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Low Down High
by Colin Stroud
Low Down High
Cinco de Mayo party • Ancient Mariner, 960 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-5503 • Saturday, May 5, 9 p.m. • 21-plus; no cover.
In a shack behind Ben Hotchkiss' home, the electric funk soup of Low Down High is shaking the walls apart.
It feels like the roof could collapse at any minute, and part of me wants to be inside when it does — I'm enjoying the groovy sound that much.
But the music soon stops, and the five members of the band, who've been playing together for two years, start talking about their dynamic.
It's an interesting one. Everything that comes out of one mouth — whether belonging to James Hebert (drums), his brother Matthew (bass, vocals), Deano Brennaman (hand drums), Matt Meacham (guitar, vocals) or Hotchkiss (saxophone, vocals) — is immediately backed by the whole group.
It's nice, but also a little confusing. I understand maybe 23 percent of the 15-minute response to my first question.
Then the guys start performing again.
Suddenly, I get what Hotchkiss (and, in turn, everyone else) was saying earlier: "We're all one sound."
That sound, a combination of James Brown and Medeski, Martin and Wood, speaks directly to your dancing shoes.
"People can sit down and sulk in their beers," Meacham says, "but when we start playing, they're going to get up and dance."
- Colorado Springs-Independent
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
In the foothills of Colorado Springs, Colorado resides a high-energy funk, rock band that's creating a mountain of sound. Low Down High is recognized for their engaging original material and their unique, funky interpretation of cover songs. Audiences are captivated, by Low Down High's seamless fusion of funk, rock and tribal rhythms, as they become united with the band's dynamic sound.
Fronted by cousins Ben Hotchkiss (saxophone, guitar, vocals) and Matt Meacham (guitar, vocals), their individual songwriting and vocal styles identify Low Down High's diverse sound: as in songs "ATM" and "Vacation Day". Holding the rock-solid foundation are brothers Matthew Hebert (bass, vocals) and James Hebert (drums). Their collaboration with Ben and Matt continues to inspire the band's musically creative endeavors, this is apparent in their most recent original material "Low Down High", "Tempest" and "Ithaca". In addition to the band's solid foundation and melodic hooks, Deano Brennaman (hand percussion) adds a tribal feel to Low Down High's inventive sound: as evidenced in their song, "The Thing".
Low Down High's successful performances and rapidly growing fan base is due to their energetic live shows and the positive vibe the band has on and off stage. Low Down High keeps all their fans informed of the bands current schedule and goings-on via the internet, promotional material, personal relations and local press so look for Low Down High or book Low Down High at your venue for an extraordinary funk experience.
Ben Hotchkiss -Saxophone, Vocals
Since he was a child, Ben Hotchkiss has been playing music. His soul was ingrained with the music of freedom as a young boy, growing up in Ithaca NY. Moving to Colorado Springs in the early 90’s, Ben explored the Colorado local music scene for years, playing festivals & clubs. In early 2003 his cousin Matt Meacham joined him in the Springs to form Mother Funk Junction. This project was only a taste of things to come, fusing improve jam with heavy raw funk. Influences: The Grateful Dead, Jethro Tull, Traffic, Karl Denson, Galactic, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Yes, Gov’t Mule & many, many others.
Matt Meacham -Guitar, Vocals
Playing in various bands with genres ranging from rock and metal to funk, R&B and blues, Matt has played in venues from the smallest coffee shop to packed theaters. Originally from upstate New York, Matt has performed shows in New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado and New Mexico. Matt has opened Springfest in Fairchance, PA for the Wailers.
Influences: P-Funk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joe Satriani, Psychedelic Zombiez
Matthew Hebert – Bass, Vocals
From the small stages in his home town of Manitou Springs, CO to larger venues in the southwest region of United States, Matthew has experienced over 400 performances. He also has had the extreme pleasure opening for worldwide performing artists Eric Burdon & the New Animals, Lovin’ Spoonful, and Gov’t Mule, to name a few.
Influences: Widespread panic, The Allman Brother Band, Phish, YES and many more.
James Hebert - Drums
Logging many miles at age seventeen James toured with national reggae artist John Bayley. Wanting to hone his progressive rock skills James continued touring regionally with his brothers, Matthew and Dave as Brother Kind. In the summer of 1997 they opened at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre for Gov't Mule, Merl Saunders and The David Grisman Quintet.
Influences: Phish, Tool, Gov't Mule, John Coltrane and Frank Zappa
Deano Brennaman- Precussion
Originally from Indiana, Deano Brennaman had his roots deeply laid in rock and heavy metal. He played kit drums for 10 years in clubs and bars in such bands as the Indiana based band Deformity. After moving to Colorado, Deano began playing hand percussion, soon to meet Ben and Matt. His tribal influences help to shape the sound of Low Down High to the deeply rhythm driven funk that it is. Deano performed as an opening act for Rick Derringer in Angola, IN.
Influences: Pink Floyd, The Doors, Tool, Soulfly, Pantera
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