The Flavor Savers

The Flavor Savers brings its own variety of sexiness to Iowa City on Saturday.

Beat-based act the Flavor Savers is all about putting itself out there and encouraging others - fans and newcomers alike - to do the same. The Flavor Savers brings its extroverted attitude to the Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., on Saturday at 9 p.m. The band is opening for well0known Sublime tribute band Secondhand Smoke.
"Basically, we want to write music that makes people feel sexy and gives them the confidence to get up and dance," said band member Ian Kibbe. "One of the ways we do that is through our performances, by doing a lot of dancing ourselves and by getting people laughing."
Much of the Flavor Savers rap/club sound is influenced by such artists as Peaches, and the members also listen to a great deal of new indie and dance-rock music. yet they are also comedically influenced by bands including Tenacious D.
When it comes to the creative process for Kibbe and fellow musicians Matt Cornelison, Josh Cornelison, and Nate Merrill, it is certainly not a matter of strict planning. Improvisation and impromptu ideas are common for the group, and Matt Cornelison said a lot of the band's music is not planned out.
"Somebody will have a riff or melody in mind, a general idea, and then we program something out," he said. "We'll all add something to that and work on it from there. I write most of the music, but we all pitch in on the lyrics."
This kind of freestyle method of creating music and lyrics translates seamlessly into the band's live performances. It can also be said the group's "sexy" factor has its origins in the legendary swaggers of Freddie Mercury, Prince, and David Lee Roth. The energy of the group members, their music, and the crowd prove a successful formula for an all-out good time.
"One thing that stands out about us I think is our live performances," Matt Cornelison said. "Combining our hopefully really great music, dress, and four people on stage makes it more than just a typical concert."
The Flavor Savers especially looks forward to playing in Iowa City, because the band has always had good experiences here.
"I love the atmosphere that college towns have: vibrant, full of life, and a real feeling of community," Kibbe said. "As far as college towns go, Iowa City is up there at the top."
Ambition runs rampant among the Flavor Savers members, and the quartet will try to take its work to another level. In addition to recording a new full-length studio album, the group sees the silver screen in its future. Because the Flavor Savers is a very visual group of guys, it aims to put its musical identity onto film - think Tenacious D's The Pick of Destiny.
"The Flavor Savers members are characters, and that lends itself to videos." Matt Cornelison said. "We already have fun making shorter videos, but our goal is a full-length, independent feature film."
The band members remain driven to getting their own kicks as well as providing audiences with high-energy and high quality shows. The musicians enjoy nothing more, it seems, than leaving it all on the stage.
"We hope and intend that our performance is something you wouldn't see anywhere else," Matt Cornelison said. "Two worlds collide: our ridiculousness and our music. It really is something we take seriously."

- The Daily Iowan

Exclusive Interview: Flavor Savers to Rock Friday's 'Stache Bash
By Chad Garrison in MusicWed., Oct. 28 2009 @ 11:27AMUnless you've been cowering under a big glob of shaving cream, you're probably aware that this Friday the American Mustache Institute is hosting its third annual 'Stache Bash at the Roberts Orpheum downtown. (More details on the party here.)

You're also probably aware this year's event features the one and only John Oates, of '80s power-pop duo Hall and Oates, and a famous mustache-wearer in his own right.

But did you know that opening up for Oates are fellow mustache champions, The Flavor Savers?

The Chicago outfit features super smooth dance moves and more than a few songs dedicated to lip hair. Last night Daily RFT spoke to the band by phone prior to their venture to St. Louis on Friday.

Daily RFT: What's with the name Flavor Savers? Is it an homage to the mustache?
Romeo DanceCheetah: There are a couple things going on with the name. First, it's a tribute to saving the flavor -- be it in music, entertainment, dance. Essentially we're encouraging 'flavor' in everything you do in life. And, yes, it's also a nod to facial hair.

I've noticed that some members of Flavor Savers wear real mustaches while others seem to glue theirs on. What's up with that?
Rodney Bel-Aire: Unfortunately, some of us -- myself included -- have a hard time growing mustaches. We're not ashamed of it. It's just a reality for some men. That doesn't mean we don't appreciate the 'stache and recognize it as a symbol of sexiness.

What's it going to be like opening for the "King of Flavor Savors," Mr. John Oates?
Bel-Aire: Yes, Mr. Oates is the king. Hell, he even has a cartoon about his mustache. Obviously, we are super, super excited to be on the same stage as him. It's going to be awesome, but hopefully not too awesome. We don't want to overpower his presence. Oates has played a lot of shows, but this has to be up there for him -- in age.

Sounds like you're positioning yourselves to take up the mantle as the next musical defenders of the mustache.
DanceCheetah: Yes, we like to think of ourselves as leaders in the fight for mustache equality and freedom. This spring we did an East Coast tour in support of mustaches. We're all about trying to bring them back in fashion and help men reclaim sexy -- which is what mustaches are all about.

Maybe you should rename your act "Flavor Saviors"?
Bel-Aire: That name has come up before. I don't want to say we're bigger than Jesus. But, yeah, we're probably bigger than Jesus' mustache.
- River Front Times - St. Louis

"...John Oates had a lot going against him, beyond having to keep up with opening act the Flavor Savers (who were interviewed on Daily RFT earlier this week.) As one of music history's most famous second bananas, does he have the chops to carry a set on his own?..." - River Front Times - St. Louis