Music
Press
"Never Cancel the Stage!" by Two Ton Shoe is a funk rock album with elements of dance and club brought to you by a talented group of musicians. The first thing you notice about these guys is that they have a sound that is truly their own. You get wicked bass, precise and creative drumming, slinky guitar, and party-minded vocals and lyrics that create a sound not dissimilar from Jamiroquai. There are a great deal of twists and turns in these songs, ranging from soulful, acoustic love songs to funky dance music that won’t let you sit still. The arrangements are all solid, with great care taken in making the sound full and really creating a musical experience. The recording quality is excellent – the louder the speakers, the better. Highlights include "Move in the Light," a bumper and a shaker with a driving beat and nice vocal harmony. "Free" features some tricky guitar work, nice accents, and a soulful vocal performance. "Space Bugs (Gilmania Remix)" closes things out with a funked out bass line and a serious groove that makes you want to move. Overall, “Never Cancel The Stage!” is a good, fun album with outstanding musicianship. If you enjoy funk rock and need a new album to groove to, pick up this one.
- William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
SOOOO happy to hear some new Shoe. Justin sounds sexier than ever. Everyone would love this music. Been listening and singing it since I got it. - Carolyn Martinez
It's about time! I go way back with this band from Boston days, college and some great memories. Thank God there is a band like this out there that is all about the music. Been waiting so long I thought it was over. Great to hear the new tunes funky as ever. Playing live again? One of the best shows you will ever see.
- Can't Believe my ears!
The Keyboard player in my old band "DogTown", turned me on to you guys 10 years ago. You are the BOMB!!! I've been waiting for some new material from you guys, and though it's been a long time in coming, I have to say it was worth the wait. Keep funkin' rockin'...W Thibodeau
- Wesley Thibodeau
The new tunes sound great - congrats on the new album guys, hope to see you live soon!! Bill
- Bill Jarry
It's about freakin' TIME! Don't EVER make me go that long without new TTS again!!!! Whew! Soul, chops, humor, and groove for DAYS, it's the same ol' same ol' and no one wants it to change! Mind you, it doesn't sound dated, which is a tribute to the timeless qualities that this amazing group has ALWAYS displayed. Yee ha! Thanks!!!
- Jer Gervasi
Discography
Two Ton Shoe
Figures
Resoled
Never Cancel The Stage
Photos
Bio
The music of Two Ton Shoe combines world-weary rock wisdom, deep pocket pop sensibility, wry white soul optimism and a kind of barely restrained muscular chopsiness underneath it all that threatens to rip your face off if you’re not careful. The songs sound as though they were crafted with painstaking care in a secret laboratory on the moon, designed to liberate the masses from urban loneliness and modern radio lameness. Formed in 1995, primarily from the members of Boston alt metal outfit Mystery Jones, Two Ton Shoe won instant street cred in the New England area with live performances that had both local music aficianados and drunks screaming and local musicians shaking their heads in dumb admiration. While the punch and ferocity of their metal background gave the music a solid launch pad, the music was now driven by nasty funk grooves and tightly constructed pop melodies, along with soaring solo performances that brought to mind the craftiness and charm of 70’s session musicians laying it down on buttery black vinyl. Successful pop music has often been about experimentation – taking disparate elements and combining them in a novel way. Listening to TTS, one gets the sense that they’ve done this, but in a sincere and heartfelt way. A true hard-on for music is reflected in their songs. While the writing is mature and thoughtful, one easily imagines that the guys in the band have maintained the souls of fifteen-year-old boys, kids whose identity is wrapped up in the bands they love, whose happiness depends on the sound of vicious snare drums, growling guitars, fat-assed bass lines and hooks, hooks, hooks. In 2005 TTS inked a deal with Pastel Music in South Korea to release a double CD for distribution in east Asia. TTS just released a new CD, Never Cancel The Stage. They go back to Seoul later this month to promote the new music!
Links
