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For the last week, the amount of music in and around the SoCal region has reached almost festival-like proportions. With a two-day reggae festival at the arena in Long Beach, The Benevento Russo Duo in town recording an album, and other artists ranging in styles from Jazz to Rock to Funk playing San Diego to LA and in-between, there were certainly many choices to keep any afficianados' slate busy.
A sampling of some of the up and coming artists playing throughout included Matisyahu, Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, Delta Nove, Undeground Orchestra, and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. For good measure, throw in Ralph Stanley, Ben Harper, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Gregory Isaacs, and you have an idea of the range and depth of talent floating throughout the area. If only it had been so easy as to purchase one ticket and see all the performers in the same area, but alas choices are good too.
For my own attendance, I used the sheer number of shows going on to get out of town and head down to San Diego for a few nights. Thursday, the 16th, included a double billing of Underground Orchestra opening for Perpetual Groove at Winston's in Ocean Beach. This was a good billing as both of these bands originally come out of Georgia and each ended up playing familair songs throughout their sets.
Underground Orchestra, now from the LA area, opened up the show, in a role that they have familiarized themselves with, doing so for many other bands. With the experience of holding the delicate role of opener, Underground Orchestra is able to garner attention and get people moving without overpowering the casual listener. They also avoid the conventional having the few very enthusiastic supporters who are obviously close friends and girlfriends, screaming and yelling the whole performance. With only one or maybe two performances a month, this band really leaves people wanting more, especially with cover songs like the performance on this evening of, "Pigs" by Pink Floyd, a more than worthy rendition. With all the musical pieces in place and a slowly developing word of mouth, the possibilities for Underground Orchestra leave an open potential where there is really no telling where they could go.
- Gregory Lake
’Opening the show was the Underground Orchestra and if you need to know any more about whether these guys were up to spit, consider the jam with special guest Fareed Haque coming on stage early. By the time these boys were done, I wasn't sure if this was to be a small Garaj crowd because almost everyone there seemed just fine with the opening band going all night’ - Kynd Music
Discography
Active Ingredient - Full EP Under Wyman Records
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Bio
Based in the entertainment-super-hub of the world, Underground Orchestra is a Los Angeles band capable of captivating crowds from coast to coast. In 2006 they were crowned with two of the most prestigious LA music awards for Best Single and Best Jam Band and have truly taken the California music scene by storm. Having amazed audiences locally from the start, they have become a must see among musical acts on the West Coast. After releasing the debut album, Active Ingredient, in 2006, the band’s unique approach to song writing and sound became apparent. 'Active Ingredient' stayed on the Homegrown Music top 25 top sellers list for months and garnering them bills with various national touring acts such as Umphrey's McGee, Tea Leaf Green, Perpetual Groove and ALO in their debut year…things looked positive from the start.
With a wide range of backgrounds and musical ventures, the five band members are especially unique in their own musical realms. First timers are initially drawn into Sam Feldman’s talent and creativity on lead guitar. With influences and styles resembling; Joe Satriani, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, you are sure to be attached from the start. BB on percussion truly brings a style that extends far from a background beat. With a combination of Congas, Timbales and blocks, his style and front man-esque energy gives this band a strong sense of energy when mixed with the tight tempo of drummer EJ Wasik and the everlasting grooves of bassist Anthony Rogers-Wright. With this rhythm-combo, mixed with Vaughn Minassian's smooth touch on keys laced with intricate jazz, the boundaries that this band can conquer from show to show have become endless, giving audiences a unique experience with every show.
It’s evident that UO’s roots are firmly planted in Rock and Roll, but their sound extends far beyond any one particular genre. With a full sound fusing genres around the glove, you are sure to be impressed by this bands instrumental exploration into the unknown of funk, jazz, and prog rock.
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