Music
Press
“Absolute Grüv is a band of great dynamic. Starting out with a nasty lead guitarist, backed by a steady well transitioning drummer. This band doesn't just play great jams; the secret weapon, lead singer, has much needed soul with a whiskey drinking voice. The bassist keeps the needed beat, as well as, throws a funk transition at perfect times. This band is a breath of fresh air in today's youth music. Their new album "Just Past North" is a disc that didn't leave my CD player half the summer. Perfect band for cruisin' country roads by yourself and a nice air guitar.”
- Jambase.com
Discography
JUST PAST NORTH
Absolute Grüv started off the summer with the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Just Past North. The album is a tribute to the bands roots in the northern Midwest. Songwriters Sam Hankey and Ian Wilson teamed up with producer Al Oikari (The Big Wu) to come up with excellent arrangements on long jam tunes like “As Far As I Can See”, and crowd favorites like “Bottle of Jack” and “Cabin Fever”. The performances on Just Past North are regarded by the band as some of their best performances ever.
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Bio
What really makes Absolute Grüv stand out from other professional bands is their surprisingly young age. This group, with ages as young as 19 years old, have been writing and jamming together since the 8th grade. The musical maturity and emotion that is conveyed through the Grüvs playing is far beyond that of bands that have been around the scene for 20 years.
Their music is derived from a combination of classic rock, jazz and blues and is fused with more modern sound. Just a few of the very many influences of Absolute Grüv would be The Allman Brothers Band, The Meters, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Bob Dylan, Santana, The Big Wu, Herbie Hancock, Sly and the Family Stone, Tea Leaf Green, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Johnny Cash, and many others.
Absolute Grüv started to jam together in the summer of 2003, just four friends who had instruments and time to kill. For about a year there were just the random jam sessions as Ian Wilson (Guitar) and Sam Hankey (keys) focused on writing. After a year had passed, the band decided to really start getting their show on the road. They started playing gigs under the name Absolute Grüv and we're well into the bar and small club scene while still in high-school, constantly surprising audiences with their original material and musicianship, and surprising promoters with their mature business sense. The Grüv quickly rose out of Minneapolis and started to play all over the five state area.
2008 was a great year for Absolute Grüv. They were able to pull together a impressive lineup of successful shows both in and outside of the twin cities, along with being able to participate in multiple summer festivals such as the 10,000 Lakes Festival, the White Iron Band’s Log Jam, and Festi di Bella Sol. The Grüv was asked to close out 2008 helping the Big Wu celebrate New Year’s Eve at Trocadero’s in Minneapolis. Wu Year’s Eve 2008 was a huge success hovering over 1500 people, with lines out the door, and sometimes two blocks down the street. Absolute Grüv’s already solid base of loyal fans is creating a buzz across the Midwest that is hard to avoid. They are looking forward to another year of good crowds and great music in 2009.
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