Fake Flowers Real Dirt + Band in Baltimore, MD

SEEKING

ABOUT

We are looking to add some brass (Trumpet) to our horn section. If you are even remotely interested please contact us at fakeflowersrealdirt(at)(dotcom)

BIO:
In the steamy basement of an otherwise unremarkable house in Baltimore, "Fake Flowers Real Dirt" forges their mix of genres from the funk/dope characteristic (e.g. funk, hip-hop): driving skank reggae moves to frenetic breakbeat/jungle, joined together with a series of quick jazz changes. Simple melodic lines and hooks give way to solos, with space.

FFRD's efforts began when singer Billy D William marshaled the forces of an accomplished group of veterans from the DMV music scene. Their goal is nothing less than sonic nirvana - obtained through the melding of diverse musical traditions into a form greater than the sum of its parts (a form deserving a new name (and wikipedia page)).

Atop the groundwork carefully, yet ruthlessly laid down by drummer Kevin Shuss and bassist / sound-man extraordinaire Ethan Montgomery, Billy D William sings skyward with gospel soul, singer Viki Nova adds delicious harmonies while increasing the band's class considerably, Dave Enyck invites listeners into his world with cerebral chord voicings and sound, turntablist GERM mashes and scratches (real) vinyl, Gene Chapman and Ernesto Ponce play searing and soaring sax lines - close your eyes and imagine Cannonball.... while Paul Haney and his trusty laptop go from buzzy synth, with attendant envelopes and filters, to your classic hammond B3. Brian Escavage provide percussion and extra drive to the deep rhythms - the icing on an already dope cake! The group embraces the style nouveau while never forgetting the trivial inequality: 9 seasoned players, still on their way 'round the block > 1 laptop.

FFRD transcends superlatives; their awesomeness is matched only by their modesty. From the basement in a house in Baltimore, MD to your ears, "The flyest and the most, as real as non-fiction."

1/02/2014
With the New Year upon us, we've set some pretty lofty goals for ourselves. The past year has been a learning experience for us for sure but also one of much growth! Looking back at our experiences over the last 12 months, the band we are now is quite different from the band we were at the start of the year. With that, we'd now like to give you, our Fake Flowers Real Dirt 2013 retrospective.

• We released our first EP in March (under Ernesto J. Ponce & Frank Marchand).

• Shared the bill with amazing bands like Bosley, Jah Works, Shawn Owen Band, The Rez, Deaf Scene, Black Joe Lewis, The Pietasters, Skribe, Pasadena, Grilled Lincolns, Old Man Brown, Pressing Strings, Mark Hopkins, Ruckus Brown, Freedom Enterprise, ELM, Sweet Leda, Bond and Bentley, Swampcandy, Cara Kelly & the Tell Tale & Kustom Blend.

• Played Honfest & Rezball XI.

• Got a great review in June from Mobtown Music Magazine.

• In August, our good friend DJ Elation left the band.

• In September, we took part in WTMD's live on-air fundraiser at a prime 2AM time-slot (all the bars had just let out and the place was packed).

• We lost 2 beloved establishments that cater to local music (The Whiskey & Rockfish)

• Viki Nova and Frank Kanady (DJ GERM) joined the band for life! .

• Started recording our second EP in December (under Ernesto J. Ponce & Frank Marchand).

• Played a SOLD OUT New Years Eve show at The Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge with Jah Works.

We wanted to thank our supporters and everyone who made it out to see us this year. From here, we're working on new material and improving that "art" of the show. We already feel like all our hard work is starting to pay off and you will certainly be seeing and hearing from us a little more in 2014.

On Tuesday, January 7th, our very own saxophonist/producer Ernesto J Ponce with be playing LIVE on WTMD's Hit Parade featuring Jeremy Giless on Guitar, Ethan Montgomery on Bass, Matthew Oral on Drums, David Pratt on Harmonica, Paul Onheiser on Keys, and of course Ernesto J. Ponce on Vocals, Lap Steel, and Saxophone. The show starts at 9pm and with WTMD's new set up, you can see the bands perform live in studio or you can just tune in and listen on the radio.

Cheers!!!

FFRD, Inc

Screen name:

fakeflowersrealdirt

Member since:

Jan 13 2014

Active within 1 week

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years together:

2

Gigs played:

50 to 100

Tend to practice:

1 time per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Age:

49 years

Influences

Herbie Hancock, Soulive, John Scofield, Soul Coughing, James Brown, Greyboy Allstars, Disco Biscuits, Jamiroquai, Snarky Puppy, Incognito, Chuck Brown, The Meters, Lotus, Prince, Miles Davis, Medeski Martin & Wood, Galactic, Lettuce, Afrika Bambaataa, P-Funk, The Derek Trucks Band, Steely Dan, The Motet, Organissimo, Umphrey's Mcgee, Ripplegroove...

Members Of Band

Dave Eynck - Guitar,
Paul Haney - Keys/Flute,
Ernesto J Ponce - Tenor Sax,
Ethan Montgomery - Bass,
Eugene Chapman - Alto Sax,
GERM - Turntables,
Brian Escavage - Percussion,
Billy D William - Vocals/MC,
Viki Nova - Vocals,
Kevin Shuss - Drums

EQUIPMENT

see www.fakeflowersrealdirt.com/epk for rider info

MUSIC