Junkierush
Orlando, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
At different points in its new album, Musica, Orlando's Junkie Rush sounds like the best ska-punk outfit you've ever heard.
At other points, the band — which celebrates the album release with a Saturday show at House of Blues — veers into jammy Dave Matthews territory. Or maybe a fleet-fingered Flamenco guitar interlude. In its most ambitious moments, the transitions are jammed together in the same song.
For a lesser band, that kind of scatter-brained approach might be a mess, but Junkie Rush turns its short-attention span into music that is restless in the best way. It's rare when a band can match its muscle with musicianship.
There's a chunky guitar at the foundation of "James Brown DNA," although the song does break out a bridge laden with the kind of frisky funk that reflects its title. With the feathery vocals atop, there's an element of pop in the mix, too. Whew!
Horns bolster the sassy rhythm track on "Grow," one of the band's more obvious funk offerings. No matter what the song, though, drummer Thatcher is the secret weapon. Locked into a groove with bassist Matt Gallagher, he forms an air-tight rhythm section.
Musica was recorded and mixed by orlando veteran Brett Hestla and the production also is a star element. here. The arrangements are surprisingly warm, considering the army of instruments involved. There's an impressive contrast at work, too. It's most apparent in the transition between the gentle Flamenco interlude of "Ideas Robadas" into the slow build of "Close to the Sun." The latter is yet another percussion showcase.
At times, it's hard to put a label on the Junkie Rush sound. Maybe it's best to just call it good.
- Orlando Sentinel-Jim Abbot
Discography
"JunkieRush" (2000)
"JunkieRush II" (2003)
"Live" (2006)
"Musica" (2009)
Photos
Bio
The music of JunkieRush is a unique combination of hard rock, funk, reggae and Latin rhythms. Led by guitarist/vocalist/ songwriter Bobby Koelble, the group is the perfect blend of memorable songwriting and top notch musicianship which has made them one of Florida’s most captivating bands for the last nine years.
Notable shows include
• Record breaking attendance @ House of Blues Orlando for their 2009 album release of Musica
• Opened for Rehab again on July 4th 2009 in Tampa, FL. (Previously @ Orlando’s Club Firestone in Orlando on November 05, 2008)
• Played to 2,000+ fans @ The 2009 Orlando Memorial Day Crawfish Festival
• Sold out multiple southern tour dates opening for Jimmie’s Chicken Shack.
• Opened for sold out Trust Co. on their January, 4th 2009 and sold out Supervillains show on August 9th, 2008 @ Orlando House of Blues as well as multiple sold out Supervillians shows on their 2009 tour.
• Shared the stage at Clear Channel/WJRR’s Earthday Birthday 13 with national acts such as: Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Daughtry, Nonpoint, Chevelle and Sevendust.
• Have played internationally in St. Thomas, VI, and Puerto Rico
The JunkieRush buzz witnessed by everyone who attended the aforementioned shows got a dose of why they say, “the music is the junk, kid!” Mixing an intrepid cocktail of Rock, Latin, Funk and Caribbean influences, the band has taken their infectious live stage performance and nailed it down in their new album Musica.
Produced by Brett Hestla (of Creed/Virgos Merlot/Dark New Day & producer for Tantric and Framing Hanley), Guitar master and front man Bobby Koelble has written stories in Musica that will take you on a journey through unique adventures propelled by the Latin percussion of Ito Colon, surgical precision of drummer Thatcher, groove inducer Matt Gallagher on bass and the sax sensation Nathan Anderson.
With the current state of the mainstream regurgitating old formulas in hopes to resurrect a new one, JunkieRush has blossomed from the Orlando underground scene to create their own genre that excites anyone longing for something stunningly refreshing. When experiencing Junkie Rush anytime, you can expect to feel a euphoric, blissful buzz similar to that of an adrenaline junkie’s and will be left jonesing for more.
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