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Posted on 10. Mar, 2011 by Carrie in play
words > CHUCK ROSS
It’s always been dangerous to imbibe multiple intoxicants in one sitting, but Dallas-Fort Worth’s Spoonfed Tribe isn’t opposed to using the stage to mash musical genres into one giant vat to test your sonic sobriety.
You want it, Spoonfed’s got it. Besides the accoutrements of a “normal” band, Spoonfed Tribe offers a committee of drummers (five to be exact), keys, flute, and maybe some horn. All mixed together to form what can only be described using multiple hyphens – experimental-funk-hard-ska-psychedelic-jam band-percussive rock. In other words: bring your dance shoes; bring a towel; bring a friend, but hide your kids. Prepare yourself for aural Kama Sutra.
Formed in 1999, Spoonfed Tribe has released three albums of original work and one Live compilation recorded mostly at Dallas’ historic Granada Theater. Fort Worth Weekly has dubbed them “Hall of Famers” and has pinned “Live Band of the Year” (2009), “Rock Album of the Year” (for 2008’s Public Service Announcement), and “Best Hard Rock Band” (2008) honors on the quintet which is comprised of members Jerome57, Egg Nebula, Kaboom, ShoNuff, and Gouffahtts.
Spoonfed have honed their style(s) at prestigious venues like Lollapalooza, High Sierra, Joshua Tree, Voodoo Music Experience, and Wakarusa where they shared last year’s stage with the high-profile band Blues Traveler. By all accounts, SFT’s live shows are highly regarded for their danceability and visual effect. Spoonfed Tribe seems to be the perfect pusher: they propel you to a higher plane and then help you detox through their regimen of ‘rhythmic therapy’.
Sifting through their catalogue, one feels shots of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stone Temple Pilots infused with Spanish/Arabic/African influences. Lead singer Egg Nebula’s voice ranges between what sounds like a scream-off between Ronnie James Dio and Jack Black to an Anthony Kiedis rap-rock riff. The marriage of Jerome57’s bass line and a veritable percussion tsunami somehow leaves room for less heavy keyboard, flute, and snappy lead guitar.
SFT’s first Wichita gig is part of a Midwest swing that includes stops in Lawrence – where they’re playing an after party gig for New Orleans jazz-funk legends Galactic – St. Louis, Colorado, and culminates in a stop at Wakarusa in June.
If you plan to visit Wakarusa – and why wouldn’t you? – NakedCity Gallery will be offering a first heaping dose of Spoonfed Tribe Saturday, March 19th. The band plays at least a ninety-minute set and will be demoing pieces for their fourth studio album. Their website is SpoonfedTribe.com. Album samples can be found on MySpace with live performances listed on YouTube.
Come taste the Tribe. Spoons provided with admission.
