Band offers bone-chilling beat on hot, summer day

By Wes Woods, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, September 9, 1998

 

Despite a shaking and heat absorbent black stage, humid heat and sound problems with the keyboards, the energy radiating from ska band The Skeletones never wilted.

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MUSIC REVIEW

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Combining a mix of ska, jazz, reggae, rock and punk, the six- member band from Riverside entertained an appreciative audience with its dancing antics and impressive instrumentation.

During the songs, lead singer and trumpet player Jonas Cabrera would often run in place, jump up, or encourage the audience to sing along.

When the group performed the 1960s classic "These Boots Are Made for Walking," with a catchy, speedy guitar, drums and saxophone, the lead singer made a semi-successful attempt at getting the shade-seeking crowd to chant the chorus.

Much of The Skeletones' sound provided a ska foundation and featured upbeat tempos. During the concert, the longest song was a slow, jazz influenced instrumental where the keyboardist lost his sound during his solo, but regained it by the next song.

About 150 audience members were at the University Student Union South Plaza enjoying the diverse sounds of the group despite the heat.

"I like them," said Jim Thornburg, junior music major. "I'm going to go and see them again."

"The lead singer had a lot of energy, which gets me into the music," said Arthur Chadbourne, junior math major. "It looks like they're having a lot of fun."

The band expressed the same sentiments about the audience.

"I thought it was cool. We'd like to be back," said Paul Hampton, founder and keyboardist.

"I got a good vibe," added Cabrera.

When asked if disappointed with the small turnout, Kip Wirtzfeld, tenor sax, quickly said, "No, it's too hot. I'm surprised this many people turned out."

With guitar, bass, saxophone, trumpet, keyboard and drums, it made for an afternoon of a deliciously different musical smorgasbord.