by Lexi Bissonnette
Let’s turn the clock back to when smokey lounges and funk tones filled the night. To when swanky was the in thing and everyone sipped on dirty martinis while they listened to the horns and drums play. That’s exactly what happened Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe when funk bands Swift Technique and The Royal Noise, and hip-hop styled Ill Doots returned to their home town to remind Philly just how to get into the groove with smooth funk.
At just around 8pm the speakers portrayed the styling of Ill Doots to the streets of Philadelphia, the tones reminiscent of funk with their large band. Calling to the people on a Friday night, the Hard Rock Cafe lured them in. Tables sat around a stage that was, in all honesty, a little too small for the bigger bands. But, none seemed to mind and the bands had no trouble putting on a show. The tables were full and the bar area more as this band reminded Philadelphia of their skills.
Ill Doots drummer Andew Nittoli (credit Lexi Bissonnette)
The smallest set of the night, it didn’t stop Ill Doots from showing how much they had while playing, or the crowd from clapping and shouting their enjoyment when a song finished. And while not completely a funk band, their multi-instrument sound and percussion influence blended them seamlessly with the other two performances.
The Royal Noise took to the stage and like Ill Doots, filled every inch with their instruments and dancing, enjoying their performance as all good bands should. There smooth horns evoked a slinky, pink panther vibe as they played their seven song set. It felt like sitting in a speak easy, listening to the jazz play.
Hands flew across various instruments, producing fast paced entertaining sounds that really get people in the mood with funk. Their high energy filled the room as the stage lights flicked from blue to white to red and was infectious. Looking around at every table, someone was bobbing their head or tapping their fingers to the sound with smiles on their faces. Even the staff could be seen off the side when they weren’t busily working, tapping their feet and dancing to the music.
The Royal Noise credit Lexi Bissonnette)
Andrew “Chubbs” Nittoli, percussionist from Ill Doots even took to the stage to perform the third song in the set with them. Like all their tunes, this one was high energy and full of swank. The horns played loud and the drums didn’t hold anything back either. It was perhaps the strongest song in the set, next to ” True Funk” which is the only song they played off their new album Unbreakable. So much energy fueled this performance that the band didn’t even stop for breaks to breathe in between songs before their time was done.
“Let’s turn it into an all night dance party!” shouted one of the members from Swift Technique as they took to the stage. And that’s exactly what happened. The slightly crowded room was now filled with people and none to shy to hop to the center area, free from tables, in front of the stage. The danced along to the sounds like they didn’t have a care in the world.
Swift Technique didn’t hold anything back as they jumped right into their first song, drums pounding and guns flaring. It was made complete with a little dance done by the guys on horn (Greg Roson, Matt Fischer and Brian Blaker). Just coming back from their San Francisco tour stop they were ready to show their hometown just how hard they could play.
The energy level in the place was turned up from an 8 to about a 12 as people all over were moving along in their seats if they weren’t out in the center performing. Weaver’s vocals washed over the crowd as they faded into a smoother more soulful song, “Brooklyndelphia”. It was a little hard to make out just what she was saying over the power of the instruments behind her, but comprehension wasn’t necessary to be in awe of the pure power and intensity this girl has.
Swift Technique (credit Lexi Bissonnette)
Continuing on, all still dancing around while doing their thing, the energy just kept keying up. “Jungle Boogie” faded into a song they did not name that featured their “extended family” Alex Ayala on keys. The dancing didn’t stop and the band just kept having a blast, like they didn’t even care the audience was there.
Perhaps the height of the night was right before the end when they kicked it back and did a cover of “Ghostbusters”. Their energy level in this song was unstoppable and completely unbeatable compared to any of the other numbers as they came up with creative lyrics to intermix with the original while changing the song into one funky tune with their sound.
All night long, the Hard Rock Cafe was filled with smooth, swanky funk music and a crowd that had no problem getting down with the three local bands, most likely making them feel right at home in their hometown.
