Local Spins’ latest radio episode spotlighting regional music got soulfully skanky in-studio with Grand Rapids’ Skankadank and boasted a sneak peek into several new albums. Listen to the podcast here.
Big Horn Sound: Skankadank on Local Spins on WYCE. (Photo/Local Spins)
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Imagine Janis Joplin meeting the Derek Trucks Band during a jam session with Sly & The Family Stone.
Dynamic: Jamie Kosmicki of Skankadank in Studio X.
In part, that’s the vibe generated by Grand Rapids’ Skankadank, an eight-piece soul, rock and horn band with a real passion for ’70s-era Stevie Wonder, Buddy Miles, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, Etta James and, of course, “old-school Janis” and Sly.
And that’s just the ignition switch for this R&B-drenched vehicle that’s also cruising confidently into original material that boasts a vintage sound – hip-swaying songs such as “Come Back to Me” and “What It Is,” which the band performed on Friday during Episode No. 47 of Local Spins on WYCE (88.1 FM) — propelled by the dynamic vocals of singer Jamie Kosmicki,.
“I wanted to start a side project because I was raised on R&B and I really have a passion for Stevie Wonder and Sly & The Family Stone,” said guitarist Brian Haik, formerly a member of Grand Rapids’ Afro Zuma ensemble. “It’s just been in my blood for a long time.”
In His Blood: Guitarist Brian Haik, at left.
That “big horn sound” he sought is accomplished with a healthy assist from saxophonist Rolly Smith, trombonist Forrest Evans and trumpet player Troy Macqueen, with Ricardo Ramirez on drums, Tim Bober on keyboards and Mike Sundt on bass. (Bassist Geoff Lamden filled in for Sundt on Friday for Local Spins on WYCE.)
The band performs live on Tuesday at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as part of the Tuesday Evening Music Club concert series, with soul-rock’s Vox Vidorra also on the bill. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is free for Meijer Gardens members. For non-members, admission is $12 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors.
Skankadank also hopes to head into the recording studio in the fall after wrapping up work on a couple of additional original songs.
Listen to the full podcast of Friday’s show, including those in-studio performances by Skankadank, here.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (7/24/15)
http://www.grcmc.org/wyce/node/8555/local-spins-on-wyce-skankadank
In addition to spotlighting the on-air debut of Skankadank’s new material, Friday’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE also featured the exclusive premiere of a new studio track, “Reuben’s Train,” by legendary Grand Rapids blues guitarist Jimmie Stagger. The song is from an upcoming new studio album recorded at Grand Rapids’ Goon Lagoon, an album that represents Stagger’s first recording in several years. (Stagger plays AJ’s in Dorr on Friday and Saturday nights.)
Friday’s show also exclusively debuted new music from up-and-coming Grand Rapids indie-folk band Bennett, which plays the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The song, “Give a Little Love,” comes from the band’s long-awaited new studio album which is likely to be released later this year. Get more information about Wednesday’s show online here.
And that wasn’t the only new music featured on the show, which aired new tracks by The Sailor Kicks (who stage a CD-release party for their album, “High Tide,” at Founders Brewing on Saturday night), Big Rapids’ The Balsam Brothers (who play The Stache in Grand Rapids on Friday night) and The Muruga Band (featuring drummer Muruga Booker and guitarist Justin Wierenga).
Tracks by Serita’s Black Rose, Dave Hardin and The Icicles also were part of this week’s show.
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
