Grammy award-winning act Grupo Fantasma's alter ego, Brownout performed Saturday evening at The Mohawk in Austin's Red River Entertainment District. With a light, downtown, breeze cooling the fans at the live music venue, the 8-piece Latin funk ensemble worked their way through a 75-minute set as fans danced enthusiastically in front of the outdoor stage.
Adrian Quesada and the rest of the band pull double-duty performing with Grupo who plays over 150 dates a year while pursuing side-project, Brownout. The band plays mostly instrumental funk the players cut their teeth on while growing up near Laredo, Texas. The group has a developed a loyal following among Latin, funk and rock fans that is increasingly widening as people recognize the skill the members have. They have been recreating the sounds of legendary funk superstars like George Clinton, James Brown and the Latin/rock of Satanta since they first heard recordings as children.
The players:
Current members
- Beto Martinez - Guitar
- Adrian Quesada - Guitar
- Johnny Lopez - Drums
- Jose Galeano - Percussion, Vocals
- Greg Gonzalez - Bass
- Leo Gauna - Trombone, song writer
- Josh Levy - Baritone Saxophone
- Gilbert Elorreaga - Trumpet
- Kino Esparza - Vocals, Percussion
- Matthew Holmes - Congas
Quesada managed a searing guitar solo to close out the show, matching the intensity of his band mates' solos. Matthew Holmes (congas) and Greg Gonzalez (bass) held down a wicked rythmn and bass line while the horn section injected brassy life into the arrangements during the set.
Brownout has three out-of-town dates listed on their website including August 15-16 in Portland, Oregon and August 19th at Lollapalooza. Hear music from their most recent release, Aguilas and Cobras here.
We have included a slide show in images taken at the show Saturday on the left sidebar for you to browse. Please let us know if there is one you like.
Follow Greg Ackerman - Austin Concerts Examiner on Twitter, Facebook and more here.
Want to become an Austin Examiner? Click this link and apply.
Comments