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Live recording captures ‘funky fire’ of On the One

by Cyndi McCoy
cmccoy@grandcountynews.com
Fraser, Colorado

To record its latest album, On the One headed north to a small studio in Victor, Idaho – just over the pass from Jackson, Wyo.

The new album, “The Throwndown Live,” is On the One’s second live collection and will be released this month. Information on where to get the CD is available online at the band’s MySpace page.

Among the tracks are the sounds of Andy Irvine (bass), Jesse Molloy (alto and tenor saxophones), teacher and composer Pete Lombardo (guitar) and “drum king” John Staten. Irvine lives in the Fraser Valley and the rest of the band is based out of San Diego, Calif.



Irvine said the work captures “pure energy” and the “accurate representation” of the band’s lineup.

“What you hear on the CD is what we bring every night on tour,” he said. The band is constantly evolving, creating a variety of songs. “We do what we do because we love the music, the challenge, and the personal rewards.”



The songs are new, save for one from first studio album “Love Addiction.” Songs were recorded live from performances at the Knotty Pine and at the Summer Meltdown music festival. Irvine describes it as “a very punchy and tight recording” which “nails the attitude and delivery” they strive to bring to the stage ” “the Funky Fire, we call it,” Irvine said.

The band loves to record at the Knotty Pine, with its well-equipped, comfortable stage, and members and Knotty Pine owner Brice Nelson “go way back,” Irvine said.

The collection draws listeners in with “The Teacher,” a full band writing collaboration. Molloy said the song is dedicated to Maceo Parker, one of his favorite saxophone players who played with James Brown and currently plays with Prince. The band’s name, he explained, comes from those two legends who call out “band on the one” when it’s time for them to break down.

“The Teacher” and the song “Cornbread,” written by Irvine, were recorded at the Summer Meltdown festival.

Staten helped with the final arrangement, something Irvine said he is quite gifted at, “besides being the best drummer I’ve ever known.” Other songs, recorded at the Knotty Pine, are “Soul Intro,” with a bonus radio edit version; “JP5,” “As Good As It Gets,” “The Grind,” “Daft Groove” or “Daft Punk,” and “Dat Ching.”

Their music “is a passion that cannot easily be described and is often misunderstood,” Irvine said, adding that it is “not all glamorous or lucrative.” As a band that tours extensively, a lot of time is spent on the road and sleep and privacy are rare. For them, Irvine continued, a decent deli tray can be a significant morale booster for the mental and physical strain.

Although certainly “not a big rock star party,” they do it for themselves and their audiences, “our life’s blood,” Irvine said. “God bless all the amazing fans, they give us hope and reassurance. In return we try to give them the best funky energy we can.”

Information on where to purchase the new album, mixed and mastered by Robert Drew at Withinsound of Seattle, Wash., will be available on the band’s MySpace page.


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