The Couchtesters traveled from Rochester to animate Funk N' Waffles' acoustic ska rock evening scene with their "superfunk ska" style, last Tuesday, April 19. Their hyperactive set and showy stage dancing stimulated the crowd to dance energetically. About five diehard fans jumped, ran and danced in circles. Other members of the young audience joined their enthusiastic circle.
A classical music-trained ska quintet--Jacob Walsh (guitar/vocals), Andy Narotsky (bass/vocals), Fez Zaman (drums), Evan Lane (trumpet), Rob Bartels (trumpet) and Dan Wendel (trombone)--are gaining prominence as a ska rock band with infectious choreography designed by Lane. Their jazzy, funky, fast-paced, energizing sound is reminiscent of swing group Royal Crown Revue's "Hey Pachuco," while the vocalists' interpretational style is similar to the agile, repetitive manner of American pop punk artists.
"We have pretty much every style influence because we all listen to many different genres," Lane says. "Our style is a large melting pot."
Meanwhile, the lyrical depth of this high school band, which hase been playing together for nearly three years, falls a little short and they admit it. "It's simple enough to not be a good song, lyrically, but also it's just complicated enough for you to not be able to sing along," Walsh said while introducing the last piece of the set. The tracks are based on stories told in an oratorical style similar to conversations familiar in high school hallways.
Just in case you were wondering
how The Couchtesters came up with their quirky name, they were brainstorming
possible band names and thought it would be amusing to name their group
something that would be an appropriate job for lazy people. Couch testing
seemed the best option and the moniker stuck.
Awesome band..