What set Laughing Stalk apart from the rest of the horn-driven bands that littered So Cal music scene in the 90's & forward?How about a truly original sound that embraces the best of classic funk,70's punk,80's power-pop,traditional ska and reggae,a twist of hip-hop,and a healthy dose of hardcore.Laughing Stalk serves up a tasty casserole of truly tasty music,from recipes written by madcap cooks who know their way around a deep phat fryer. Laughing Stalk is the brain-child of the bands dr...
What set Laughing Stalk apart from the rest of the horn-driven bands that littered So Cal music scene in the 90's & forward?How about a truly original sound that embraces the best of classic funk,70's punk,80's power-pop,traditional ska and reggae,a twist of hip-hop,and a healthy dose of hardcore.Laughing Stalk serves up a tasty casserole of truly tasty music,from recipes written by madcap cooks who know their way around a deep phat fryer. Laughing Stalk is the brain-child of the bands drummer, Ryan Calamusa.His dream of a Reggae/Hardcore/Funk/Soul band came true during the summer of 1993.The James Brown meets Korn grooves favored by Calamusa found a willing and able partner through the progressive rock influenced lines of bassist Geoff Culp. Completing the rhythm section, and pushing the sound in another direction, is guitarist Tom Dodd.The Laughing Stalk Guitar slinger favors licks which simultaneously refer to Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, and that guy in Tool.These three very distinct musicians serve as the funkified,grind-fest foundation for the rest of the mind-bending, booty-shakin' stew.An intregal part of the Laughing Stalk master plan is a horn section capable of quoting Tower of Power,Madness,70' cop shows, and Glenn Miller.The three Banditos de Funk: Roger Arretche,soulful & seductive trumpet God,Kevin Dempsey, valve trombone wrangler & rap master,and Chris Pellitteri, slippery smooth slidin' trombone sounds, craft the twisted and tawdry horn lines which weave a web of wonder through each song.Yep, that's three wind bags in the horn section and it sure sounds sweet! Finally darting in, out, over, around, and through the delightful din is the rapping,wailing,and crooning of laughing Stalks front man,Doug Hamel.His lyric content and melodic imagination flip-flop between Dr. Seuss and Dr.Dre.You want original?Diabolical Doug has enough character in his vocal stylings to fill a milk crate full of comic books.From sweet soul to bone-jarring rap,doug is the sonis equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife. The Laughing Stalk sound is intriguing at worst and positively mystifying at best.Fans of raggae, funk, and hardcore will all find something to recognize within the Laughing Stalk stable of hits.Laughing Stalk LIVE is a sight to be seen.Energy out the wazoo,talent at their instruments, and legit,solid songwriting.the band has been paired (and compared) with ska outfits,hardcore thrashers,heavy shredders,alternative groups, punkers, and even blues bands.Their original songs continue to surprise and delight all who can survive witnessing the mayhem. They draw you in with a R&B ballad,pump you up with a taste of shimmering, horn heavy pop candy,incite dance floor riots with a snappy ska number, then slam you with a mind-bending hardcore/psychedelic head spinner. As Laughing Stalk enters it's 16th year and after taking a much needed break.The boys have stepped back into the kitchen to start up the ovens and cook up some more of their tasty dishes.All we can say, is stay tuned for fun filled "E" ticket ride!!
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