Corona
02-01-2007, 07:00 AM
http://www.offbeat.com/magazine/fresh.php
Do You Know … the Underdawgs?
Who: With members from the Cosmic Sweat Society, the Neville Brothers
and alumni from Rebirth Brass Band and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the
Underdawgs possess a fine pedigree. The rhythm section features Elliot
Cohn on guitar, bassist Kenny Green, and drummer Willie Green—no
relation to Kenny. Throw in pianist/organist Mike Burkart and a horn
section of Shamarr Allen on trumpet and tenor saxman Flee, and what have
you got? Says Cohn: “the sound of the new New Orleans.”
Where: OffBeat First Friday party February 2 at Ray’s Room.
Why: Ever since Cohn gave Allen some Dramamine on the first Jam Cruise,
the two have wanted to collaborate. It took them several years, but the
Underdawgs are the result and they don’t want to be thought of as just
another New Orleans group. “We’re mixing a lot of styles,” says Cohn.
“There are elements of hip-hop, overtones of reggae and Latin—but the
predominant sound is funky rock. We have lots of improv, and everybody
is an exceptionally good soloist.”
They’re not afraid of onstage experimentation, either. The horns might
use electronic effects, Allen might rap a few verses and, according to
Cohn, “you’re never going to see the same show twice.” The bottom line?
“If you like aggressive rock, you’ll love this group. But if you love
the Meters—you will still love this group.”
What You Need to Know: Their first album will be out by Jazz Fest. As
for the band name, Cohn hints at its meaning. “None of us went to music
school,” he says. “None of us are trained musicians.”
Do You Know … the Underdawgs?
Who: With members from the Cosmic Sweat Society, the Neville Brothers
and alumni from Rebirth Brass Band and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the
Underdawgs possess a fine pedigree. The rhythm section features Elliot
Cohn on guitar, bassist Kenny Green, and drummer Willie Green—no
relation to Kenny. Throw in pianist/organist Mike Burkart and a horn
section of Shamarr Allen on trumpet and tenor saxman Flee, and what have
you got? Says Cohn: “the sound of the new New Orleans.”
Where: OffBeat First Friday party February 2 at Ray’s Room.
Why: Ever since Cohn gave Allen some Dramamine on the first Jam Cruise,
the two have wanted to collaborate. It took them several years, but the
Underdawgs are the result and they don’t want to be thought of as just
another New Orleans group. “We’re mixing a lot of styles,” says Cohn.
“There are elements of hip-hop, overtones of reggae and Latin—but the
predominant sound is funky rock. We have lots of improv, and everybody
is an exceptionally good soloist.”
They’re not afraid of onstage experimentation, either. The horns might
use electronic effects, Allen might rap a few verses and, according to
Cohn, “you’re never going to see the same show twice.” The bottom line?
“If you like aggressive rock, you’ll love this group. But if you love
the Meters—you will still love this group.”
What You Need to Know: Their first album will be out by Jazz Fest. As
for the band name, Cohn hints at its meaning. “None of us went to music
school,” he says. “None of us are trained musicians.”