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New Groove of the Month:
Sunfur
by Rod Martin
"It's going to be a rock band with tribal rhythm- you know like african and middle eastern rhythm." This was the way Lu Rodriguez, founder of the band that was to become Sunfur described his musical vision as the group came together in '94. He had already worked out some new material with long time friend/guitarist Emilio. The pieces of this musical puzzle came together rather quickly as additional musicians came aboard to toss their own flavors into the pot.
The Bay Area band's sound relies on those polyrhythms Lu initially described but there is much more as well. In his book Jam Bands, Dean Budnick writes "the group also likes to layer on denser textures." Sunfur's sound is said to "not only manifest some Eastern influences but also throbs with a harder edge reminiscent of Jimmy Page's early work with Led Zeppelin or David Navarro." The vocals "introduce a similar sonic swagger. The results are hypnotic and often psychedelic."
In the beginning, there were few promoters who were open to their unique sound. As with most young bands, they took whatever gigs they could get often playing in shady bars simply for the experience. It was here that Sunfur began to groove their music and form their most endearing habit of "laying it on the line" every night. I remember one barfly saying to me, "these guys f**kin' rock, man" as they exploded into their heart-pounding arrangement of "Tomorrow Never Knows". With the release of their debut CD "Comfort As One" the proverbial doors began to open. The album's positive reception by regional press allowed them to take the next step and co-bill with bands already on their way to stardom like Cake and local favorite Train at some of the San Francisco's top clubs. They went on to win two local unsigned band contests in San Francisco and San Jose. By 1996 they had covered every major city on the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego. The music and energy was flowing.
Late in 1997 they were blessed with a piece in Billboard Magazine piece calling Sunfur, "One of San Francisco's top five acts to watch." They were soon on KFOG's 'Local Anesthetic (which features the best up and coming bands from the Bay Area) and many of the top radio programs in the state. They began play many of the premier venues in the Bay Area like the Maritime Hall, Slim's, The Edge and Transmission Theater with The Great American Music Hall and The Fillmore soon to follow. In addition to their un-typical three set, sweat filled weekly shows, Sunfur began to get take opportunities to play festivals, abundant on the West Coast. Portland for the 'Bite' Festival (in which they made the stubborn Sun come out for the first time that day during their song "Papa Sunshine" to the applause of the crowd). The May Day Festival in Fairfax, Ca. and the Hog Farm Concert which featured Ratdog, Leftover Salmon and Spearhead. They created quite a buzz at the Hog Farm as many people approached them with positive feedback and smiling compliments. This year finds Sunfur forging ahead with their second full length album "New Skin". For this project they hired the services of producer Scott Matthews (John Hiatt, John Wesley Harding). "New Skin" is Sunfur at their best. It features a combination of both live and studio tracks that drip with passion and steam with energy. As Luna explains, "We as human beings have energy to share: that positive energy that helps others grow." This album is definitely "nutritious for the soul and tasty for the feet."
One particular experience with the band stands out in my memory as an accurate reflection of what the band is hoping to accomplish with their music and its message. It was at Burning Man '97, when I came to recognize the full possibilities of the the band. The stage was a simple A-frame design open to the sky and without a back wall, so you could see through it, and situated in the middle of a remote, Nevada dry lakebed. Lu and I had scouted out the stage earlier that day, and became excited at the thought of Sunfur playing in such a simple, yet perfect outdoor setting. He had that look in his eye that said 'things are going to get REAL heavy.' He was right.
It was hot, over 100 degrees for most of the weekend. Many of the people were walking around naked or painted or with some home-made piece of fabric wrapping their bodies. The sun was poised above the mountains scorching us with its last embrace, as the familiar rhythms of this band I had followed all over the West Coast of America began to fill the air. The rhythm and native chanting grew and multiplied enveloping all with in earshot. One of the most beautiful facets of the band is the fact that they take their time with an intro often disguising the rhythm of a song you've heard before, so it will be new to everyone. Finally, only as the drums reach their opening climax, I realize the song was "Comfort As One". They exploded into the song with single minded intent. "I'm waiting for the day/ When we can live OUR way/ Just you and I/ High"
Indeed we were spiritually high. The desert patrons became lost in the song; their feet now drums on Mother Earth pounding the dust into the air. This was ritual. Often when the band would play in clubs, I would imagine the people in an outdoor setting, free to dance in wide circles lungs taking in the fresh air. As they moved (a la the Grateful Dead) seemlessly between songs, the Sun dropped over the mountains to the West and began to fill the sky with the most amazing colors I have ever seen. As this radiant fur of the sky intensified, so did the music of Sunfur. When they finally concluded this musical adventure in the desert, there was little light left just that which one feels inside after a Sunfur show.
To learn more about the group and to taste Sunfur's sound for yourself visit the band's website www.sunfur.com
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