Chauncey Peppertooth

Chauncey Peppertooth, a four-piece instrumental band from Cleveland, opened the show at the Grog Shop last Wednesday night. Chauncey Peppertooth, who describe their sound as “a tasty mélange of Harlem organ groove and early hard bop or acid jazz", impressed the crowd early with both original tunes and covers such as Radiohead's "Subterranean Homesick Alien," "All Blues," and a variety of other tasteful yet funky and energetic songs. The band first originated when members Chris, John and Joe, students from CWRU, collaborated in October of 2004 as a three-piece going by the name "Mistery Guest." Just last month, bassist Michael Boyd of CSU, joined the group, forming what is now Chauncey Peppertooth. "I think we are unique because we can really play to the needs of the human animal. You've got to feed the body, mind and soul and if you're failing at that you're failing at music. We try to maintain a good balance between improvisation, stochastic events and composed musical notions," guitarist John Poirier explains. The band is able to take the listener on a wild ride from head-bangin hard rock to mind-altering jazz to grovin‘ blues and beyond... This notion, along with the band incorporating interesting and unique ideas in both the songs they play and they way in which they improvise, combined with the positive attitudes that come through both on stage and in their music, make Chauncey Peppertooth a band you absolutely can not want to miss. Check out their music on the web at www.chaunceypeppertooth.com. - The Cauldron

Last Monday at The Spot, die hard fans and other students came out and supported Chauncey Peppertooth as they jammed to their own works and a few covers. If you have not heard these guys yet... you are missing out... The three Case students, John Poirier, Joe Helpern, and Chris Gammell sound like they have been playing together for years. John, a third year student who sometimes studies molecular biology in his spare time, has been playing guitar since he was ten. Joe, also a third year student who studies biology, plays the synthesizer while Chris, an electrical engineer, keeps the beat. Their style is a mix of funk and jazz - but with twists of classic rock and many other assorted styles to keep the audience guessing. If you like a good song that keeps your toe tapping and puts a smile on your face, this is the music for you - just cool. My favorite piece of the evening was a work titled Bookin'. What started out as a slow bluesy song grew into a full out rock session. Impressive solos from Joe on the synthesizer were tightly passed onto a wailing guitar solo by John. Chris's percussion playing was tight to the beat and driving. Of course, what set list is complete without a work like Chameleon by Herbie Hancock? If you have not heard the original, this is one of those songs you need to track down. Chauncey Peppertooth started this cover by keeping true to the original. More and more liberties were taken with the theme in the guitar as the synthesizer picked up the bass line until the group had made it into something of their own. We heard similar things done with the works of The Beatles and Stevie Ray Vaughan later in the evening. If you have ever heard the Beastie Boys song "Root Down", you might recognize that they sampled the organ legend Jimmy Smith, which Chauncey Peppertooth did a rendition off his work as well. You will not hear any vocals in this band, but honestly, the music speaks for itself. John, who works at WRUW, is quite passionate about his jazz and funk. When he takes a solo, it is clear he has a musical goal in mind and the other band members pointed out that, "this is him in his element." All three members are very spirited on stage and said that they were just having fun up there. If you did not catch Chauncey Peppertooth last Monday, do not loose hope. On Monday February 21st at 9PM, they will be opening for Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey in the Rough Rider Room with catering by Fat Fish Blue. Come on out and hear two great bands! - The Observer