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Cary Street Cafe / Saturday, MAR. 1
When drummer Robin Anderson and guitarist/vocalist Hart Dementi began jamming together in 1998, little did they know that it would be almost a decade before they released their first album together. Ten years, two band names and several line-up changes later, 11th House is releasing their album First Light to the delight of friends and fans at the Cary Street Café on March 1.
Dementi and Anderson are joined by Andy Bossolla on bass and Matt Sthreshley on rhythm guitar to form a unique mix of reggae, funk, Latin jazz and good old-fashioned rock and roll. Fans of Sublime will enjoy their laid-back grooves mixed with more up-beat jams, although they are more funk-based than those Long Beach all-stars, and without the punk rock background. Similarities to college favorites OAR are evident as well, in their relaxed jam-like performance style. Throw in the occasional Santana-esque guitar solo and a few Southern-rock influences, and you have 11th House.
Though their album was recorded in-studio, they seem poised to break into freeform improv jams at any moment. They are well-known for their live improvisation, as well as their carefully chosen variety of cover songs. First Light is all original tunes, but the 11th House boys have been known to break into live covers as diverse as Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, and even Talking Heads. But it’s no real surprise – the influences listed on their Web site range everywhere from Johnny Cash to Ween and Earl Scruggs to Frank Zappa. With this much musical diversity on the menu, you never know what they’ll crank out next.
The CD release party promises to be quite an event, with door prizes, exclusive merchandise, and of course a full set of 11th House’s funky rock and roll. Rumor has it they’ll be giving away free copies of the CD to a select number of early birds, so don’t be late!
- Brick Magazine
Discography
11th House EP self-titled - 05-2003
Debut studio album "First Light" 03-2008
Magis Cantus Vol.1--7-31-07 Live @ Capitol Ale House,
Magis Cantus Vol. 2--6-21-07 Live @ Emilios
Photos
Bio
11th House originally formed in Richmond, Virginia the summer of 1998, playing under the name Citizen Tekeba. The band consisted of Hart, Robin, Beau Bennett, and a fellow friend Jad Babik on guitar. Over the next year the lineup trimmed down to just Hart, Robin, and Beau, but since everyone was attending different schools in Virginia and North Carolina it only became random jam sessions throughout the year when everyone was in town. A few years later, while Hart was still away at college, Beau and Robin, who moved back to Richmond, met up with Matt and pianist Steve Smith. This musical collaboration gave birth to the name 11th House. Steve decided to depart after a few shows in 2001 which gave way to the return of Hart, following his graduation from college. The new 11th House lineup of Hart, Matt, Robin and Beau played for over 4 years until Beau left the group in September of 2005 to play with the Essentials full time. After auditioning a few bass players, Andy Bossola, was introduced to 11th House. He previously had played with Solid Gold Fishbowl, Loop and HH3. After a few jams they were sold and Andy officially became a member of 11th House forming their final lineup.
11th House and their various side projects have played numerous venues throughout the Central Virginia and North Carolina region including Alley Katz, Emilio’s Tapas Bar, Capitol Ale House, Outback Lodge, Richie’s Pacific Bar & Grill, Cary St. Café, Boulevard Deli, Mio’s at Innsbrook, Chop Stix, Tropical Soul, Wonderland, Canal Club, McCormick’s, Leonardo’s Pizza, Bogart’s, Hyperlink, Poe’s Pub, the Lighthouse (Longwood Univ.), Dave’s Taverna (Harrisonburg), Champs (VA Tech), Godwin High School Auditorium, Library Park (VCU), the Richmond Marathon along with many private parties and a few smaller music festivals. 11th House shared the stage with such acts as Carbon Leaf, Fighting Gravity, Global Funk Council, Crucial Elements, Jahvaquarium, In Session, Mandorico, The McGuffin, Rufus Brown, DJ Williams Projekt, Winthorpe, Akili Manjaro, Machu Pichu, Monticello Road, Southern Funk Orchestra, Man Mountain Jr., The Essentials, Flesh Mountain Boys, Los Gringos, Matone, along with many others.
11th House has released their first official album, “First Light” in the winter of 2008 and is planning a mini tour of the east coast to support it.
www.11thhouse.net
www.myspace.com/11thhouse
CHECK OUT US LIVE ON WWW.ARCHIVE.ORG
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