Street Beatz

They not only brought the music but the party too! Last Thursday, hardcore fans packed Matryrs’ for an extra special, one night only Boombox performance. Yet don’t think it’s just an ordinary performance with a DJ and a guy on a guitar. Oh no, dear reader, it’s more than that. Boombox’s shows are like an all-night underground rave complete with dazzling lights and smoke machine effects. Russ (DJ) and Zion (vocals and guitars), the musical wizards known as Boombox, recently granted Street Beatz intimate access into their world.

Street Beatz: The last time Boombox was here in Chicago, you were on tour. Are you currently on tour?

Boombox: We’re traveling most of the time even though we’re home for a short time. Next week, we’ll be in Aspen, Co for the Jazz Aspen performing a pre and after show at Crystal Palace. The best thing about traveling is we meet so many cool people. We are thinking about traveling to Europe and Japan despite knowing it would be expensive. Plus we have special specifications needed for show set-up. However we’re waiting for the right person for sponsorship.

Street Beatz: When not touring, what’s down time like for Boombox or do you keep yourselves constantly busy?

Boombox: Just this – relaxing and working on gear to catching up with loved ones and family. Also working on new tracks. There’s a period after touring in which we have to take things into the fix-it shop. It’s very tough to accomplish anything in a short time.

Street Beatz: Has anything new happened since your last Chicago performance?

Boombox: We have new tracks and new music. Also, we have a new synthesizer as well as adding new toys for our new sound.

Street Beatz: In your opinion, what is the one factor do you attribute to the popularity of Boombox and its shows among fans?

Boombox: The music isn’t about us. We’re not trying to impress the people. We hope to see our shows as more of an interaction between music and fans. It’s about the people and getting things going with them. When we go out on stage, we’re assessing the crowd and go from there. We’re not trying to force our music on anyone. It’s the people’s music. Also we don’t write three minute pop songs. It’s their party and we’re honored to be chosen in performing cool music for their party.

Street Beatz: Could you tell me briefly, what’s going to be in the new album compared to your last one?

Boombox: Hopefully new material and new songs people never heard of before. It might contain recording of our Best Of shows.

Street Beatz: I also notice you’re giving the fans a chance to hear the new album before the media and radio stations. Care to explain the motive behind that move?

Boombox: Bottom line is you cannot force music on people. If it’s good, then it’s good.

Street Beatz: How would you describe Boombox and the music to someone who hasn’t seen your shows?

Boombox: It’s hard to describe. You could say it’s real and alive. The first time we performed, everyone had this puzzled look wondering if they should or not take us seriously. We’re doing our own thing regardless. People can take it or leave it. It’s like what Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) once said it’s not enough to be the best at what you do but being the only one at what you do. However our goal tonight is to make it hard for you not to write.

Street Beatz: Your performances take me back to the early days of underground/house music. Is that what Boombox trying to bring to its audience and fans?

Boombox: (Zion answering) Something to that effect. I grew up in San Francisco where the house music was lighter and basslines moved around. Chicago, the birthplace of underground and house, is where it’s at. It has a bigger beats and rolling basslines. House music in Chicago is still alive. You just have to know where to find it.

Street Beatz: In your opinion, what makes your music/songs stand out from the rest?

Boombox: We’re the only ones who do what we do.

Street Beatz: Is there a central message within Boombox’s songs?

Boombox: We think it would be: we can have that too …it’s still not done …the party’s not over. It’s a real movement going on.

Street Beatz: Is Boombox finding it difficult or easy in getting music heard on the radio?

Boombox: Like any other band, it’s kinda hard. The main thing is we’re playing live and touring. As we mentioned before, if the music is good, it’ll get noticed by word of mouth.

Street Beatz: During your last Chicago performance, I noticed an artist on stage with you. Do you have other artists like her during your other performances?

Boombox: That’s our friend Molly who was here last time. For local events or other tour shows, we have just her painting.

Street Beatz: What’s your opinion about websites such as Myspace? Do you think it’s a good jumping point for any musician/band in getting their music out there?

Boombox: Thank God for sites like Myspace because it opened up sharing info with other music lovers around the world. Sites like that are putting the power back into the people’s hands instead of the big labels telling them what they should be listening to. It also gives them the ability to buy music as well as musicians to share and be heard.

Street Beatz: Is there anything you’re doing differently for tonight’s performance?

Boombox: We have our new toy which allows Z (Zion) to get his fix and both of us to step into the DJ world. We think of ourselves as producers first. As the band develops more, people will understand the complete objective of Boombox.

Street Beatz: Is there one particular song and/or moment in which you can tell people are enjoying your shows?

Boombox: It depends but we don’t think there’s one particular song. People know our tracks. It’s all about playing the right track at the right time for us.

Street Beatz: What more can fans expect form Boombox in the near future?

Boomox: They can expect us to keep on changing and growing. They can expect to see us again. We’re not going away anytime soon.

I can honestly admit – Boombox did achieve its goal that night. This show, better than the first time I saw them, kept me partying most of the night alongwith many others who packed Martyrs’. Though it was a Thursday night, it felt like a Friday night and everyone was ready to start the weekend with some fun. As soon as Russ (at the DJ table) and Zion (on vocals and guitar) were on stage, everyone was shouting their favorite songs at the duo. When opening sequences for The World began to play, not one inch of that venue was standing still. The party was on! Their neverending range of music and songs kept the party until early morning even though it could have gone on forever. Never once did Boombox lose that energetic vibe felt from their fans throughout their set.

I believe it’s their music which truly had something to do with it. It’s the type music which old school house and underground fans would appreciate knowing that it’s still alive and well with this duo. With their funky combination of bassline beats and the electric guitar, Boombox recreated a scene once thought dead. However with Zion’s new synthesizer added to the mix, the sound took on a whole different element for their music. I enjoyed that splash of techno/electronica in a couple of their songs. During one song, it felt like everyone was taking a psychedelic trip through the Boombox universe. As the song continued, the sound switch to a sci-fi effect and feel. It was truly one magical journey of beats and solitary electric riffs before crashing landing back to reality. Yet their range of music didn’t stop there. I also enjoyed how they sampled “classics” like Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean that really liven up the party. The crowd was getting all funktified to the mixed beats during this long instrumental track.

Performing songs like Midnight On The Run and Wanted, I liked the extended club version of my favorite song, Mr Boogeyman. It had a funkier electric guitar “chat” (if you could call it that) with Russ at the beginning of the song. Like many, I also prefer Boombox’s long instrumentals woven strategically within their songs. It gave the hardcore and new fans a chance to not only hear but feel the music while partying. Lyrics were rarely needed to get this crowd moving since the majority was already buzzed with dance fever. Sometimes you could hear them singing along to their personal favorites. Yet the most requested song of the night was the fan favorite, Stereo. One enthusiastic fan who screamed for all night long finally got his wish towards the end of the set. For a nearly three and half hour performance, I’m willing to say it didn’t feel like it. Too busy dancing and having fun, it felt like their show was still in its beginning stages when they performed the final song. All night long, you could tell Boombox love what they’re doing for their fans. And I know the fans cannot wait until the next time they bring the party back to Martyrs’.

I encourage everyone to catch Boombox while they’re traveling around the country and scratch that party itch. I guarantee you’ll have a funky good time. Visit their website at www.thisisboomox.com or myspace at www.myspace.com/thisisboombox.com for more information about the band and where they’ll be appearing next.