Spare Parts

Artist Information

Biography

Fusing a mix of funk, rock, jazz, and more, Spare Parts is a Chicago based group rapidly gaining international acclaim. An eclectic list of influences ranging from Weather Report to The Beatles fuel the creative engines of Spare Parts, both live and in the studio. In addition to their successful weekly residence at Alive One Chicago, the band has played at festivals from Wakarusa and Summer Camp, to Festival de Jazz in Lima, Peru to name a few. Spare Parts is sought after in every type of market, pleasing the discerning ears of music aficionados and general listeners.

The band’s broad musical scope has landed them opening spots for acts such as George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, Liquid Soul, Fareed Haque, Marco Benevento, and The Jazz Mandolin Project. Spare Parts has also shared the stage with artists including bassist Victor Wooten, SNL/Tower of Power saxophonist Lenny Picket, Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band drummer Terrence Higgins.

Spare Parts has recently released their finest work to date on their album, “Trio”. The tracks receive regular airplay on jazz DJ Russ Davis’s “Moja Radio,” WXRT, WDCB, and other fine independent stations across the country. The band’s previous two albums “Exit 54” (2003) and “Brain Candy” (2006) have sold out of physical copies and enjoy continued radio play.

Spare Parts remains focused on expanding musical boundaries while attracting new listeners from all walks of life and leaving them thirsty for more. See you at the next show!

What the press is saying:





“This is an absolute jewel of local music in Chicago. If you’re into live music haven’t been out to Alive One on a Thursday night, you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice.” – Jeremy Frazier, Chicago Jam Scene



"These three can lay down some serious funk, whether it be the kind meant to get you on the dance floor, or the kind that makes you tap your foot while your mouth is left gaping. Clearly, a band that can lay down the funk for seventy minutes with nary a dull spot in the mix is doing something right. Very right." - Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine



“The musicianship is first rate - with Scott a "Fender-Funkmeister," Bruno driving the band like it is a well-tuned Bugatti and Kozol supplying cascades of keyboard washes and sounds ranging from orgasmic organs and acoustic piano to electric pianos and chewy synth leads. A fun album.” - Brad Walseth, chicagojazz.net



“One of the things that keep Spare Parts' music fresh is their constant evolution. They never rest on their laurels, content with where they are at. Rather, they push their own boundaries, along with those of the audience. This especially comes out in their live performances where the band manages to take what might otherwise be seen as a convoluted mess of genres and transform that into something that is not only coherent, but quite enjoyable. Spare Parts is entirely original and refreshing.” – Western Herald, Kalamazoo, Mi

Instrumentation

Kevin Kozol - Fender Rhodes, and Keyboards.
Colin Scott - Bass
Mike Bruno - Drums, Percussion

Discography

Trio (2009)- LP 13 tracks
Brain Candy (2006) - LP 14 songs
Exit 54 (2003)- LP 9 songs
Spare Parts (2005)- EP 5 songs
Most music available at website or listen at Pandora, iTunes, Facebook.

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Meteorite
  Listen  
• Hello Dear
  Listen  
• Disco
  Listen  
• Absynth
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review [+ Show ]
  

  By: Billy Kenefick Review from www.ChicagoInnerView.com "These four funkin' fellows are stoke...By: Billy Kenefick
  
  Review from www.ChicagoInnerView.com
  
  "These four funkin' fellows are stoked right now because they are about to release a new album, Brain Candy. Having little to do with the “Kids in the Hall” comedy film and everything to do with jazz-induced funk, the album soothes without becoming "smooth jazz," and funks without becoming stale or ordinary. Influences from Steely Dan and Weather Report aren't hiding, and the quartet of trumpet, keys, bass and drums progresses quite nicely without a boring, overbearing lead guitar. In other words, the band improvises but won't lose you with 15-minute wah-wah guitar solos. With a solid background in live performance as well as a growing college-radio audience, Spare Parts adds a nice dynamic to their live show — something you can dance to. In fact, my favorite songs on the album express a very electronic, jazzy-house style reminiscent of the New Deal. If you want to dance, check them out."

• Spare Parts' Brain Candy: True Fusion [+ Show ]
  

  CD Review: Spare Parts' Brain Candy true fusion By Jim Hagerty, Staff Writer If you’re looking...CD Review: Spare Parts' Brain Candy true fusion
  By Jim Hagerty, Staff Writer
  
  
  If you’re looking for members of the Chicago-based band Spare Parts
  to describe their music, don’t expect a concrete answer. Not that any of
  the four members are in the habit of snubbing fans, quite the contrary.
  They are genuinely nice guys. It’s just that their new CD, Brain Candy,
  doesn’t follow rules that apply to any specific genre, and explaining
  its content could take some time.
  
  From the first cut, “Sacred Land,” to the “Sacred Land” outro,
  listeners are taken on philosophical, technical and reminiscent musical
  journeys.
  
  As soon as Shane Jonas’ vocals begin to echo those of Steely Dan’s
  Donald Fagen, the groove shifts, and the funk, jazz and cleverly
  created techno hints begin to reveal themselves. This group does
  possess a ring that certainly unveils its influences; however, it
  ingeniously owns a unique sound that only can be attributed to Spare
  Parts themselves.
  
  Odd to some music fans who have attempted to label Spare Parts as a
  jazz act, is the fact that this band has no guitar player. In fact, a
  guitarist would only spoil this ensemble. By listening closely to each
  tune, it becomes evident that electronic keyboards, used correctly, can
  be a more forceful tool, and Spare Parts knows its toolbox well.
  
  Bass fans will have a listening field day with Brain Candy. Often a
  behind-the-scenes instrument, the bass guitar is, in fact, a
  challenging animal to tame; however, Colin Scott proves he’s a big-game
  hunter. Without reservation, he lays down poppy funk and blues-ridden
  riffs over jazz melodies that include trumpet, played by Jonas, and the
  psychedelic keyboard tapestry by Kevin Kozol. Jonas also adds to the
  keyboard attack.
  
  Drummer Mike Bruno, obviously well-schooled, creates syncopated tight
  pockets that pave the way for a true musical experience.
  
  It is safe to say that Brain Candy is an enigma, something the
  traditional music scene needs, giving legitimacy to the often
  misunderstood works of Primus and Weather Report.
  
  Not surprising, the band’s music is currently the rave among college
  radio stations across the nation. One of the most versatile bands on
  the map today, it has also scored several tracks for independent films
  and commercials.
  
  Mixed and mastered by Alex Hall of Long Division Recording in Chicago,
  Brain Candy is appropriately titled and offers a correct, textbook
  definition of the word “fusion,” a term often too loosely used to
  describe many styles of music.
  
  For jazz, R&B, funk and rock fans alike, Brain Candy has all the
  ingredients to satisfy any listening urge. It’s surely a disc that will
  be difficult to keep out of any rotation.
  
  Spare Parts is busy touring the Midwest. Its dynamic live show is
  sprinkled with improvisation like that of a classic jam band, but as
  with its recordings, it quickly brings back the tightness of a
  well-rehearsed show that tells a story in each song. Collectively, the
  members of Spare Parts have shared the stage with Liquid Soul, Victor
  Wooten, The Jazz Mandolin Project and Pnuma Trio, among others.
  
  Brain Candy can be purchased on the band’s Web site,
  www.sparepartsmusic.com, and at shows. For bookings, contact Mike Bruno
  by e-mail at SparePartsMusic@yahoo.com or by calling (773) 369-7278.
  
  From the Oct. 4-10, 2006, issue
  
  
  

Setlist

Spare Parts plays original music covering many style bases. Sets range from one 45 minute set to a full 4 hour night. On occasion the group plays covers from Stanley Clarke, Weather Report, Stevie Wonder,Billy Cobham, Steely Dan, Primus, The Meters, and Jean-Luc Ponty to name a few. Here are many of the original compositions:
1. Nightlife
2. Hard Groove
3. Club-X
4. Mars
5. Egyptian
6. Evil Groove
7. Miles
8. Porno
9. E- groove
10. Drone
11. Bad Ass
12. 9/8
13. Hello Dear
14. Marvin Gaye
15. Meteorite
16. Alien Lullabye
17. Poppin'
18. Half Life
19. Chocolate Sneeze
20. Earland
21. Nine Groove
22. Local on the 8's
23. Dimi- Moore
24. Two Aliens
25. Super Hits
26. The Window Seat
27. Troitone
28. Hits
29. World
30. Sound Check
31. 11+12
32. Lake Shore Drive
33. Tonight
34. Cosmic Funk
35. Impossible Fun

Basic Requirements

Calendar