by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
The Boxrockers came together as soul survivors to create postmodern music that crosses over into blues, rock, pop, and bluegrass. Founded by John Kevin King ten years ago, this nouveau soul band now includes King on slide, rhythm, lead guitar, and lead vocals, Matthew Wayne Lawson on bass and vocals, Chris Washington on drums and vocals, Jim Syfrett on keyboards and vocals, with Gregory Lyons on guitar and vocals. Since King played an old box guitar in a previous solo act, he named the band Boxrockers.
The band’s trademark is King’s soulful singing and talent at composing hook heavy songs that appeal to a diverse audience and crossover into all age groups. The band has recently shared the stage with Buddy Miles, the late great Vassar Clements, Mark Van Allen, Kofi Burbridge, Steve Warren, Mark McKnight, Van Battle, Dennis Marion, and the Reverend Jeff Mosier. The Boxrockers stunning debut CD, Dance Around It is a seminal accomplishment, with 16 songs that showcase the band’s diversity, musicianship, and tightness.
Last Saturday night, I caught the Boxrockers live at The Dive Bar (formerly Eclate) where the B-lads delivered a smoking live sound in this hip club, which ironically, is not a dive. As the Boxrockers cooked up a gumbo of spicy grooves, excitement reached a fever pitch when actor-turned-singer, John Corbett, (Sex in The City, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) who had performed at the Fair that evening, walked into the club with his band members. Corbett is tall with a charismatic movie star demeanor. The club patrons were cool about his visit. He was gracious and allowed a few women to have their picture taken with him. Then everyone left him alone. He seemed to dig the band and the laid-back atmosphere of the club.
As for actors turned singers, well let’s face it, actors make a lot of money and have free time on their hands. For them, starting a band is a side project when they are not working at their day job–acting. Real musical stars don’t consider them a threat–just an annoyance. Of course, they finance the whole endeavor with their own money to live out their rock star fantasies. When they find out how difficult it is to tour all the time, they’re glad to get back to acting.
In contrast, the Boxrockers’ bunch is the real deal–a dedicated and experienced ensemble of serious musicians with a hit songwriter–John Kevin King. Listening to the Boxrockers CD, Dance Around It, I was struck by how the group has homogenized its influences into an original sound. Sure, I could hear many different genres in the music, but the album makes a fiercely original statement, presenting the group in the best possible light. More significantly, the Boxrockers deliver the same sound live as on the CD, which is a pertinent example of the band’s truth in marketing its product.
During the Boxrocker’s live show at The Dive Bar, they played a combination of cover and original songs, which is an acceptable compromise to keep working in the region. Fortunately for this group, their originals sound like established hits so the songs blend into the repertoire seamlessly. The crowd at The Dive Bar were definitely digging the music. A covey of young ladies dressed in tight jeans were shaking their booty, which is a good sign the music is hot.
With Mark’s and TSI just down the street, The Dive Bar is part of a new hip scene on Bay Street. There were actually people on the streets like in a real city. Despite the overwrought hype by real estate speculators and entertainment promoters, downtown is slowly developing a modest nightlife scene. The Dive Bar is a big improvement from its last incarnation.
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