The Grippe
Fort Collins
Who ’dat?: Walter Hannah (organ/clavinet/ Rhodes/homemade talk-box), Charlie Humphreys (guitar), and Stu Crair (drums/percussion)
Myspace Categorization?: Funk/jazz/rock
We’re not saying they are these guys, but they kind of sound like: Jimmy Smith, Sly and the Family Stone, Soulive.
What’s their deal?: These guys claim to be the only funk organ trio in Fort Collins, and as such just released their self-titled debut. The band, which over the past year has provided support for lots of funk heavyweights, also looked to big players for album input and brought on Big Gigantic and Motet sax-man Dominic Lalli, as well as Grammy award-winning engineer David Glasser of Airshow Mastering.
Not content with just one act, though, the members of The Grippe are also involving themselves in other parts of the scene. Crair and Humphreys have recently started the tribute band Dead Floyd, while Hannah is using his free time to play with Euforquestra. And if that’s not enough, Crair runs the Sunday night jazz series at the Crown Pub, while Hannah runs the Monday night funk jam at Hodi’s Half Note.
Shameless web plug: www.thegrippefunk.com
O.K. When?: Aggie Theatre, January 9.
Radical Knitting Circle
Boulder
Who ’dat?: Alex Venetucci (drums/percussion/ synth/samples/vocals), Ben Gallagher (vocals/ piano/Rhodes/synth/guitar), Brian Esau (guitar/ vocals/banjo), Elliott Leslie (upright bass).
Myspace Categorization?: Progressive/lyrical/folk rock
We’re not saying they are these guys, but they kind of sound like: Tom Waits, Andrew Bird, Paper Bird.
What’s their deal?: One of the newer bands embracing the retro-old time sound, Radical Knitting Circle feels like they’re immigrants just off the boat, with enough money for synths and electricity.
Shameless web plug: www.myspace.com/radicalknittingcircle
O.K. When?: Mercury Café, January 2 and 30; Road 34 Tavern, January 16; Pearl Street Pub, February 3.