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PT writes Submitted by PT Quinn
Once in a while a band comes along with a sound and showmanship that defines something different. Legendary Ann Arbor area successes like the
godfather of punk, Iggy Pop, bluesy rock band Brownsville Station, and psychedelic rock band SRC hit the national scene with a sound that helped define the myriad of the towns frenetic hippy head trips. But now, luminous ska party band Hullabaloo carry on their own spectacles of considerable kinetic energy-like they’ve been doing at several A2 venues and even a decent gig in the Cass Corridor’s Old Miami. Much of the soul of the group comes from lead singer and guitarist
E.J. Vasicek, who sporting a neatly overtrimed beard, hip threads, and a knack for songwriting and singing, fronts Hullabaloo with the confidence it takes to make the familiar sound original in arrangements interlaced with a heavy ska beat. Mixing 1950s New Orleans R&B with African folk and Caribbean dance music-ska grew out of Jamaica in the early 1960s with the help of bands like The Skatalites. With its upbeat syncopated sound, ska is perfectly suited for dancing-and hopefully keeping up with the band. Its fast rhythms were revisited in the late '70s and early '80s by British bands like The Specials, Madness and English Beat.
Combining instrumental prowess and spastic energy in a charismatic performance-Hullabaloo music entertainment a blast.
Bass player Terry Carpenter's humorous antics elevate his playing with a bouncy trampoline-like dance that seems borderline mental, as he jumps around to the groove swinging his upright bass in a manner that’s
potentially hazardous in its movements. Along with oversized eyeglasses, long blonde hair slicked back over his ears, and a 60’s Mod suit, he wears two-tone loafers that are fit for the task with their thick rubbery soles giving him the buoyancy he requires. When asked if he behaved like that in ordinary life or if it was just showbiz, he said: "aahhh, I'm kind of like that in real life” in a calmness that contradicts his frenzied stage shenanigans . In other words-if you’re
close enough to Terry-duck.
Local clown and tenor saxophonist Tommy Spagetti surprisingly pulls off some sweet harmonies with trumpeter Neelesh Fernandes-who himself was born in America of Eastern Indian parents who started him on his instrument when he was in the third grade. The two of them make for a decent horn section and Spagetti's long experience as an entertainer
comes alive as he pantomimes some physical stage tomfoolery while he works the crowd with jokes in a polar contrast to Neelesh's regular guy demeanor. Spagetti might proclaim: “the more you drink-the better we sound.”
Guitar player Todd Richter's capable bluesy metal lead licks shadow along while fellow founding member drummer Jim Weyman's solid pocket gives Hullabaloo's sound a rhythmic boost greatly enhanced by veteran
percussionist Hasaan Elamin's intricate expertise on the congo drums.
It's a nice balance as they hold back and complement each others’ contribution in a mutual show of respect and obvious enjoyment.
Original tune "6" is full of tight timing tricks as Vasicek sings, "Six billion people, six degrees apart" in a way that might suggest an obsession with numbers-and ends with a series of stanzas to the count of 6. Another numerical tune, "54," just might be good enough to make Hullabaloo at least a one hit wonder. Given its swinging tempo and creative changes-if the listener isn’t moving-they must have rigor mortis.
"Havana" captures a Latin sound that’s unusual coming from a bunch of guys of which none are from south of the border or even ever had a girl of that name.
Hullabaloo has a knack for performing covers in a refreshing way like when they turn jazz keyboardist Herbie
Hancock's "Watermelon Man" into a tune they call "Watermelon Ska." As E.J. holds the upbeat on his guitar, and Terry springs up and down, Neelish and Spagetti blast out the familiar licks while the band plays an invigorating arrangement that's fun and
infectious. They do Morphine's "Looks Like Rain" justice by showing off some amazing vocal harmonies with a lot of heart. Along with the simple click of Weymen’s sticks-and in a test of dynamics-they happen to pull off some really groovy stuff. Hullabaloo mixes up the energetic Jamaican sounds for a funky musical
concoction that’s perfectly suited for behaving in a jolly way your parents might disapprove of. With their danceable musical style, sense of humor and skill, Hullabaloo rocks.
For more information, visit http://detroitska.thefunction.net/hullabaloo
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