CD release party review by Burn Sand Burn's Barrie Bodden

US Pipe CD Release
Bluebird Theatre; Denver CO
Thursday, Feb. 19th, 2009

PARTY WITH THE PIPE

By Barrie Bodden of Burn Sand Burn

The Bird had a healthy dose of energy on Thursday night. As I walked towards the box office holding four cans of various foods, I was unsure of what to expect. Sometimes local shows at a large venue can be attractive and well-attended, but often they spoil before they deliver. However, US Pipe has an aggressive marketing scheme and they back it up 100% on stage. I’ve seen them several times…everywhere from small venues like the late Cricket on the Hill—to national staples like Red Rocks. They never fail to deliver a killer performance.

I dropped my food in the donation bin and was given a voucher for a free drink—a Flying Dog ale. Wow…the night is off to a great start. I found some friends as I jammed out to the opening acts: Future Jazz Project and Foma. Both groups performed well. I chatted with Pipe drummer, Chris Murphy, who always seems to be in a great mood—a very uplifting human—he was anxious and busy mingling…waiting for his time to shine. It was getting close.

In-between sets, I stepped outside and found Ryan Chris, a phenomenal guitarist in his own right, who was playing backing guitar for the show, something he often does at local Pipe shows. “God I’m nervous,” he told me as hoards of people began packing in the place. “This is gonna be fun.” I wasn’t surprised to hear he was nervous…but rather felt lucky I could feel his humility. Musicians truly are delicate people, no matter how much they jump around on stage!

Finally…the show is ready to begin. The place was comfortably full of eager fans—400 in my estimation. I gathered myself down to the floor, near stage-right. It was strangely silent in anticipation for the funk. Ambient sounds radiated from the dark walls of the old theatre. Then, with a sonic force it came—Boom! The horns blared, Citrus wailed on his guitar and the funkiest CD release party I’ve ever witnessed was underway.

When you’re at a US Pipe show, you can’t help but shake your ass. From the second the drums kicked in, people were on the floor, at the bar, up in the balcony shaking what they got. I usually feel strange trying dance at shows without the intervention of massive amounts of liquor, but tonight was different. I felt like I was a part of something special.

Azma’s microphone chord came unplugged during the first song, but I bet less than 10% of people noticed. He’s that good! He remedied the situation without missing a beat vocally. He is one of the strongest lyricists I’ve seen and he has a commanding stage presence. He raps with the quickness, spitting out impressive and meaningful lyrics, and has a strong singing voice as well. The band used to have a perpetually changing lineup, but with Azma Holiday and the core cats, I think they are now solid.

Key player and extreme vocalist, Missy “Bubbles” Johnson, belted better than ever. She’s got the lungs and smile to make you fall in love when she sings. Damn. Something special about a girl who can scream out, “I told that man I need a hooker,” on the Colfax anthem, Hooker. As one of the two main vocalists, Missy really seems to understand her role. The two are polar opposites in every way—physically and musically, but they’ve seemed to mesh very well together. The vocal harmonies, including those from lead guitarist, Citrus, were righteous this evening…spot on. It’s rare to see a band from any genre be able to adapt to each other and mix so many musical styles together, while staying on target. United Sound Pipe can do it.

The tightness…well it comes from practice, desire, experience—and one more thing: Chris Murphy. The kid keeps the groove better than most drummers anywhere. His pocket is tight and he kills it with million dollar beats. He’s been able to transcend musical genres—blending hip-hop with rock and funk with pop. Murphy really seemed to take his game to the next level at the Bluebird. He was very charismatic and had an amazing presence, something that is not easy for a drummer to do. Towards the end of the set, he was doing tricks off the snare, using one hand to rub his top hat in a circular motion, while brushing the drums with his other hand. He’s also got some of the best feet in the business. He never misses a beat and he keeps the band, which can seem like an animal house sometimes, on target. He’s the backbone of the rhythm and he’s lucky to have such amazing support.

About two-thirds of the way through their performance, Kurt Rosenbecker, the bass player, took control. He jammed out one of the coolest bass solos I’ve heard in a while. He truly is one of the most modest bassists in the Denver area. His tone is killer. His low end booms without ringing and his fills are crunchy without being too pingy. He keeps the notes like a heartbeat, much like a drummer, and he busts out of his shell every now and again to show you his chops. He and scruffy Murph are the best one-two rhythm punch in Denver.

Speaking of Denver—you can’t talk about local guitarists without mentioning Chris “Citrus” Sauthoff. Again, he destroyed his Parker all night, producing sounds that take listeners on funky, cosmic rides. He makes notes shine…it’s rock…it’s funk, it’s all combined. He looks like he just got off George Clinton’s tour bus…oh yeah, that’s because he just did! US Pipe is his brainchild…he’s the ring leader of this ultra-funk circus ride. Citrus is a positive vibe technician as well. You can’t help but feel good when he speaks into the microphone. He’s rock-star enough to intimidate you, but humble enough to make you want to shake his hand after the show. And he’ll always shake your hand.

One of Citrus’ best qualities is his ability to blend different styles of music…even throughout songs. He nails the power chords with much crunch and takes sweet melodies to his leads. His solos were off the charts at the release and they humble even the most experienced six-stringers. And then, about halfway through the set, he sat down on the stage and whipped out a sitar! He rocked the thing as the vocalists took a break. He pulled off amazing sounds, using his foot pedals to make the notes soar through the place. In addition to the zoo of musicians, the Pipe had a traditional African dancer on stage throughout the whole show and during the sitar performance, she made beautiful movements, making the audience feel like they were on a different continent.

“I bet you didn’t think a sitar could be that funky,” Azma said after the song. The audience cheered in amazement.

Ryan Chris not only provided an extra boost to the guitar sounds, but he brought some much needed liveliness to the stage. Thank god he has a wireless system! That cat jumps around all over the place…he’s really fun to watch, especially when that hair starts a-rockin!

I noticed, however, when I walked to different areas of the venue, I had trouble hearing the lead guitars. I felt the same way at Red Rocks. I know it’s hard to mix a group that has 10 members on stage, but those guitars should shine through the mix…especially on solos and leads.

The horn section always brings the funk to a Pipe party and this night was no exception. They take turns with solos and jam as a unit wonderfully. It often sounds like one set of lungs producing three voices because of the tightness. They seemed a bit loud near the stage, but as you moved back in the room…they blended in with the mix beautifully.

United Sound Pipe took their show to a new level on Thursday night. They certainly brought the funk and the party was rocking for almost two hours of non-stop party music. They even played a delicate song from their latest release, which I’m sure they don’t plan on playing live too much. It truly was a touching song, complete with open chords and sincere harmonies. I wish they slowed it down a bit more on stage—it seemed a bit rushed. Not to be mistaken though, the show was a complete success. Everyone left satisfied and gleeful, and if they had to work the next day…they woke up smiling and hung-over! Don’t miss US Pipe next time they come around.

Q&A with U.S. Pipe about the CD release

Check out the Q&A Denver Post music writer John Wenzel did with U.S. Pipe about their upcoming CD release!

http://www.getrealdenver.com/2009/02/17/music-qa-us-pipe-cd-release/

Many thanks to the Post and John for covering the band and the release party!

See you Thursday. Don't forget to bring your donation for the homeless to win stuff from Flying Dog Brewery AND Po'Boy Drums will also be donating some stuff for giveaways, too!

FREE beer & funky tunes!

MORE love from Westword. Check it:

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/02/free_beer_and_funky_tunes_cour.php

See you Thursday at the CD release party!

Help the homeless @ our CD release

Don't forget to join us for our official CD release this Thurs night @ the Bluebird Theater, 16+ ages!

Info + tix:

http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=21057

Many thanks to Flying Dog Brewery for their sponsorship and support. Bring in a non-perishable food item and/or clothing for the homeless and they'll get you a free drink. They're also sponsoring raffle giveaways--purchase raffle tickets with all proceeds benefiting the Denver Rescue Mission--and win items like Avalanche tickets! Check out Flying Dog here:

http://www.flyingdogales.com

Thanks to the community-at-large for their love and support of this event. We've gotten some great press as of late:

Colorado Music Buzz cover:
http://www.ColoradoMusicBuzz.com/Index.asp?LinkTo=F79

Westword Backbeat feature:
http://www.westword.com/2009-02-12/music/u-s-pipe-gets-funkier-than-an-old-batch-of-collard-greens/

See you Thursday!

Get your funky love on in Steamboat this weekend!

We're returning to the Tugboat Grill & Pub for Valentine's Day weekend!

Check out the article in the Steamboat Pilot & Today!

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2009/feb/13/united_sound_pipe_keeps_pfunk_spirit_shows/

See you there!!!

U.S. Pipe on 101.5 FM TONIGHT

Tonight, 101.5 FM, Mile Hi-Fidelity at 9 p.m. till 11 p.m., tune in to hear U.S. Pipe!

Citrus, Azma and Murphy will be live on the air with host and Westword Backbeat/Music Editor, Dave Herrera.

Also check out the featured article in this week's Westword:
http://www.westword.com/2009-02-12/music/u-s-pipe-gets-funkier-than-an-old-batch-of-collard-greens/

Our many thanks to Westword, Dave H. and Jon Solomon for the great work they do and their support!

U.S. Pipe on Mile Hi-Fidelity TOMORROW NIGHT!

We're less than TWO WEEKS AWAY from our official CD release party at the Bluebird Theater on Thursday, February 19!

Do you have your tickets yet? You better get 'em! If you buy in advance you'll save some cash and that means you'll be able to buy another CD, or a T-shirt. Yes, we WILL have T-shirts with the awesome album cover art by Scrojo...so save your cash and get your tickets ahead of time!

We've gotten lots of great press for the CD and the release so far, including being honored as the cover feature for this month's Colorado Music Buzz magazine! We Coloradoans are lucky to be a community with a very vibrant music scene and press who are always working hard to let the public know about us.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday the 11th, Citrus, Murphy and Azma will appear on Westword Backbeat/Music Editor, Dave Herrera's, Mile Hi-Fidelity show on 101.5 FM. TUNE IN BETWEEN 9 and 11 p.m. Wednesday, 2/11, to hear it LIVE. (Note: the show regularly airs from 8 - 10 but will be delayed an hour because of the Avalanche game cuz Coloradoans love their hockey, right, right?)

For those of you who aren't in the Denver area, there is still hope! Podcasts are available on Westword's Backbeat Online so it will be available there for you to enjoy.

We're also going to be in the Westword paper coming out later this week so grab a copy!

You can check out more press about U.S. Pipe and the album on our press clippings page.

Thanks for all your support. The Funk is gettin' stronger, especially with such awesome fans like you. We love you and couldn't do it without you.

Dream chasers be aware! by Azma

From Azma's myspace blog

There's a book called " The Dream Giver"...Wonderfully written book!!!
But, for those who go on the chase for that dream, be aware that what you set out for is not what you signed up for!!!
See, we get confused as to what a dream is, we think that we control the direction in which we walk, too bad, because that's not true!!! We only decide the direction we take...We have no say in what happens after that! We would all like to believe that we are great supernatural beings that control the course of our lives! But if that was the case, EVERYONE you know would be living the way they wanted to! And I'm pretty sure that YOU, and everyone you know, are not happy with the direction they are going, and the situation they're in! But if you are? Then kudos to you!
I'm gonna' keep this super short...When you decide to chase your dream, in order to achieve that dream you have to let go of everything, and everyone that's trying to stop you!
What this means is that you have to create a new way of being, while only incorporating the "old way" of being when, and only when neccessary! So say goodbye to your comfort zone!
Those who chase dreams eventually catch them, but is it what you want? Ask youself!
Chase on dreamer, Because dreaming is good!

Goals by Bubbles

From Missy "Bubbles Johnson's" myspace blog

Picture this, me singing on stage in a gold bikini wearing high heels! How about Azma wearing a blond wig and a wedding dress? Well it could happen!
My biggest dream was to play at Red Rocks. Well, the Pipe got to play Red Rocks last summer and my dream came true! So now it is a new year and time to make some new dreams and set some new goals.
So, at practice last night, the band was clowning about me wearing on a bikini on stage. Everyone busted out because that sure as hell was never gonna happen. Not because I don't look good in a bikini, because I look hot in a bikini, I just gotta lose 5 pounds, shave my legs and go tanning. I think it was the high heels that had everyone laughing???
Then I got to thinking, why not set a goal and aim high, because if the dream comes true, i mean when the dream comes true, I'm gonna need some time to get my tan! So here is what is on the table, if the Pipe gets to play a show at the Pepsi Center, I will wear a bikini and high heels on stage! Not to be outdone and raise the anty, Azma declared that he will put on a blond wig and wedding dress! Wow, that is gonna be one crazy show! Let's make it happen!!!

Official CD Release Party for United Sound Pipe!

Our official CD release party is coming soon! We are going to be dropping the BOMB on Denver!

Playing with the incredible bands Future Jazz Project and Foma, this evening is gonna be a night to be remembered!

***GET TICKETS***

—UNITED SOUND PIPE OFFICIAL DENVER CD RELEASE PARTY, BLUEBIRD THEATER, FEB 19—

DENVER, COLO., January 15, 2009 — Colorado's premier funk band, U.S. Pipe, is pleased to announce the first official CD release party for their debut full-length release, United Sound Pipe, at Denver's Bluebird Theater, on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m.

The album, released through their own label, Pipe Circle Music, Inc., was produced by Bill Thomas, recorded and mixed by Christopher "C3" Cardone at Area Five Point One Studio in Evergreen, Colo., and was mastered by multi-Grammy-winning David Glasser of Airshow Mastering, Boulder, Colo. United Sound Pipe features cover art by famous artist, Scrojo (scrojo.com) and very special guest, Rick Gardner, on trumpet (rubberhorn.com). An original member of Bootsy's Rubber Band and longtime member of the P-Funk family, U.S. Pipe is honored to collaborate with him.

The music is a unique amalgamation of funk, hip hop and rock that positively conveys both the essence of the legacy of the funk culture as well as the future of cutting-edge, funk-flavored music. It entertains, inspires and moves. Colorado Music Buzz magazine raves: "...Citrus Sauthoff and crew showcase amazing energy along with the obvious lofty level talent that is bursting throughout the disc. With their innate ability to marry up an album with this kind of production quality and still maintain the feel of 'live,' United Sound Pipe should be on your short list of new purchases."

Support acts on the bill for the release party are Foma*, a quintet with a sonic palette that combines rock-alternative, funk, and blues, all lightly peppered with a pinch of country twang, Future Jazz Project, who set a new level of artistry with jazz roots combined with hip hop, R&B, and soul, and up-and-coming DJs The Illionaires.

The evening will also feature some giveaways and other fun surprises. The first 50 fans in the door will receive a collectible poster with Scrojo's amazing album art signed by U.S. Pipe. In addition, everyone who brings a non-perishable food item and/or clothing to donate to local area charities will receive freebies courtesy of Flying Dog Brewery, a longtime supporter of U.S. Pipe.

"We know these are tough times for everyone," says U.S. Pipe leader, Citrus, "so we really wanted to make this party an opportunity to give back to those who need it the most. We hope everyone will come out and not only have a great time, but bring a donation so we can spread the positivity within the community."

Tickets for the release party are $10 in advance and $12 day of show. For tickets visit http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=21057.