Thursday, November 13, 2008
Alliens return, introducing HopeHop
Courtesy Jake Dempsey
Alliens
Alliens
With HopeHop- 10 p.m. Saturday. Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill, 413 1st St. SW, Roanoke. Free. myspace.com/martinsdowntown, myspace.com/alliensmusic, myspace.com/hopehopmusic
IO Jukebox
Alliens
Bands come and go, and sometimes go and never come back. But Southwest Virginia is lucky to have Alliens back in the region.
Alliens, featuring brothers Jamiel and Janiah Allen and their cousin Zeph Allen, moved from Floyd to Asheville a few months back, but grew frustrated with what Jamiel said was an insular scene there. Back in Floyd, the band has just released its self-titled, debut CD, and is hosting a CD release party on Saturday at Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill. The new disc features monster musicianship from the Allens and others, including brilliant bassist Cameron McLaughlin, whose work is always smart.
Opening the show is a new band from Blacksburg, HopeHop. The band’s drummer, “King” George Penn, is a groove machine who has played with many of Southwest Virginia’s best. He said an in e-mail interview that he’s glad that Alliens are back.
“They are one of the strongest bands I’ve seen in this area in 20 years,” he wrote. “They bring a world beat/funk/reggae thing to our scene. They give us a world-class sound!! Their rhythm section (Janiah Allen and McLaughlin) could play for anyone ... Weather Report to Santana to Black Uhuru!”
Penn says he is really excited about his new project. HopeHop mixes message rap courtesy of Ed “EZ” McClain with funky, jazzy and jammed-out instrumentation.
“We had a unique and original sound right from the start,” Penn wrote. “Our daily commitment to playing and creating together is something I haven’t been around in several years — each rehearsal is an event instead of a chore (hahaha)!”
Go to roanoke.com's music blog to read the full Q&A with Penn — and one with Zeph Allen — and hear sound samples.
