moementum  magazine

"The Fresh New Voice in Urban Entertainment"       

HOTT SHOT

By Moe Fourte  

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The burning urge and need to express a more aggressive side of the Black Rock experience has finally reached its boiling point. From the belly of the beast came an overwhelming pain, a great push and on (date group was officially formed) the savior of music was born. Behold the mighty, mighty Bushoong!

Can they Rock? Can they Funk? Can they Swing? Can they Skank? To all a resounding Yes!!! Reaching critical synergistic mass is no easy feat. However, Bushoong is ready for the challenge.

An array of influences have helped to mold their unique sound. In the Spirit of their fore bearers Nina Simone, Band of Gypsies, Ohio Players, Curtis Mayfield, Miles Davis, The JB's, the 3 Louis' (Jordan, Armstrong, & Johnson), Luther Vandross, Mother's Finest, Busboys and Fishbone, fusion has been reached and it is just beginning.

Their live stage show is one you won't want to miss. Come join the feast as they serve up a tight mix of Soul with all the fixin's. 

Here is a little low down on this Intrepid Chicago quartet.

Moe: How did the group come about?

Kemet: Well, I've always wanted to be in a unit like this since I was in high school. I went through college still searching for the cats to do something like this, but to no avail... All the cats I knew "used to be musicians". Had they all kept playing we could have had an orchestra! Ron & I met playing in a Jazz-Funk outfit. One day at rehearsal he, the drummer & I just started laying into this Rock song while the band leader was out of the room. We all looked at each other like this is what happening! 

We all wanted to do this, but could never find the other cats to do it. The band leader came back in & stopped us immediately. He wasn't having it!!  We all looked at each other with that look like, Yo, when are we gonna get together to do this? We discussed it on the phone a few times, but when the smoke cleared, it was just Ron & I standing. We were then faced with the daunting task of finding another drummer as well as whatever pieces we were going to use. We both looked around ad naseum! Had a few folk come through, but they were either on another tip or couldn't see our vision. A good friend & close musical associate told me that our boy was a drummer! Imagine my surprise! A cat I hung out with & I never knew. Finally one of them had kept playing  :-D!!! So, I called my man Chris Wilson. He said ok & that was that! He was at the next rehearsal & early to boot!!! Another dear friend's girlfriend heard what we were up to & decided she wanted in on it.. Donella Stampley played keys & sax. We were off & rolling. That was the original lineup. We have had a few lineup changes since then which lead to the current lineup.

Moe: How would you explain the type of music that you create? 

Kemet: We just kinda do what we feel, you know what I mean...? I know it sounds cliche', but that's how it goes (sometimes more than others). It all just kinda pours outta the African Diaspora. Many folk who see and/or hear us will come to the conclusion that we are a Rock band. However, it stems much deeper than that. That is part & parcel of what makes us unique & also what will make it difficult for some to accept what we do. The masses are so used to being marketed to by the corporate entertainment monster.... We attempt to incorporate all of our influences in our sound...

Moe:  Who  are your influences?  

Kemet: Well, I can say there are too many to name... My family, immediate & distant. My ancestors. & of course the usual Band Of Gypsies, Mother's Finest, Bad Brains, Fishbone, Sun Ra, The P-Funk Massive, JB's Funky People, Monk, Miles,Trane, Diz, Bird, Mingus, Mongo, Motown (Funk Brothers included!!), Stax. & then because I am primarily a bassist there is Larry Graham, Clarke, Jamerson, Alphonso Johnson, Slam Stewart, Bootsie, Doug Wimbish, The Jacksons - Randy, Anthony & they're cousin Ralphe Armstrong ;-D!! Then I have somecats that I actually know who influence me quite a bit; Victor Wooten, Jauqo III X, Kenn Smith, Phil Cohran, Batu Shakari.  Dude, I could go on for days talking about what influenced me! The trick is to be influenced by greatness & process that data into something that hopefully pays homage to the what came before you. Oh yeah & The Blues!!!

Moe:  What are the short term / long term  goals? 

Kemet: Short term- to get our material in everyone's hands, play out more and expand our power base. Long Term- to rule the world!

Moe:  How can people get to know more about  you?

Kemet: Join our Yahoo discussion board...! http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bushoong/ If you see us out on the street, you can ask us! Even though we're big stars we are still approachable Just make sure we get a bowl of all green M&M's in our dressing room!!!!
 
Moe: What's on  the horizon? 

Kemet: To start working on another album (oops I'm dating myself), I mean CD. We got a lot to say musically & lyrically. We all write so that's 4 different voices. Like I said before take the music out to the people! (Dang it, I clichéd again!! )

Moe: Word's of  advice?

Kemet: Don't use clichés in your interviews!!! :-D Stick to your guns!!!! (Oh, you might have to bleep out that firearm reference. We wouldn't want to promote violence).