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very own MySpace LayoutsY is a band that could be described as soulful, aggressive rock which defies categorization. Its blend of strong songwriting with a raw, diverse ethnic groove has molded this trio into one of the most energetic showcases to be seen and heard in South Florida during the mid to late nineties.
Y is based in South Florida and has been performing since August of 1995. Sine their first show at the Chili Pepper on South Beach, they have played to capacity crowds at such clubs as the South Beach Pub, Respectable Street Café, Cheers, Churchills, and landed a job as the house band at Roses Music Bar and Lounge for 2 months.
Y was formed in May of 1995 by Jamaican born singer/songwriter Matthew Shippey. At 21 years of age, Matt had written over 80 songs and had been playing in the Miami local scene with different groups such as The Groovy Stone Puppies, Eclips, and 52 DSL since the age of 15. After winning the songwriting award for the Hurricane Andrew Relief competition, he divorced himself from the music scene for a year, during which time he put his material down on a beat-up four track machine. With the rough demo he picked up the interest of Ars Nova Management Group, which provided him with the opportunity to dedicate himself completely to his music.
In 1995 he was invited to play at the Alachua Music Harvest in Gainesville which consisted of bands such as Widespread Panic, Joan Osborne, and George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars.
Matt took up on the chance to work with guitarist Charlie Rivera whom he had known for over five years. At 25 years of age Charlie had won the 44th annual BMI Student Composer Award, worked as a studio musician for Emilio Estefan, performed with Grammy Award winning jazz trumpet soloist Arturo Sandoval, and earned a top prize at the national level in classical guitar. Charlie brought his classical guitar influence to the band and it turned out to be a harmonious combination.
Inevitably, along came Sean Bauzay. Having known Matt since high school and also having previously worked with Matt in Groovy Stone Puppies, Sean had acquired Matts songwriting style and flawlessly enhanced the percussive address of Ys music. At 23 years of age, Sean, a veteran of the Miami local music scene, had also played with the notorious act, Holy Frijolees, local Argentinan rockers, Tereso , and also was section leader of the University of Miami Band of the Hours multi-tenor section of the drumline for four years (1991-1995). His technical skills and ability to improvise helped Y define their sound.
Y released their first CD entitled Radio Smoke Box in the Summer of 1996. Produced by Sebastian Krys, Radio Smoke Box captures the relentless energy and insistent charge given out in Ys live appearances. The album enjoyed much local success but shortly after the album was released the band broke up. Charlie went on to pursue a career in classical guitar and music composition at the University of Southern California. The band decided that although a great guitarrist was lost; we had to find a replacement and keep going.
Enter Danny Tito. Having been band mates with Sean in Holy Frijolees and also bringing in a harder, grungier, and edgier sound on the guitar, Y decided to continue on and try things out with Danny. Danny is heavily influenced by the likes of Dave Navarro and Larry LaLonde of Primus. He likes to shred as well as try strange sounds. The new addition proved successful and Y, now with a tougher guitar sound was sounding much different than before. Y still played the songs Charlie was involved in but also added a whole new set of songs to their set list.
In 1999 Y went into the studio with the new lineup to record the follow-up to their debut album entitled Westchester. But after recording almost the entire album, the band had to put the project on hold due to lack of funds and managerial support.
After the flawed attempt at releasing a second album in 1999, Y went their separate ways and left the unfinished second album on the shelves of a recording studio in North Miami. From 1999-2004 the reels of the mostly recorded second album just sat collecting dust at that studio. By 2004 Matt had already gotten married, had two kids, his own home, and a full time job. Danny and Sean have gone on to play in several top 40 rock cover bands in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area and the realization of the second Y album was as close as ever to not happening.
In late 2004 Sean finally convinced Matt to pick up the reels at the studio. The reels were saved and dumped into pro-tools. Now, 6 years later, we're adding the finishing touches to "Westchester"; Y's sophomore effort. We expect to have it mixed and mastered sometime in 2006 so stay tuned!!...
REVIEW OF RADIO SMOKE BOX IN THE MIAMI NEW TIMES: "Simple: This debut CD is solidly produced, well-played, and packed with the songs that make Y a top-level South Florida band, a real nice package. But comparing it to the trios live shows is like comparing a stroll in the park to a trip through Paris with Dodi and Di. The explosions, sonic peaks and valleys, moments of overwhelming power dare I, catharsis? become on this CD, little more than pleasant listening.
This is not to say Radio Smoke Box goes up in flames, only that Y is so massive live that the studio version pales. The record sounds like stuff youd hear on ZETA-4 (no, not the commercials). Its rock full of tasty technique and enough chops to fell a redwood, but theres no blood spilled and no ledges leapt from.
Part of the problem is that singer/bassist Matthew Shippey has not matured enough as a songwriter to wrench guts with words alone, even though the power of his voice is undeniable. His pipes are squandered by the overproduction of Sebastian Krys slick as wet terrazzo, smooth as frozen yogurt. (Tracks were laid at places like Crescent Moon and Criteria.) This record might win a grammy, but for those of us whove seen Y live, its like slow dancing with a pretty girl who never takes her clothes off. A prime example: Fysh. On disc this hilarious pile driver of an anthem has la-las and sitar and sounds like a happy pop-metal band trying not to miss a note. On-stage, Fysh borders on sexual assault.
So were left with a record of Hootie meets name-some-Seventies FM band. For their ages and experience (young and not that much), Shippey, guitarist Charlie Rivera, and drummer Sean Bauzay are among the most talented and tasteful musicians working this market. Radio Smoke Box is one of the most well-crafted recordings released by a local artist this year, and it affirms Ys show at the big leagues. All well and good. But to see why Y deserves superstardom, catch the trio in concertbefore they win their first Grammy. Greg Baker"; REVIEW OF RADIO SMOKE BOX ON JAM MAGAZINE: "4 ½ stars out of 5...
It only takes a few short bars of the opening Why to realize that this Coral Gables trio is boiling with ideas, surpassing the majority of power trio emissions. Unsatisfied to mimic the specter of Nirvana, Y grab at so many effective elements drawing a musical continuity between Kings X, Tool, and even jazzbo John Abercrombie among influences to shape their own original, viable twist on the inexplicable hard rock thing.
Wholly unpredictable, Y rage when confronted, then thoughtfully reflect on the music that does click, quickly torch the filler, and then leave town. This band snatches the pebble from the palm with such ease that pinning them to a specific genre would probably be considered as this bands biggest failure.Is it too early to vote for album of the year?"
(all photos by Carla Hoade)
