Killion It: Gettin’ Funky in Fremont — Orgone, Nectar Lounge 1/29/08
review by Ben Guerechit
photos by Lydia Goolia
Nectar Lounge in Fremont was going off on Tuesday night. California funksters
Orgone had Seattle shakin’ their groove thangs all over the dance floor thanks to a little love from KEXP, where they performed an in-studio earlier that day, and some stellar booking from Colin Johnson.
Nectar’s balcony provided a key vantage point to witness the first of the night’s double shot of funk and soul: local act
Kissing Potion. The female dominated group fronted by vocalist Joy Davenport, who introduced the set by saying, “We hope you get your groove on,” did in fact groove up atmosphere and prep the emerging crowd as it rolled in.
Minus a hiccup or two when diving into a few songs, the ladies (and two lads) seemed a perfect opener for Orgone. Fiery horns, a head-bobbing rhythm section and some fancy Hendrix imitations from guest guitarist Jabrille Williams kept the crowd occupied, covering “Sex Machine,” Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Alright,” and a KP original, “Get On The Bus.” Davenport had the crowd chanting “Shit, Goddamn, Get off your ass and jam!” on the last Kissing Potion number of the night, setting the stage for Orgone.
A skinny unnamed DJ, who amusingly resembled
Todd Louiso (Dick from
High Fidelity) [editor's note: that's DJ TJ Gorton] kept the crowd, and himself for that matter, boogieing while instruments were swapped on stage, leaving the audience just time enough to step to the bar for another fine concoction from the tenders at Nectar.
Stepping to the stage for the first of two enormous sets were Sergio Rios (guitar), Dan Hastie (keys), Sean O’Shea (drums), Ethan Phillip (bass), and Stewart Killen (hand drums and all things percussion), who warmed up the masses with a Starsky and Hutch flavored tune. The dance floor started to heat up as Nectar personnel rolled up the large garage door to let in some refreshing cool air to the joint while cheers echoed in the streets.
Rios and Hastie sounded like an unlikely but killer combo of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Smith for the second song of the set, and Rios’ wood grain telecaster transitioned the band right into the next song. Meanwhile, fro’d out Devin Williams (trumpet) and cowboy Darren Cardoza (trombone) snuck to the back of the stage. The ensuing precision of their horns and a fascinating solo from Williams further hyped the crowd.
“Sophisticated Honky” and its Texas flavored guitar sound was a ripping number, prompting me to move down to the dance floor for a closer look. Killen was sporting a hat and sound reminiscent of percussion legend Idris Muhamad from the cover of 1974’s
Power of Soul.
Soon enough Triple F, or the Fabulous Fanny Franklin, joined the band for some classy yet edgy renditions of “Who Knows Who,” “Said and Done,” and “Do Your Thing” from acclaimed 2007 release
Killion Floor. By this time there wasn’t a soul in the place who didn’t have at least a few appendages writhing and twisting to the music. Orgone’s muddy interpretation of the classic “Funky Nassau” opened up for Killen to lay it all out on the congas with tremendous ferocity. He was really going for it and the crowd was eating it up.
Ending a serious set of rhythm and blues Franklin said “Another one off the new album, then we’re gonna take a pause for the cause,” before jumping into “It’s What You Do.”
Between sets, several attendees wiggling around in front of the stage held good ol’ KEXP as the primer of their new found love for Orgone. “These guys are amazing. First heard them on KEXP a while back,” said one booty shaker named John. On stage, Franklin also thanked the station for help with promotion at the close of the eve. However, seeing DJ Michele, Larry Metro and blogmaster Jim Beckmann amongst the turnout was a simple sign of the stimulation Orgone has set off for many KEXP staffers and volunteers.
The second set was a blur of soloing, sweating and a boat full of the funky funky blues — such a blur in fact, that “A WOT” is the only song this writer can remember from the four song closer. Franklin was sounding like a traditional Mississippi blues queen, while the band held a solid groove that ripped and romped everyone till just after quarter passed midnight. It was night to remember and should be counted among the best shows this town has seen this year so far.
