For those of you who don't already know Galaxy Dynamite! is an incredible psychedelic rock band out of Norfolk, Virginia. They are one of my favorite bands, even though I only discovered them a couple of years ago. I first heard their catchy name at the official Hulaween after-party at the NorVa in 2010, with EOTO and DJ RahBee (where Puff T. Magic-Dragon appeared). Galaxy's unique and vibrant sound left me wanting more and more, and I made sure to book them for Pink Moon III, in 2011, here in Rock Camp.
The members of the band, Baker Cunningham (guitar, synth), Sam Wolfe (bass), and Mike Mahgerefteh (drums), are young but phenomenally talented musicians. Each of them has been playing and creating music since their adolescence, and their individual influences shine through in their tight jams and trance-y melodies, ranging from greats such as Joe Satriani, to Nirvana, to Ozric Tentacles and The Disco Biscuits. The guys try to be as "organic as possible when coming up with new material". They have never used a pre-made set-list to guide their shows to date, and are a truly live and improvisational band. Their "songs" are more like themes which can branch off in any collimation. "Not having the constraints of written structure allows for so much more freedom to take the music in any spontaneous direction [they] choose at that moment".
Galaxy Dynamite! has been performing pretty prolifically since their conception two years ago. They began by playing a weekly open mic night at 37 & Zen in Norfolk, Virginia. On June 26, 2010, they played their first professional gig, a party for Penthouse Energy Drinks at the Regal Beagle in Virginia Beach. Since the addition if their new guitarist/keyboardist, Baker Cunningham, in January, they've practiced constantly, and their sound has evolved and grown. Sam and Mike have been creating music side by side for nearly a decade, having played in three different bands together since high school, and their close friendship shines through in their cohesive and endless jams.
It's precisely those endless jams that set Galaxy Dynamite! apart from other bands. Where as most groups must reconvene their jam, or bring the jam full circle, to go back into the last lines of a song, Galaxy Dynamite's "songs" are more like transient overlapping themes that flow like cosmic strings through their sets. If that riff sounds good, they go with it, build on it, and play it out. They don't always know if what they try onstage will work, sometimes it doesn't...but more often than not Galaxy Dynamite! sounds amazing, and the feeling is mutually displayed on the faces of players and audience members alike. Such pure improvisation is, to me, indicative of incredible talent, and is something few bands can actually pull off. Not just anyone can get onstage with such energy and enthusiasm, and produce such soulful and fluid music off the cuff. Their unique style launches them into a lofty category with improvisational greats like EOTO.
Early in the game the guys dreamed of playing the NorVa. They have attained that goal (plenty of times over) having now performed there with EOTO, Ozric Tentacles and Conspirator. They have appeared with many other big names and talented performers including Boombox, Future Rock, Ballyhoo, The Heavy Pets, Iration, Sonic Spank, The Mantras, Damn Right, and DJ RahBee, and in incredible venues throughout the region and beyond, including The National (Richmond, VA), Emilio's (Richmond, VA), Cleo of Alpha Chi (Hartford, CT) and Pinky's Farm (Rock Camp, WV) to name a few.
Speaking as a booking agent, promoter and stage manager, these guys are cool and incredibly easy to work with. They rage hard at every performance, and always seem to give 110%, with huge smiles on their faces the whole time! They genuinely just want to get out and play, and are constantly putting themselves out there for new and exciting opportunities. Galaxy Dynamite! is determined to take it as far as they can, to keep the jam going. And they are definitely going places.
They are currently holding a residency at City Dogs in Richmond, Virginia. They are also booked for Pink Moon 4, here in Rock Camp, WV September 15th. For a complete list of their upcoming tour dates, music, and more information visit their website at www.galaxydynamite.com and visit their Facebook page! If you're interested in booking this unique group whose organic electro groove has the straightforward ferocity of a punk band, contact Allie at (703)-362-4728 or send an email to galaxydynamite@gmail.com
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