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Trick Bag

About Me


It's always been about the groove, the pocket. You know it, and this quartet knows it. In fact, they've all known it for a long time, even while cutting their teeth working with various ensembles, some of them excellent, some not so good. It's all part of the growth experience, no regrets. Among the better gigs for these four have been the Boston Horns, Porch Rockers, Soul Inspiration, Chubby Checker and Frankie Avalon, Vital Functions, Dr. Awkward, as well as a few Broadway and off-Broadway shows along the way.
Who knows what it takes to bring creative minds together in the right formation? A culmination of influences and experiences, a gelling of attitudes, personality types, a mutual love for the music of New Orleans (and specifically of the New Orleans-born funk pioneers The Meters), an unspoken collective realization that it's all about the groove, the pocket. Immediately upon playing together, it was apparent that this project would be more than a rambling jam band, and far more than just the sum of it's parts. The time had come to cancel any other prospective auditionees, time to put the ear to the ground, and start playing the rhythms and harmonies of the people. Get back to people's basic human desire to feel the rhythm, to sing along with the band, to shake their asses, and get it in their souls.
Far from "a Meters cover band", this group consists of four unique individuals: Mark, Mike , Russ, and Mike. (Upon hearing Russ' playing, the other three waived the unspoken prerequisite that all band members have a name that starts with "M"...) Each of these members brings to the table his own unique interpretation of the New Orleans style of funk that the group focuses on. There are Meters tunes, as well as other staples of the New Orleans sound, along with a peppering of originals that echo the feel-good, tight-yet-loose grooves, and the overall improvisation. Some jazz influence here, some African influence there, a little Miles Davis mixed with some Stevie Wonder, maybe with a little bit of Maceo Parker sitting in with Sly & The Family Stone added to the mix. Would Coltrane approve? How would Frank Zappa feel about it? Would this pass the James Brown test? Mark, Mike, Russ, and Mike, collectively known as Trick Bag would like to think so. It is all about the groove, right?
Living for the groove, giving it up for the pocket. This is the real thing, because, you know, these guys really give a funk about the music. How about you? ..Join the mailing list
Trick Bag
Email Address:

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 22/08/2006
Band Website: http://trickbagmusic.com
Band Members: Mike Crutcher - Guitar, vocals
Mark Longo - Keyboards, vocals
Mike "Squid" Rush - Bass
Russ Lane - Drums
Additional members: Brad Kohl - Woodwinds
Mike Farias - Percussion
Influences: The Meters , Miles Davis , Stevie Wonder , Maceo Parker , Sly & The Family Stone , John Coltrane , Frank Zappa , James Brown , Robben Ford , Larry Carlton , Neville Bros. , Soulive , Brian Stoltz , Grant Green , Sonny Rollins , B.B. King , Kenny Burrell , Jimi Hendrix .

Sounds Like: The Meters
For Booking purposes, please download and print Trick Bag's Poster , Stage Plot , One Sheet , & 8x10 photo . Please feel free to send a message through this MySpace account, by e-mailing [email protected] , or by contacting us via our Contact Form by clicking here.
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Record Label: Flaming Horseteeth
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Surf For Local Music Ezine

http://eccentricnewengland.com/sflmezine/Surf For Local Music Ezine Shared via AddThis Review and pics from recent Gilrein's gig. Go Worcester!
Posted by on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:25:00 GMT

Funk and BBQ in the new year, with Trick Bag and Jake's Dixie Roadhouse!

...
Posted by on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:17:00 GMT

One week only! Trick Bag's "Black Friday" sale!

Well, who wants to deal with only one hectic day, anyway? Take the week, relax, order your half off discounted copies of Hip Shot online. I mean, we understand the whole economy thing is bringing Chri...
Posted by on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:39:00 GMT

Trick Bag at Lowell's newest live music venue, Garcia Brogan's!

It's all about the groove with Trick Bag at Lowell's newest eatery and nightspot, Garcia Brogan's!
Posted by on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Finest Funk from the Delta, played by Trick Bag! at the Hynes Tavern!

Trick Bag brings their own blend of New Orleans-inspired funk and soul music to the funkiest little unknown bar on the East coast! First time at the Hynes Tavern, so come on out and support live musi...
Posted by on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:28:00 GMT

Grooving at the Edgewater in Salem, MA

You definitely want to be checking this gig out...
Posted by on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:41:00 GMT

Check out this event: Special night of music! Trick Bag and Cu-Bop!

http://boston.going.com/event-616786;Special_night...
Posted by on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:27:00 GMT

Please RSVP to my event: Free show! Groove and funk with Trick Bag!

http://boston.going.com/event-616596;Free_show_Gro...
Posted by on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:25:00 GMT

Funko de Mayo, with Trick Bag and Jake's Dixie Roadhouse!

Off-da-hook funk and groove, teamed with Waltham's finest BBQ joint and entertainment, will be touching base this Saturday at Jake's Dixie Roadhouse, featuring New England's finest New Orleans-style f...
Posted by on Thu, 07 May 2009 19:31:00 GMT

Check out this event: Sick of this snow? Trick Bag teams up with Jake's to celebrate life and love in the springtime...

Hosted By:Trick BagWhen:Saturday, March 21, 2009Where:Jake's Dixie Roadhouse220 Moody StreetWaltham02453Description:Yes, spring is here, and we're looking forward to the end of snow and cold, with the...
Posted by on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT