Music
Press
By Jennifer Deseo
Rinse the hard drugs off Everclear and Third Eye Blind, swirl in some Phish, then chant “Elvis Costello” 13 times at midnight while staring in the mirror. What you get is Soul Gravity.
The four bandmates — lead vocalist John Trupp, guitarist Tim Pruitt, Jeff “Spaceman” Spencer on bass, and Ronnie “Ronstar” Smith on drums — are veterans of rock and roll, having earned their stripes with different bands in DC’s and Baltimore’s music scene. Together, they blend various influences and experiences into a powerpop smoothie with a shot of the blues, and even a kick of post-punk pop.
The blues leave an obvious mark on Soul Gravity’s “Chaos Butterfly”, which has a funky rhythm that struts like a pimp daddy in platform shoes. Guitarist Pruitt then channels Hendrix’s “Little Wing” on the powerpop ballad “Dona Please”.
Elvis (Costello, that is) calls on the song “Girl”, which rings with post-punk verve, and even peeks through “Cry Cry Cry”. However, the latter tune swings country, with strumming acoustic guitar and three-part harmony.
Lead singer Trupp weaves his bright, Joe Jackson-esque voice into all the songs, stitching the bandmates’ diverse backgrounds into one solid fabric. It’s like a favorite track suit — cozy and familiar, strong and durable.
Sample Soul Gravity on the band’s website, then catch their performance at Austin Grill (919 Ellsworth Dr). The gig goes down Friday (yeah, that’s tonight) at 9:00 p.m. - Silver Spring Penguin
Discography
Karma Electric
Photos
Bio
Soul Gravity is the right band for a memorable night of fun times and high energy music. They have built a reputation for passionate live performances and have a large repertoire of fantastic material so each show is always new and exciting. The band mixes a bit of acoustic rock sensibilities with contemporary rock grooves and then tops it all off with some fat guitar edge, tight vocal harmonies, and excellent musicianship, all the while creating a great party atmosphere.
The members of the band have spent most of their lives playing music and touring both regionally and nationally. It shows in every aspect of their live performances. Lead singer, John Trupp, was a member of New Potato Caboose, a band that toured the US for years and released a major label recording. Working the states, John learned what works best when you get good folks together who are ready to party.
The band is perfect for events large and small, catering to the expectations of the crowd and the event. For a more intimate event the group can also perform solo acoustic or duo as well. The group can also do a mix of the two if that is what your event calls for and are always flexible on songs, sound, lighting, and scheduling. If there's something you really want, just ask!
Soul Gravity has a unique, energetic and fresh approach that gives their music an original and progressive flavor. The spontaneity of their shows and symbiotic interaction with the crowd make for an enjoyable and memorable event of not just music but of experiences of the moment - something extraordinary that will never be the same on any given night.
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Soul Gravity is playing at the National Capital Barbecue Battle on June 21st. We play from 3:45-4:45 and will be sharing the stage wilth some great bands including Jimmy's Chicken Shack and Fools and Horses. Find out more at http://www.bbqdc.com.
"Promising Traveler," a song John co-wrote, appears in the new movie "Wetlands Preserved" - a rockumentary about the famous NY club Wetlands Reserve. Check out the Wetlands Preserved website for more info.
Get this! FOUR of our songs are in the new movie "Dewey Beach the Movie." It's a full length feature flick hitting the screens soon. Stay tuned. To learn more about the movie go to deweybeachmovie.com.
Check out our review in the Silver Spring Penguin. They say we have a "funky rhythm that struts like a pimp daddy in platform shoes." And the link is really hilarious! Big thanks to Jennifer Deseo for the nice press.
We just got done filming a video session with Front Row Music. Each of the 8 songs are availble for video downlowd. It should also be airing nationwide on public TV. Check it out at frontrowmusic.tv.
We also had three songs selected for the upcoming full length movie "The Bride and the Grooms." This movie is being shot in 2008 by Producer/Director Butch Maier.
We had a great time rocking the big stage at the State Theatre for the 11th annual Santa Jam! It was a great success raising over $10,000 for Northern Virginia shelters for homeless women & children and victims of domestic violence.
Speaking of charities, the Oktoberfest Fundraiser hosted by the Reges family that we just played at Old Angler's Inn raised over $250,000 for Children's National Medical Center! Thanks and congratualtions to everybody at OAI and the Reges family for putting together such a sensational and successful event.
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John Trupp - Lead Vocals & Guitar
John is a musician-songwriter and native of the DC music scene. Early on, he joined a nationally touring group called New Potato Caboose - what fun. After years of road warrior touring, NPC was signed to Rykodisc and having sold tens of thousands of cds, broke up shortly after. He then formed The True - a modern funkish rock ensemble with memorable hooks and forgettable looks. MCA bankrolled a development deal resulting in an untimely break up after years of regional touring. That's the biz!
He had great times recording albums with John Alagia and Doug Derryberry and made a bunch of cds with various artists. He performed with their band live and on their cd Reinvigorating the Wheel. He also jams with Radio Mosaic and produced, mostly wrote, and performed on their 2 CD releases "Roll" and "Look Around." Radio Mosaic also has a new dvd from their MHz TV performance.
He also made a solo record called "Beware of the Dogma" while in between The True and Radio Mo and just made another CD called Karma Electric where he produced, performed and wrote all the music and also designed the cd. Yeah, we know, woop-d-doo.
John has many songs placed in movies and and soon coming to televison. He has been invlovled with Front Row Music TV and will be hosting a show called "In the Studio". Other television projects are in the works.
John's lovin' life, rockin' out with his pals in Soul Gravity. John has known Tim for many years but feels like he's known the other guys forever, too. All the boys in Soul
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