Formed in 2003, Dumpstaphunk was initially assembled by keyboardist Ivan Neville on a whim, to perform a solo slot at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Ivan tastefully selected the unique double-bass attack of both Nick Daniels and Tony Hall on bass, enlisted his own bloodlines for the scorching guitar rhythms of cousin, Ian Neville, and most recently, added the newest member to the group, heavy-hitting female protégé Nikki Glaspie on drums, replacing original powerhouse Raymond Weber. The project has since grown from a chance side-project into what is now widely considered to be one of New Orleans' most prestigious modern funk ensembles. An offspring with a direct lineage to their fathers in The Meters and The Neville Brothers, Dumpstaphunk is a recipe for creating a new standard for an entire genre.

Dumpstaphunk's musicians have shared the stage with many legendary figures. Ivan and Ian‚ the sons of Neville Brothers Aaron and Art Neville respectively‚ seem to play their instruments flawlessly, and the dirty funk resonates organically from their souls as the offspring and kin of the legendary New Orleans Neville Brothers family. A conservative sample of the impressive list of bands Ivan has either recorded or performed with includes The Rolling Stones‚ Bonnie Raitt‚ The Neville Brothers, Gov't Mule‚ John Mayer, Keith Richards and The X-pensive Winos, to name a few. Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews have both tapped bassist extraordinaire Tony Hall for their own official side projects, and Nick Daniels, who supplements the bottom as one of two bass players in the band, boasts an impressive list of colleagues including Etta James and Boz Scaggs. Guitarist, Ian Neville has played with the likes of Funky Meters, Lettuce & Dr. Klaw with Eric Krasno of Soulive, and recently sitting in and adding some flavor to the Southern Cali reggae fusion of Slightly Stoopid. Nikki Glaspie, Dumpsta's newest addition, has performed with Beyoncé, Cee Lo Green, Me'Shell Ndgeocello, Vernon Reid, Maceo of De La Soul, Vernon Reid of Living Colour, and numerous Jazzfest cameos with Meters bassist George Porter Jr., Karl Denson and Soulive.

Dumpstaphunk's latest 10 song self-released LP, Everybody Want Sum (2010) contains original material including the single "Oughta Know Better" (co-penned by Allman Brothers/Govt. Mule's Warren Haynes), and a more obscure cover of Meter's drummer Zigaboo Modeliste's composition "Standin In Your Stuff". The band's first EP, Listen Hear was also self-released in 2007. Both albums were recorded at New Orleans' infamous Music Shed Studios in New Orleans, LA and have received outstanding praise from key music tastemakers like Relix Magazine, Off Beat Magazine and Jambase; to name a few.

Not uncommon to the festival and live touring circuit, Dumpstaphunk has unleashed notable performances at some of the nation's largest music extravaganzas including Bonnaroo, VoodooFest, 10,000 Lakes, New Orleans Jazzfest 2005-2011, Bear Creek, Wanee, High Sierra, All Good, JamCruise 2011, Gathering of the Vibes, Ottawa Blues Festival, Dave Matthews Band Caravan and Monterey Jazz Festival. They have recently supported everyone from Widespread Panic and Slightly Stoopid to Galactic and String Cheese Incident, not to mention sit-ins with Derek Trucks, Mike Gordon from Phish and Warren Haynes, which only begin to scratch the surface.

Moving forward in 2011, the band continues to develop its sound and further push the envelope within a progressive funk sound that has arguably become the most defining in the modern genre from New Orleans. The band continues to receive accolades and awards such as "New Orleans Best Funk Band" by Offbeat Magazine and Gambit Weekly in 2007 and 2009. They also took home the trophy for Best Funk Award at the 2010 Big Easy Awards. For more information, visit www.dumpstaphunk.com

If you have yet to encounter the Brooklyn-based band, The Pimps of Joytime, prepare to take a funky ride! The PJT’s live events and recordings have captivated fans all across the country, as they have begun writing their own success story, show-by-show, and track-by-track.

Bandleader Brian J is a charismatic and soulful visionary, whose well-crafted songs invite the listener to enter a world of infectious dance grooves and indelible melodies. Spending formative years in New York City, New Orleans and Los Angeles, Mista J honed his craft, becoming an accomplished live performer, multi-instrumentalist and producer.

In 2005, Brian began to assemble a group of righteously soulful vocalists and musicians to assist in bringing to life the musical concept that would become The Pimps of Joytime. The band’s diverse sound and spirited attitude is strongly influenced by the Brooklyn DJ culture and live music scene from which they emerge. Recent collaborations with legendary artists Cyril and Art Neville of the Neville Brothers and Roy Ayers have helped vitalize the band’s connection to its roots.

Over the course of the past five years, The Pimps have evolved into a road tested and audience approved groove machine. They have excited crowds at over 100 club dates and festivals in 2012 alone, and are on target to exceed that volume in 2013. The exponential growth of the band’s fan base can be partially attributed to an artful blend of musical styles, including elements of afro-beat, salsa, rock & roll and electronica. Brian J’s classic songwriting and the band’s undeniable swagger on stage consistently energize dance parties wherever they appear.

In 2011, The Pimps of Joytime released their second studio album, “Janxta Funk!” through the boutique label Wonderwheel Recordings. With a steadily increasing repertoire and a passionate following of music lovers nationwide, the time was right to fortify their organization. The wall of their Facebook page is constantly receiving enthusiastic posts from fans from around the globe as word of mouth further carries news of this fresh new arrival.

The Pimps of Joytime are poised to bring their audacious sound to savvy audiences around the planet. Their forthcoming third studio album coming this fall will be a new chapter in the book of the Funk and a testament to the fact that real music is alive and kicking!

# Gripweed is rambling, rolling, grooving, good times music. Their songs roll like the hills of the Midwest. They groove & climb like the Rocky Mountains where they are created, and they ramble like Ole Miss herself. In a word Gripweed's music is America in all it's wild glory. Underneath the depression in these hard times, underneath the bullet fast lifestyles we live today there is still an America that is real and free, that is calling us all back to live more simply and to care enough to bring others along with us on that journey. It's time for a REVIVAL and Musketeer Gripweed will make you TESTIFY!" Jon Jordan-NADY Press " Jon Jordan - Nady Press
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Members
5 brothas, friends, and music makers..... Ben-Bass Fishing, Bottom end, 5 Strings, dogs, find' yo ass! Ehren-Guitars, Pedals, Singin', Slide, that amp thingy with the touchy buttons Brian and Stu-skins, beats, word Matt Goldberg-keys, funk, piano, talent, greens! Jason-acoustic, dobro, slide, harp, soul singin' percussion, lyrics, positivityPeace Gripweed-family band, family vibes, no attitude, rants, raves, conquest of the empire, MUCH RESPECT, MUCH MUSIC! .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....
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Influences
The band, Dylan, Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy, Allman Brothers, Jon Lennon, Beatles, Ben Harper, Otis Redding, Black Crowes, many, many more!
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Sounds Like
Look, we make original music from the heart. We out everything into our music, and as people, on a basic level, we are more driven to be friends that sell ourselves to the music industry. We have patience, mindfulness, and we care about each other and the people that enjoy our music. Musketeer Gripweed is unlike any other band, because our friendships and fun are the most important things we seek.....and the music happens because of this.....but here's more fo' ya iffin' ya want! Peace!.

Billy Franklin is a New Orleans native and has won 7 Best of New Orleans Awards since 2006. Since Katrina he has played hundreds of shows in Colorado both as a leader and sideman. Smoke N Bones is a collective of Franklin's favorite New Orleans musicians and features some of the best talent out of the Big Easy. The group plays original New Orleans Funk, Soul, and World music. Musicians in Smoke N Bones have also played with (or currently play with) Karl Denson, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Bill Summers, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Eric Lindell, Kirk Joseph, Johnny Sketch, the Marsalis family and many others.

Billy Franklin - Gutar, Vocals (E.O.E, NOLA Live)

Doug Dietrich - Bass (Karl Denson, Big Sams Funky Nation)

Eduardo Tozzatto - Keys, Vocals (Bill Summers, Trombone Shorty)

Michael Jenner - Sax (Eric Lindell, Tab Benoit, Johnny Sketch)

Kyle Sharamitaro - Drums, Vocals (Kirk Joseph, Bonerama)