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Glory be, the funk is
back. Atlanta's newest must-see band is jazz-inflected funk outfit
Fambooey. The core members made their way here from Ann Arbor,
Michigan, by way of Bloomington, Indiana, and Atlanta has lucked out
by becoming the home of a band of serious musicians playing
seriously fun music. |
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Frontman Dan Powell
and keyboardist/vocalist Mark Bencuya hooked up in Ann Arbor, where
they played together in high school. Bencuya later moved on to
Indiana University, where he met Atlanta bass prodigy Rob Henson.
After Bencuya released an old collaboration with Powell on a charity
compilation and got a positive response, Powell moved to Indiana and
Fambooey was born.
From 1995-97, the band released three albums and toured extensively
throughout the midwest, landing two appearances at Austin's South by
Southwest and an opening slot for Kid Rock. In '97 the band decided
to explore other avenues, and Henson moved back to Atlanta to play
with Rehab, David Ryan Harris, and Billy Pilgrim. Bencuya also ended
up in Atlanta where he lent his keyboard talents to Kenny Howes and
the Yeah, Lotsa Poppa, and Superchick.
In early 2000, after a stop in L.A. to work on studio projects,
Powell moved to Atlanta as well and Fambooey was reborn. The band
added drummer Jason Sipe, a Tennessee native and veteran of the Tim
Acres Band and Cool For August, and guitarist Antoine Haywood from
West Palm Beach, Florida, formerly the principal guitarist for the
Morehouse College Jazz Ensamble. The new lineup debuted in February
at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte, and the band has been
preparing for the release of its fourth album.
I caught the band Monday night at Smith's Olde Bar, where they
proceeded to
throw the hell down. Warming up with the highly singable
"Ypsilanti," the band immediately showed off Powell's soul and depth
as a vocalist. He also proved to be an engaging and confident
frontman, just the sort of master-of-ceremonies every good party
needs.
As the set proceeded, Bencuya added soaring harmonies and melodic
pyrotechnics on the keys, usually rocking out with a Hammond Organ
sound.
Haywood showed attractive phrasing in his interplay with Powell's
vocals, and Sipe was rock steady on the kit. But the backbone of
this band's sound is Henson on the bass. Henson shows the rare and
enviable ability to go from solid to spectacular in the blink of an
eye. But his playing never distracts from the overall sound.
By the end of their set, they received a deafening ovation from the
surprisingly packed early crowd. Keep an eye out for this band.
Atlanta has few local bands that can boast of a substantial
following, but I won't be surprised if this band develops one
quickly. |
