Touring This April In Support Of Their First Australian Release 'Burn It Down'
“New York City has the Dap-Kings, the retro funk and soul band that recently backed Amy Winehouse. Nashville has the Dynamites, whose approach is about three-quarters James Brown — especially mid-1960s James Brown — with touches of Memphis, Motown and New Orleans. “
The New York Times
The New York Times
Direct from Nashville, Tennessee, deep soul 10-piece The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker are preparing to make their first trip to Australia this April. In support of their first Australian release Burn It Down (out April 2nd through MGM), The Dynamites play the East Coast Bluesfest in Byron as well as their own headline sideshows.
Soul music is here to stay, and it’s still evolving. The Dynamites Featuring Charles Walker are living proof. Lead singer Charles Walker doesn’t imitate, emulate or try to resuscitate a bygone nostalgic era. He is soul, the real deal, still carrying the flaming torch of funk and soul lit back in the late 60’s at the Apollo Theater where he opened up for icons like James Brown and Wilson Pickett.
The Dynamites have proven that national treasures of soul and funk like Charles Walker still walk amongst us. What’s more, the fresh songwriting approach of Dynamite band leader Bill Elder, a.k.a. Leo Black, continues to push the deep funk envelope, propelling Walker to sound equally at home singing a scorching hot, up-tempo rocker as he does on a heart wrenching 60’s-style soul ballad.
A 2008 article in USA Today included The Dynamites in the short list of “acts that are wowing live audiences coast to coast with fresh songs and slamming performances.” The article also got it right in asserting the relevancy and freshness of the deep funk movement: “These critically lauded acts aren't cover bands, paying homage to old heroes. They're creating their own legacies in a genre that the industry seemingly shelved long ago.”
Apropos to being timely, The Dynamites second album, Burn It Down has something to say about life right now. From its raw opening notes, it wastes no time getting to the gritty heart of the matter. Punctuated by staccato horn section bursts and Walker’s intense proclamation that “it’s been a long time coming,” the vibe evokes the ominous flames of incendiary times.
Their commitment to being a hard working touring act, throughout Europe and the U.S., has solidified an international following. When the band recently played the esteemed Austin City Limits Festival, a local journalist urged attendance but cautioned to: “just make sure you know where the nearest defibrillator is.” While their recordings capture much of the excitement, seeing the band live takes the experience to a whole other level. As Walker puts it: "You can only do so much on a record," he says. "The performance is a lot different. I can't stand doing songs exactly the same. I have to stretch out a little bit. That's part of my thing."
An essential authenticity comes across in The Dynamites music and message. Without a doubt, Burn it Down acknowledges that not all is right in the world, but it doesn’t get stuck there. Times might be rough and people might be grumbling about doomsday, but Charles Walker and The Dynamites are here to remind us that “it’s a sunny day.” Sure we could bitch and moan. But we could just as well get down to some funky assed grooves and burn that negativity down.
Soul music is here to stay, and it’s still evolving. The Dynamites Featuring Charles Walker are living proof. Lead singer Charles Walker doesn’t imitate, emulate or try to resuscitate a bygone nostalgic era. He is soul, the real deal, still carrying the flaming torch of funk and soul lit back in the late 60’s at the Apollo Theater where he opened up for icons like James Brown and Wilson Pickett.
The Dynamites have proven that national treasures of soul and funk like Charles Walker still walk amongst us. What’s more, the fresh songwriting approach of Dynamite band leader Bill Elder, a.k.a. Leo Black, continues to push the deep funk envelope, propelling Walker to sound equally at home singing a scorching hot, up-tempo rocker as he does on a heart wrenching 60’s-style soul ballad.
A 2008 article in USA Today included The Dynamites in the short list of “acts that are wowing live audiences coast to coast with fresh songs and slamming performances.” The article also got it right in asserting the relevancy and freshness of the deep funk movement: “These critically lauded acts aren't cover bands, paying homage to old heroes. They're creating their own legacies in a genre that the industry seemingly shelved long ago.”
Apropos to being timely, The Dynamites second album, Burn It Down has something to say about life right now. From its raw opening notes, it wastes no time getting to the gritty heart of the matter. Punctuated by staccato horn section bursts and Walker’s intense proclamation that “it’s been a long time coming,” the vibe evokes the ominous flames of incendiary times.
Their commitment to being a hard working touring act, throughout Europe and the U.S., has solidified an international following. When the band recently played the esteemed Austin City Limits Festival, a local journalist urged attendance but cautioned to: “just make sure you know where the nearest defibrillator is.” While their recordings capture much of the excitement, seeing the band live takes the experience to a whole other level. As Walker puts it: "You can only do so much on a record," he says. "The performance is a lot different. I can't stand doing songs exactly the same. I have to stretch out a little bit. That's part of my thing."
An essential authenticity comes across in The Dynamites music and message. Without a doubt, Burn it Down acknowledges that not all is right in the world, but it doesn’t get stuck there. Times might be rough and people might be grumbling about doomsday, but Charles Walker and The Dynamites are here to remind us that “it’s a sunny day.” Sure we could bitch and moan. But we could just as well get down to some funky assed grooves and burn that negativity down.
Some Quick The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker Facts
• Just played a 2-night New Year’s Eve stand with BAND OF HORSES Dec. 30-31, 2009 in Atlanta (The Tabernacle)• Partial list of previous North American festival appearances: Bonnaroo (2007), ACL (2007), Jam Cruise (2009), Outside Lands (2008), Langerado (2008), Wakarusa (2008), Montreal Jazz Festival (2008), Ottawa Bluesfest(2008),
Voodoo Fest (2008)
• Opened for Dave Matthews Band 2 nights in Los Angeles (Staples Center). Toured with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Widespread Panic, New Mastersounds, Galactic, Dirty Dozen Brass Band & James Hunter.
• Major press for album releases include feature articles in USA Today, Harp Magazine, The Tennessean,New York Times, Austin Chronicle & Boston Globe; Most recent national feature: Blues Review Magazine (11/09)
• Just completed SIXTH European month-long tour in two years. Festival and headline club dates
The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker Australian Tour
Thursday April 1 - The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
(www.espy.com.au)
Friday April 2nd - Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
(www.bluesfest.com.au)
Saturday April 3rd – Step Inn, Brisbane
(www.myspace.com/stepinn)
Monday April 5th – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
(www.bluesfest.com.au)
Thursday April 1 - The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
(www.espy.com.au)
Friday April 2nd - Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
(www.bluesfest.com.au)
Saturday April 3rd – Step Inn, Brisbane
(www.myspace.com/stepinn)
Monday April 5th – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
(www.bluesfest.com.au)
Burn It Down is out April 2nd through MGM
“Old-school shouter Charles Walker joins the established eight-piece Nashville based Dynamites and the union is a match made in hard funk heaven.”
All Music Guide
All Music Guide
“… nothing less than a new dictionary of old soul, hard funk, and vintage R&B.”
Boston Globe
Boston Globe
