The First Street Heat
Athens, Ohio, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Part of what makes The First Street Heat such a stunning band is their ability to weave together and mix so many strands of music that have always been close in sound and origin but lacked any kind of cohesive vision: hip-hop, reggae, jazz, funk, R&B, and other elements that trickle in here or there. And of course there is the essential factor: they play so damn well! They work together fantastically; it’s a surprise that something like fourteen people can be so whole and sure and unified, whether it’s the trombones or the saxophones or the beat-booming percussion that struggles forward to be heard in solo or in duets for a moment or two.
Eden Lee’s voice is a major drawing force, backing or being backed she sings with a force and skill that often keeps the reeling cacophony of instrumentation from flying off, but Dysfunktional Family and Ray (I think they’re the rappers) also have a charisma and power to their verses that was what first broke my stupor. But again, it’s the musical arrangements and how they work the genres of their amalgamated style that separates The First Street Heat from any hip-hop or funk or jazz ensemble. - JTolle
Say What You Wanna Say is ten tracks of The First Street Heat's signature funk, hip-hop and pop sounds, though funk and hip-hop dominates the first half of the album.
Vocalists Turner, Ben Stewart and Eden Lee shine through the second half of the album, most notably on the last track, "Across the Nation." The band also plays to hometown fans in the song "Welcome to A-Town," which includes the lyrics, "We gotta keep Athens funky." - The Ohio University Post
Turns out this was the band, The First Street Heat. They took the stage, but this was hardly a traditional four-piece. When they launched into their first song, I counted 10 people on stage, easily the most people I've seen performing on the cramped stage of The Union. Despite the sheer amount of sound coming towards the audience, The First Street Heat was always on-point. They warmed up the crowd with some funk, R&B and pop covers that had the audience jumping, drunkenly singing along to saxophone solos and generally enjoying themselves. - ACRN
Athens' own The First Street Heat is no stranger to playing large shows. They've played for hoards of OU students on South Beach, uptown in some of the more spacious bars, and, well, just about anywhere they can fit their nine-plus-member band.
Their show this Friday at The Union will be no exception. While this will mark the eighth or ninth time FSH has performed there, this show is sure to pack a lil' something extra--it's a three-hour album release party.
- ACRN
Discography
Say What You Wanna Say LP (2010)
Photos
Bio
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Combining elements of Funk, Hip Hop, Pop, and Soul, The First Street Heat creates a sound that captures the emotion, energy, and relevance of modern pop music while remaining true to the elements of the funk pioneers of the 1960's and 70's. Dynamic, soaring lead vocals, saxophone, trombone, and a five-person rhythm section combine to create a catchy juxtaposition of past and current music that you can't quite find anywhere else.
It all happened in the Fall of 2008 at Ohio University, when Ben Kain, Jack Gould, and Eric Turner joined forces to hang out on a bench and serenade people on East Green. Soon rough concepts of a funk band were tossed around and more people were added to the band. After a year or so of trying to find the right lineup, The First Street Heat finally solidified at 9 members.
The First Street Heat also frequently teams up with local rappers Hil and Schwartz from The Dysfunktional Family to add a hip-hop layer to the groove. FSH also acts as the backing band for The Dysfunktional Family and regularly performs Dys-Funk original material with a twist.
In November of 2010 FSH released their first album, Say What You Wanna Say. Fans and critics alike have praised the album for its tight sound and diverse material. Amanda Lucci, culture editor of the Athens Post said, "anyone with an appreciation for good pop music and retro rhythms will appreciate The First Street Heat’s experimentation." Because of FSH's unique brew of retro and modern music, Say What You Wanna Say somehow manages to still be cool even though your parents like it.
From their humble beginnings playing house parties in spring 2009, The First Street Heat has grown into a nationally touring act, taking their show from Ohio all the way down to Florida, twice. But that is only the beginning. FSH has big plans for the future, including a busy summer of touring, music festivals, and recording sessions at world renowned Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, GA.
So if you feel your temperature rising, feet tapping, booty shaking, or all of the above, do not be alarmed. These are all natural side effects of The First Street Heat wave that has struck the nation. Just go with it.
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