Photo courtesy of Josha DanaherZion Rock Godchaux is one-half of the experimental band BoomBox. The band’s eclectic sound has excited fans across the country and will be coming to Newport Friday.Singer/guitarist Zion Rock Godchaux and DJ Russ Randolph first met in Alabama, where Godchaux was recording “At the Table” with his mother, former Grateful Dead member Donna Godchaux and her group Heart of Gold Band. Randolph was engineering and producing the album when his conversation with Godchaux turned to musical experimentation.
“We had a similar vision,” Randolph said during a telephone interview.
Godchaux, who grew up playing drums and guitar in reggae bands and worked as a DJ in San Francisco in the 90s, said BoomBox is a good reflection of the duo’s past musical endeavors.
“Our music is a summation of what we’ve been up to,” Godchaux said.
Rooted in Muscle Shoals, Ala., the duo limit themselves to two members because three or more would be a crowd for a live show that involves precise instrumentation. It’s also cheaper to travel with two, and opens more opportunities to play live shows in different cities.
BoomBox has spent the majority of the past four years on the road, both members said. “The heart of the band is the live show,” Randolph said. “Bands create records but touring is what keeps it alive.”
Meeting the crowd and watching them dance is a privilege, they said.
“Every night we get to hang out with so many people,” Randolph said. “That in itself is worth going on the road every day.”
The duo is unable to describe fully the experience of a live show, but said they thrive on the crowd’s response. Their goal is to take people to a place where they can celebrate music and be alive, Randolph said. “Everyone has that need in their life and a lot of people don’t have an outlet to do it,” he said. “We aren’t trying to be rock stars. We are just trying to put on a show for people to have a good time.”
BoomBox is headlining a tour across the U.S and will be taking the stage at Newport Music Hall Friday, Dec. 10. Doors open at 9 p.m. The show will be at the biggest venue they play in Ohio.
“Ohio was one of the first states to open up to us,” Godchaux said. “Ohio in general … great times. We have countless memories in Ohio.”
Despite many shows across the country in the past four years, an Ohio festival in Yellow Springs was their most memorable to date. They played all night to an open audience and threw their own party, they said.
“That was the freest I’ve ever felt,” Randolph said. “That’s when I knew this is all I’ve ever wanted out of life.”
While they are touring hard, they are also in the studio working on their sophomore album due in February or March 2009. The album comes three-and-a-half years after their debut album “Visions of Backbeat.” The album was exactly what the title suggests – a vision of the funky sound they strived for, Godchaux said.
BoomBox has about 25 new tracks to experiment with on their new album, but the sound won’t get a complete makeover. “The record is a more sophisticated continuation,” Godchaux said.
BoomBox credits additional equipment and extra writers and producers who have fresh ideas and sounds to play with.
“It is the next chapter in our evolution,” Randolph said. “People will be surprised.”
Kristen Duwe can be reached at [email protected].
