Hollywood Red - Friday 5pm
If the true test for a musician is in a live performance, then there are no exceptions, no second chances. Time and time again, Woody Wood and Hollywood Red set the stage and proceed to burn it down with their original material that breathes the fire of rock n' roll. As artistic alchemists, this trio melds their musical styling into an intricate and expansive sound.
Frontman, lead vocalist, and guitarist, Woody Wood is the real deal. Roots legend, Corey Harris calls him "a master", and Donald Harrison, New Orleans Jazz great, calls him "his musical brother". Earlier this year, Woody won the CMT Big Break contest, which featured an American Idol-like competition in Asheville, NC, which led to several national TV spots.
Bassist Tony Black started his career in the CA underground punk scene, touring nationally with Stalag 13 and Dr. Know. He then spent a large part of the 90's working with guitar virtuso, Buckethead, with whom he was featured in Rolling Stone. Later, Tony performed in Eyedentity, which at times featured Airto Moreira (Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Santana) and Flora Purim (Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Clarke). Upon moving to NC, Tony joined forces with Deep South, a southern rock super-group, featuring members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jeff Beck Band, and Black Oak Arkansas.
Drummer Chris Pyle has had percussion in his life from day one. Son of famed Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer, Artimus Pyle, Chris grew up in a musical world. Not only does he have the know how, but he has the backbone-rhythm drives the band. In the mid to late 90's, Chris performed with the Royal Trux (Virgin Records), alongside Neil Haggerty and Jennifer Herrema. While signed with Virgin Records, Chris and the Trux garnered mainstream media exposure and toured extensively.
On paper, Woody Wood and Hollywood Red possess the credentials. But as far as the paper goes, you might as well throw that in the fire as well, because once you see them live, there is no turning back.
Speed Square - Friday - 5:45pm, 7:15pm, Playing the Mountain Xpress Second Stage
"...Talking Heads-style vocals, a sense of drama that would make Freddie Mercury proud, ska, cabaret, game-show kitsch, funk and splashes of high-minded prog-rock...with a sophisticated jazz sensibility ..."
Kim Clark, WNCW 88.7 and The Laurel of Asheville, Dec. 2007
The musical chemistry and madness is provocatively awe-inspiring with C. Scott primarily on drums but also occasionally guitar, trumpet, trombone, piano, sax, melodica, and mandolin with Billy on piano, guitar and ashtrays. From playing on city streets with an upright acoustic piano and drum kit to festival stages and nightclubs, the chameleonesque peculiarity of Speedsquare suits them for any occasion, mood, or crowd..
Dead End Parking - Friday - 6:15pm
Modern funk/fusion/jam quartet based out of Charlotte, NC, Dead End Parking treats listeners to original material that is eclectic, layered with improvisation, and spans multiple genres, but the foundation is their groove. From the front of the stage to the back of the house, the D.E.P. rhythm section of Micah Davidson(bass) and Daniel Flynn(drums) make sure the groove is felt by everyone with a ticket stub. Striving to keep every show fresh and new, Dead End Parking thrives on musical risk-taking, and looks forward to the unknown on stage. Tony Eltora's guitar playing transitions seamlessly from melodic-jazz to good ole' fashioned rock & roll right before your ears. Nathan Carter adds to the sonic experience with vintage, and synthesized keyboard sounds along with powerful vocals. Touring from the Smokey's to the Atlantic, Dead End Parking has earned respect from their musical peers while building an allegiance of fans. A little over two years old, Dead End Parking continues to grow musically and professionally, but as always, is committed to the groove....
Laura Red & Deep Pocket with the Asheville Horns - Friday - 7:45pm
Laura Reed & Deep Pocket fill the stage with captivating, soul shaking, conscious music filled with lyrics of truth and a voice of intensity backed by bass, organ, and drums, horns, and harmonies reminiscent of the past days of Motown and funk. The roots of their sound and message stem from Laura's diverse experience of growing up in South Africa and the American South. Formed in the summer of 2006, the band switches up the music between funk, progressive R&B, and pure SOUL behind Laura Reed's captivating stage presence.
Broomstars - Saturday - 12:00pm
The Broomstars are coming for you! From their Asheville, North
Carolina beginnings to their new CD release, the Broomstars have blazed forth and are zooming ahead. Broomstars, how Chinese Dynasties once referred to comets, are few and far between. Voted as one of the best undiscovered bands in Asheville's Mountain Xpress, this comet plans to circulate around for a while. Jason Daniello, on lead vocals and guitars, has been in orbit for some time. His former project, Jason and the Argonauts, enjoyed success from coast to coast. On bass, Jared White juxtaposes the various musical genres from which the Broomstars draw inspiration, creating a solar system of vibration. On drums, Clayton Jones lends the fire, fueling the heavenly body of the Broomstars. Liz LeBleu, married to Jason, chimes in with vocals that mirror her man's as she creates new avenues through the stars with her synth sounds. Jeff Santiago, who recently joined the enterprise, skyrockets out, lending guitar and vocal power. This indie rock synth pop experience will leave you bathed in moon dust. Get lost in space with the Broomstars.
Peace Jones - Saturday - 1:30pm
Peace Jones invites you to be part of the funky flute revolution! This Asheville, North Carolina's quartet offers a new and unique sound, which has been described as "Sublime meets Jethro Tull". Since their inception in June 2004 in Asheville, North Carolina, Peace Jones has consistently impressed their audiences with the group's high energy music and the voice of commitment to positive change. Press reviews have compared them to a wide variety of music and genres from Beck, Parliament, Rare Earth, Neil Young, and Cake, to Ben Harper -- all honing in on the singular 'reggae meets funk rock meets jazz' motif. Led by front man Paul DeCirce's raucous flute playing, the band creates soundscapes of high energy, danceable vibes -- keeping the message and motive both positive and fun. DeCirce sings and switches among guitar, flute, harmonica and percussion. Eric Ciborski (keyboards) adds long-range tone, flavor and wild fingered piano runs. Scott Blanchard (bass) and Todd Omley (drums) fill out the electric combo. their positive lyrical message and professionalism, mixed with leadman Paul DeCirce's "minstrel-like stage charisma," are making Peace Jones an exciting not to be missed act.
"Artistic use of flute, layered between 70s-style keyboard solos and quirky lyrics a la early 90s De La Soul. Peace Jones gets the crowd dancing, and then expands their minds." -- Alli Marshall, Mountain Xpress, Asheville NC, Sept. 27, 2006
Ba Man Bia - Saturday - 2:30pm, 4:15pm, 6:15pm, Playing the Mountain Xpress Second Stage
Born in a musical era of nearly infinite genre and cultural cross-pollination, Ba Man Bia is of a new generation of music artists whose deep interest in the ancient and far-away sounds has been with them as long as they have listened to music. A young group recently formed in Asheville, NC in January 2008, they have created a fresh flavor of sound given their influences in Asian and African traditions, jazz, and free improvisation. A trio of exotic melodies, funky bass grooves, and high-energy percussion, they proudly call their creation, Afro-Asian Jazz.Purple Schoolbus - Saturday - 3:00pm
Purple Schoolbus is simply an original band, playing original music. But don't let the word simple fool you. They are often described as a cross between CSN, the Grateful Dead, Allman brothers, and Widespread Panic; being best described as "Southern Fried San Francisco!" Purple Schoolbus is a powerful five member ensemble featuring: Scott Scala-drums and percussion, Bernie Taylor-bass and vocals, Kevin Sledge-guitar and vocals, Micah Peedin-lead guitar and vocals, and Mark Harris-saxophones. Purple Schoolbus formed in early 1992 in Greenville, NC. They have released two critically acclaimed albums: Purple Schoolbus, and Phoenicia Blind. The "Bus" has played hundreds of awe inspiring live performances with tours taking them as far north as New England, south to Florida and as far west as the Rocky Mountains and literally all points in between.
SeepeopleS - Saturday - 4:45pm
Earning glowing accolades from critics and racking up recording credits with musical virtuosos such as Tim Reynolds and Dana Colley (ex-Morphine sax player), there is no doubt that SeepeopleS are one of the most dynamic and unique up and coming rock acts to appear on the scene in years. "It's not often that we see a band with an artistic vision as ambitious and developed as that of this quartet from Asheville, N.C." - The Telegraph, May 2006
Dubbed "pop in the best possible sense of the word" (Bangor Daily News), SeepeopleS' sound is an infectious blend of pop, reggae, trance, prog-rock and ambient styles, simultaneously eclectic, tightly crafted and pioneering. Led by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Will Bradford, SeepeopleS are an intense live act..
Stephanieids - Saturday - 6:45pm
"A very mesmerizing mix of songs that can be hushed and calm one moment, and then suddenly dark and explosive the next." - Robin Hilton, NPR All Songs Considered
"Fierce, siren-like intensity...voracious appetite for rhythm... a band that isn't afraid to risk being innovative to put out something truly personal." --Harp Magazine
"Dig It: A Scandinavian Pop princess gets lost in the American South and is rescued by a Jazz quartet."--CityBeat, Cincinnati
"...with the bustling metropolis of Asheville listed on their drivers' licenses, one would guess stephaniesid, despite its collegiate moniker, is likely some sort of country or folk act. Not bloody likely.... If you're into the Gothic chamber rock of Rasputina or the eclectic electronic pop of Bjork, stephaniesid will fit right into your collection."--The Other Paper, Columbus, OH
Stephaniesid has been featured in the CMJ (College Music Journal) Sampler, the Paste Magazine Sampler, NPR's All Songs Considered, and voted "Best Indie/Rock Band" 2 years in a row in Asheville, NC by Mountain Xpress readers.
The band delivers a triumphant live show!
BrushFire Stankgrass - Sunday - 12:45pm
Brushfire Stankgrass, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is a talented fixture in today's mountain music scene. Known for their high energy live performances showcasing heady bluegrass, jazz, and rock-influenced chops mixed with innovative songwriting and genre-bending soundscapes, this band make a strong statement for being one of the best acts around.
This "Stankgrass" sound has landed the group two sessions in WNCW's Studio B over the past year and regular WNCW airplay. Brushfire Stankgrass has been heard on Asheville's 96.5 FM and was recently featured on News 13 WLOS. Their live concerts, recorded in stunning multi-track clarity, are downloaded from archive.org at a rate of over two hundred downloads per week. The remarkable chemistry and live experimentation in the music of Brushfire Stankgrass begins with its founding members, Ben & Will Saylor.
The brothers began playing music at the age of three and picked up the banjo and guitar at 10 & 12, respectively. They still maintain their bluegrass chops today, but have added some Moog analog effects and "trance-mountain dub" rhythms to create a style which has moved beyond the traditional into truly uncharted territory-they call it Stankgrass.
Along the way the brothers Saylor have found two outstanding musicians to round out the group. Bassist Bryan White hails from the land of Merlefest (Wilkesboro, NC), and is a veteran composer and performer on upright and electric basses. Drumming virtuoso Ian Cunningham slides into the newgrass-style seamlessly, due probably to the fact that he comes from a bluegrass-picking family (his father founded Whitewater Bluegrass Co).
Web Site/Sample SongCol. Bruce Hampton & The Quark Alliance - Sunday - 2:15pm
Over the years Col. Bruce Hampton (ret.) has traveled the world and beyond fronting such legendary musical acts as The Hampton Grease Band, The Late Bronze Age, The Aquarium Rescue Unit, and The Fiji Mariners. Presently Col. Bruce has teamed the talents of composer/guitarist Perry Osborn, bassist Kris Dale, and drummer Mark Letalien to bring you Col. Bruce and The Quark Alliance - a soulful, original, roots-rock-space experience.
Combining Col. Bruce's eclectic catalog of original music with the occasional blues standard, a night with Col. Bruce and The Quark Alliance is a satisfying and unique blend of down home boogie and unparalleled songwriting.
The Blue Method - Sunday - 4:15pm
The story of The Blue Method is a story defined by two words; perseverance and determination. The band was formed in 2001 by founding members Michael Patriarca (guitar) and Tom Long (saxophone). They were introduced to singer Brian Williams who is a larger than life man with the voice to match. His singing and lyrics are a throwback to a time when soul singers sang like men, and had a clear and concise message to deliver. Together with their new rhythm section, this quintet began writing immediately and building a legion of friends and followers throughout the region. In 2003 The Blue Method entered the studio to begin recording their debut album "Kill the Music, Vol.1" The next two years were spent touring the east coast and mid western region, building an extremely loyal following of friends and fans alike. Along the way The Blue Method has shared the stage with the likes of Soulive, Chick Corea, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Benevento Russo Duo, Ozomatli, John Legend, Little Feat, Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band), Leela James, The Disco Biscuits, and Ween. They have also managed to sell over 7000 copies of their debut album "Kill the Music, Vol 1", which is no small task for a completely independent act. In 2005 The Blue Method was named "Best New Act" by the Home Grown Music Network. Their song "Don't They" holds the record as the all time 1 funk song at Garageband.com. In 2005 they also won the annual Relix Magazine Jam-off award. The Blue Method now averages over 150 shows a year.
