Bushmans Blend

BUSHMAN'S BLEND - WITH THE INCENSE BURNING , THE NAIL SUDDENLY WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THIS 70'S UNDERGROUND CAFE' HOUSE THEME HOUSE. THIS IS A 5 PIECE BAND WITH A TRUE GOOD VIBE TO IT. HEY MON, A CARIBBEAN SOUND THAT TOOK ME BACK TO THE ISLE OF JAMAICA. MIC'ED BONGO'S ( for lack of a better word ) , CHIMES , AND AN ISLAND SOUND THAT WAS MOSTLY INSTRUMENTAL. THIS JAM BAND COULD GO ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WITH EASE. VERY TIGHT AND GOOD TIMING GIVES THIS BAND A BLEND ALL ITS ON. VOCALS WERE GOOD , BUT THE MUSIC WAS VERY GOOD. A REGGAE FEEL TO IT JUST MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY. ONE MAIN DRUMMER COMPLIMENTED BY BONGOS AND SUCH WAS A COOL STEREO SOUND. BASS , LEAD , AND RHYTHM GUITARS ALL SEEMED TO MELD INTO EACH OTHER. THIS BAND WAS WELL VERSED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS SET PERFORMED TONIGHT. GOOD CARIBBEAN RIFFS WITH OVERTONES OF AN ISLAND INSTRUMENTAL JAM BAND. I DUG THIS BAND. - RUSTY NAIL OWNER: CHRIS

I swung into the Funhouse last night to catch The Bushmans Blend (and $4 pitchers). Between songs I talked to the super-friendly bar staff and the patrons scattered at the bar. The music was solid, as expected. It seemed like a bit of a squeeze for The Bushmans Blend to get their three percussionists and various guitar and amp stuff into the "stage" corner, but they managed. Their style is a nice mix of reggae, funk and drum circle/tribal music. On a few songs, they use an interesting effect that makes you think of steel drums. It sounded like some combination of auto-wah and an envelope filter - no matter what it actually was, the sound was really cool. Do yourself a favor and check these guys out you won't be disappointed. - Merge Digital

If you're looking for a high-energy band, full of reggae rhythms and tribal beats, you're going to want to check out Bushmans Blend. Bushmans Blend plays a mixture of funk, rock and reggae sprinkled with some drum solos and improvisations.
At a Bushmans Blend show you can expect about eighty percent original material and twenty percent covers. They enjoy covering bands like the Beatles, Sublime, The Grateful Dead, Violent Femmes, Bob Marley and Neil Young. Their original music has uplifting, progressive message that they call "rebel lyrics."

The band has an interesting philosophy behind their music. They say that "throughout human history music & art have rhythmically been used to communicate, evolve, & revolutionize the world as we know it. [...] The revolution can be heard if you put your ear to the ground resonating from the early fire gatherings of our ancestors and the backyard gatherings of today. [...] Music is the bridge for a new start." You can become a little more familiar with their beliefs by visiting their Web site and MySpace page.

Also be sure to visit their MySpace to listen to some MP3's, view their upcoming schedule and check out recent set lists.

Currently the band is set to release a new EP called Island of Trust this spring. The album should have ten new songs on it, and the band says it will have an island roots feel.
The band is looking forward to entering into the jam band festival circuit and also playing at more colleges.

- PENNLIVE.COM LOCAL SOUNDS