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diversions
Delta
Nove breaks out of Long Beach
By Adrienne Figueroa
On-line Forty-Niner
In 1996, Bobby
Easton, alumni and former member of the Cal State Long Beach
Steel Drum Orchestra, had a vision to create a band with a
unique sound. He wanted to infuse the styles of jazz, funk
and African beats into the style of his own musical ensemble.
Easton worked with three Long Beach area residents, Heath
Bennett, Rob Covaevich and John Harrington, to form the band
Fiyabahl. Other than several noontime performances at the
University Student Union, the group's seed was firmly planted
in the local music scene following a show at an empty storefront
space in Eagle Rock.
Now six years later, the band has added three new members
- Guitarist Jon Browning, Bassist Brian Fox and Drummer Darren
O'Brien -- and has also adopted a new name. Derived from a
word used to describe a mind-altering experience, Delta Nove
became the group's new title.
The sound of Delta Nove is something that cannot be pinpointed
into one or even two genres of music. The band's melodies
consist of an eclectic mix of samba, funk, jazz and rock,
heavily peppered with Brazilian and African rhythms.
"I mostly tell people it's a world beat vibe thing,"
said O'Brien.
The group, whose musical influences include Pink Floyd, Frank
Zappa, Miles Davis, James Brown and Fela Kuti, are aiming
to further develop their worldly style. Currently, they are
experimenting with combining the sounds of electronica with
acoustic, said Browning.
Easton said that the path that they are walking through musically
can best be summarized by a quote from former Van Halen singer,
David Lee Roth.
"He said, 'We're not trying to broaden any musical horizons...all
we want to do is rock.' I think that's the direction we're
headed," Easton said.
Delta Nove has hosted a number of shows in the Long Beach
area at places like the Lava Lounge at the Java Lanes, Live
Bait and DiPiazza. The group also performed for Pine Street's
Addams Elementary School in honor of Black History Month.
"We introduced [the students] to musical styles from
all over the world," said Fox.
From playing various gigs in the local region, the band was
able to save enough money to throw a record release party,
which is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at the 1650 Club in
Hollywood. For $15, fans will be served drinks on a bus ride
to and from the venue, gain admission to the club and receive
the band's new self-titled CD. Cover charges from previous
shows over the past year will help fund the event.
"We're basically just breaking even for the fans,"
Fox said.
For the release party, Cubensis will open for an expanded,
19-piece Delta Nove accompanied by a tribe of Brazilian dancers.
The band will also have the opportunity to present a light
show they have recently added to their performance, which
includes the use of spotlights and other high-tech devices.
"It's a cross between 'Close Encounters' and the 'Terminator',"
Browning said.
More information on Delta Nove and the record release party
is provided on their Web site www.dnove.com.
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Sandra
Quiroz-Caro
Delta
Nove members, from l to r, Rob Covaevich, Jon Browning, Brian
Fox and John Harrington.
CSULB graduate Bobby Easton pounds the drum.
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