When the Red Stick needs some funk, Chelsea’s delivers. Time and again, the State Street mainstay proves its dedication to slinky music. Whether it’s hosting George Porter and his Pardners or Papa Grows Funk, Chelsea’s makes an effort to stay in the groove. This week is no exception.
The Brides of Jesus take the stage tonight to unleash a few hours of their finest funky rock. New Yorker Bill Iuso always maintained leadership of the Brides, but the rest of the lineup has been as fluid as a soap opera cast. The Brides’ current ensemble, however, may be its best to date.
Iuso, a close affiliate of the Neville syndicate in New Orleans, assembled a motley crew of Big Easy regulars for the current tour. Piano troubadour Chris “The Reverend” Marsceill, formerly of Juice and SubStream, handles keyboards while Jamal Batiste, the younger brother of Russel “God” Batiste from jam all-stars Vida Blue, maintains the syncopated beat on drums. Ian Neville, a regular with the Funky Meters and Ivan Neville, contributes on guitar and Nori Naraoka holds down the bass. According to Iuso, tonight’s lineup will also include Douglas “DJ Klenkut” Quaid on turntables and backing vocals.
In their various incarnations, The Brides of Jesus logged more than 600 performances in the 1990s, including opening gigs for the Dave Matthews Band, George Clinton and P-Funk, George Porter, Jr., and the Funky Meters. Leo Nocentelli, the original Meters guitarist and prototype for all funk guitar since, recruited the Brides as his backing group for a tour in the ’90s. Dave Matthews called them “one of the few opening bands I actually remember.”
Although the Brides established a solid reputation since its inception in 1992, Iuso isn’t afraid to take musical chances with the group. That’s why he called on DJ Klenkut to enhance the group’s sound with his turntables.
“If you told me 10 years ago I’d have a DJ playing in this band, I’d say ‘Yeah right,'” Iuso said.
Times change and so have the Brides. Iuso, 33, is the band’s oldest member by seven years, and he’s excited about the fresh blood.
“It’s cool because they put a new energy on it,” he said. “I’ve been working for Ian [Neville]’s dad [Art Neville] for years and it’s good to be able to get him into it.”
Ian Neville described the Brides’ sound, saying “It’s some funk and stuff. There’s some drum and bass sounding stuff. We do a cover of Led Zeppelin’s ‘All of My Love’ and the Who song ‘Eminence Front.'”
Whatever tonight’s show offers, the Brides promise a fun set of familiar tunes with a local twist. The band will perform also original music from their recent album, “Saints and Sinners,” which won praise from New Orleans-based Offbeat Magazine who described Iuso as “in monster form.”
Who knows what the band will have up their sleeve tonight. To check out the Brides of Jesus online, visit www.bridesfunk.com.