Blue Collar Groove
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Blue Collar Groove

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Asheville Band Brings Its Groove to Cumberland's"

There's finally a band doing it for the hard working man. Asheville based quartet Blue Collar Groove is embracing the dualities that exist for an independent jam band trying to make a living playing music while still toiling at day jobs to pay the bills.

"We all work for a living," said BCG's Dan Chase in a recent interview. "We know what it's like to hit the snooze bar three times, drag your body out of bed, work eight hours for 'the man,' then try to scrape together the energy to unwind with your friends, before doing it all again the next day. If our music helps you forget about the daily grind for a few hours, then we've done our job. If a C.E.O. or a bank manager likes our tunes, that's fine with us, but our grooves are for the working class."

Blue Collar Groove takes the jam-band mentality of combining a wealth of influences into an improvisational-based sound, while still maintaining a penchant for strong lyrics. The end result reflects the musical personalities of each band member, and touches on influences that include Waylon Jennings, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Wonder, Skid Row and Oscar Peterson.

Chase (keyboards) weaves in funky and melodic textures. Will Saylor (guitar) provides the scorching solos of Southern rock and blues music. Mark Kline (bass) keeps BCG rooted in a steady groove. He locks in with the powerful drumming of Rick Babaoff.

"I'd say our sound appeals to those who inhabit the jam scene, but calling us a 'jam-band' would be inaccurate," Chase said. "Our songs are well-planned, with lyrical hooks and acrobatic timing, but they leave us plenty of room for constant creativity. With Blue Collar Groove, improvisation rides shotgun, but solid songwriting holds the wheel. There's something for the Dead-heads, the country boys, the jazz buffs, the ravers, the teachers, real estate sales people, waitresses, and janitors and cops. By embracing the struggle of an independent band trying to make a name for itself in the region, Blue Collar Groove is sure to stay true to the working class mentality. The band is handling every aspect of managing a group by themselves. From booking shows across the Southeast, to all the work involved in releasing a self-recorded, independent album, Blue Collar Groove seems to appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears involved with it all.

And it seems to be paying off, as this summer will mark BCG's debut in new markets throughout the region. August will see the release of the band's debut studio album "Premium."

"The songs are ours, the artwork is ours, the mixing is ours and the sweat is definitely ours," said Chase. "It's a tradeoff being a completely independent band," he says. BCG members work hard doing lots of little things many bands have someone else handle for them, Chase said, but "on the other hand, we have complete control of our music, our look, our schedule and our fate. Nothing about our CD or our live show is watered down. We work as hard for our audience as we do for ourselves because they make it possible for the music to happen."

If working for the "man" has got you down, then Blue Collar Groove may be just what you need to get you to the weekend.

"There's no raging ego or screaming front man," Chase said of the BCG live show. "Instead, we give each other space and let the groove take over. We don't play our music so much, as our music plays us."

Learn more about the band and hear sound clips at www.bluecollargroove.com.
- The Charleston Post & Courier


"Blue Collar Groove Delivers with Debut Album"

Looking for an album with a little bit of everything? Blue Collar Groove have accomplished just this with their debut full-length CD entitled "Premium". The effort, produced by the band themselves, brings quite the amalgam of musical stylings to the table. Funk, rock, blues, jazz, fusion, a little bit of country, you name it.

Opening with an ominous, almost electronic drone, the Premium's first track,Seven, jumps directly into a straight-ahead, funky groove that will hook you from start to finish. From this song alone, one can feel the strength in musical chemistry of the ensemble. Will Saylor and Dan Chase compliment one another and trading leads and vamps between guitar and keyboard. The two provide the vocals for the band as well, with Saylor providing the lead while Chase adds harmonies to fatten up the mix.

Rick Babaoff and Mark Kline further beef things up with the band's rhythm section. Kline's bass lines move easily from straight-ahead grooving to funky syncopations, while Babaof's percussion accentuate nicely.

"Premium" also showcases the fact that Blue Collar Groove is not afraid to jam by any means. And what's great about "Premium" is the fact that Blue Collar Groove is adept at jamming over many different styles of music. Tracks such as "Insanity", and "Devil In Disguise", give each of the band members his own chance to shine. In other tracks, such as "Delayment In Payment", you'll hear the band move flawlessly from grooves that you would never expect to flow into another.

My two favorite tracks off of "Premium", are actually the two that honestly sound like no other on the CD. The instrumental acoustic track, "Janelle", showcases Saylor's fingerstyle folk guitar style. It makes a wonderful transition into "Alt Truckin'", where guest appearances are made by Lizzie Hamilton on fiddle, Ben Saylor on banjo, and lets Saylor's slide guitar playing shine. The track is almost remeniscent of say Sam Bush and Bela Fleck's stylings with Newgrass Revival.

If eclectic but still grooving music appeals to you, then Blue Collar Groove's "Premium" owns a spot in your CD collection. Get yourself a copy of "Premium" from Blue Collar Groove's official website, by clicking here. Tell them Johnny Blaze sent you.....

- Asheville E-zine


"BCG Keeps WestFest Crowd "Groov"ing"

Although the sun may not have been shining brightly, and the drizzle may have been a tad misty, Asheville's Blue Collar Groove kept the crowd 'groov'ing throughout the band's entire performance on the Bledsoe Stage of West Asheville's inaugural "Westfest".

Having not heard the band's music, or seen the group play live before, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed at the amount of musical talent that is packed into this four-piece ensemble.

True to the band's name, the group was decked out in blue-collar work shirts each patched with the respective member's name.

The music of the band was solid, definitely rocking, and each member of the group was able to hold his own weight in jamming.

Guitarist/vocalist Will Saylor expressed both talents with ease. His guitar phrasings truly brought a style remeniscent of Trey Anastasion to mind, both in progressions and sheer licks. Yet he also is a very accomplished slide guitar player, and a good fingerstyle player as well.

Rick Babaoff (percussion) and Mark Kline (bass) kept the rhythm section solid, making sure the kick and bass were solid on all of the backing grooves. Kline even played slide on the bass on certain parts. Keyboarist Dan Chase had plenty of excellent leads as well, moving from funk, to jazz, to almost ragtime stylistically without missing a beat.Blue Collar Groove certainly is an eclectic group. Combining elements of rock, fusion, jazz, ska, and even country at times, the band tackles many different genres with ease. For the first performance I've seen, the band definitely impressed.
- Asheville E-zine


"Front Row Reviews"

Smooth and sweet, Blue Collar Groove's full-length debut album is an aptly named, premium collection of easy-on-the-ears jam rock, blues, and jazz inspired fare.

Though no groundbreakingly original -- firmly rooted, as it is, in the mellow, meandering flavor of a live jam band -- the record nevertheless demonstrates the group's astounding range of influences. The band drops hints and throws out references spanning funk ("Need to Know"), alt-country (the masterfully arranged "Alt Truckin") and rock ("Caroline"). This might not be all that unusual for a jam group, but Blue Collar Groove does such a good job of interpreting and applying the core elements of each style that it's hard not to find something to enjoy here.

Altogether, "Premium" is a highly potent collection of enjoyable tunes.

Rating: 4 out of 5 - The Mountain Xpress


Discography

"Premium" -- Blue Collar Groove's debut studio album, independently released. Currently receiving airplay on WNCW 88.7FM in Western NC and WPVM 103.5 FM in Asheville, NC.

Many songs from live shows available online at www.bluecollargroove.com

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Check out www.bluecollargroove.com for more photos, music, tourdates, and downloads.

Blue Collar Groove, based in Asheville, North Carolina, cooks up a healthy helping of rock ‘n roll with funk, bluegrass, jazz fusion, and a spoonful of jam into a potent musical treat that can only be described as “Groove for the Working Class.” With original songs that revolve around intricate guitar leads, roots keyboards, and a tight rhythm section, they have a sound has been described as John Scofield meets The Allman Brothers.

At it’s core, Blue Collar Groove is the perfect union of very diverse backgrounds, talents, and personalities. Fans of all ages and walks of life are drawn to their raw energy, their musical prowess, and their humor. With a headlining spot at this year’s Bele Chere Festival in Asheville and the independent release of their debut album “Premium,” Blue Collar Groove is rocking the Southeast with the rest of the country in their sights.

Will Saylor’s clean and crisp lead guitar lights the engine of this rock quartet. Raised on a diet of jazz, bluegrass, and rock, Saylor possesses a rare musical talent that is unleashed rather than revealed. He is equally adept with a fiery slide solo in the Southern-flavored “Alt Truckin” or the mournful blues lament of “Satisfied.”

Saylor shares vocal and writing duties with keyboardist Dan Chase. Chase’s old-school funk and blues roots show up in his rhythmic playing style and rollicking singing. His lightning-fast fingers tease out solos that leave audiences breathless, and his jazz/funk comping runs the gamut from Bourbon Street to Brazil.

Drummer Rick Babaoff’s butt-shakin’ beats are the pulse of the music. He breaks them down like a thunderstorm and whips them into a tornado. Babaoff’s rhythms keep the crowds moving and pace the band through unusual time signatures, acrobatic stops, and one-of-a-kind jams.

Bassist Mark Kline brings a cerebral approach to the songs. His command of cutting-edge electronic effects can turn any stage into an acoustic laboratory. His songwriting contributions include instrumental “Elgrow Bease” and the unforgettable “Chap Ass.”

Music Festivals:

Bele Chere 2004 Asheivlle, NC
Bele Chere 2003 Asheville, NC
Downtown After Five Asheville, NC
Earthday Asheville Asheville, NC
Flat Rock Music Festival 2004 Flat Rock, NC
Flat Rock Music Festival 2003 Flat Rock, NC
Jam in the Park 2004 Clifford, VA
Green Grass Festival Trade, TN
WestFest Asheville, NC
Montford Music Festival Asheville, NC
S.E.E.E. Party For the Planet Fletcher, NC
Live Stock Deux Fairview, NC

Clubs:

The Brandy House Atlanta, GA
Cumberlands Charleston, SC
The Corner Pocket Greenville, SC
Barley's Taproom Greenville, SC
The Mojo Charlotte, NC
Puckett’s Farm Equipment Charlotte, NC
The Pourhouse Raleigh, NC
The Cantina Raleigh, NC
W.B. Yeats Irish Pub Chapel Hill, NC
The Carolina Coffeeshop Chapel Hill, NC
The Library Chapel Hill, NC
Stella Blue Asheville, NC
The Asheville Music Zone Asheville, NC
The Mellow Mushroom Asheville, NC
The Watershed Black Mountain, NC
Canyons Blowing Rock, NC
Dockside Ira's Blowing Rock, NC
Whitewater Lounge Boone, NC
Caribbean Cafe Boone, NC