THE CONFIDENTIALS
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Music
Press
The Confidentials preach life,love unity,and brotherhood through there stellar live performances and top- notch funk grooves. Led by the Spurgeon Brothers. The Confidentials
have spawned a huge midwest following.Chartreuse is selling and show no signs of slowing down
Regional Position #6
- Coalition of Independent RecordStores
Thousands of bands have tried to put out a distinctly different Christmas album, but they end up lousing it up by teasing and torturing our treasured tunes till they're unrecognizable.
This Omaha band, with strong ties to Bellevue, has managed to keep the old favorites intact but stamp them with their own addictive brand of rhythm and blues.
The arrangements are mature and understated. The whole album has a childlike vision, sweet and upbeat but blue.
The result is a very easy listen.
The album isn't overproduced, nor too rough, it has a clean, intimate feel.
Stan Spurgeon, Confidentials vocalist said the album is a departure from the band's previous work, and a quick study, taking only seven weeks to create. "The response we've had is overwhelming", he said.
Brisk sales through Homer's record stores led to a call from Album Network MAgazine in Burbank, Calif. The magazine wanted to give it a listen.
- Bellevue
After years of culling an audience base
with mostly cover tunes of feel-good
party music, the group is sauntering onto center stage with "Foundation"
a soulful intropective12-song collection of all original music and 2 cover songs.
- Christine Laue, Omaha World Herald
The Confidentials are a veteran band of musicians who are now into their second decade of performing together.
Chances are you've seen them at least once, probably performing in a club, bar , wedding reception, party of some sort, and they have also expanded into touring nationally in recent years. For the last several years, their annual Christmas Concert has been one of the highlights of the holiday season, and this year they have a new Christmas disc to accompany it. "More Than Waiting for Santa Claus" is a delightfully mellow 5 song EP of original Christmas tunes that captures the spirit of the season quite well. Often, Christmas-themed albums
that don't focus on the classics can end up sucking pretty bad and being almost unlistenable. That is definitely not the case here. The Spurgeon brothers have some potential hits on their hands here with these new tunes, and the band does a fantastic job of maintaining a Christmas feeling while being true to their funky, jazzy roots. Scattered throughout the album are sparkling horn solos by horn masters Bill Kearney and Barry Hitt, snippets of a chorus of kids who can't wait for Christmas to get here, and the soulful voice of Damorah Alexander, all of which combine to make this one of the best, if not the best, local Christmas albums that's come out in a while. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this holiday gem. In the car, at work, or at home by the fire, "MTWFSC" is just the thing to make the season just a little brighter. - Ian Simons, City Weekly
"Success to me is not a record contract," said Omaha Confidentials front man Stan Spurgeon. "It's being able to spread our music, which seems to unite people. And it's taking risks, like playing for a crowd of 30 people in L.A. That was humbling." Between frequent trips to L.A. and Denver where he tirelessly works to secure gigs for the band, Spurgeon talked about the Confidentials' history and its new CD, "Chartreuse." "Chartreuse" is funkier and more upbeat compared to "Foundation" [the band's previous release]. People will say, "Ah, yeah, this is Confidentials music." In a selective Omaha appearance, the Confidentials are set to pack the Music Box this Friday and Saturday. Plan to see a display of solid songwriting and showmanship in the form of the Spurgeon brothers et al. gliding about on stage in their wingtips, enticing the crowds to the dance floor in vintage Confidentials style. - Leslie Prisbell, The Reader
The Confidentials will say goodbye to Omaha this weekend - at least for three months. The group is taking their show on the road with Minneapolis as the destination. The highly energetic rock/ska band, known for its stage antics and appearance, makes its last metro appearance this weekend at Howard Street Tavern in Omaha's Old Market. Spurgeon said the group will continue its weekly bookings at the Brass Rail in Lincoln on Thursday nights until the end of the month. They will take off for the twin cities in June. On May 14, The Confidentials will play for the Bellevue West High School prom - Spurgeon brothers' alma mater.
- Jeff Korbelik, Bellevue Leader
Discography
The Confidentials (1991)
Going to a Party (1997)
Foundation (2000)
Chartruse (2002)
Traditionals (2004)
Brand New Day (2005)
Under the Covers (2006)
More Than Just Waiting for.. (2008)
Photos
Bio
The Confidentials have become one of the Midwest's premier party hosts with their unique blend of funk, jazz, and reggae. The power ten piece act fronted by the Spurgeon brothers Stan and Steve are known for their funky, soulful good-natured and spirited live performances. The band has released 7 CDs and plays over 100 dates a year throughout the country.
The appeal of The Confidentials is largely due not only to the diverse make-up of the band, but also to the musical accomplishments of each member Stan Spurgeon on vocals, Steve Spurgeon on vocals and rhythmic guitar, Jim Eddy on lead guitar, Ricky Williams on bass guitar, Bill Nanson on drums, Michael Pujado on percussion, Davey Polson on saxophone, Bill Kearney on trombone , and Marcus Nunez on trumpet.
The group's sound and presence is strong, regularly packing some of the Omaha's musical venues, with standing-room only crowds. In addition, The Confidentials have established themselves as one of the regions most popular party bands, lending their musical style to many private and corporate events. The band has been featured in the January 2009 issue of Modern Bride as one of the 150 Hottest Bands and DJ's across the nation for weddings!
Many of the band's original songs have become anthems for fans, with local radio stations using these songs as backdrops for their radio programs and commercials. The band has 7 CDs of original music to their credit, including a the first ever cover CD Under the Covers that was released at the end of March 2006. In 2003, The Confidentials had two songs signed by music publisher "Mr. Christmas" Justin Wilde of Song Castle Music in Lakewood, California. 'Mama's Song' and 'Angel both reflect the unique vocals and sound styling that are The Confidential trademark. And recently, three of The Confidentials CDs have become available on iTunes and have been increasingly popular in the music download community.
As the band's popularity continues to grow, so does the broad appeal of their musical message. Their ever-expanding flock of fans will testify: "Harmony is not just a musical concept - it's a personal goal."
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