4 Arcaae • October 3, 1997 • Tlie Tu{ane Huffa6afoo Ugly -white kids funk -with Maceo at the House of Blues An evening of jazz and funk was served Jumping out with a full head of steam with music, the guys fused to form a band and, "It audience knew to being the greatest thing up at the House of Blues Sept. 25. The menu "Turnip's Big Move," the Greyboys smoke went from there," Park said. since sliced bread. Opening up with consisted of such delectables as the ReBirth through ten tracks of their own special brand They are definitely not your ordinary "Barefootin' ," the GBAs had the house Brass Band, The Greyboy Allstars and the of funk and jazz, or "boogeloo" as the band lounge jazz band, however, and the members dancing throughout the set. A funky Funkmaster himself, Maceo Parker. likes to call it. They keep it upbeat with of the band are quick to point that out. rendition of "Jack Rabbit" featured a long The show could have easily been billed other tunes such as "Toys R Us,'' "Quantico" "Mainstream jazz is over," Park said. jam that showcased all of the band members' "A Tribute to Jazz and Funk," as it showcased and "Sportscaster." They move to a more "We're out there more to entertain. You talent. "Whole Lotta Reasons" was fun and three different bands that stay true to the spacey, exploratory feel in "A Town Called can't dance to jazz anymore." "Tenor Man" got into some soul provided by genre. ReBirth, an old New Orleans standby; Earth." Walter continued to explain the Denson. The set closed out with an up- the Greyboys, a fresh new quintet out of San Overall, the album digs into the late 60s boogeloo genre of music. "It's a style of Latin tempo version of "Toys R Us." Diego and Parker, who has crossed paths Blue Note era, typified by soul jazz and rock that funk grew from. It's the style that The band was poised and displayed a with legends such as James Brown and instrumental groove music. Wanting to moves from straight rock to jazz." great amount of energy onstage. They George Clinton and who deserves legend- · learn more about the band, this faithful This boogeloo style has worked for them, definitely made a name for themselves in status as well. reporter headed backstage during ReBirth's however. The Greyboys play around 300 gigs New Orleans. The real debut of the evening was the set to see what these cats were all about. a year, " ... although we're slowing down a Funk Himself was present in the House of Greyboy Allstars, a 4-year -old groove band Walter and Park were encountered little," Park said. It has landed them a major Blues next. Maceo and his pin stripe suited touring the nation in support of their latest chowing on jambalaya and sandwiches while deal recording a soundtrack for an upcoming band took charge of the club and did not let album, A Town Called Earth (Greyboy enjoying the sounds of ReBirth. ·The brass Castlerock film, "Zero Effect." The band up until the wee hours of the morning. Records). Taking command of the stage was band provided backup music for the talked about what it was like recording a Parker and his sax led the way through a Karl Denson on sax, flute and vocals; Robert interview as Park' began to explain the soundtrack. three-hour marathon of funk.that even the Walter on the keys; Chris Stillwell on bass; origins of the band and what they attempt to "We start off with a rhythm like one we're most adamant opponent of music can't hate. Elgin Park on guitar and Zak Najor on the do onstage. used to," said Najor. "It ends up coming out Maceo's jams aren't just jams, they are skins. The band was formed four years ago at a a different way, something more original turbo-charged-in-your-face-get-your-ass- The album is a solid output by the band, party hosted by DJ Greyboy in San Diego. comes out. It's a way to get away from the down-and-dance-till-you-can't-dance-no- heavy on the talent as well as the funk. Coming from different backgrounds in norm." more jams. His band possesses a tightness What is found in the Greyboyss when all that few others have, and this makes his is said and done is a band that takes great show candy for the ears. Soaring through pride in the work they release, and five long, intense versions of "Pass the Peas," artists that will always be true to the music "Shake Everything U Got" and "House they love to play. Party," Parker's band looked like they were "A rare groove becomes you," said Park. having just as good a time as the audience. "There [are] certain chords you can play, and Maceo's son, Elos, took control of the like an actor you've got a script, but you microphone as the band played their rap can't play comedy when you're performing a song, "Everybody Move Your Body." drama. We all picked artists we liked, guys The band finished off the show with a nobody knew, and emulated them. There version of "Georgia On My Mind," as Maceo are no bands out there that are faithful like donned a pair of sunglasses and pretended to us, and that may keep us from being be Ray Charles. "Mustang Sally" and a funky popular." "Cold Sweat," each soaked with Maceo's Najor followed with the true meaning of own little touches, closed out an the band, "It's a great way for ugly white kids unbelievable evening of music. to play funk." GRADE: A+ The Greyboys set up quickly and ripped FILE PHOTO Harris, The Greyboys went from a band that only a handful of people in the audience knew to through an eight-song set. They went from a -- Jonathan band that only a handful of people in the being the greatest thing since sliced bread. contributing iwriter The spirit of Bob Marley saves the'Arcade' at son's concert The House of Blues was seeped in Needless to say, we were pretty came authority, in the guise of a very rich spirituality and irresistible psyched about getting to see the large and rather uncommunicative grooves last Wednesday night when progeny of the God of reggae, and bouncer. Ziggy Marley and the Melody were doubly disappointed upon the We were immediately escorted Makers showed their Rastafarian discovery that both of our names out of the building and to the floor roots to an extremely enthusiastic were not on the guest list. manager, who by this point was not crowd. After much fuss and a few threats very happy with us and told us to For over two hours, Ziggy and (made mostly by the floor manager), leave. friends kept up the positive vibe and we prevailed in the name of Tulane Perhaps the spirit of Bob himself high energy level while dishing out and managed to weasel our way was looking down on us that night, some truly funky tunes that echoed inside. After purchasing some for somehow we managed to love and oneness. In fact, the show overpriced cigars, we decided to convince the guy to let us back in. itself was so mind blowing that it chill in front of the stage and await Quite humbled, we decided to chill was almost completely worth the arrival of Ziggy, not expecting to in a less conspicuous place and keep enduring the terrifying chain of be interrupted in mid-chill by a to our own business. Nonetheless, events that unfolded beforehand, cocktail waiter offering us beers. we were approached by a woman which were somehow completely With visions of sacrificed penny who we suppose was somehow devoid of love and oneness. pitchers dancing in our heads, we associated with the House of Blues, In case you do not know us, we (being the well-mannered Tulane and forced to endure a lectur are Tony Chan and Brian Chasnoff, students that we are) felt it would be concerning the perils of alcohol. your intrepid music staff writers, rude to tum down such a polite FILE PHOTO bringing you the lowdown on the offer. Before we could even pay the -- Brian Chasnoff and Tony Chan, For over two hours, Ziggy and friends kept up the positive vibe concert situation in the Big Easy. guy, bounding from the shadows and high energy level while dishing out some truly funky tunes contributing writers that echoed love and oneness.