom lifted.  Yeah.  Fun.  Way fun.  The word was actually sexual. These guys, especially the bassist, Tony Hall, were dripping pure raw, in your face sexual energy around the Highline and the place got hot.  Like, way hot.  Like, ooh baby oh my my my hot.  Let me see if I can try to recount this.  Lost my pen, couldn’t take any pictures that you can see anything with, and got a set list from my buddy.  Yep, one of THOSE nights.

Photo by: Karen Dugan

Set List: Shake it Off, Neutra Rat, No More Okey Doke, Lt. Dan, We Can Make It If We try –>, Everybody Wants Some, Meanwhile…, Jam, She’s Music, Deeper, Put It In The Dumpsta, Gasman, Nick Daniels Bass Solo, Standing in Yo Stuff

Shake it Off starts out tempered, bouncy, nice.  There was some Sly in the house with We Can Make It If We Try, … seriously, you can’t go wrong with any Sly at all.    The front row got crowded, I got claustrophobic so I started to move around.  Thankfully there was more room to dance, I was floating on the music playing in front of me, and I closed my eyes… put my hair in my face, and just listened, and danced.  Danced Hard.  Ivan Neville gets up from the keyboard and grabs a guitar.  Yep.  Head exploding.

Photo by: Karen Dugan

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