NEW tracks online from upcoming UNITED SOUND PIPE album!

Yes...you've been waiting long to hear a bit of our new project, our first full length release, United Sound Pipe.

TWO tracks from the upcoming album are up on our myspace profile now, as well as on our main site at us-pipe.com under "Music."

We'll be doing a lot of updates to our sites so keep a look out for more, new stuff!

America Eats its Young!!!! by Citrus

From Citrus' myspace blog

I get up early sometimes...I just can't sleep in the mornings anymore....

I read the Rolling Stone that my Sister got for my Mom who then drops them to me in bulk.....

I was reading about the Marlboro Soldier...this poor mug from Kentucky who got shot by a photographer with a Marlboro hanging from his mouth.

Yeah...he is bunkered up in his single wide...worried about defending it from the enemies....dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Riding Harleys with Vietnam Vets in a motorcycle gang. He won't do all the meds or jump thru all the hoops anymore...but he is fucked! just fucked...Smoking cigs and drinkin beers and driving like a madman...worried that he will snap and just kill somebody for the sake of it.

WTF????

I have been teaching at a place that is set up to help kids with problems...and I love that I get to help the kids...but the INSTITUTION...man....it will make ANYBODY crazy! I have to tell these poor mugs to Practice in their minds since they don't get to practice on the guitars that they were given! wtf? WTFlyingF???

I have a friend here on myspace...and I can't find him! ...suprised? not me...
anyway..he is a vet...and he came to a Pfunk show like the day he got home from the war....Kilborn right?? you out there? Man..THANK YOU for letting me know that music makes a difference!!

I have never been a politically minded person...all I know is that they Hit the Nail on the Head when they said that America Eats its YOUNG!

they should add...it's middle aged and old to the list tho!

Press Release from Swallow Hill about our ROOTS OF FUNK performance + workshop

SWALLOW HILL MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Denver's Home for Folk, Roots & Acoustic Music

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Contacts:Rodolfo Betancourt, rudy@swallowhillmusic.org
Laura McGaughey, laura@swallowhillmusic.org
303.765.2488

Explore the roots of funk at Swallow Hill with U.S. Pipe

WHAT: U.S. Pipe Unplugged Performance and Roots of Funk Interactive Workshop
WHEN: Performance is Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. Workshop is Saturday, June 14 at noon
WHERE: 71 East Yale Avenue, Denver, CO 80210
PERFORMANCE TICKETS: Advance $15; Day of $18
WORKSHOP TICKETS: Advance $23; Day of $25
INFO & BOX OFFICE: http://www.swallowhillmusic.org/, (303) 777-1003
PHOTO: http://www.swallowhillmusic.org/images/artists/highrez/USPipe001.jpg

DENVER, COLO. (5/20/08) -- Swallow Hill is pleased to present Colorado's premier funk band, U.S. Pipe, as they take the Daniels Hall stage for a special unplugged performance on Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. In addition, U.S. Pipe leader and Swallow Hill faculty member Chris "Citrus" Sauthoff, along with Swallow Hill School Director Michael Schenkelberg and other members of the band, will conduct a special interactive Roots of Funk workshop the next day, Saturday, June 14 at noon.

U.S. Pipe's unique blend of funk, hip hop and rock has received acclaim from fans and critics alike. The band's makeup hearkens back to bands like Sly and the Family Stone—a real diverse set of colorful characters whose combined energies make for a live performance unlike any other. Able to play four hours straight without stopping, they've set a standard for the music scene in which they are a part.

U.S. Pipe began in 2005 as Chris "Citrus" Sauthoff, a then-stage manager and guitarist for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (P-Funk), sought out to start his own project within his home state of Colorado. Since those beginnings, U.S. Pipe has performed at many prominent Colorado venues and events, such as Boulder's Fox Theatre, Aspen's Belly Up, Denver's Bluebird Theater, and the Capitol Hill People's Fair. They've toured throughout the Rocky Mountain region, Midwest and Southwest, from Idaho to Oklahoma and New Mexico, winning fans and critics alike regionally.

In 2007, they performed at Diversafest, the Midwest's largest and most comprehensive music festival, alongside celebrated headlining acts The Flaming Lips and Leon Russell. That same year they also opened for George Clinton, who, when asked about Citrus, U.S. Pipe and the future of funk said, "It's getting funky again. Citrus will get some people in here tonight. He's opened for us before and every time we come here, (U.S. Pipe will) probably open for us. He's funky."

Later that year, the Pipe was recognized by Denver's 1 alternative weekly, Westword, as one of the top funk bands in their annual Music Showcase. 2008 yielded a second nomination from Westword as well as two opening slots for P-Funk, one at Aspen's Belly Up club and one at the beautiful Mishawaka Amphitheatre in the Poudre Canyon. They're currently finishing their full-length release, United Sound Pipe.

This performance will be unlike any other previous U.S. Pipe show. An acoustic funk hootenanny, of sorts, there will be special guests from the extended Swallow Hill community to explore the roots of funk. Early funk songs with gospel, country and R&B influences will be performed, as well as U.S. Pipe's original material.

The following day, Saturday, June 14 at noon there will be an interactive Roots of Funk workshop and jam, headed by Citrus and Swallow Hill School Director, Michael Schenkelberg. Go on a sentimental journey that will take you from funk music's early doo-wop barbershop beginnings through the landing of the Mothership, from the social and political statements during funk's high point in the 1970s to today's state of the funk. A multimedia lecture, coupled with performance, will enlighten participants about what the mystery of what funk is all about, with an informal jam afterwards. Participants should bring instruments and/or voices to take part in the jam.

For tickets visit http://www.swallowhillmusic.org/ or call (303) 777-1003. Discounts are available for Swallow Hill members.

About Swallow Hill Music Association:
Helping people make and enjoy music since 1979, Swallow Hill Music Association is one of the largest nonprofit institutions of its kind in the United States as a source for folk, roots and acoustic music. With more than 2,300 members, Swallow Hill provides a place to celebrate music that is rarely heard elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. Three concert venues house more than 200 performances a year, featuring some of the world's great artists as well as up-and-coming new talent. Swallow Hill's Julie Davis School of Music offers classes for every interest, skill level and member of the family. Each year, a faculty of 60 instructors provides training to more than 4,000 students. A Tier II member of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Swallow Hill has won both the Mayor's and Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, countless "Best of Denver" awards, has been recognized by the the North American Folk Alliance, and is one of the most sought-after venues by folk and roots performers in the country.

Opening for P-Funk @ Mishawaka

Once again U.S. Pipe is honored to have been invited as opening act for funk icons George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars when they play at the beautiful Mishawaka Amphitheatre up north in Bellvue, Colorado--Poudre Canyon country! The show goes down on Friday, May 30. Check out our gig calendar and click on the show to get an exact address/map link. We'll see you there!

A new spoon for Every Bite! by Citrus

From Citrus' myspace blog

So I had a party the other day. My mother and father showed up. LOL...I introduced them to each other and my Dad didn't recognize my mom. I guess it has been since 1976 or 7 since they had seen or talked to or with each other.
I introduced my mom to my sister and likewise..they have never met or spoken.

Today is my grandmother's birthday and I will visit her grave. I lost her in '76 or '77 too...I found her again about a year before her death (11yrs gone now) and we got some closure...but today is hard..

I have celebrated Cinco De Mayo as the Birth of my Grandmother and the death of the Mexican inside for a long time now.

But thanks to my cousin Rachel, and myspace I am back inside my own skin.
I can get on with the celebration of Eleanor C. Compoz.

I remember stalking my family at the Cinco De Mayo celebration when my Grandmother was the Queen....I was the prince in exile. I watched her with much pride and admiration as she rode around in her little golf cart waving to the masses! I watched as the aunties and uncles whom I no longer knew and the cousins that I had never met basked in her Glory...yes she was Glorious! She wasn't perfect of course..but she was wonderful. Raised 12 kids on her own....that kind of wonderful.

I remember my grandmother's tortillas' the most. She made them on Friday's...the day I got to go be with the Compoz side...NOTHING in the world like a fresh Tortilla made by your grandmother and then slathered in butter and eaten immediately! NOTHING. EVER. Her lesson on wealth will never be forgotten....

She was a maid I guess....I was young....and we went to have a family party at a house that her bosses owned...the Silverware on the huge table had me mezmerized and I was just standing there looking at it all in awe....
"They must be real rich Grandma....look at all the spoons they have!" I said.
"Mijo...you are more rich because you get a new spoon with every bite!"she mimicked eating with a Tortilla.....patted me on the head and gave me one of the most important lessons I ever learned.

She was a strong woman....and then she just up and left her body one day.
I was out on the road...and it tortures me that she called my name and I wasn't there.

U.S. Pipe again nominated 4 Denver's Best Funk!!!

For the second year running, we are thrilled to be nominated on Westword's ballot for Denver's Best Funk Band as part of their annual Music Showcase. Please vote for U.S. if you believe we bring the Funk! Click on the image below to be taken to the voting page.

We're on the ballot with some amazing peers. You can check out most of the nominated bands, plus Drive-By Truckers and Ra Ra Riot, on Saturday, June 14, as the 14th annual Westword Music Showcase takes place in the Golden Triangle. From now through then, voting is open, so we hope you'll take the time to vote for U.S., and maybe persuade some of your friends to do the same!