Funkotron

Weird Magazine writes, "The Energy Funkotron put out was intense and grooving with sick sounding funk rhythms that border with psychedelic jazz. The funky riffs were so tight, I had to step back and slap myself!" - Weird Magazine

San Marcos’ own Funkotron has been entertaining crowds for nearly three years with their distinct blend of funk, jazz and jam music.

The band headlined at The Triple Crown on Saturday night to a packed house of dancing fans.

Funkotron got their start by playing shows throughout San Marcos at venues including Lucy’s and Tantra Coffeehouse. Last year, they released their first album, Battle for Grundelia, independently. The album is a compilation of their live performances.

Stephen Garrett, bassist for Funkotron, said the band develops their songs by holding jam sessions together.

“Our inspiration is drawn from a collaboration from every band member,” Garrett said.

“We each have our own styles and no one is trying to push too hard in one particular direction.”

Funkotron’s members each bring their unique musical training to the table, blending musical inspirations from a variety of genres including jazz, funk, rock, Latin and flamenco. The band exudes a laid-back attitude when it comes to their music, rarely using a set list for their shows. They prefer to let music let the music come naturally as the show progresses.

The band has garnered a following of devoted fans, who they jokingly nicknamed ‘the crinklers’.

Jak White, drummer for the band, said they are friends with a majority of their fans.

“The crinklers are the core group of fans who make it out to all the shows,” White said. “The sort of crinkle their way to every show.”

Keyboardist Leonard Bailey said the band does not make music for the money.

“We play for our fans and to have people dance and have a good time,” Bailey said. “It’s always a downer when we play a show and people are not dancing. We’re definitely a dance band.”

Bailey said San Marcos is a great place to foster burgeoning bands because it is close to large cities, yet maintains a small-town feel.

“The music scene in San Marcos is not convoluted,” Bailey said. “It’s a smaller scene so people know each other more.”

White said the band has no intention to sign with a recording label, and would most likely turn down a contract if offered one.

“Most likely we’ll stay independent. A couple members have sound recording backgrounds and that allows us to record our own albums.” White said. “It’s such a specific style. It’s no poppy enough for a label to want to sign but it’s likeable enough for people to want to hear it.”

White said the band plans to release another album this coming fall.

“We want to spend more time working on our next album,” White said. “There were some mistakes on our first album, but I think it adds to the character.”

Funkotron’s upcoming shows include Ruta Maya in Austin on Aug. 7 and Lucy’s San Marcos on Aug. 9. - Newstreamz.com

The fourth-annual Oxblood Masquerade Music and Arts Festival, produced by Austin-based promotions company They Will Come Productions will be held October 31-November 2 at The Ball Farm, a 62-acre venue located 25 minutes from downtown Austin in Lytton Springs. The event which used to be called Melody & Josh’s Halloween Bash stemmed from the mastermind of Josh Ball, event organizer. “Initially, it was just a big party about 125-130 people in attendance and Funkotron performing. But now it’s grown into something larger,” says Ball.

The event which gets its name from the oxblood lilies that grow throughout the venue’s area will feature a 36-band lineup, local art, food vendors and beer. Festival attendees will be allowed to bring their own food and alcohol. Due to liability, alcohol brought is to be consumed in the designated campground area only —no kegs or glass bottles are allowed. Vehicles occupied by minors carrying alcohol are prohibited from entering the campground. Ball highly recommends that festival attendees facilitate the free campsites. “We emphasize camping to minimize drunk driving, it’s free for all, although you can’t get back into the ground with a one day pass,” says Ball. “Campers must be attendees in order to camp on the grounds. We aren’t letting any outside guests use the campsite.”

The community based event which promotes the sharing of fans among the bands, previously relied on word of mouth advertising but has extended its promotion to radio, internet and flyers. “We expect at least 2,000 to attend,” said Ball. Texas State Senior, Bryan Wasetis who attended last year said that he first heard about the event through his friend who had attended the year before. Wasetis further stated that the Oxblood festival is an enjoyable way to discover local music and have fun with friends. “Instead of doing the conventional Halloween thing in Austin, my friend who had gone the year before suggested we go to Oxblood instead because it would be more fun,” said Wasetis. “Oxblood is revolutionary in how it supports the local music scene. I had an incredible time at last years, a great mix of people and good times.” Bands on the bill include local favorites Three Leaf, Funkotron, The Olive Street Band, Green Mountain Grass, The River Hymm and Word Association to name a few.

In support of the going green trend, all food and beer will be served in compostable containers and the main stage will be run by solar power. All attendees are encouraged to wear costumes in lieu of Halloween.

For ticket prices, complete line-up and more information visit www.oxbloodmasquerade.com.

by: Ashley Cass
Scene Section Editor - Newstreamz.com

The fourth-annual Oxblood Masquerade Music and Arts Festival was held Halloween weekend at The Ball Farm in Lytton Springs. Featuring over thirty musical acts from the Austin and San Marcos area, the festival included two stages, food, beer, face painting, merchandise booths and a display of art done on site by local artists. Studio art major at Texas State University Matthew Peirson was among several of the artists who partook in the creating process. ìI really like that I can sit here, do some art and listen to all the great music, said Peirson. “It’s a pretty cool deal”The event which promoted free onsite camping allowed patrons to bring their own food and beer into the campsite but not onto festival grounds. This, as well as the fact that one could hear the music perfectly from their tent discouraged many attendees from even entering the main grounds. “Why go inside and pay three dollars for a beer, when you can sit around the campfire and hear the music perfectly”, said attendee Aron Williams.

The festival kicked off Halloween at 5 p.m with San Marcos/Austin indie band the Colour Wheel saw a less than expected turnout all weekend long. Lack of attendance was due to poor advertising according to inside sources. ìI think the organizers may have overestimated their attendance, although Iím having a great time. The music is awesome, food is good and the people here are real chill,î said festival attendee Racheal Ridderhoff. ìIím really glad I decided to do this than go to 6th Street.

Local San Marcos hip-hop group, Word Association took stage at 6:30 on the solar power away stage with only three of its ten person lineup due to other engagements. Another San Marcos hip-hop group Heroes, played an hour after at the Home Stage. The group consisting of six members performed to a slightly larger crowd. Clad in Mayan God attire the lead singer sang songs about truth, life, partying and woman. The Heroes style is classifiable as psychedelic jam rap contrived mostly of heavy bass lines, ripping guitar, dirty lyrics and cleaver rhymes.

Experimental rock gospel-esque group The River Hymn celebrated their CD release at the festival. Comparable to a more soulful Beth Gibbons (lead singer of British trip hop group Portishead), singer Morgan Bierleinís vocals were complemented nicely by penetrating bass riffs, mesmerizing guitar and rhythm drums. The hour long set was ended with a cover of “I Want You (Sheís So Heavy)” by The Beatles.

The evening was concluded by self-proclaimed ‘Dirty Old One Man Band’ Austin blues musician Scott Biram on the main stage. Biriam, who once played a show with two broken legs, a broken foot, a broken arm and a dangling I.V. a month after a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler played until midnight. His rye soaked vocals and rolling guitar riffs had the audience dancing for a little more than an hour. Austin resident Lacey Griffin expressed her “I really like Scott Biram. I saw him at Hole in the Wall a while back and he puts on a great show, I’m glad that he’s here at Oxblood,” said Griffin.

San Marcos blues jam band Earle Brown allowed campers to sleep in until noon when they began their hour long set on Saturday. The six-piece band made up of Evan Styles on vocals and keyboard, Jeff Mills on drums, Mick McGuiness on backup vocals and guitar, Scott Morgan on backup vocals and percussion, Dan Irwin on bass and Chris Blacon on backup vocals and guitar have been playing live for less than three months. Sounding like a mix of the Black Keys and San Francisco rock quartet Tea Leaf Green, the band’s sound undeniably left fans longing for more. Following Earle Brown was San Marcos blues rock band Three Leaf. The band which consists of Chris Brennand on vocals and guitar, Kent Chandler on bass, Zac Catanzaro on drums and Jared White on banjo put forth an energetic performance that prompted some serious hula-hooping and dancing.

Other acts that graced the stages Saturday afternoon included progressive folk band Blue Hit, Kallisti Gold, jamband Spank, psychedelic funk band Funkotron, Muchos Backflips, and bluegrass sound Green Mountain Grass.

Several highlight acts of the evening were Henry and the Invisibles, a one man funk band which looped live recorded samples of different instruments into a collaborated end result and Bavu Blakes & the Extra Plairs, a soulful Texas hip-hop group whose audience interaction caught the attention of many passersby. Austin based funk band Brownout!, made up majority of Latin dance band Grupo Fantasma members closed the festival’s second night.
Indie San Marcos group The Olive Street Band, who’s sound was reminiscent of Bright Eyes Connor Oberst and the Counting Crows, began the third day bright and early at 11:45 a.m. Americana group Our Favorite Colors, a trio consisting of Ashleigh Stone, Jason Wilkinson and David Whitbeck on upright bass followed on the same stage .

Other acts of the day included Albaine Fallette, Clay Nightingale, and Live Oak Decline. Austin blues headliner Guy Forsyth was cut from the bill at the last minute due to the dwindling attendees at the festival. Despite the cut San Marcos resident and attendee Matt Schuster said he loved his first year Oxblood Experience. “It’s been a great time—I’m definitely coming back next year,” said Schuster. “With good live music, good food, and good company, who needs anything else”

by Ashley Cass
News Section Editor - Newstreamz.com

Radio station, KTSW 89.9, is putting together a series of free shows. The first show will be a Battle of the Bands at George’s April the 18th. The winner will also play with five other indie bands at Lucy’s, on the San Marcos Square, April 24th.

The bill includes: Sputnik Monroe, Petals, Funkotron, Spank, Three Leaf, and this Friday’s winner of KTSW’s Battle of the Bands. - Newstreamz.com