Earth, wind and funk
By Jon Busdeker on Jul. 12, 2007
Prior to a concert, an empty stage can tell a lot about a band.
A stool means an acoustic act.
No instruments indicate rappers.
A drum set, a keyboard, a trumpet, a sax, a trombone, a bass guitar, two electric guitars, a set of bongos and five microphones is the sign of something spectacular.
At the Holiday Inn Select a few weeks ago, the stage sat empty waiting for The House Band — a funk band based in Lynchburg.
A flash of yellow, blue and red light illuminated the stage. One-by-one the 11 men wearing matching black pants and black shirts got up on stage. “The baddest band in Central Virginia” started the show.
With the music blaring from the speakers, the 11 men on stage — ranging in age from 29 to 54 — couldn’t stay still. It was like the vibes of funk shook every nerve in their bodies. But, that’s what funk can do to a person.
The group played spot-on versions of funk and soul classics such as “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” by McFadden and Whitehead, “Brickhouse” by the Commodores and “Just My Imagination” by the Temptations.
It took about two songs before those funk vibes took over the crowd. By “Shining Star”, men and women were shaking it on the dance floor.
For the next hour, The House Band continued taking the crowd back to 1977 when funk ruled the charts.
Since 2002, The House Band has played around the Lynchburg area to weddings, class reunions and anyone who remembers seeing groups dancing in unison wearing sequenced outfits that sparkled each time the rhinestones hit the light.
“We don’t mess with ’80s or ‘90s music,” Camm said.
Calvin Buck, the bass player and one of the original members of The House Band, said the band formed after a “band reunion night” at Dunbar Middle School. The gig brought together some of Lynchburg’s best-known R&B groups of the 1970s.
Following the show, Buck convinced some other musicians to start The House Band.
“We’re like the best of all the musicians that used to be,” Camm said.
Since starting the group, the lineup has rotated members and expanded, but the mission remains the same: playing quality music.
“We play a little bit of everything,” Buck said citing Motown and funk as the group’s specialty.
At each show, The House Band wears matching outfits, with more than six different get-ups in all.
“We try to look the part,” he said.
In the band’s five years together, they have opened for Stephanie Mills, The Bar-Kays and Rueben Studdard.
Back at the Holiday Inn, the band stormed through more covers like “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye and “My Girl” by The Temptations.
Camm, the newest addition to the group, kept the crowd moving.
“I’m kind of the hype guy,” Camm said. “I’m the Flavor Flav. I get the dance moves together.”
Camm added that each member of the band has a part.
“Everybody has a role,” Camm said. “It’s like a cake. You take out one ingredient and the cake is not as good.”
Camm joined in December 2006 after he hopped on stage one night at sang “ Ain’t Now Stopping Us Now.” The band, impressed by Camm’s energy, asked him to join.
In Camm’s younger days, he sang for a Lynchburg group called Cuffs and Sleeves. But it had been more than 25 years since he entertained a crowd.
Camm said the band’s best known for its tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire. At every show, The House Band does a set of classics by the ’70s funk band — sometimes 10 songs in a row.
“That’s sort of our claim to fame,” Camm said.
The House Band is booked until Thanksgiving, Camm said.
“It used to be the best kept secret,” Camm said.
The secret is out.
The House Band
Calvin Buck, Bass Guitar
Joe Davis, Lead and Background Vocals
Clyde Dixon, Lead and Background Vocals and Percussion
Tony Camm, Lead and Background Vocals and Percussion
Donnie Dixon, Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Jimmy Young, Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Dave Morgan, Drums
Ernest Dean, Trumpet
William “Champ” Scott, Saxophone
Lew Taylor, Keyboards
Telly Tucker, Keyboards and Trombone
Skeeter Yuille, Sound Technician
For more information and concert dates check http://www.thehousebandofva.com
COMMENTS