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BY MATTHEW RECCHIA Wednesday nights in Athens, Georgia always have the potential to be fun, especially if you find yourself walking into one of the many music venues around Downtown. This Wednesday night, local band 3 Foot Swagger made their presence known, attracting people away from their pizzas at Little Italy and beers at Nowhere Bar for a wild night of music at the Georgia Theater. After a barrage of funk from opening act JazzChronic, the crowd made their way to the bars or outside for a quick smoke before the main attraction. Members of Swagger could be found outside as well, talking with friends and relaxing prior to their set. Before long, the house lights dimmed, the stage began to glow a radiant red, and the five members of 3 Foot Swagger walked out and plugged in their instruments for the night. Made up of former members of Melodious Ground and established artists from Athens, Georgia, the quintet rocketed through "Rollin' By," an original tune from their new demo Odd Numbers. The song showcases the group's ability to arrange three guitars, a bassist, and drummer into a balanced, rock' n' roll machine with a genuine southern sound. Followed up by Pink Floyd's popular "Young Lust," vocalist Jeff Reusche and saxophonist Gnarly G from JazzChronic added a bit of southern-funk to this classic Floyd tune. Next: "Digital Plaid," and from the moment Jake Cohan went to grab the mandolin, the crowd knew they were in for a treat. The harmony and timing between Cohan and drummer Charlie McCoy was impressive, but the fact that two guitarists and a bassist were all improvising on top of that steady rhythm, as well as each other, made me realize how amazing this group is for only playing together less than a year. A smooth transition into "Occifer Friendly" once again got the crowd moving and jamming along as lead guitarist Dave Cardello took charge with his distinct, phrasing ability that allow him to build-up climatic moments while moving in and out of the band without overpowering his sound. Cardello often connected visually with the rest of the band from his spot stage left, sometimes smiling and laughing with bassist Scott Lerch and McCoy, or eyeing Jeff Reusche and Cohan for vocal queues and song changes. The communication was an integral part in the band's capability to create authentic music improvisation moments, and provided some insight on what was happening on stage for the audience. Playing three of their four songs from the first demo, one could only presume they would continue into the last song, "Rum and Guns". Instead, the second half of Swagger's set made creating nasty, sweaty, southern-funk its top priority. "Sister Morphine," "Sho Nuff," and "Superfly" showcased the talent brewing within this Athens band moving full cylinder till the end of the show. Soon after "Superfly," people moved out into the cold while band-members exchanged high-fives and packed up their gear. What a night for this new, energetic Athens quintet, and the lucky crowd that chose the Theater that Wednesday evening. Setlist: Rollin By, Young Lust^, LWL^, Digital Plaid*^, Occifer Friendly, Get Off on You, Carry On, Rely on Me, Peaches, Sister Morphine, Sho Nuff, Moods, Superfly *Jake Cohan on Mandolin ^Gnarly G on sax from JazzChronic *3 Foot Swagger is: Jeff Reusche (Guitar, Lead Vocals), Scott Lerch (Bass), Dave Cardello (Guitar, Keyboard on Occasion), Jake Cohan (Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals) and Charlie McCoy (Drums and Percussion). - BLURT
I got a chance to sit down with 3 Foot Swagger before their AthFest performance Friday night. Admittedly, I was most intrigued by the name – I had visions of diminutive gangsters with indulgent gaits. I was met with 4 guys, of unexceptional height, who have been hanging out and creating what they describe as “the darker side of jam” under this peculiar monicker since September 2007. The name, by the way, is of inebriated inspiration.
At first listen, I dug the vocals. The music is energetic and you can tell the guys are having a blast on stage – which they say is the essence of showmanship. 3 Foot Swagger compared themselves, with some difficulty, to Widespread Panic and Radiohead. If you’re a fan of jam but hate twelve-minute songs that leave you staring into space wondering if you brushed your teeth this morning, 3 Foot Swagger promises to keep you on your toes tonight at Rye Bar, 9 p.m. Fist-pumping encouraged. - Red & Black
Discography
3 Foot Swagger has one demo disc, Odd Numbers (2008), recorded at Odd Squad Studios. The band plans on releasing their first album in the fall of 2009.
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Bio
3 Foot Swagger began with an invitation from Jake Cohan to guitarists Dave Cardello and Jeff Reusche, along with drummer Charlie McCoy and bassist Scott Lerch, to add some flavor to a special set at a North Georgia river outpost in the fall of 2007. Reusche, Lerch, and McCoy were set to play together again after the disbandment of their previous group Melodious Ground, and welcomed the opportunity to play new music with old friends. The end result is an amazing brand of rock Ôn roll that traverses funk, bluegrass, psychedelia, and folk, providing entertainment to a dedicated following that continues to expand into a much larger fan base around the Athens area. Mixed into their diverse palette of musical elements is one that Swagger never hesitates to include: Ôda funk. Each member of the band brings their own piece of the puzzle, and somewhat magically they all fit together harmoniously in the live setting. In addition to holding a steady tempo for the band, Charlie McCoy also provides an edge and tension to the group with his rolling snare, thumping bass, and tasteful cymbal work that push Swagger to explore deeper realms of their music. His contribution is intricate, constantly supporting LerchÕs pounding bass, only to be brought full spectrum by the trio of strings up front. ÒDangerÓ Dave CardelloÕs Eastern-vibed, zesty tone blends well with the foundation set by the band, intertwining his sound with the group by adding new elements and direction to the band with each melody he creates. Often found layering over ReuscheÕs vocals or complementing JakeÕs country twang, Swagger offers a place where Cardello can truly soar. Jake Cohan adds an organic twist to SwaggerÕs experimental sound with his folk and bluegrass background. Often contributing subtle overtones to the mix with perfect placement, Cohan also adds a harmonic element to the vocals, complementing Reusche through much of their repertoire. The word ÒquitÓ never comes to mind with Cohan, as he pushes his finger-blazing flatpicking skills to the limit at every turn. What would a band be without the hard knock of the bass adding some backbone to the sound? Scott Lerch does that and more to this enthusiastic group, combining low-end notes that seem to have no bottom with slaps that would knock any listener on the floor. His subtle melodies seem to evolve into untamed beasts when sharing them with his friends, and tone comes pedal-free, as he prefers to provide straight Òdirty funk.Ó Consider Lerch and McCoy the clocks of the band, keeping everyone on time, in gear, and always waiting for the next ÒtickÓ. Vocalist and guitarist Jeff Reusche throws in a mix of southern flair with somber sincerity. On guitar, the open-chord strums from his G&L come alive with the underscoring of booms and dives from LerchÕs bass and McCoyÕs precise snare hits - which in turn are accented by the swift strikes of CohanÕs mandolin. The band has developed a growing, devoted fan base at home in Athens, Georgia, where they consistently play to large crowds at the renowned Georgia Theater, leaving every show-goer wanting just a bit more Swag. Looking to play as much music as possible and grow as a band. From their private abode above the garage in Athens, Georgia, to the live setting at venues across the state, this quintet is making its rounds in becoming a new powerhouse in local talent. Just Òremember to breathe,Ó because from the moment 3 Foot Swagger opens their imagination in any musical environment, you might just forget.
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