Review: Ballyhoo!
Photos and Review by Jessica Franco
July 14, 2018
Tropidelic and Bumpin Uglies opened for Ballyhoo! at Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music in Berkeley on Saturday, July 14.
Tropidelic came on first, immediately getting the crowd moving. The band mixed classic reggae sounds with upbeat horns and incredibly fast rapping. In fact, the horn duo consisting of Derek McBryde on the trumpet and James Begin on the trombone were such an audience hit that they came on many more times for guest appearances throughout the following bands’ sets. Part of the duo’s charisma can be attributed to their synchronized dance moves and lively energy. While performing the song “Gritz,” the horn duo known as “El Sex” jumped off the stage and marched through the crowd. Toward the end of the set, drummer Rex Larkman started a solo as the rest of the band left the stage. One by one members came back on stage to showcase their own solos including Matthew Roads and Begin rapping, and McBryde coming out with a tuba. As the band closed out their set, they were joined by Brandon Hardesty, lead singer of Bumpin Uglies, finishing with the same incredible energy they brought when they first came on stage.
Second to take the stage was Bumpin Uglies. The band continued the dynamic instrumentals and reggae tunes. Between songs, lead singer Hardesty was handed beer after beer. He paused mid-set to make a toast and announce that the band would be giving out free CDs at their merch table. “We have an unlimited number of CDs,” said Hadesty. “I know that’s an outdated form of technology. You can use them as frisbees.” The audience went wild over the CDs and many used them to get autographs, as the band stayed in the crowd for Ballyhoo!’s set. Just as Bumpin Uglies helped out with Tropidelic’s set, Tropidelic’s horn duo and rappers made an appearance in Bumpin Uglies set. As the band played their final song, they had another guest appearance from Ballyhoo! frontman Howi Spangler.
Finally Ballyhoo! played the headlining performance, opening with “I Don’t Wanna Go.” The band played songs off their newest album girls. including “Mixtape” and “Let Her Go,” Spangler’s “favorite song off of girls.” As the band played, colored smoke lit up the stage, matching the smoke that came from the audience. Like the previous two sets, Ballyhoo! also welcomed band members from Tropidelic and Bumpin Uglies, adding a fun spin on their classic songs. Mid-set, Spangler also took time out of the show for a solo performance of “Love Letters.” The crowd was as spirited as the band on stage. They danced and swayed to the music, and even rushed to the stage when Spangler leaned over to high-five his fans.
Although there were three different bands and three separate sets, each set included guest appearances from members of other bands, adding a twist to make this tour unique from any other tour these bands have played or will play in the future. Overall, Tropidelic, Bumpin Uglies and Ballyhoo! jointly put on an amazing show.
Tropidelic and Bumpin Uglies opened for Ballyhoo! at Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music in Berkeley on Saturday, July 14.
Tropidelic came on first, immediately getting the crowd moving. The band mixed classic reggae sounds with upbeat horns and incredibly fast rapping. In fact, the horn duo consisting of Derek McBryde on the trumpet and James Begin on the trombone were such an audience hit that they came on many more times for guest appearances throughout the following bands’ sets. Part of the duo’s charisma can be attributed to their synchronized dance moves and lively energy. While performing the song “Gritz,” the horn duo known as “El Sex” jumped off the stage and marched through the crowd. Toward the end of the set, drummer Rex Larkman started a solo as the rest of the band left the stage. One by one members came back on stage to showcase their own solos including Matthew Roads and Begin rapping, and McBryde coming out with a tuba. As the band closed out their set, they were joined by Brandon Hardesty, lead singer of Bumpin Uglies, finishing with the same incredible energy they brought when they first came on stage.
Second to take the stage was Bumpin Uglies. The band continued the dynamic instrumentals and reggae tunes. Between songs, lead singer Hardesty was handed beer after beer. He paused mid-set to make a toast and announce that the band would be giving out free CDs at their merch table. “We have an unlimited number of CDs,” said Hadesty. “I know that’s an outdated form of technology. You can use them as frisbees.” The audience went wild over the CDs and many used them to get autographs, as the band stayed in the crowd for Ballyhoo!’s set. Just as Bumpin Uglies helped out with Tropidelic’s set, Tropidelic’s horn duo and rappers made an appearance in Bumpin Uglies set. As the band played their final song, they had another guest appearance from Ballyhoo! frontman Howi Spangler.
Finally Ballyhoo! played the headlining performance, opening with “I Don’t Wanna Go.” The band played songs off their newest album girls. including “Mixtape” and “Let Her Go,” Spangler’s “favorite song off of girls.” As the band played, colored smoke lit up the stage, matching the smoke that came from the audience. Like the previous two sets, Ballyhoo! also welcomed band members from Tropidelic and Bumpin Uglies, adding a fun spin on their classic songs. Mid-set, Spangler also took time out of the show for a solo performance of “Love Letters.” The crowd was as spirited as the band on stage. They danced and swayed to the music, and even rushed to the stage when Spangler leaned over to high-five his fans.
Although there were three different bands and three separate sets, each set included guest appearances from members of other bands, adding a twist to make this tour unique from any other tour these bands have played or will play in the future. Overall, Tropidelic, Bumpin Uglies and Ballyhoo! jointly put on an amazing show.
