moogot2

Larry Iglesias and Galen Dresser were in the mood for quiet emo-music when they stumbled upon a Synapses dark carnival and then a jammin' Moo-Got-2 concert. Since that fateful night they have gone out of their ways to see the jazz-funk-fusion-rock band.

Iglesias said, while catching his breath outside Muddy's Hot Cup after dancing to Moo-Got-2, "I didn't even know who was playing… they made an impression." The dark carnival was fun, if unexpected, "We threw rocks at plates," Iglesias said. The two events took place in a couple warehouse spaces that Empire Squared Art Gallery and Synapses, a performing arts center, occupied in the industrial section of Eureka. The two friends were trying to get to an Ian Fays concert at E2 and being unfamiliar with the set up found them selves making chalk drawings and being offered a peek at a bearded-lady. Eventually they found E2 on the other side of the building and Moo-Got-2. "The songs are long, but fun to listen to," said Iglesias. "They are very danceable, they have a lot of energy and great musicianship."

Dresser recalls that night as well, "It was a very unique, rock-funk sound. They reminded me of music I had heard in old movies." As for how they sound now, "I don't remember them being as synth-y but it's a good thing."

Both Dresser and Iglesias attended the Moo-Got-2 show at Muddy's two years after the fateful night they discovered the band. While the crowded room churned with the beat, Dresser, casual and motionless, watched. The smirk on his face indicated enjoyment. "I wasn't dancing, because I don't think I'm very good at dancing," said Dresser after the show. "I can see myself dancing when I'm 21 and can drink a bit." Fortunately for this 19-year-old College of the Redwoods student this show was all ages. Moo-Got-2 doesn't play a lot of all ages shows, when they do, Dresser jumps at the opportunity to see them live, even if he doesn't dance.

Chris Noonan plays the saxophone in Moo-Got-2, and has been playing with them since January. He had been playing in a band called Vinyl in the bay area. When a place in Moo-Got-2 opened up he felt like he could take a greater role in writing and jumped on the opportunity to move back to Humboldt. Noonan has lived off-and-on in Humboldt for a decade. Noonan says Moo-Got-2 is more open to experimental styles than his previous band, "We like to have fun, if it makes us feel good we're into it."

Moo-Got-2 will be playing at the Unauthorized Art Studio off West End Road, on Sept 15th.

Beyond the groovy music the band pins a white sheet behind them and projects video to promote the dance party that is Moo-Got-2. "We mostly get our kicks playing live," said Noonan, "We have a really strong musical community here - Nucleus, Bucky Walters, Afromassive and others. We have a very collaborative and incessant musical community, and that's a rare thing to have among musicians."

Melody Stone can be contacted at forevermelody@gmail.com - Melody Stone