DUMPSTAPHUNK wsg Big Blitz

Dumpstaphunk stands out among New Orleans' best as one of the funkiest bands to ever arise from the Crescent City. Born on the Jazz & Heritage Festival stage, and descended from Neville family bloodlines, these soldiers of funk ignite a deep, gritty groove that dares listeners not to move. Their performances combine ingenious musicianship and complex funk and jazz arrangements with soulful melodies that are simple enough for anyone to enjoy. In Big Easy tradition, dueling baselines from Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III set off one of the dirtiest rhythm sections on the planet, while Ivan Neville lights up the Hammond B3 keys and cousin Ian Neville's funky guitar riffs send the groove into overdrive. The band recently welcomed their newest member, Alvin Ford Jr. to the quintet, a New Orleans born and raised powerhouse drummer. Dumpstaphunk tosses around lead vocals and four-part harmonies the way Sly & the Family Stone did, but with three studio albums under their belt, Dumpstaphunk stands on the merit of their own material. Songs like "Dancin' To The Truth" off their latest record, Dirty Word (July 30, 2013, Louisiana Red Hot Records), offer an escape into the funky sublime, sharing the true spirit of New Orleans with every note. "I don't expect to hear anything funkier this year." - Jon Pareles, New York Times "[A] jackpot of a funk record from Dumpstaphunk." - WNYC "Dumpstaphunk's self-produced sonic approach feels live, nasty, and greasy. The band's writing celebrates community, self-reliance, and social responsibility." - iTunes "Dumpstaphunk's 'If I'm In Luck' brings the bass... boasts a fiery lead vocal from drummer Nikki Glaspie" - USA Today "Funksters and those who relish solid musicianship and incredible vocal harmonies can just be glad that an album like Dirty Word is still being made -- that the 'one nation under a groove' remains vital. It's a head noddin,' booty shakin' disc..." - Louisiana Weekly "If Dumpstaphunk was a 3 course meal it would start with a juicy rhythm section, then move on to a beautiful arrangement of guitars and keys, seasoned with some soulful vocals and add a pinch of Cosmic Slop for good measure." - Austin Chronicle "Dirty Word offers a remarkably fresh update on a sometimes neglected genre." - Mix Magazine "[Dirty Word] stands on its own as the harbinger of a new style of 21st century funk." - The Vinyl District "Dumpstaphunk has grown from a small side project into one of New Orleans' most prestigious modern funk ensembles." - Rolling Stone

Big Blitz is a Pittsburgh based band that was born from the sounds of dance, rock, and jazz improvisation. This trio is comprised of Lucas Ciesielski (tenor and bari sax), Nick Grabigel (drums) and Mason Ciesielski (tenor sax). They are inspired by the sounds of saxophone and percussion-based bands known to busk in the subway stations of New York City. The band writes and performs their own, original tunes, which contain a spacious, powerful, hip sound. Whether plugged in or acoustic, Big Blitz delivers a high energy performance that funkies with your brain and flows down to your feet.