COPE

It was like a beach party in March when Tampa, FL-based jamband COPE brought their funky reggae dance party to the crooked i stage Saturday, March 12. Bar owner Marty Schwab has been a fan of the band for years and was stoked to finally have them rocking his stage in Erie.

“COPE is just amazingly tight and good,” Schwab said. “They’re in their 30s now, but have been playing together since they were 16 years old and it shows. They rocked my club in Florida, and it’s time Erie got a taste.”

COPE was joined by openers The First Street Heat, an 11-piece funk band from Athens, Ohio that featured a horn section, multiple vocalists, and MCs Hil and Schwartz better known as The Dysfunktional Family. The two bands went together like sweet and salty.

As The First Street Heat’s saxophonist Jack Gould put it: “Both of our bands have that funky, party band sound and focus on having strong vocal harmonies so we go well together that way. But the contrast is that our sound is more pop-soul and hip-hop driven.”

That’s exactly the way it went down. The First Street Heat took the stage and immediately had the room bouncing. Folks in the back of the room and folks sitting at the bar were bobbing their heads, abandoning whatever conversations they were in the middle of to focus on the sounds coming from the stage.

The First Street Heat’s music brought to mind Sly and The Family Stone and Cee Knowledge and The Cosmic Funk Orchestra. The rhythm pulsated and bounced along, accented by the horn section comprised of Gould, Nick Weckman on trombone, and Zach Pontzer on trumpet. Vocalists Ben Kain, Eden Lee, and Eric Turner blended harmonies while The Dysfunktional Family got on the microphone and took The First Street Heat to a whole new level, spitting lyrics on songs, such as “That Sound,” and dropping lines with depth, reminding you that: “This is hip-hop, this ain’t rap, cuz rap is on the radio and this ain’t that…”

The First Street Heat warmed the stage, getting the crowd in the dancing mood and ready for COPE to take the stage. The band set the night off with a bang with their smart cover of Kool & The Gang’s “Get Down On It.” From that moment on the dancefloor was packed and the crowd kept moving until last call. This was the only cover the band played during their two hour performance, making the bold move to play original music before an Erie crowd that was unfamiliar with what COPE was all about.

Over the course of the night it became clear that COPE are genre jumpers. Each original song has its own sound and influence. Be it reggae such as the case with Babylon Man, which had a deep skank sound and featured keyboard and saxophone player Juan Montero holding the crowd in the palm of his hand as got on the microphone and broke the song down with lyrical quickness. Other songs like “Goin’ Home” kept a slight reggae feel but were much more pop-oriented, with catchy, sing-along choruses. There was even a taste of bluegrass when guitarist and lead vocalist Dennis Stadelman picked up a banjo for the song “Take Me Over.”

“The fans seem to really enjoy the diversity in our songs,” Montero said. “These days, with iTunes and MySpace, kids are able to discover and familiarize themselves with so many different forms of music. It’s important that a band have a lot of different material that fans can relate to.”

However, this diversity isn’t exactly a planned thing as bassist Kenny Stadelman explained: “Dennis and I write in a similar way where we let each song find itself. We’ll have an idea and try different things while we’re working the song out, but for the most part we find if we let it just flow naturally, we end up with something that we’re all happy with.”

Quality songwriting isn’t the only thing that defines what COPE brings to the table. Many songs featured quality jams, with guitar and saxophone playing point and counterpoint, producing some awe-inspiring textures. Each extended instrumental section was well placed and driving, never spiraling off into oblivion, something that can be an issue for many jambands. This was obviously something COPE has worked on.

Bassist Stadelman confirmed: “Our jams have evolved and become more focused. We’ve created space within the structure of the song so that although we’re doing a lot of free-form jamming, we have more of an idea of where each jam is going end up.”

Although the 400-person capacity room wasn’t exactly bursting at the seams with people, the 100 or so in attendance at the crooked i that night proved to have been won over by both bands, judging by the slew of smiles and the full dancefloor. Both The First Street Heat and COPE got to show Erie what they had to offer and Erie drank it all in, down to the last drop.

Those that didn’t make it to the show missed out on a good time. But it’s safe to say that both bands will be making return appearances at the crooked i in the not so distant future.

In the meantime, both COPE and The First Street Heat can be found on Facebook and MySpace.



- erie reader

Florida Based Funk-Rockers, Cope, Announce their Debut at Wannee
Springfest 2011

Some would argue that Cope the one of the hottest band in the sunshine state right now, if not the entire Southeast. Following a powerful late night set at Bear Creek
Music Fest 2010 and in the midst of their Wannee Springfest debut, Tampa,
FL based funk-jam-rockers Cope hit the midwest for a week of dates. The
brief tour will take them throughout their old home state of Ohio and
conclude with a finally on Saturday, March 12 at the Crooked I in Erie,
PA. Several other dates for late spring/early summer have also been
announced.
The guys will also be hitting the festival circuit hard this year and have
plans to headline several smaller festivals. Details will follow. Check
out the following links for some fresh Cope shows.

1/28/11 w/opening act The Heavy Pets - last 3 tracks featuring guests, The
Heavy Pets
http://www.archive.org/details/COPE2011-01-28.matrix.flac16

2/25/11 w/opening act Spiritual Rez
http://www.archive.org/details/COPE2011-02-25.matrixx.flac16

Tampa, Florida based funky-jam-rockers Cope have been grinding their way
into live music fans hearts for the past decade and a half one note at a
time. If versatility were a musical genre, then Cope would be the sound’s
poster child. Two of the band’s members, Dennis Stadelman and Juan
Montero, play dual roles. Dennis primarily rocks the guitar and, on
occasion, picks the banjo while Montero splits his time between keyboards
and a nasty sax. The band is rounded out with drummer Dave Gerulat and
Kenny Stadelman (yes, he and Dennis are brothers!) on bass.

In today’s technologically savvy live music scene most bands have more
laptops on stage than band members and worse vocals than an old man
singing in the shower. Cope is living proof that some bands are still
capable of writing tasteful, welcoming lyrics and singing them with
trained vocals. The Stadelman brother’s familial voices open the door for
amazing harmonies sung over twisting rhythms, a steady backbeat and
flawless timing between band mates. Their sound incorporates influences
from several corners of the music world; bands like the Grateful Dead and
the Beatles and genres like jazz, funk, reggae, bluegrass and 90’s
alternative/grunge all play a role in defining what is Cope.

The past few years have been nothing but bliss for the 4 piece. They are
arguably the hottest act in the southeast. A jaw dropping set at the
Blackwater Music Fest (feat. STS9, the Disco Biscuits, Galactic) preceded
an on fire, late night set at Bear Creek Music Fest in 2010. The guys have
recently shared the stage with acts such as Jeremiah Puddleduck (feat.
Mark Karan – The Other Ones, Ratdog & John Molo – Phil and Friends, John
Fogerty) and Perpetual Groove. Cope’s debut at Wannee Spring Fest (the
Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL) is also quickly
approaching. Bands like The Heavy Pets, Papadosio and Spiritual Rez drool
for the opportunity to be the opening act for Cope when they come to
Tampa.

For Cope it is about more than just the music. Their moniker is derived
from their outlook on life; coping with the love and labor that each day
brings to us. A Cope experience is about more than a band getting on stage
and playing notes. It is about cutting loose, leaving the problems that we
all face from day-to-day at the door, having a good time and getting down.
- phish and the dead .com

Sometime around the early ’90s, when brothers Kenny and Dennis Stadelman were guitar-wielding teens in Northeastern Ohio, they planted the seeds of Cope. They've since seen members come and go, cycling through various changes of their hummable, danceable style. Unlike your typical sprawling, inaudible jam bands, Cope keeps melody and ear-friendly song structures at the core. The Stadelmans even cite the Beatles as a major influence.

On Friday, Cope will release their new CD, Going Home, with a show at 8 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse with Christie Lenee and the Funkgrass Groove. Tickets are $8.

Click here to listen to the title track from the new CD. And after the jump, get Julie Garisto's full profile of this ramblin', jammin' band...

Cope-ious talent: Dennis Stadelman, guitar, banjo and vocals; Kenny Stadelman, bass and vocals; Juan Montero, saxophone and vocals; and Dave Gerulat, drums and vocals.

Formed: Sometime around the early ’90s, when the Stadelman brothers were guitar-wielding teens in Northeastern Ohio. Kenny and Dennis planted the seeds of Cope and have since seen members come and go, cycling through various changes of their hummable, danceable style. Unlike your typical sprawling, inaudible jam bands, Cope keeps melody and ear-friendly song structures at the core. The Stadelmans even cite the Beatles as a major influence. Montero, a friend through other bands on the jam/improvisational/experimental circuit, joined in 2004 and Gerulat joined in the past couple of years, replacing Kenny and Dennis’ cousin Roger Pinkerton.

What’s changed over the years? The addition of keyboards and horns to what was essentially a guitar-based rock, pop and reggae-world beat band. “We have a rounder sound now,” Kenny says. “We fill in more frequencies. Now we play a reggae song with keyboards and organ and it sounds right.”

Dennis: “Having a wider variety of instruments lends authenticity. We have everything from hip-hop bats to disco to funk to techno and it helps to have the instruments to play all these styles.”

Montero: “We make a soup out of everything you’ve heard.”

New CD: Going Home, which is being released this weekend. The group recorded the CD in a live, analog format with the help of Ken Faulkenberry at Audio Lab and then had the demos retouched by engineering whiz Steve Connelly of Zen Recording (and several local bands through the years).
- tampa bay times

I know these guys and let me tell you if you haven't seen them live you haven't lived! This review was a guitar/sax love fest (although well deserved) I was saddened that Dave Gerlut's clever drums beats got overlooked as the driving force and heartbeat to this album. There is also the "other" Stadelman. :) This album thumps the subs with some serious bottom end while still handling vocal duties. All in all, these four guys should go pretty far and should tear up the festival scene. This album is only the beginning to an amazing whirlwind of a trip. Everyone should buy this album, go see them at a city near you, and put on your dancing shoes and get ready to shake your booty!!! I heart Cope and so should you! - Homegrown Blog

A solid jam-rock outfit that's been gigging around the Bay area for the past several years, Cope has only recently found a lineup that fits. Now, they're ready to get serious.
"We've finally reached a sound we're proud of," guitarist/vocalist Dennis Stadelman told me a few weeks ago when I sat down with him and his bass-playing brother Kenny to discuss their official "coming out" show this Friday.
The Stadelmans have the best sort of sibling rivalry, one that forces them to grow and mature as artists together or else run the risk of one or the other losing creative face. After more than 15 years of performing -- they started their first band at ages 15 and 16, along with their 14-year-old cousin, guitarist Roger Pinkerton -- they've gotten pretty good at complementing each other, experimenting with new ideas and sounds, and challenging each other to improve and evolve.
Cope's current lineup solidified last year: The brothers are joined by drummer Dave Gerulat (who was enlisted in '03) and new player, saxophonist/keyboardist Juan Montero, who replaced Pinkerton in September.
In its early incarnation, Cope was a hard rock band that played fast and loud; over time, they turned down their amps, played slower and with an increased focus on melody, and generally gave the music more breathing room.
I first became familiar with Cope in '05 when I was covering a North Florida music festival. The late Ted Freed -- who ran a promotion and managing company called Rising Jupiter -- had pretty much funded the fest all on his own as a way to provide exposure and sit-in opportunities for the Bay area acts he represented and so passionately believed in.
The festival is where Cope met Montero, a musician who'd been making the Tampa rounds for a more than a decade. "After the fest was over, we were all sitting by the pool having a musicians and staff party, and Ted was playing some of his songs and telling stories," Juan told me about the day he and Dennis met. At some point, Dennis picked up a guitar and joined in, and Juan was immediately impressed.
From then on, Montero made the occasional guest appearance with Cope, and Dennis played with Montero's Juanjamon Band, a temporary post that became permanent more than a year ago. Then, last September, when Montero found out Pinkerton was leaving Cope, it only seemed natural that he fill the vacancy -- so natural that, Montero says, "I just sorta hired myself. I was like, 'I'm the newest member.' They just smiled in agreement and we've been having a great time ever since."
Montero brought formidable experience to Cope. His former group, Grin, did a lot of touring in the late '90s. They were discovered by the Batiste brothers of New Orleans and hired as the backup band for several different Batiste outfits, performed at a few NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festivals, and even supported a Yellowman tour.
About his role in Cope, Montero says, "I want to throw my two cents to a dollar into everything. I'm very directorial." It helps that he and Dennis share that special musicians' ability to hear a song and play it back after a single listen, a memory for music that also includes breaking down a song's basic structure and figuring out everyone's instrumental contribution. "That's the only way you can improve your own parts, knowing what every part is supposed to sound like," Montero says. "So when someone does something wrong, you know immediately."
Cope rehearses once a week in a tiny box of a room in Audio Lab Studios off Hillsborough Avenue. When I dropped by one Tuesday night, the four displayed an easy chemistry, trading ideas back and forth, launching into a song, then stopping several times to execute this or that part differently, or to work out a smoother transition here or there. A few minutes later, they blasted through it again, the new and improved transitions leading into a sizzling funked-out jam that had me grinning from one ear to the other.It's apparent that Cope has reached the next level. Their musicianship and vocal harmonies have improved; they are more relaxed with each other and have a good working chemistry; the instrumental sections are tighter and lack the aimless noodling that gives jam bands a bad rap; and their sound overall is funkier, with a nice bit of fuzz and crunch mixed into the Southern-fried rock.
What does the future hold for Cope? This music writer's crystal ball shows them playing to a packed house at Skipper's on Friday night, and a bright future of packed houses to follow. - creative loafing magazine

This band is smoking hot! saw them at a festival and they blew me away. Might very well be the best sax player I've ever heard and the guitarist was on point. Great mix of styles and instruments and overall well written songs but still jammy. This new cd is impressive and wish them all the best of luck and success.
- Homegrown Blog

COPE - GOING HOME CD
March 9th, 2010 | Posted by: leeway
Cope offers a compelling mix of rollicking jams and thoughtful lyrics with the tracks of “Going Home.”

Cope is a four piece band based out the Tampa / St. Petersburg area of Florida. The band features brothers Kenny Stadelman on bass, Dennis Stadelman on guitar and banjo, Dave Gerulat on drums, and Juan Montero on keys and saxophone. Cope displays a mature, complicated assortment of tunes for this album, dabbling in exploratory funk, melodic pop, and spirited jams to deliver an excellent mix. The album is characterized by warm, intelligent vocals, blustery guitar, and bellowing saxophone. Dennis Stadelman's guitar shines on several of these tracks, offering excellent platforms for Montero's contributions on keys or horn. When paired with revealing, emotionally forthright lyrics, the album is graced with twists and satisfying turns.

“Going Home” begins with “Today,” a spirited track that feels part melodic pop, part Southern jam, part late night dance party. This varied, interesting song provides a momentous start to the album, and the song closes in triumphant, head-rocking waters. “Here For You” displays warm vocals, likable chorus, and syrupy guitar licks to create a yearning, sophisticated track. The title track saunters by on the strength of horn and excellent vocals, laying foundation for Dennis Stadelman’s guitar and a relaxed Caribbean “vibe.” Juan Montero’s full bodied saxophone colors the perimeter, providing excellent flourishes as the song ratchets to its conclusion. The playful banter of banjo introduces “Take Me Over” and intermingles with saxophone and vocals to create an interesting dynamic. Some of the more exploratory passages seem reminiscent of the Flecktones, where banjo reverberates against tight fusion jazz.

Energetic, spirited horn play establishes a nice introduction for “Creeker.” The song matures into a hard-charging funk jam colored by robust saxophone and talkative guitar. This song segues nicely into “IntoMine,” a track punctuated by spirited guitar, Montero’s keyboard work, and contemplative lyrics. The playful touch of piano accentuates “Awake” and adds a charming quality to a warm, engaging song. Montero’s saxophone leads the later measures of the song, offering another glimpse of his versatility and skill. “Babylon Man,” a reggae track infused with yearning saxophone and the spirit of dance hall lyrics, displays a triumphant, resounding spirit. A game of “hide seek” seems evident in the lyrics of “Come and Find Me,” as playful keyboards invoke the spirit of youth. The song develops into a full-flavored jam and then returns to the likable simplicity of its earlier measures.

The songs in “Going Home” present a cross section of spirited jams, splashed with funk and screaming guitar, to thoughtful tracks characterized by polished lyrics and an almost “pop” sensibility. These differing personalities work well on the tracks of “Going Home,” making for an interesting, diverse package. The tracks “Today” and “Creeker” will definitely make a play list of “Energetic Romps” I have on my Ipod, while “Awake” surprises me with its story of nocturnal distraction. The album is characterized by warm lyrics and vocal contributions, excellent work from Juan Montero on the myriad instruments he plays, and tasty flashes of rollicking guitar. The resulting concoction is well-mixed, varied, and satisfying.
- By J. Evan Wade - Leeways Homegrown Music Network

Cope

Tampa's beloved Cope has been furiously gaining recognition over the last year by hitting the festival scene with a vengeance. Having been on the scene for quite some time, the band has gained a loyal following in the Bay area and beyond with their down home rock/blues jams and get-down worthy live shows.

You may have caught the band at any number of Florida festivals including Blackwater Festival, Orange Blossom Jamboree, Aura Music Festival and Big-N-Heart Music Festival. The band has seriously stepped it up in recent months and are sounding tighter then ever before. Their latest release, Going Home, was a finalist for Leeway's Homegrown Music Network's album of the year.

Just good old fashioned tight nit rock infused with an endless array of other genres including roots, reggae, world, blues and even electronic. A Cope show is a down home, rootin-tootin good time. If you've never seen this South Florida band take a chance and go catch their set. You won't be disappointed. Cope plays the S.O.S Music Hall on Saturday night from 1-2:30 am.
- Reaxmusic.com

Surprise newbie of the night was COPE, a funk/reggae/electronic fusion band, that rocked the Sku stage despite the other raging acts on the main stages.
- Relix Magazine

Uphonia, Spanish Moss Farm, Quincy, FL- 5/13-15
Genessa Poth
2005-06-01

Spanish Moss Farm proved to be a perfect venue for the inaugural Uphonia, the three-day festival held May 13-15 in north Florida. The scenic grassy fields and sleepy live oaks made for a mind-blowing outdoor amphitheater with a killer sound. Approximately 1,000 people attended creating an intimate setting of musicians and fans, who were able to connect in a way just not possible at larger festivals.

The weekend event featured well-known acts like Keller Williams, MOFRO and The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton. Guitarist Steve Kimock, who played a late night set alongside Mountain of Venus, and The Grateful Dead's Vince Welnick were also present.

Festival Highlights included Keller Williams' rare covers of Sublime's "What I Got" and The Grateful Dead's "One More Saturday Night." Vince Welnick also got the crowd dancing with old-school favorites like "Shakedown Street" and "Scarlet Begonias."

Uphonia founder Ted Freed, who has emerged as a key player in bringing jam bands to Florida- especially to the Tampa Bay area- helps to promote, book and manage local bands by way of his company Rising Jupiter. Freed, who has been in the real estate business for more than two decades, decided to invest his time, knowledge and money in the local music scene.

"It's all about my wanting to help talented musicians who don't have the business background," Freed said.
Freed, being a musician himself, feels a deep bond to the bands that he works with. One band in particular, Mountain of Venus, inspired Freed to take the Bay area jam scene to the next level.

"When I met Mountain of Venus, it all changed. We sang together; We cried together. We made music together the first time we met. It was amazing," Freed said. "So, I started helping them and then other bands started coming to me, like Cope, and this whole beautiful community in Tampa just opened up."
Freed began collaborating with venues like Skipper's Smokehouse and Java Junction to give local talent the publicity and stage space needed to attract a wider fan base. Several of these Bay area bands were invited to play at Uphonia. The result was a spectacular festival, which afforded some smaller acts the opportunity to be realized within the jam community.

Cope, who played Saturday afternoon, was thrilled to be able to bring their music to the festival circuit. The band started their set with a song entitled "Weekday," drifted into a long jam with their song "Time" and ended the set with originals like "See" and a Beatles cover "Don't Let Me Down." A little over a year ago, they were introduced to Freed by their manager Mike Grubb. Freed is now their promoter.

Bassist and vocalist, Kenny Stadelman, his younger brother, guitarist and vocalist Dennis and their cousin guitarist Roger Pinkerton have all been strumming collectively since their youth.
"We've been playin' together off and on since Dennis and I and Roger were like 13, 14 and 15," Stadelman said. "We had a band growing up until I was 20 called Verbal Irony."

The group grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and moved down to Florida during the early 90s were most of their family already resided. Cope has been in existence as a jam band for about three years. The band has gone through a few different drummers, however the current drummer Dave Gerulat appears to be a keeper as his energy complements the band's sexy electric sound.

Although Cope has played a few large house parties and large-scale events like Bike Fest, Uphonia was their first jam festival.

"It was a blast. It was one of our funnest shows. The people there were there because they love music. It's not like playin' for a fickle crowd at a bar." Stadelman said. "All of the bands were talented and had quality equipment to work with. It was just put together really professionally."

Cope's influences are predominantly from the Rock 'n Roll genre. However, Stadelman says that there are some jazz and reggae artists that have helped to shape their style as well.

"Everything from Hendrix and Stevie Ray to the Beatles and the Dead," Stadelman said.

After attending Uphonia, Cope is excited about what the future will hold and aspires to be able to support themselves solely by way of their music.

"We'd like to go as far as we can and do as many festivals as we can; festivals being the most fun and the most music oriented. We'd love to tour. We'd love to get out there and get our music out," Stadelman said. "We all have day jobs, but those get kinda old. I'd like to be able to feed my family with music, instead of swingin' a hammer."

As for Uphonia round II, Freed says he's already thinking of ways to make the festival better next year.

"Uphonia was a huge success. It greatly exceeded my expectations. The vibe was amazing. Throughout my life, I've always been kind of a second or third fiddle not a first and being in that spotlight and seeing what happened made me cry with tears of joy a number of times," Freed said. "I was just overwhelmed by the love that went between the artists, the people that worked there and the people that attended. To me what happened was a gestation of nine months of planning... I can't wait until May 12 next year."


- Jambands.com/ Genesa Poth