East Bay Funk's topics - tribe.net

The Grease Traps with Albino! at the Shattuck Downlow this Friday, Aug. 17th!

sweetkev — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:41:57 GMT

Those filthy Grease Traps are teaming up with the Bay Area's own afrobeat authority, Albino! ( www.albinoband.com) this Friday, Aug. 17th at the always rockin´ Shattuck Downlow in Berkeley. Feel the raunchy, smashing instrumental funk and soul of The Grease Traps, then experience (and dance to) the 10-piece Afrobeat powerhouse that is Albino! They were voted the "Best World Music Band" by SF Weekly, plus their promoting their new CD, RHINO. Tight horn arrangements, jazz-tinged harmony with propulsive, high energy grooves. It all goes down this Friday!

And don't forget next Saturday, Aug. 25th at the Boom Boom Room for you SF folks . . .

Check out www.thegreasetraps.com for band info, music, pics and the like . . .
Or become our pal at www.myspace.com/thegreasetraps

Where: The Shattuck Downlow Lounge, 2284 Shattuck Ave. (at Bancroft) in Berkeley
When: Friday, Aug. 17th (Grease Traps from around 10pm-11:30pm, Albino till closing, w/DJ Sweet Kev spinning rare funk/soul/world between sets)
Go to www.shattuckdownlow.com for more info . . .

Check out these upcoming shows:
Sat. Aug. 25th at the Boom Boom Room with Monophonics

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Mission Players - CD Release Party June 22nd @ 12 Galaxies!

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:01:12 GMT

Falcor & Friends present: Mission Players "Get Back Soul" CD Release Party!

Mission Players, return to SF's Mission district to celebrate the release of their highly anticipated CD release "Get Back Soul." The band is just back from their Colorado tour and is super tight with some fresh and funky grooves. This is sure to be an amazing evening and will keep the housing dancing and grooving. Some special friends will be on hand to help us celebrate. So, come on out for what is sure to be the funkiest party in town.

Mission Players "Get Back Soul" CD Release Party!
Friday, June 22nd - 10PM
12 Galaxies
2565 Mission Street @ 22nd Street
San Francisco, CA
Advance Tickets: http://www.12galaxies.com

http://www.missionplayers.com

http://www.myspace.com/missionplayers

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Live funk and rare groove with The Grease Traps on Friday, 6/16 at the Shattuck Downlow in Berkeley

sweetkev — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:20:46 GMT

Come get down with the Grease Traps, the East Bay's filthiest funk unit, this Friday, 6/16 at the luxurious Shattuck Downlow in Berkeley.

The Grease Traps are an Oakland-based quartet specializing in rare deep funk, instrumental soul, and 70's jazz dance classics with a dash of afrobeat and dub. Check out www.thegreasetraps.com

Featuring current and past members of bands such as Brown Baggin, Crown City Rockers and Orlando Julius' Afrobeat Orchestra, it is an eclectic mix of like-minded musicians whose primary goal is to groove.

Opening the show will be live hip-hop sensation, Finless Brown (www.finlessbrown.com), with funik guru, DJ Riddm, spinning hip-hop and old school funk between sets.

When: Friday, June 16th
Where: The Shattuck Downlow, 2284 Shattuck Ave (at Bancroft), Berkeley
www.shattuckdownlow.com
Who: The Grease Traps with Finless Brown and DJ Riddm
How much: $5

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

House parties

Oogie — Tue, 17 May 2005 18:53:21 GMT

Well...summer's comin, and the weather's gettin nice. Nothin like a lil grill and chill in the back yard, and even better when you have some bands over to funkify things. Anybody got any plans for a house party with some live funkiness in it? I've heard murmurings of one at a friend's place in the hills in July, but that's a ways off. Last one was slammin. I'll let y'all know as more info comes around on that one. If anybody else has ideas, please throw them out. Don't fake the funk, bring it!!

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 3 replies

Soul & Funk this Thursday at Eli's Mile High!

supermod67 — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 04:15:07 GMT

Hip City Soul Returns to Oakland @ Eli's Mile High
Club.

Dance all night to '60s/'70s soul, funk, and r&b!

Hip City Soul is back again
Thursday AUGUST 25, 9:00-?
Dj's Alec Palao, "Shanti" Sean Sullivan,and Dr.Scott.
Great dance floor, full bar, outside patio.
and best of all it's FREE, FREE, FREE
Come out and dance to your favorite soul tunes.

Hip City Soul
Thursday August 25, 9:00
Eli's Mile High Club
3629 Martin Luther king Jr.
Oakland, CA
www.Oaklandmilehigh.com

posted in East Bay Funk - 3 replies

Brown Baggin at the Shattuck Downlow this Friday the 20th.

Tue, 17 May 2005 18:34:55 GMT

Hello once again, everyone. Those ornery funk-happy musicians outta Oakland
have taken a short break to travel and think very deeply, but now that time is
long gone. Brown Baggin puts the "unk" back in funk this Friday, May 20th at
the fabulous Shattuck Downlow in downtown Berkeley. With local funk guru, DJ
Riddm, spinning rare funk 45's and classic groovers during the breaks, the
sweat will never stop flowing and asses will vibrate to infinity . . .

Brown Baggin . . . filthy

When: Friday, May 20th, doors at 9pm, music around 10-10:30pm
Where: The Shattuck Downlow, 2284 Shattuck (at Bancroft) in Berkeley
www.shattuckdownlow.com

Check out show schedules, tunes and whatnot at www.brownbaggin.com

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Brown Baggin at Boom-Boom this Saturday

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:55:25 GMT

My band, Brown Baggin, returns to the Boom Boom Room for a night of greasy organ funk on the best Hammond B-3 in the bay area

O.G.D. Opens featuring B-3 wunderkind Will Blades

Saturday 4/16/05 10PM
The Boom Boom Room - Fillmore@Geary, SF
www.boomboomblues.com

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

The revival is on its way.

Oogie — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 18:51:38 GMT

Nice to see folks posting in here. I've seen Brown Baggin throw down. They're cool. Groovement too, yup. Some others, also quite worthy of respect.

I'm seeing more and more folks posting on CL, drummers even, looking to create more funk bands in the Easy Bay these days. I'm kind of excited to see this happening. I hope that some places can be established as beach-heads, regular gigs where musicians will come and network, and built-in crowds that know SOMETHING funky is gonna happen, no matter who hits the stage.

Anybody got any lines on good joints? I don't really dig Jupiter. That place is ok, but it's a dinner crowd, the sound sucks, and the bands can't really lay into it. Downlow? Maybe. Blakes? Ehhh, kinda rugged, and again, bad sound. Eli's? Used to be cool, but kinda small, and not real loud. That could change. Frankly, I'd love to see Eli's blow up. I don't know about too many places in Downtown Oaktown. Thoughts? Ideas?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 3 replies

Say...why don'tcha

Oogie — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 18:53:31 GMT

...post up up some pics of your bands, and records, etc.? Let folks in the tribe know who and what to be lookin out for! Increase the communication, and increase the peace!

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Sfunk at the Boom Boom Room - Thursday

Eric — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 17:35:02 GMT

Hi. I'm new to the list, live in Oakland, and love the funk. I play in a band, Sfunk, that is based in the east bay and has been bringing jazz-funky beats to the people for a few years now. We'll be playing at the Boom Boom Room tomorrow (Thursday), and we usually play at the Down Low Lounge every 6 to 8 weeks. Check out the website at www.sfunk.com - if you like what you hear, we'd love to see you at a show. Thanks.

posted in East Bay Funk - 2 replies

I wanna start a funk/neo soul band

bassplaya — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 14:42:04 GMT

I play bass, I'm pro. Any drummers and others?

Live in west Oakland

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

brownbaggin.tribe.net Oakland Funk!

Mon, 04 Apr 2005 19:09:58 GMT

I started a tribe for my Oakland Funk Band Brown Baggin. Come join us!

http://brownbaggin.tribe.net

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Where's the Bass?

Oogie — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 21:53:19 GMT

In response to Rick's comment about bass in another thread, I think it's important to consider the function of bass in Funk, how to feel it, how to articulate it, how to make it not just a chunk of mud, or how to use that chunk of mud ****occasionally**** to effect, and not just flubbing a whole place out.

Good funk has bass that moves you, along with a nice kick and snare line, and tasty hats. Lots of the best notes are just little ghosts and just serve to tickle you alittle before the fat note/thump/crack touches you in just the right places.

Now obviously different tones and characters have their places. Some bass tones are so thick in the mid-range that they just walk all over singers and keys, and guitars and stuff, some are hollow, and almost inaudible, and end up as flub. Some tones work perfect with the drums and sound like the drums are just tuned with each hit. There's no one way, and no single bass or drum that gives you the ultimate tone, it's the axe, the player and the context, every time.

There is a trend to load a place with subs these days, and it's definately hard to tune your tone, to be heard correctly and sound good. Also, most sound men taking a direct line from the bass just do a crap job of EQ'ing the bass. They really do. I mean how shows do you go to where you look in the sound booth and see a bass preamp/compressor there? I never have. So all that money that you invest in trying to get a good tone through an amp, then sending a direct signal from your bass to the board...all gone. Poop tone welcome, especially on older passive instruments. If you're lucky, you get a little processing on the drums, but the fact of the matter is that most live sound just sucks. It really should be a pre-requisite for soundsystems that use a direct line for bass to the board to have a good preamp, EQ, and compressor, or even just a decent one. The lack thereof is one of the reasons why bass these days sounds like crap with modern sound systems.

Also, most bassists don't know shit about EQ or listening to their rig from a distance, so they turn up the bass when they're close to it so they can feel it themselves, not realizing that 10-20 feet away people re losing fillings.

Any other thoughts, maybe about EQ'ing drums? Some bands that do have their sound together, good sound guys, etc.?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 4 replies

Grand Groovement

Oogie — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:31:50 GMT

Another local funk band definately worth checking out is Grane Groovement. Some killer players in that band. Good horns, AWESOME drummer. They're starting to gig around a bit.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 2 replies

East Bay Funk This Friday!

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:23:04 GMT

Hello neighbor,
It's happening again. Brown Baggin, one of Oakland's filthiest musical
units, is joining forces with Vinyl, those Bay Area funk/latin/groove all-stars
that have been layin' it down all over the country for the last 10+ years.
Teaming up with old school funk maestro, DJ Riddm, the grooves will be so
thick, you could stick a fork in it. Don't miss another stellar Funky Fridays
at the luxurious Shattuck Downlow this Friday, April 1st (no really . . Brown
Baggin and Vinyl *together* on April 1st, dig? This is no joke . . . or is it?
No, it's definitely not.)

Brown Baggin' . . . filthy.

When: Friday, April 1st, doors at 9pm, music at 10pm
Where: The Shattuck Downlow, 2284 Shattuck Ave (at Bancroft) in Berkeley
How much: $7 (w/Downlow email voucher)/ $10 otherwise
www.shattuckdownlow.com

Check out show schedules, tunes and pics at www.brownbaggin.com

Upcoming shows:
Friday, April 8th at Club Mighty in SF with DJ Laird and others.
Saturday, April 16th at the Boom Boom Room in SF (OGD opens)

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Fellini funk

Oogie — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:50:32 GMT

I just caught these guys a few nights ago at of aqll places, Jupiter, in Berkeley. Two sets of funkdafied wierdness. I saw them almost ten years ago in the City at a place that used to be called the Boomerang, then later Galaxy, and I don't even know what the place is called now. Anyhow, these guys are even better than they were then, and back then they were rediculously funky. Definately worth going to see them if they are playing anywhere near you.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 10 replies

Alan Hertz and Friends

Oogie — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 17:05:24 GMT

I went to see these cats not long ago at the Shattuck Downlow.

http://x-group.net/hertzandfriends.htm

I'd never been there before but it's a pretty hoppin little joint. Brown Baggin It opened up for them, and they were pretty decent. Nothing mind blowing, but fun and the guys all have skills. Give them a couple more years and they'll be rockin.

Alan Hertz on the other hand was phenominal. His bandmates were killer, especially his bassist. The bassist used a lot of processing, alternative techniques, and even a bunch of looping and drum machine stuff. They're obviously pushing for change. There was musical reference to a bit of "hippy jam band" flavor, but they didn't overdo it. Actually, come to think of it, they all were doing some looping stuff at one point throughout the set.

It was refreshing to see phenominal technique in use but not squandered, just naturally articulating the ideas presented. I'm hoping other musicians take the hint, and keep trying to move the bar up, but not at the cost of feeling and musicality.

Anyhow, these guys are well worth your time to go see.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

The funk is not dead

Oogie — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 22:28:35 GMT

That's right, folks. It's brewin, and stewin, and on the way. I saw couple groups recently, Brown Baggin, and Alan Hertz & Friends, playing at the Downlow, and it was somewhat refreshing. Good players, and reassuring that folks are doin stuff. It's not back in full yet, of course, but it's workin. I'm hoping more folks go out and see some local cats. Support and encouragement are what bands need. They also need to know that people will pay and support more than just covers or DJs.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

funky topics

Oogie — Sun, 04 Jul 2004 17:49:46 GMT

So I've been writing some stuff as of late, and I'm wondering just how nasty I can get, makin funk tunes, and get away with. I mean some of it's GOT to be a little naughty, but I'm talkin about WAY out there, stuff that will DEFINTELY piss off the squares. Some say controversy is good, but where do folks draw the line? How naughty is too naughty, and what topics do people consider to be a bit too much?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 1 reply

Local bands with the Funk?

Oogie — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:06:36 GMT

Anybody aware of local bands layin down the funk? Names? Sites? Mp3s?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 5 replies

East Bay Greece

looppool — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 04:03:51 GMT

You made me really nostalgic starting this tribe,
Oogie. Thanks for doing it.

I must have seen Tower of Power 10 or 12 times for free
back in their early days. They played a lot of
free shows in the parks in San Jose and at record stores.

That band was the shit at that time! The rhythm section of
David Garibaldi and Rocco Prestia was a convoluted force of nature.

I once heard it said that David didn't think he had done his job correctly (with his hyper intricate left hand independence work on the snare and hi hats) if he didn't make Rocco lose the downbeat once a gig.

It was fascinating to me, because I was raised as a player on
East Coast and Southern black funk which was very rigidly disciplined and minimalistic. Compared to that, Garibaldi and Prestia seemed like virtual anarchists........but fucking
FUNKY Anarchists. In a wierd way, it could be argued that Prestia really was the drummer in the band in the same way that Sting was the drummer in the Police under Stewart Copelands inventive and wildly varying beats.

I've always been a minimalist pocket trapset drummer myself, but I really admire the style that these incredible musicians
innovated. "What is Hip" was a perfect funk tune I think.

posted in East Bay Funk - 4 replies

Funk pics

Oogie — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 03:55:04 GMT

If you've got some pics of whatever you consider to be the Funk aesthetic, like if you saw somebody and you could say without a doubt "Yo, he/she's GOT the Funk!", post it up here. Thanks.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 4 replies

new STOMPBOX PEDALS tribe

looppool — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 10:05:04 GMT

Even though I started my musical life off as a drummer, I have always loved stomp box pedals.

For someone who can hardly even play a proper chord on a guitar, I have collected them; lusted after them; perused hundreds of catalogues; gawked at dozens of floor pedal setups of performing musicians (damn, have you ever seen the LA band, WOVEN's floor pedal set up? DAMN!!)

Tonight, I was wishing I had a tribe to go to, to ask a question about distortion pedal recommendations and I couldn't find one, so I thought I'd start this tribe going.

Please come join me at the STOMPBOX PEDALS tribe if you resonate with this obsession.

posted in East Bay Funk - 1 reply

Funk on 45"

Oogie — Sat, 29 May 2004 16:28:22 GMT

A buddy of mine turned me onto his 45" collection, and it's just PACKED with all kinds of lesser known and unknown groups that just smoke. One band was this group out of Oakland called Suede. I'm gonna see if I can burn up a little compilation of some lesser known stuff. Most of these folks are long gone, and the artists would never see a dime of it if I paid royalties. Plus, I fuckin hate the RIAA, cuz they don't give a shit about musicians, just shareholders, so I'd like to see if we can get a pool going somehwere of archives of obscure killer funk tunes. Who's in?

Any other suggestions for lesser known cats to check out?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 2 replies

A hotspot

Oogie — Sat, 29 May 2004 03:10:26 GMT

This is a repost of a one I mdae in SFBay Musicians.

I've been noticeing that there's a HUGE amount of seriously sick musicians around the North Oakland/South Berkeley area, and I'd like to see if we could maybe try to establish a certain spot to converge, like a bar or coffee shop or something where musicians can start hanging out on non-work/non-rehearsal/non-gig time and trade notes/chops/gigs, ideas.

In Boston, right on the edge of Southy there's this little hole-in-the-wall bar called Wally's, and it's THE spot for the cats to come get down. Almost every night of the week one or another band does a semi-open mike. It's open, but everybody's pretty smokin players, so you'd better have your shit together if you're gonna get up and play, or you get politely asked to give up your spot to somebody else. It's the place where the the cats who would back up the big names would come to play the real stuff after playing their business gig. (Touring for months playing Kenny G crap, night after night gets to ya and you gotta let it out somewhere somehow.)

There are plenty of punk places, and hip-hop joints, but I don't see too much for Jazz/blues/soul/R&B/funk players to hang out. I've got nothing against punk players, or hip-hop artisits, but most of that is cats who are just into being loud and angry, or making a few loops on an MPC. I'm looking for people who PLAY music.

It would be so nice to find just a beer and wine joint, and three different bands to host maybe Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night at some place, free to get in with your axe/mic, $2 for everyone else, and maybe like a dollar draughts special, maybe blues/funk/R&B one night, Jazz another, and rock another night.

I think some place like that would do a LOT for both the musicians and the audiences in the area. Oaktown used to be a SERIOUS hotbed for that sort of thing, and now it seems kinda ready for it again. Places like this make everyone grow stronger as players, and stronger as a musical community. We're ripe for it. Who's in? Who feels like helping? Who thinks this is a good idea?

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 0 replies

Why we're here

Oogie — Fri, 28 May 2004 07:11:13 GMT

OK, so I started this tribe because I'm feeling a high potential for Oaktown to re-emerge as a Funk Mecca. There are loads of players here itchin to play, and plenty of people here who LOVE funk. I'm hoping this forum turns into a place where performers, and appreciators of this rump-shiking form of art can come to talk, discuss tunes, shows, and ideas to help us all bring back the funk. Why?

cuz "WE WANT THE FUNK, GOTTA HAVE THAT FUNK!!!"

Welcome to the forum. Now get down with your bad selves.

O

posted in East Bay Funk - 3 replies