Getting Perspective from Wolves:

Local Hardcore Band Wolf City Sits Down To Talk

By Cody Saunders

Sitting in Java Jungle, three members of the local hardcore band Wolf City talk about the hardcore scene in Reno; how they got started as a band; their current success and the upcoming European tour with local straightedge band xAFBx.  This fairly new band is made up of all Reno natives with a lot of pride for their city--and they all show it through their music.  With heavy two step beats, brutal breakdowns and aggressive lyrics, Wolf City shows that true hardcore is alive and well in Reno.

“We’re trying to make shows a fun experience for everyone; not just a tight group of friends smashing on everyone,” says vocalist Bryant.  So far, they’ve gotten good response from people about their shows.  They say that their biggest influences are the kids.  They agree that “90% of hardcore is the kids,” so creating music to match the Reno hardcore scene seems fitting.  And when all the members have been in the hardcore scene since their high school years, it is easy to know what will get good responses.

Wolf City was formed in February of 2009, just after xAFBx decided to call it quits.  With 4/5 of the original members of xAFBx (Tommy, Bryant, Carlos, and Elzo), Wolf City keeps the spirit of their former band alive.

As for the European tour, Bryant says it was just luck.  “xAFBx has been trying to go to Europe for a while.  Wolf City somehow got brought into it for opening the tour, so we figured why not.  It’d be a good experience.”  They leave October 28 and won’t be back till around Thanksgiving. 

Currently, Wolf City has no shows booked in Reno.  However, you can check them out at www.myspace.com/wolfcityreno . Follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wolfcityreno.

Tim Tucker Band - No Coincidence – Blue Cactus Records

On No Coincidence (Blue Cactus Records, 2008), Tim Tucker’s vocal is light, mellow and pleasing, with a hippie surfer-like tone. Think “Garden Party” era Rick Nelson, meets “On and On” era Stephen Bishop, with a bit of “Love is Just Like Baseball” era Michael Franks thrown in for good measure.  Breathy, vegan with a hint of vibrato.  The record’s standout track “Flush,” has a Bruce Hornsby, high desert, open road feel that’s perfectly accented by Tucker’s harmonica work.  Keith Finkelstein does a fine job on acoustic piano on the cut. 

The Reggae-inflected “Just a Little Bit,” features an irie horn arrangement by industry veteran David Ralicke (Natalie Merchant/Beck).  Chris Landrum’s skanking organ play is also solid.   The Latin-tinged “As the Eagle Flies,” is a midtempo cut that I’m anxious to hear live.  Tucker turns in his best vocal performance on the track, while Allen Palmer and Allen Butler provide great support on lead guitar and percussion, respectively.

A clean, well-constructed record, the Tim Tucker Band’s No Coincidence is an easy listening gem.

Tim Tucker Band’s upcoming show dates: 

October 10 Studio on 4th 6pm - 8:00pm “Falling Ladies” Cancer Benefit.          

October 17 Scruples 8pm - 10:30pm. Free show.

www.timtuckerband.com

Oliver X

Pocket grooves tighter than Inca ruins. Crackling horns and an Afro Beat inflected fusion of jazz, jam & funk, with melodic guitar interplay and wicked leads, makes the Mojo Green Project a monster festival act in the making.  What strikes me most is the band’s collective musical IQ and their passionate live sets.  In our interview, the mates made mention of the importance of theory in their communicative song craft; the ability to speak the same language while building song structure and time signatures.  They emphasized the freedom that this foundational training facilitates in driving their penchant for improvisation.

MGP flaunts its musical influences without shame:  Grey Boy Allstars, Sonny Rollins, Hendrix, Zepplin and The Funky Meters are all wrapped up in their funk ‘n’ roll. But this is no smorgasborg.  More like a gourmet tasting plate served atop  a tie-dyed place mat of international bluesy funk.   The dynamics are front and center.  The jams are clean and unindulgent.  Once the crew brings forward the phenomenal talent of Hawaiian keyboardist and Berkelee School of Music graduate Jared “Chief Tupu” Laufou,  MGP will make a serious run at becoming the band your booty most wants to marry.  If you can’t dance to this, you’re already dead.

Mojo Green Project is Tim “Brotha Mojo” Bain on lead guitar, Trevor Rice on bass, Tom Gordy on drums, Laufou on keys and sax and Monty “Shock Wave” Adams on guitar and trumpet.  Catch MGP at this year’s Burning Man Festival happening now.  The Studio on Fourth Street will host Mojo Green Project, Spoken Views and Jonie Blinman on September 12 , 2009 at 8pm @ Christal Padilla’s Benefit for her non-profit organization Common Roots.  432 East Fourth Street in downtown Reno.

http://www.myspace.com/mojogreenproject

Oliver X

The Sturdy Beggars play a rollicking brand of infectious rock that makes audiences immediately rush the dance floor. The celebratory spirit of their foot stomping music is remarkable. While the group’s original narratives continue the storytelling tradition of English drinking songs, their balanced musicianship and decidedly Celtic undertones, creates a culturally nostalgic connection with concert goers that is rarely seen.

Formed in early 2008, The Sturdy Beggars’ sound might best be described as an “eclectic mix of classic rock with English folks elements, twisted together with a sultry Irish fiddle,” according to band. The Sturdy Beggars are Paul Manktelow on vocals, guitars, harmonica; Steve Brennan on percussion and vocals; Cap on percussion, vocals, various silly noises and Charlene Adzima on fiddle, vocals, and whistles.

Don’t miss The Sturdy Beggars at the First Annual Speed Dog Eating Contest at West Street Market on August 16 with Push Box presented by Freeman’s Natural Hot Dogs, Se7en Teahouse, Moorey Distributing and Reno Tahoe Tonight Magazine.

Visit www.myspace.com/sturdybeggars to view upcoming shows
 

Dirty ensemble chops, rich vocal dexterity, and solid lyrical flows make Jelly Bread a legitimate festival act with huge potential. The band’s 8-song EP Top Notch is immediately listenable and delivers the essence of the band’s trademark stage energy.

Jump tempo soul with a wide funky bottom, the recording has a confident live set sound reminiscent of the infectious Bay Area dance funk rhythms laid down by Tower of Power, The Mo’fessionals, What it Is and Los Mocosos. Though the title track “Top Notch,” fails to execute the full frontal bass assault that the groove promises, the Dennis Coffey-like guitar riffs redeem the cut nicely, bringin’ a whiff of stank.

Catch Jelly Bread August 14 with Molly Jenson and Jonie Blinman at West St Market’s Benefit for Baby Nolan. Fans can also see them August 16 at Squaw Valley’s Brews, Jazz and Funk Festival headlined by Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk.

www.myspace.com/jellybreadlove.

Oliver X