MUSIC: Concerts: Dumpstaphunk at Saint Rocke

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By Andy J. Gordon

Hermosa Beach got a whole lot funkier when New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk played at Saint Rocke on September 21, 2011. The five piece band has a reputation for delivering nasty, bass heavy funk to legions of fans. At Saint Rock the band brought a packed house to their feet for a long and sweaty show.

The opening act, a Los Angeles funk and jam band called Pinot (www.pinotfunk.com,) warmed up the crowd with a good opening set. Once Dumpstaphunk (http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/) hit the stage, things really began to heat up. The band was put together in 2003 by keyboardist/vocalist Ivan Neville, who is the son of Aaron Neville. Ian Neville, Ivan’s cousin, and Art Neville’s son, plays rhythm guitar. The band’s unusually heavy sound comes from a double bass attack driven by Tony Hall and Nick Daniels. The newest band member and only female is Nikki Glaspie. Glaspie used to play in Beyonce’s band and is an accomplished drummer and fine background vocalist.

 

Their show started with “Shake it Off” from the 2007 EP Listen Here. “Do Ya,” a funky song from 2010s Everybody Wants Some got the house bouncing. The vibe got kicked up when some special guests started to hit the stage – The Regiment Horns, a Los Angeles based brass group along with Daniel “Dela” Delacruz, the sax man from Slightly Stoopid. The horns added to the already huge sound of the band and the place was shaking during the killer cover of Parliament’s “Unfunky UFO.” Their version of the Temptation’s “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” kept the party going. “Meanwhile,” another track from Dumpstaphunk’s 2007 EP moved Ivan Neville from behind the keyboards to a guitar. While Daniels and Hall ripped bass lines, Ivan and Ian Neville traded guitar solos. The show ended with a nod to the Neville’s roots with a sweet version of the Meters’ 1977 classic “No More Okey Doke.”

This band brings a ton of energy and talent to their live shows. Their mix of original songs and classic covers performed with precision kept the audience thrilled. Dumpstaphunk puts on a show that should not be missed.

 

Photos courtesy of Andy J. Gordon