The stoop is where it started and your rump is where it ends. That’s Cadillac Jones for you. For over 10 years, this band has been the main staple of the Atlanta funk scene. Standing on the shoulders of giants like Herbie Hancock, the Crusaders and John Coltrane, Cadillac Jones’ sound is one part jazz, one part funk, and three sheets to the wind. The Band combines driving rhythms, tight melodies and improvisational jams to create a sound that grinds the hips and tickles the mind. They joined us for our 5GB series before their show on Saturday at The Earl
What was the first gig you ever attended?
My first concert was Styx at the Hartford Coliseum in 1983. They were supporting their album Kilroy Was Here. Remember the song “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto? Yeah, that one….I was 15 years old and LOVED IT!
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
Cadillac Jones opened up for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the legendary but now defunct Echo Lounge back in 2004. I was a huge fan of the band, and was thrilled to knock back straight scotch with Ms. Jones prior to our set. Up until then I wasn’t sure how many folks in Atlanta paid attention to the funk/soul genre – but the place was packed on a Tuesday night. Great night of funk music!
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
That’s a hard one, there have been so many, but I would say for pure excitement and high energy, it would be Primus at the Paradise Club in Boston, circa 1990. I had no idea the bass could be played so percussively [Side note: I’m the bass player for CJ] Smashing Pumpkins at the Point playing the entire Siamese Dream album live for the first time a few years later was a very close second. They recorded the album here in Atlanta, and seemed pretty excited to play it in front of a tightly packed, and very smoky, room of drunken rockers.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
Realistically? I love the Budos Band out of Brooklyn, and they are playing the Bear Creek Festival in Live Oak, Florida this November, as is Cadillac Jones. http://bearcreekmusicfestival.com/ We’d love to open up for them. Pure fantasy? Opening for The Beastie Boys.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I can’t say enough about our current line up (Gary Kurz, Robbie Nelson, Chris Case, Will Scruggs, Jonathan Lloyd, Norm Ficke, and Travis Cottle) so it would be a dream come true if they would all show up on time and help load the equipment! Since that’s not likely to happen, it would be really cool to hand the bass over to George Porter, Jr. and see what magic he’d mix up with Cadillac Jones. That would be some good schoolin’!
Catch Cadillac Jones, Saturday, June 2nd at The Earl
