Cypress

Jamming together for a little over a year, Cypress plays
down-to-earth songs on top of soulful melodies with origi-
nal and infectious vibes. The four musicians in their 20s
are a local act with a rapidly growing fan base. They
spent the month of May playing in Miami’s Churchill’s, the
Dive Bar in Fort Lauderdale and City Limits on Delray
Beach’s Atlantic Avenue. They also joined the Spam
Allstars for the memorable Wahoo Fest out in the Trail Lakes
Campgrounds of Ochopee, Florida. Cypress vows to con-
tinue switching up their set-lists and performances, keeping
the music interesting for their appreciative spectators.
Fingering an iVenus Hollow body guitar, Bill Talley trades
off on lead vocals with “Jack Straw,” a moniker based on
the classic Grateful Dead number. The devoted Dead Head
plays a Fender Telecaster through a Fender Twin amp.
Meanwhile, Ben Manburg has been plucking his Fender
Jazz bass guitar since he joined the crew in November.
Chad Goings bangs away on his Maybeck M Series drum
kit, along with a few congas. He has become infamous
for taking his shirt off onstage, especially under the 400-
watt lights at the Dive Bar. “Each of our influences of
different genres creates a fusion of styles, maintaining an
experimental attitude toward our song writing and show-
manship,” says Goings.
The boys have heard feedback referencing a surf sound.
“We use a little reverb, and the amps make it sound like
’60s rock and roll,” he explained. While he compares the
Cypress sound to one of a hippy jam band, not unlike Phish
or the Dead, I personally hear a heavier surfer influence.
They make me think of 311 or Sublime, while their smooth
instrumentals could be outtakes from The in Sound From
Way Out, the Beastie Boys’ mid-’90s release, showing off
their funky side. “When people ask us what it sounds like,
I’m stuck on what to say,” says Goings, an avid John
Bonham fan. “The bass and drums come from roots, metal
and grunge. And then there’s the jazzy, classical style
guitar, ripping it up with a heavy bass and rhythm.”
While the men pride themselves on their originals, they
enjoy recreating obscure covers by artists such as
Sugarloaf, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd, Bob
Marley and ZZ Top. “Cypress’ audiences are amazing be-
cause everyone seems to having an outrageous time, sing-
ing and dancing to our tunes,” says Manburg. “And there
are always new people that show up too. It’s always
flattering when they come up to you, just to say how much
they love our music.”
This month, music lovers can catch Cypress at The Dive
Bar on June 16th and again on the 23rd. “It’s been phe-
nomenal watching Cypress practice together regularly, as
they get better and better everyday,” says Ginelle Monico,
a 21-year-old fan from Fort Lauderdale. “I am their number
one follower and seeing them grow as artists is part of the
reward.” Success is just around the corner, as each mem-
ber of Cypress possesses a powerful drive and an un-
matched passion for their groovin’ music. It’s just that
simple. – Todd McFliker - RAG Magazine, 06/2007