The skinny on ‘Skinny’ in concert at Buffington’s
This five-piece pop-funk band has landed performances with hit artists such as Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., The Roots, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Matt Nathanson.
The band is on a tour, hitting mostly the college towns, promoting their newest CD, Grass.
Hailing from Ohio, Skinny originated at Kent State seven years ago under the name Two Skinny Dorks. The name has undergone many changes but the four original members remain along with one addition.
Skinny’s five members include vocalist Jake Blazer, guitarist Eric Penrod, saxophonist Matt Corey, bassist Eric “Big E” Daniels and drummer Joel Lugo.
Unlike most bands that frequent downtown Milledgeville, Skinny’s tour takes them to states all over the east. In the month of October alone, the band will play 17 shows dispersed throughout Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Illinois.
“Milledgeville was the first place we started coming in Georgia,” said Blazer.
GCSU student Jordan Patinkin enjoyed the Skinny’s concert.
“I like the way they incorporated different instruments, like the saxophone, into their music. The combinations of originals and covers drew me into their music faster,” Patinkin said.
While the band has produced their own musical flavor over the past seven years, their influences have sculpted their work into the sound they currently produce. Music from artists such as Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and Prince make up the eclectic variety that guides Skinny’s creativity.
“I like modern R&B and some old school funk. Oh, and some 80s rock and jam bands,” said Corey.
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Although the tune of their music has generally been consistent since their dawn, the content of their songs has become more mature.
“We have more to write about now that we’re older,” said Penrod.
“You evolve as you get older. Different things become important,” said Lugo.
Some members of Skinny bring more than just their individual musical talents to the band.
“Jake brings the feel of a singer/songwriter type. Big E comes with all the funk,” said Corey.
Lugo, the band’s most recent addition, joined a year and a half ago.
“The old drummer Elijah quit. The band and I had some of the same friends so a lot of people referred me to them,” said Lugo. “These guys have become my brothers since I started.”
Eric Daniels, known to the band as “Big E,” goes further than Skinny’s style in his downtime. He spices things up on his bass by playing jazz and R&B.
“I have a little more musical experience because I’m a little older,” said Daniels.
One unifying theme brings the band members together: Family. The band refers to its members as “The Family.”
“A lot of people think we live in a tour bus and we have people set stuff up for us. We set it all up ourselves, unlike the stereotype,” said Lugo.
Skinny is starting to make a new song list. After this trip, they will set a date to come out with a new live disk.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 10 2008. Filed under Features.
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