I’m no stranger to that phenomenon of music where the songs coming off of the stage perfectly echo the feelings you are experiencing. A song, a nod from an appreciative musician, or that glance over to the girl across the room, grooving as hard as you are, all freezes that moment in time. The energy from the talented bands that played Tuesday night at The Hut was my companion long after the final song. A few beers deep, with some of my Bscenelive partners in crime, I felt the funk's presence deep in my swaying hips.

Hailing from Maryland,reggae/rock band, Ballyhoo, headlined the show as part of their tour to promote their most current release, Daydreams. The multi dimensional album translates well onto the stage with a welcomed sound of the nearing summer. Influenced, though not limited to, by alternative, ska, and punk staples such as Green Day, Incubus, Sublime, 311, and the Foo Fighters, the guys successfully showed their ability to flow from one sound to the next with an enthusiastic gulp of free booze. Their music fills multiple niches, switching from party tracks to heartfelt calls to face one's challenges.

Singer and guitarist, Howi Spangler proved not only his versatile musical ability but also an admirable humbleness, often thanking the crowd for making it out and checking on our good vibes. Scott Vandrey AKA DJ Blaze brought what really makes this band stand out, masterfully djing, playing the keyboard, percussion instruments and singing back up. The bass line, crafted by J.R. Gregory and the powerful beat of drummer Donald Spangler completed their laid back island sound. “We started in the summer of 1995. Donald and I are brothers and we wanted to be in a band since we were 7 or 8 years old. We all picked up some instruments. We knew Jr and Scott from school. And then we went through puberty. We all just kinda hooked up and played some music. We started playing shows and then here we are today in Arizona,” Howie shares.

The band has an impressive amount of tours already lined up for the rest of the year, including Vans Warped Tour, the 311 Caribbean Cruise, and Bamboozle. “Its pretty awesome. Were gonna play with the Foo Fighters. Foo fighters, that's why we started this band. That whole show, Foo Fighters is what its all about.” These guys are working like the energizer bunny, going and going even after all the lengthy touring, with plans to write new material after Warped Tour. The polished efforts of Daydreams clearly promotes what Ballyhoo wants from the world. “Stop fucking around. Be fucking good to each other. Fucking smile and listen to more Ballyhoo." Take their good advice, listen to their music, and get yourself to one of their many upcoming performances.

The talent was not limited to the highly entertaining Ballyhoo that night. Veterns of Tucson, Funky Bonz, also brought their vision of funk and regae to the stage. Under the dimly glowing heat lamps, I chatted with creative vocalist, Brent Kort. Funky Bonz has been playing since 1992 and has cultivated a strong following here in Tucson. "Tucson's scene is good. If your with the whole Calexico crew you are set here. We all help each other out." Brent has been making music an impressive 20 plus years and still foundly reminises on the show that drove him to live performance. "Fishbone. It was these guys, all in suits, playing with keyboards. My mouth dropped." Brent's laid back mantra, "Don't take yourself too seriously," holds up in their punk laced grooves, that call on you to your bob your head along with the saxaphone.

Local band, Heart Attack Shack, also took the stage with a short set of, what their facebook accuratly refers to as, "Finger Lickin' Funk Flavored Flame Broiled Blues, Baby.” The band has recently done a recording with local ,Xenocide Records, and are beginning to write songs with an “old dirty blues,” sound. Bassist Daniel, explains, “I've been playing in different bands for 15 years. I was in a metal band then me and nick started jammin and came up with the idea for this style of music. We just kept it going. We kept on writing true life music, true life stuff that’s happening in our life. That’s what our lyrics are all about.” Heavily influenced by the hair rock of the past, citing his long hair, Daniel also loves the “ funky funkiness.” Newest member of 6 months, drummer Cody, also feels the funkiness powering him onward. “I get down with everything too but the funk saved my soul. It makes me feel good.” Nick, Daniel, Greg and Cody want to get more Tucsonans out to shows and dancing. “Dance. That’s what hypes us up.”

Don't fight the funk baby. From Ballyhoo's reggae rock, to the funk of local bands, The Jits, Funky Bonz, and Heart Attack Shack,  I could not deny that driving need to dance.
  Photos by: Sami Gardner