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Granby / Live Music: A random series of chords played in a random order

by Cyndi McCoycmccoy@grandcountynews.comGranby, Colorado

Fat Amber created a buzz this summer and is now making the rounds of the Grand County music scene with professional gigs. The band grabbed first place in August at the High Altitude Teen Battle of the Bands.Cowabunga, the band said of the honor, which they shared with the Neighborhood Heroes. The title left members feeling pretty good and the win encouraged them to take the band to the next level. Three of them are finishing school at Middle Park High School and are looking forward to even bigger and better things.The band had been playing its signature hypnotic grooves for two years. Its name was a toss-up between Metallic Thunder or Fat Amber.Bradley Hilton, nicknamed Sr. Bradley Fat Scott, plays rhythm guitar. He knew playing was what he wanted to do ever since going to hear his first live show. His inspiration comes from the vibes of Mother Nature, as well as human society, he said. He also pulls inspiration from Pink Floyd, Ween, Cake and Sound Tribe Sector 9.Brothers Caleb and Josh Jahn play lead/rhythm guitar and drums, respectively. Many different bands and musicians have influenced Caleb, a.k.a. C. Fat J. At the top are guitarists like Dean Ween and Jerry Garcia. But a lot of the music he plays he comes up with himself, a random series of chords played in a random order.Music has always been a part of Josh, Josh Fat Jazzy Jahn, but he said he never saw the band thing coming. He draws influence from as many live shows as he can attend and said he is inspired by good music and good times.Brett Daugherty, the bands bassist known as Guy Fat Chestington, got in on the jamming after friends Josh and Caleb acquired instruments. His brother ripped on the guitar so he too had wanted to master the instrument.As the foursome honed their talents they have shared the stage with the Peaceful Peaches, Conscious Koma, and the Vitamins. Their newest endeavor as Fat Amber has had a tremendous inspiration from band Ween, Daugherty said, whose music taught them to explore different sounds. Like Ween their style is somewhat experimental, what Caleb describes as kinda our own thing. With their individual passions and talents, Josh said they all stir the soup. Caleb said the band does what it can, and that they hope just to keep playin.Most of their songs are original compositions, except for the occasional cover, which they choose based on fans reactions. Shared favorites include My Barn and Jeffreys Bed. Some of Hiltons favorites, he adds, are the ones that end up playing me, long jams.A lot of their repertoire, Daugherty said, is made of a lot of crazy ideas that we somehow manage to piece together and create song. He suggests the audience get ready for a mind massage for the upcoming Willow Creek show. The performance, Hilton said, will be a good opportunity for everyone to come see what they are all about.Also scheduled this week as Willow Creek is Jamaican host DJ Social who is pulling together jams for a New Years Eve Par-Tee Dec. 31.


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