Sweet Pea's Revenge - How Sweet it is, this Saturday

How Sweet it is, this Saturday
PO!NT (February 12, 2003) feature article
-R. Moore

Sweet Pea's Revenge might surprise you; they're a band from New Orleans that can play funk and still manage to sound fresh and entertaining.

Now, I love the nastiest of funk and after growing up in Louisisana and listenig to the Meters for a good span of years, I realized some time ago that it just doesn't get any better than those guys. So, the idea of listening to one more "funk" band out of New Orleans doesn't really get me excited much anymore.

What a pleasant surprise then, to find out that Sweet Pea's Revenge is no run-of-the-mill funk band. A power trio that incorpotates elements of classic American rock'n'roll and blues more than anything else, they draw from a wealth of influences including the Rolling Stones, the Black Crowes, Widespread panic, Santana, The Meters and the Radiators. Lead vocalist jim Brown possesses a throaty growl reminiscent of Joe Cocker or Panic's John Bell, while the rythm section (Stephen Randall-drums; Rob Schafer-bass) is tight and more than capable of stretching out in lengthy jams.

Heavy touring has helped to establish Sweet Pea (a name borrowed from a local homeless person that the band knew) throughout the South, playing venues like House of Blues and Tipitina's, and sharing stages with such notable acts as Gov't Mule, Delbert McClinton, George Porter, Jr. and Calactic.

Though the band is only five years old, they've just released their third album, a live effort called Rollin' with the Pea. For more information, visit their website at www.sweetpeasrevenge.com or check out the Bayou groove yourself this Saturday at George St. Grocery.