FUTURE SHOCK electrocutes the Jazzhaus with Rocket Science + Previews

The Floozies' side-project, FUTURE SHOCK, gave the Jazzhaus the most intense show in months. The small venue has never been so packed with so many party people getting down to a fantastic set of funk. The crowd was so big that dancers were filling the walkways between tables leading up to the dance floor. The porch was overflowing with smokers, and the bar was swamped with people trying to get a drink. All for good reason, this show was too epic to miss.

The night started at 10 p.m. when Rocket Science opened up with a variety of remixes of some top dance tunes. The dynamic duo puts out great electronic beats, with bass-heavy mixes on the synthesizer and dancing rhythms from the drums. The crowd hadn't entirely shown up to appreciate the music yet, but it was a chill atmosphere for the people who were already hanging out.

The bar had filled up considerably by the time Matt and Mark Hill, the brothers who are The Floozies took the stage with the other members of FUTURE SHOCK, - Pat Adams on a second set of drums, Chris Shaw on bass and the legendary Gravy playing saxophone and keys. Everyone already familiar with this funky tribute to Herbie Hancock was pumped to hear more.

Before the first set was finished the dance floor was jammed with party animals getting groovy. The people hanging out were all so friendly and cool, it was a party of good vibes all around. The band has an impressive list of funky tunes that go smoothly from one to the next. Their songs have a familiar, well-practiced feel to them, like you're listening to an album of quintessential soulful funk. The party didn't stop until last call, and even then there were after-parties to keep raging at.

Between the great bands putting out awesome tunes, and the lovely, happy crowd, this was one of the best nights at the Jazzhaus in recent history. Don't miss FUTURE SHOCK next time!

Now For Previews:

Tonight Rocket Science is playing again, this time at the Bottleneck, opening for J. Wail. The one-man-act of J. Wail sounds like funky club music to create a scene rarely found in Kansas. J. Wail is stopping in Lawrence on his way from his home in Denver, Colorado to tour the east coast. This electronic show is sure to be a good time, so be there or be square.

Tuesday, the 13th, Minus the Bear, one of the best bands indie rock as to offer, will be at the Granada at 9 p.m. for $16-18 according to Lawrence.com. Listening to their album, these guys have a funky, experimental edge to their rock that makes it catchy and different, in a good way. This progressive indie rock group from Seattle is a rising star in the music scene, so it might be exciting to be able to say you saw them live, before they make it big and tickets start costing an arm and a leg.

Friday the 16th, Mouth will be playing at the Jazzhaus with Slippy Larue. Mouth always plays a great show, and the Jazzhaus is one of their favorite venues. This is a good time guaranteed.

Galactic funks up the Granada, while The Floozies and Future Shock jam at the Jazzhaus

My friday was long and crazy. After a full day at work, I visited some friends who live around the corner from the Granada, where Galactic was playing that night.
I arrived too late for the opener: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, but I heard they were awesome.
Galactic took some time to get their sound checked, and to get out and play. BUT, once they were playing they raged it hard, and never slowed down.

The jazz-rock-jam band has a skilled drummer that keeps beats hot and dance-able, the guitarist has so many riffs and sick jams I could hardly believe it. Then there's the saxophone, which gives the band a special sound, like a particular, delicious flavor, that you just can't find in any other band.
For the performance in Lawrence there was also a Trombone playing rapper from New Orleans. I'm having trouble finding out who he is, but he led the band through the majority of their songs with limitless energy.
At one point not long into the band's set, the Trombone player climbed off the stage while still playing his trombone, walked across the venue, and climbed up onto one of the bars (The Granada boasts 4 bars during huge shows, with their main bar supported by bars on either side of the wide, open venue, and a bar on the upstairs balcony), and he just kept playing. It was insane.
The band's songs went through heavy grooves, funky melodies, and changed through a variety of sounds, from heavy, Rage Against The Machine rocking, to jazzy Miles Davis-esque solos, to party-style Rapping with the Trombone player leading the crowd; "Everybody say hell yeah!" and the crowd would roar back "Hell Yeah!"
The music went on forever, but when the band finished their encore at 1:30, my friends' show at the Jazzhaus was still going.

The vast majority of my friends were at Galactic, and out of all of them, I'd say about 80% came along to the Jazzhaus for the "aftershow".
I heard Future Shock was playing at the Jazzhaus, but I believe when I arrived they had traded some band members, so a few members of the Floozies were joined in. My friends from the Floozies played fantastically and the show was the perfect follow-up to Galactic's set.
Everyone used their second-wind or just kept the momentum from Galactic until The Jazzhaus was throwing us out.

Leaving the parking garage to go home, some friends pulled up next to me, telling me where the after-afterparty was. I went along and had a great time, playing bass, and meeting a few new people, while chilling with some friends I don't see enough.

The next night was almost as wild, and certainly more exhausting...