On this fine Sunday morning in June, when we are just on the cusp of summer, The Worley Gig brings you the chill funk of Bay Area artist Garren Sean’s “Lift Off” and its accompanying animated video! Best described (if only by me) as Steely Dan meets Sly Stone, “Lift Off” is characteristically warm and upbeat, the perfect introduction to Garren’s guitar-driven sound. Raised on soul and R&B, Garren then discovered Classic Rock and 80s Funk, and went to mix the two influences, creating a refreshingly unique style. In a word: Sublime.
I also love how the artist distracts us momentarily from the song’s obvious sexual metaphor by sampling audio from the July 16, 1969 liftoff coverage of the legendary Apollo Eleven moon mission, manned by Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins! “Lift Off” can be found on Garren Sean’s eponymous debut album Garren, which promises a “sense of exploration, and is set for release this summer. Enjoy!
Proving that it is never too late to discover a terrific band, this week’s Video Clip represents my first exposure to the outrageous jam/funk band Lettuce, who have been rocking it for twenty years! Wow! I’m not sure if the musical sub-genre of Psychedelic Funk already existed before this video, but if it didn’t, it sure does now. Aurally, “Phyllis” is a stone groove from an eight-piece band that includes two guys named Adam and three guys named Eric (!), and featuring a horn section that makes the Tower of Power sound like amateurs. I am not exaggerating when I say that “Phyllis” is the most transcendent instrumental named for a woman since the Allman Brothers’ “Jessica.” Just being serious.
Visually, the clip offers a taste of what the band must be like to experience live, along with sexy and psychedelic visuals worthy of a Tame Impala live show — and if you’ve seen Tame Impala live then you know that is high praise indeed.
“Phyllis” is the first music video from the group’s fourth studio album Crush, which is available now wherever fine music is procured. Lettuce Tour Dates starting New Years Eve are listed below. Enjoy!
Tour Dates
12/31 at Riviera Theatre in Chicago, IL
1/1 at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY
1/2 at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY
1/6-1/10 at Jam Cruise in Miami, FL
1/12 at The Music Farm in Charleston, SC
1/13 at The Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA
1/14 at The National in Richmond, VA
1/15 at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC
1/16 at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA
1/17 at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, CT
1/20 at Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington, VT
1/21 at State Theatre in Portland, ME
1/22 at House of Blues in Boston, MA
1/23 at Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY
2/1 at Belly Up in Aspen, CO
2/2 at Park City Live in Park City, UT
2/3 at Wilma in Missoula, MT
2/4 at Showbox in Seattle, WA
2/5 at Roseland in Portland, OR
2/6 at Wow Hall in Eugene, OR
2/9 at Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA
2/10 at Terrapin in San Rafael, CA
2/11 at Crystal Bay in Crystal Bay, NV
2/12 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA
2/13 at Observatory in San Diego, CA
2/14 at Gem and Jam Festival in Tucson, AZ
3/4 at Okeechobee Music Festival in Okeechobee, FL
4/7 at Euphoria Music Festival in Austin, TX
