Bop Skizzum
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Bop Skizzum

Berkley, Colorado, United States

Berkley, Colorado, United States
Alternative Funk

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"Bop Skizzum Push Ep review"

Andy Guerrero returns to his funk act after shutting it down to focus on his work as a guitarist for the Flobots. This is his return home in a lot of ways, and mainstream success has left its mark: This is squeaky-clean music, more broadly influenced than before, crafted by someone with an ear for what people want. So there's R&B and soul infused with some serious kick that Guerrero probably found with the Flobots. Funk purists might decry the pop effects and hustle tempos, but this is highly listenable stuff; it's hard to imagine a scenario where you would play Push and have it tank. Tough to say where Bop Skizzum goes from here — whether this was a one-off labor of love or a sign of bigger things on the horizon — but there is no questioning Guerrero as a standout of the Denver scene. - Westword Magazine


"Bop Skizzum releases new EP"

Andy “Rok” Guerrero is one busy fella. Dude’s best known for his day job as guitarist for the Flobots, and he also recently helped out local up-and-comers Air Dubai with their latest, Wonder Age. Somewhere in there, he managed to find a few extra hours each week to lead his other act, Bop Skizzum, into the studio to lay down an EP’s worth of its own funk/pop/soul jams. Bop Skizzum takes to the Gothic Theatre tonight to celebrate the release of Push, with SuperSeed, Aloft In The Sundry, and Ivory Drive. Maybe Guerrero will even treat fans to the secret behind his recent manic burst of productivity—a secret worth the ticket price alone. - The Onion - A.V. Club


"Steal This Track: Bop Skizzum, Oblio’s Arrow and Wire Faces"

Bop Skizzum’s last EP, “Propeller,” came out in 2005, but we haven’t heard much from the funk/soul/rock outfit since 2007, when founder Andy Guerrero turned his focus to his bill-paying gig, Flobots. Recently, however, Guerrero and collaborator Serafin Sanchez resurrected the band, with vocal assistance from the dynamic Erin Jo Harris.

The resulting music — showcased on the forthcoming “Push” EP — struts and sashays with towering confidence, classic soul and plenty of funk. The core trio and their many collaborators have unassailable chops, plenty of commercial savvy and a great sense of what it takes to get a party started. If you come to Bop Skizzum looking for cutting edge innovation or gritty realism, you’ll be sorely disappointed. However, if you come to have a good time, you’ll leave with sore hips and a smile on your face.

The band is making the entire EP available as a free digital download right now, but plans to have it in the usual digital distribution channels this month. In June, if all the stars align, the official release party for “Push” will be a free block party in LoDo. Keep an eye out for details. In the meantime, steal the EP’s title track right here. - Denver Post - Reverb


"Album Review"

widening the drawstring on their bag of musical tools and tricks. The wind instruments still blow hard on tracks like “Friend Island”, but it’s Andy Guerrero’s vocal progress and strength that crosses the line into alternative rock territory (using an alternative reference that dates back to the 90’s, since it’s unclear today what the hell alternative really means anymore).

The powerhouse sound charges forward on “Hate Sickness” with a mosh pit of vintage keys, snarling guitar, and ska-tish horns, then things get a little retro synth on the intro to “Get The Good One”, with a permeation of electronic drum sprinkles. - Kim Owens(Editor of Kaffiene Buzz Music Magazine)


"Bop Skizzum Gets Back To Good"

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2010/04/bop_skizzum_gets_back_to_good.php


In case you missed it, Andy Guerrero has put the paddles to Bop Skizzum and brought the funk unit screaming back to life, with a handful of shows at Moe's this past December, and, most recently, at Bender's for Guerrero's birthday last month. The guitarist, known also as Andy Rok, put the band on the back burner a few years back to focus on Flobots, his other group, as it made its way into the mainstream.

Those who know Guerrero locally -- the same folks most likely never refer to him as Andy Rok -- know that Bop Skizzum's never been far from his heart. Needless to say, it's not at all surprising to see him reviving the ensemble. And the time off has Clearly served Guerrero and his bandmates -- sax man Serafin Sanchez, who also plays keys and Erin Jo Harris, who shares vocal duties with Guerrero -- very well.

Don't know if it's the roadwork with Flobots has tightened Guerrero's chops, or if it's the addition of Harris, but whatever it is, the band sounds better than ever -- better than it did before it went on hiatus, actually, if you want to know the truth. Don't take our word for it. Listen to the act's new Push EP for yourself after the jump. - Westword Magazine


"B.o.B, Bop Skizzum...on our weekly top play lists"

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2010/04/bob_bop_skizzum_tommy_metz_and.php


As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of all the things we're listening to this week. Of more seventy total picks this week, B.o.B., Bop Skizzum, Tommy Metz and The Pirate Signal appeared on multiple lists and our boy Chris Callaway almost made it an entire week without listening to the Kinks. See our top spins and feel free to weigh in with picks of your own after the jump.

MARK BLIESENER
Malcolm McLaren - "Buffalo Gals"
The Box Tops - "Neon Rainbow"
"Sex Pistols - "Submission"
Bow Wow Wow - "I Want Candy"
Dope Smugglaz - "Double Double Dutch"

CHRIS CALLAWAY
7 Worlds Collide - The Sun Came Out
Flobots - Survival Story
The Kinks - Kinda Kinks
King's X - XV
Rogue Wave - Permalight

CORY CASCIATO
Savoy - February EP
Savoy - Automatic
Inevitable Zombie Apocalypse - Self-titled
Aaron Simpson - SubLevel Sessions 12
The Cure - Disintegration

A.H. GOLDSTEIN
Pavement - Quarantine the Past
Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall and the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program
Raymond Scott - Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights
Roky Erickson and Okkervil River - "I Think of Demons"
The Dubliners - "Home Boys, Home"

JASON HELLER
Trash Talk - Eyes & Nines
Young Livers - Of Misery and Toil
They Might Be Giants - They Might Be Giants
Rites of Spring - Rites of Spring
Big Drill Car - Batch

DAVE HERRERA
The Pirate Signal - No Weak Heart Shall Prosper
Bop Skizzum - Push EP
Patrick Park - Come What Will
B.o.B. - "Nothin' On You" feat. Bruno Mars
Tommy Metz - The Blossom Frontier

RU JOHNSON
Gil Scot Heron feat. Nas - "New York Is Killin' Me" (Remix)
B.o.B feat TI. - "Bet I Bust"
The Pirate Signal - "No!"
Game - "400 Bars" Freestyle
Dr Dre - "Nuthin' but a G Thang" feat. Snoop

THORIN KLOSOWSKI
Jawbox - Dear You
Quicksand - Slip
Judas Priest - Painkiller
Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
Charles Mingus - Mingus Dynasty

JACINTA HOWARD
Little Brother feat. Bilal and Darien Brockington - "Second Chances"
Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi - "Tight Rope"
Erykah Badu - "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long"
Mike Bigga aka Killer Mike - "Gangsta"
Murs & 9th Wonder feat. Suga Free - "Let Me Talk"

KIERNAN MALETSKY
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
The Lumineers - The Lumineers
Tommy Metz - The Blossom Frontier
Cypress Hill (ft. Marc Anthony and Pitbull) - "Armada Latina"
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

TOM MURPHY
Brian Jonestown Massacre - Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?
The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night
Tears Run Rings - Always, Sometimes, Seldom, Never
Voivod - Dimension Hatross
Portishead - Third

CHARLES RUSSELL
Asche - Knee Chopper
Celph Titled - So Cold
Two Door Cinema - Undercover Martyn Flex'in it (Passion Pit Remix)
Pailhead - Anthem
Datsik - Boom

DUTCH SEYFARTH
The Crimson Red - Impairable
Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie
RX Bandits - Mandala
Bop Skizzum - Push EP
Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave

KYLE SMITH
Beach House - Teen Dream
John Coltrane - Meditations
Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
Joy Division - Still

JON SOLOMON
Nels Cline Singers - Initiate
Lali Puna - Our Inventions
King Khan & The Shrines - The Supreme Genius of King Khan & the Shrines
Simone Dinnerstein - Bach: Goldberg Variations
Broken Bells - Broken Bells

AMBER TAUFEN
Stanton Moore - All Kooked Out
DJ Shadow - The Private Press
Beck - Mutations
The Pharcyde - Cydeways
Tosca - J.A.C.

AARON THACKERAY
Deftones - Diamond Eyes
MewithoutYou - Brother, Sister
Type O Negative - October Rust
Murder By Death - Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them
P.O.S. - Never Better
Dax Riggs - We Sing of Only Blood or Love

NOAH VAN SCIVER
Hot White- Land of the Rising Run
CRAWL - CRAWL (cassette tape)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre- Tomorrow's Heroes Today
The Swayback- "Die Finks"
Hideous Men- Hideous Men EP - Westword Magazine


"Critic's Choice"

n the early '70s, when Funkadelic decried gluteal oppression with their smash hit "Free Your Mind...And Your Ass Will Follow," bumpers and grinders the world over realized the unlimited possibilities between mind and body. And behind every subsequent jig lurked a booty-addled alchemist like Dr. Funkenstein in the wings, beaker poised, ready to cloud up the magic dance potion all over again.

For Bop Skizzum, a hard-grooving, horn-driven outfit, that cat is Andy Guerrero, and the formula for funk remains celebratory equal parts soul embrace and ass contortion.

Their punchy new full-length on homegrown Angry Burro Records. An inextinguishable act that burns with more brass than a coven of four-star generals thanks to trumpeter Joe Ferrone and saxophonist Serafin Sanchez, Skizzum might declare itself "so much cooler than your boyfriend," but the band seems to puff out its chest with loftier intentions: "Hate Sickness" mates aggro-funk with quasi-political statement, something the Red Hot Chili Peppers were known for, while "Tell Me" blends Latin-tinged swing with a soaring melody that recalls Conjunto Colores. Put it all together, and it's liberation time for gray matter and keisters alike. - John La Broila(music writer for the Westword)


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Bop Skizzum’s music is all about fusion… Gathering inspiration from every corner of the record store, the band meshes their alternative pop-rock vibe with groove-based funk, dance and hip-hop influences, creating an invigorating blend of unique instrumentation and phenomenal vocals to complete their sound. The diversity each musician brings to this eclectic mix resonates in the music that Bop Skizzum has written for their first full-length album “Coloradical.”

Music is Colorful! Music is Radical! We believe “Coloradical” is an energy, an intangible electricity; embodying the funky, fun spirit of Bop Skizzum which fans of all ages have become so passionate about. Infusing the songs on THIS album with each BAND member’s varied musical backgrounds and influences has resulted in a collection of 10 new songs which SPAN a wide spectrum of genres. “Coloradical” is the ultimate expression of diversity, personifying Bop Skizzum’s unique sound.

Denver School Of The Arts trained singer Julie Almeria fronts Bop Skizzum as the lead vocalist. Julie’s unique voice and incredible energy on stage capture your attention, as she takes the audience on the musical adventure that is Bop Skizzum. The band’s newest member, emcee and percussionist Shane “SF1” Franklin (also a DSA graduate) continued his education at Berklee College of Music before heading back to Colorado to pursue his music career. Guitar & back-up vocals are handled mightily by band founder Andy “Rok” Guerrero; formerly of the socio-political hip-hop rock band Flobots. Fellow co-founder and the band’s Music Director Serafin Sanchez provides one of the ‘brass voices’ in Bop Skizzum with both tenor and baritone saxophones; he is a CU Boulder graduate with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Music. This inspiring songwriting quartet is grounded by the incredible rhythm section, with groove master Chris Harris on Bass. Rounding out the brass section are the two-man trumpet power-punch of Joe Ferrone and John Lake.

Bop Skizzum’s music is unlike any other bands on the scene right now. High-energy grooves, an eclectic mix of vocal styles, and a virtuoso horn section make their sound unique, all while keeping the beat ultra-funky! Whatever the need, Skizzum can fill it, from gut-wrenching ballads to the hippest party track. Bop Skizzum represents not only great times on stage or in the recording booth, but a new direction in pop music – a fusion of the hottest sounds played by real, superlative musicians. So put on your Coloradical dancin’ shoes and prepare yourself to get Bop’d by the Skizzum!

Recent Accomplishments by Bop Skizzum…

* Bop Skizzum was one of 11 bands chosen (from amongst nearly 1000) for Ford’s “Gimme The Gig 2” contest, to fly to LA & perform for Grammy Award winning Producer Don Was (who has worked with John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones.) The band’s live performance & interviews were then featured on a TV show entitled “Gimme The Gig” airing on KTLA in Los Angeles as well as in San Francisco, Portland & more prominent markets to come over this next year.

* The Band celebrated the Holidays by playing @ The OGDEN with One Republic, The Fray, & Matt Morris for the 1st Annual Acoustic Christmas Benefit Concert which raised almost $100,000.00 for the Food Bank Of The Rockies, Denver Santa Claus Shop & Children’s Hospital

* Bop Skizzum was named “Best Funk Band” by Westword readers for a 2nd year in a row in June 2012.

* Bop Skizzum held their first NERD PROM @ The Gothic, in February 2012. The event was a smashing success with hundreds of music loving geeks showing up in their best “gee, wish I was going to Comic Con” gear – ready to get their groove on! This was the first Skizzum show which included Live Tweeting during the concert. The #NerdProm reached 112,467 Twitter Accounts, made 1,454,831 Impressions & both #NerdProm & #BopSkizzum ended up Trending in the Top 10. Bottom line, Nerds Rule!

* During the past two years the band has made a huge stir both locally and nationally, performing at venues across the USA ranging from…. Playing for 7,000+ people at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, to packed houses at world famous clubs The Mint & The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA,

* Bop Skizzum graced the cover of Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, February 2011 issue.

* Recognized by A.O.V., (Artist On The Verge) Bop Skizzum was selected as one of the top 100 artists on the rise for 2011.

* Bop Skizzum garnered a spot in Westword’s Favorite Denver Releases of 2010 with their first ep PUSH.

* The band made the cut for Channel 93.3 KTCL radio contest Hometown for the Holidays with their single “I’m So Much Cooler”.

* Selected as one of a few bands out of 700 nationwide to play at the closing night party for LA’s New Music Seminar at The Roxy.

* In their first year as a newly formed band, Bop Skizzum has already rocked for over 10,000 people, performing in packed clubs, backyard parties (shut down by the police of course) and