Spring Break
Coming To A Theatre Near You
Joe Budzelek
Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Focus
As students' workloads mount and stress builds, it is important to find time to relax and enjoy yourself. Many students complain about the lack of "stuff to do" at Storrs, but we are fortunate to live a short car drive away from some of New England's music hotbeds. Here is a look at two bands to consider checking out next week.
The Wood Brothers will perform at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass., Thursday. Their guitar/bass duo is self described on their Web site as "a collaboration that combines their shared childhood influences with everything they've learned since leaving home. Their music has a rootsy feel that blends blues, folk, and rock music in a guitar/bass duo." While brothers Oliver and Chris Wood have only been touring together for a little more than a year, both have individually paved distinct ways through the music scene. After studying music at the University of California-Santa Cruz, Oliver Wood moved to Atlanta and formed the gumbo funk blues band King Crimson. The band released released five albums and enjoyed humble success a devoted fan base.
Chris Wood is the bassist for the hugely successful jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. The trio, who formed in 1991, sells out venues all across the world and mantains popularity in the jazz scene despite their perpetually changing musical directions.
Rather than a culmination of their previous bands' styles, The Wood Brothers add new genres to their repertoire. Their live shows blend tracks from their 2006 debut album, "Ways Not to Lose," with covers from bands like The Beatles, Taj Mahal and Allen Toussaint, among others. "The Wood Brothers' developing style is as affecting from the stage as from the CD player," writes music critic Doug Collette. The concert will be at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 at the door.
New Orleans funk quintet Galactic is currently touring the northeast, making stops at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, R.I. Wednesday and at Toad's Place in New Haven Thursday. Despite releasing four studio albums, the band is more renowned for their live performances. The band plays an array of instruments, including bass, drums, saxophones, guitar and Hammond organ.
While known as a jazz/funk band, Galactic is also appreciated for their liberal blending of genres, including hip-hop and hard rock, which keep their concerts fresh for dedicated fans and danceable for all. One review from Relix Magazine writes, "Their improvisations are simply flawless. Crystalline guitar solos crash into chunky organ blasts; Mardi Gras parades bump into booze-soaked blues jam sessions. Keyboardist Richard Vogel and drummer Stanton Moore provide a backbeat fatter than a krispy kreme doughnut." Both of Galactic's concerts start at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $20 at the door.
The Wood Brothers will perform at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass., Thursday. Their guitar/bass duo is self described on their Web site as "a collaboration that combines their shared childhood influences with everything they've learned since leaving home. Their music has a rootsy feel that blends blues, folk, and rock music in a guitar/bass duo." While brothers Oliver and Chris Wood have only been touring together for a little more than a year, both have individually paved distinct ways through the music scene. After studying music at the University of California-Santa Cruz, Oliver Wood moved to Atlanta and formed the gumbo funk blues band King Crimson. The band released released five albums and enjoyed humble success a devoted fan base.
Chris Wood is the bassist for the hugely successful jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. The trio, who formed in 1991, sells out venues all across the world and mantains popularity in the jazz scene despite their perpetually changing musical directions.
Rather than a culmination of their previous bands' styles, The Wood Brothers add new genres to their repertoire. Their live shows blend tracks from their 2006 debut album, "Ways Not to Lose," with covers from bands like The Beatles, Taj Mahal and Allen Toussaint, among others. "The Wood Brothers' developing style is as affecting from the stage as from the CD player," writes music critic Doug Collette. The concert will be at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 at the door.
New Orleans funk quintet Galactic is currently touring the northeast, making stops at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, R.I. Wednesday and at Toad's Place in New Haven Thursday. Despite releasing four studio albums, the band is more renowned for their live performances. The band plays an array of instruments, including bass, drums, saxophones, guitar and Hammond organ.
While known as a jazz/funk band, Galactic is also appreciated for their liberal blending of genres, including hip-hop and hard rock, which keep their concerts fresh for dedicated fans and danceable for all. One review from Relix Magazine writes, "Their improvisations are simply flawless. Crystalline guitar solos crash into chunky organ blasts; Mardi Gras parades bump into booze-soaked blues jam sessions. Keyboardist Richard Vogel and drummer Stanton Moore provide a backbeat fatter than a krispy kreme doughnut." Both of Galactic's concerts start at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $20 at the door.
Be the first to comment on this story