Domino Effect
Savannah, Georgia, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It’s amazing how many talented, relatively unknown bands lurk in and out of bars, rewarding avid fans willing to pile into one dreadful bar after another to hear a diamond in the rough. Domino Effect is a few cosmetic renovations away from becoming a precious stone.
The band consists of Josh Wade on guitar and vocals, Ben Lewis on drums, Carlos Arzayus on bass, John Patton on lead guitar and Mike Lobombard, the newest addition to the band, on keyboard and saxophone. Quite the eclectic mix, each member brings his own forte to the band, which combines a blend of reggae, funk, blues, classic and progressive rock, jazz, and a dash of hip-hop. With the inclusion of Lobombard adding a fullness to the band; some of their jams even give off a deep, melodious New Orleans vibe which tears through the crowd like a couple of bottle rockets.
On Friday, December 5th, the band made their debut at Loco’s Grill & Pub in front of a very familiar crowd. Knowing they had to play an exquisite show to impress the owners, they did just that, showcasing a night of phenomenal talent.
The opening jam meshed nicely together with heavy bass, layered in between high tempo drumming and furious fretwork. Once a little saxophone was added to the mix, a mellifluous child unfolded into a symphonic masterpiece. The band quickly transitioned into a funky cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious.” With Wade sounding like a gospel singer leading his choir to the Promised Land; the band followed his lead an executed a flawless performance. The band, not a stranger to producing some lyrically inclined originals, shifted into their “Mr. Nice Guy,” laced with smooth, uplifting reggae and ska qualities. Patton took over vocals as Z.Z. Top’s “Cheap Sunglasses” ripped through sound system sending fans alike into a fury. A few more songs then the first set was closed out with applause pouring across the floor.
After mingling around the bar and having a smoke with friends, the boys hopped back on stage and dove right into their original grab bag, pulling out “Music is My Religion” followed by David Bowie’s “Fame.” “Tree Funk” another original with alien qualities, grasped the attention from everyone in the venue with Patton and Lobombard’s back and forth guitar and sax riffs and Arzayus’s earthy bass lines. The second set steamed by, playing old school favorite’s such as Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle,” The Surfaris’ “Wipeout” and The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The set was finished off with their own “Just Wanna Love You” featuring Wade at his lyrical best. The show might as well have set the date for their next performance at Loco’s.
Domino Effect has grown each show into a collaboration of incredibly talented musicians forming a tightly knit band with a unique sound, which is unrivalled by any band in the Savannah area. Keep your eyes peeled for this band, as they are sure to tour farther from their home turf and be a prominent act to see in the near future. - Patrick Sauers
Discography
Tracks can currently be found at www.myspace.com/thedominoeffect5
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
DOMINO EFFECT is a multi-faceted reggae, dub, funk and fusion quintet. They have introduced a fresh approach to the dub roots vibe, one that freely interchanges with a more progressive, experimental sound. The band continues to explore uncharted territory in their compositions and improvisations due to a unique blend of diverse musicians.
Hailing from Savannah, GA, Domino Effect has been at work since early 2007, when drummer Ben Lewis met singer and guitarist Josh Wade at a local coffee shop. They soon teamed up with original bassist Carlos Arzayus and the trio got right to work. With the addition of guitarist John Patton in early 2008, the band found new direction that stemmed from the influences he brought to the mix. After the addition of Keyboardist/Saxophonist Michael LaBombard in late 2008, the ingredients were in place and the band found their unique style.
In early 2009, Arzayus left the group in order to concentrate on his professional career. A year passed as the band coped with the loss of a key band member, unsure of what the future would bring. This culminated with the addition of bassist Sam Ravenna in early 2010. Ravenna, a talented musician and roots aficionado, brings a variety of valuable and essential traits to the band. His presence has jump-started the group, giving it new meaning and direction.
DE has enjoyed playing at many of the premier venues the Southeast has to offer. They have shared the stage with many nationally touring acts such as Passafire, The Movement and Trevor Hall. The band was voted Best Funk/Soul/ R & B band by the 2009 Connect Savannah Reader’s poll, and look forward to reaching new heights in the future. They continue to discover new ground with each high energy performance by pushing themselves and each other, working together as an intense burning vehicle. Domino Effect is devoted to making a change in the music scene through good works and positively charged groove-juice folks can dance to.
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