U.S. Pipe

The wormhole has closed...RIP U.S. Pipe

2009-04-06T13:00:00.001-06:00

Dear friends,

There is no easy or right way to say it, but the wormhole of the United Sound Pipe has closed. RIP U.S. Pipe: June 2005 - April 2009!

It was a good ride and we had a lot of great things happen, touring throughout the region everywhere from Idaho to New Mexico, from Oklahoma to the mountains of the Western slope of our beautiful home state of Colorado. We got to play almost every esteemed venue and theater in Colorado: the Fox Theatre, the Fillmore, the Ogden, the Bluebird, the Belly Up and who could forget RED ROCKS!

We opened for P-Funk, Fishbone, Bonerama, Breakestra and played awesome events like Tulsa's Diversafest, Denver's Film on the Rocks and Loveland's SummerFest in the Rockies. We got a lot of love from the press and critics and released our album, United Sound Pipe, to great acclaim and fanfare. Flying Dog Brewery did a great job supporting us and helping us give back to the community, and we're so grateful for their help AND yours in giving back to those who need it most in these hard times. We're all very proud that we were able to accomplish these things and much more.

All of this would never have happened if it weren't for the fans like YOU. While this wormhole is closed right now the universe has a way of opening other tunnels and creating new space bodies with the destruction and closing of others. The universe is STILL expanding. No doubt great things will come of it.

We still have copies of the CD available and will still be selling them, as other Pipe merch we have, at us-pipe.com and will be revamping all our sites in the coming weeks. They won't go away but they will be changing so feel free to visit and still communicate through them with Citrus.

Thank you, dear friends, for all you are and have been to us!

-U.S. Pipe

Celebrate Citrus' Birthday!

2009-03-03T16:37:00.001-07:00

Today, March 3, is Citrus' 40th birthday!

It's hard to believe. Time flies by so quickly. Never give up a chance to funk it up...

Please join us this Saturday, March 7 for a show in Boulder at the b.side lounge to celebrate Citrus' milestone. It would mean a lot to all of us to see you as we've not been in Boulder for a while and it'd be great to have a lot of you turn out!

Doors are at 9 p.m. and you can find the b.side lounge at 2017 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80303.

See you Saturday!

-U.S. Pipe
us-pipe.com reverbnation.com/uspipe myspace.com/uspipe uspipe.ning.com

CD release party review by Burn Sand Burn's Barrie Bodden

2009-02-25T17:15:00.002-07:00

US Pipe CD Release
Bluebird Theatre; Denver CO
Thursday, Feb. 19th, 2009

PARTY WITH THE PIPE

By Barrie Bodden of Burn Sand Burn

The Bird had a healthy dose of energy on Thursday night. As I walked towards the box office holding four cans of various foods, I was unsure of what to expect. Sometimes local shows at a large venue can be attractive and well-attended, but often they spoil before they deliver. However, US Pipe has an aggressive marketing scheme and they back it up 100% on stage. I’ve seen them several times…everywhere from small venues like the late Cricket on the Hill—to national staples like Red Rocks. They never fail to deliver a killer performance.

I dropped my food in the donation bin and was given a voucher for a free drink—a Flying Dog ale. Wow…the night is off to a great start. I found some friends as I jammed out to the opening acts: Future Jazz Project and Foma. Both groups performed well. I chatted with Pipe drummer, Chris Murphy, who always seems to be in a great mood—a very uplifting human—he was anxious and busy mingling…waiting for his time to shine. It was getting close.

In-between sets, I stepped outside and found Ryan Chris, a phenomenal guitarist in his own right, who was playing backing guitar for the show, something he often does at local Pipe shows. “God I’m nervous,” he told me as hoards of people began packing in the place. “This is gonna be fun.” I wasn’t surprised to hear he was nervous…but rather felt lucky I could feel his humility. Musicians truly are delicate people, no matter how much they jump around on stage!

Finally…the show is ready to begin. The place was comfortably full of eager fans—400 in my estimation. I gathered myself down to the floor, near stage-right. It was strangely silent in anticipation for the funk. Ambient sounds radiated from the dark walls of the old theatre. Then, with a sonic force it came—Boom! The horns blared, Citrus wailed on his guitar and the funkiest CD release party I’ve ever witnessed was underway.

When you’re at a US Pipe show, you can’t help but shake your ass. From the second the drums kicked in, people were on the floor, at the bar, up in the balcony shaking what they got. I usually feel strange trying dance at shows without the intervention of massive amounts of liquor, but tonight was different. I felt like I was a part of something special.

Azma’s microphone chord came unplugged during the first song, but I bet less than 10% of people noticed. He’s that good! He remedied the situation without missing a beat vocally. He is one of the strongest lyricists I’ve seen and he has a commanding stage presence. He raps with the quickness, spitting out impressive and meaningful lyrics, and has a strong singing voice as well. The band used to have a perpetually changing lineup, but with Azma Holiday and the core cats, I think they are now solid.

Key player and extreme vocalist, Missy “Bubbles” Johnson, belted better than ever. She’s got the lungs and smile to make you fall in love when she sings. Damn. Something special about a girl who can scream out, “I told that man I need a hooker,” on the Colfax anthem, Hooker. As one of the two main vocalists, Missy really seems to understand her role. The two are polar opposites in every way—physically and musically, but they’ve seemed to mesh very well together. The vocal harmonies, including those from lead guitarist, Citrus, were righteous this evening…spot on. It’s rare to see a band from any genre be able to adapt to each other and mix so many musical styles together, while staying on target. United Sound Pipe can do it.

The tightness…well it comes from practice, desire, experience—and one more thing: Chris Murphy. The kid keeps the groove better than most drummers anywhere. His pocket is tight and he kills it with million dollar beats. He’s been able to transcend musical genres—blending hip-hop with rock and funk with pop. Murphy really seemed to take his game to the next level at the Bluebird. He was very charismatic and had an amazing presence, something that is not easy for a drummer to do. Towards the end of the set, he was doing tricks off the snare, using one hand to rub his top hat in a circular motion, while brushing the drums with his other hand. He’s also got some of the best feet in the business. He never misses a beat and he keeps the band, which can seem like an animal house sometimes, on target. He’s the backbone of the rhythm and he’s lucky to have such amazing support.

About two-thirds of the way through their performance, Kurt Rosenbecker, the bass player, took control. He jammed out one of the coolest bass solos I’ve heard in a while. He truly is one of the most modest bassists in the Denver area. His tone is killer. His low end booms without ringing and his fills are crunchy without being too pingy. He keeps the notes like a heartbeat, much like a drummer, and he busts out of his shell every now and again to show you his chops. He and scruffy Murph are the best one-two rhythm punch in Denver.

Speaking of Denver—you can’t talk about local guitarists without mentioning Chris “Citrus” Sauthoff. Again, he destroyed his Parker all night, producing sounds that take listeners on funky, cosmic rides. He makes notes shine…it’s rock…it’s funk, it’s all combined. He looks like he just got off George Clinton’s tour bus…oh yeah, that’s because he just did! US Pipe is his brainchild…he’s the ring leader of this ultra-funk circus ride. Citrus is a positive vibe technician as well. You can’t help but feel good when he speaks into the microphone. He’s rock-star enough to intimidate you, but humble enough to make you want to shake his hand after the show. And he’ll always shake your hand.

One of Citrus’ best qualities is his ability to blend different styles of music…even throughout songs. He nails the power chords with much crunch and takes sweet melodies to his leads. His solos were off the charts at the release and they humble even the most experienced six-stringers. And then, about halfway through the set, he sat down on the stage and whipped out a sitar! He rocked the thing as the vocalists took a break. He pulled off amazing sounds, using his foot pedals to make the notes soar through the place. In addition to the zoo of musicians, the Pipe had a traditional African dancer on stage throughout the whole show and during the sitar performance, she made beautiful movements, making the audience feel like they were on a different continent.

“I bet you didn’t think a sitar could be that funky,” Azma said after the song. The audience cheered in amazement.

Ryan Chris not only provided an extra boost to the guitar sounds, but he brought some much needed liveliness to the stage. Thank god he has a wireless system! That cat jumps around all over the place…he’s really fun to watch, especially when that hair starts a-rockin!

I noticed, however, when I walked to different areas of the venue, I had trouble hearing the lead guitars. I felt the same way at Red Rocks. I know it’s hard to mix a group that has 10 members on stage, but those guitars should shine through the mix…especially on solos and leads.

The horn section always brings the funk to a Pipe party and this night was no exception. They take turns with solos and jam as a unit wonderfully. It often sounds like one set of lungs producing three voices because of the tightness. They seemed a bit loud near the stage, but as you moved back in the room…they blended in with the mix beautifully.

United Sound Pipe took their show to a new level on Thursday night. They certainly brought the funk and the party was rocking for almost two hours of non-stop party music. They even played a delicate song from their latest release, which I’m sure they don’t plan on playing live too much. It truly was a touching song, complete with open chords and sincere harmonies. I wish they slowed it down a bit more on stage—it seemed a bit rushed. Not to be mistaken though, the show was a complete success. Everyone left satisfied and gleeful, and if they had to work the next day…they woke up smiling and hung-over! Don’t miss US Pipe next time they come around.

Q&A with U.S. Pipe about the CD release

2009-02-17T18:37:00.003-07:00

Check out the Q&A Denver Post music writer John Wenzel did with U.S. Pipe about their upcoming CD release!

http://www.getrealdenver.com/2009/02/17/music-qa-us-pipe-cd-release/

Many thanks to the Post and John for covering the band and the release party!

See you Thursday. Don't forget to bring your donation for the homeless to win stuff from Flying Dog Brewery AND Po'Boy Drums will also be donating some stuff for giveaways, too!

FREE beer & funky tunes!

2009-02-16T16:26:00.001-07:00

MORE love from Westword. Check it:

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/02/free_beer_and_funky_tunes_cour.php

See you Thursday at the CD release party!

Help the homeless @ our CD release

2009-02-15T12:09:00.002-07:00

Don't forget to join us for our official CD release this Thurs night @ the Bluebird Theater, 16+ ages!

Info + tix:

http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=21057

Many thanks to Flying Dog Brewery for their sponsorship and support. Bring in a non-perishable food item and/or clothing for the homeless and they'll get you a free drink. They're also sponsoring raffle giveaways--purchase raffle tickets with all proceeds benefiting the Denver Rescue Mission--and win items like Avalanche tickets! Check out Flying Dog here:

http://www.flyingdogales.com

Thanks to the community-at-large for their love and support of this event. We've gotten some great press as of late:

Colorado Music Buzz cover:
http://www.ColoradoMusicBuzz.com/Index.asp?LinkTo=F79

Westword Backbeat feature:
http://www.westword.com/2009-02-12/music/u-s-pipe-gets-funkier-than-an-old-batch-of-collard-greens/

See you Thursday!

Get your funky love on in Steamboat this weekend!

2009-02-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

We're returning to the Tugboat Grill & Pub for Valentine's Day weekend!

Check out the article in the Steamboat Pilot & Today!

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2009/feb/13/united_sound_pipe_keeps_pfunk_spirit_shows/

See you there!!!

U.S. Pipe on 101.5 FM TONIGHT

2009-02-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight, 101.5 FM, Mile Hi-Fidelity at 9 p.m. till 11 p.m., tune in to hear U.S. Pipe!

Citrus, Azma and Murphy will be live on the air with host and Westword Backbeat/Music Editor, Dave Herrera.

Also check out the featured article in this week's Westword:
http://www.westword.com/2009-02-12/music/u-s-pipe-gets-funkier-than-an-old-batch-of-collard-greens/

Our many thanks to Westword, Dave H. and Jon Solomon for the great work they do and their support!

U.S. Pipe on Mile Hi-Fidelity TOMORROW NIGHT!

2009-02-10T18:46:00.001-07:00

We're less than TWO WEEKS AWAY from our official CD release party at the Bluebird Theater on Thursday, February 19!

Do you have your tickets yet? You better get 'em! If you buy in advance you'll save some cash and that means you'll be able to buy another CD, or a T-shirt. Yes, we WILL have T-shirts with the awesome album cover art by Scrojo...so save your cash and get your tickets ahead of time!

We've gotten lots of great press for the CD and the release so far, including being honored as the cover feature for this month's Colorado Music Buzz magazine! We Coloradoans are lucky to be a community with a very vibrant music scene and press who are always working hard to let the public know about us.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday the 11th, Citrus, Murphy and Azma will appear on Westword Backbeat/Music Editor, Dave Herrera's, Mile Hi-Fidelity show on 101.5 FM. TUNE IN BETWEEN 9 and 11 p.m. Wednesday, 2/11, to hear it LIVE. (Note: the show regularly airs from 8 - 10 but will be delayed an hour because of the Avalanche game cuz Coloradoans love their hockey, right, right?)

For those of you who aren't in the Denver area, there is still hope! Podcasts are available on Westword's Backbeat Online so it will be available there for you to enjoy.

We're also going to be in the Westword paper coming out later this week so grab a copy!

You can check out more press about U.S. Pipe and the album on our press clippings page.

Thanks for all your support. The Funk is gettin' stronger, especially with such awesome fans like you. We love you and couldn't do it without you.

Dream chasers be aware! by Azma

2009-02-03T01:38:00.000-07:00

From Azma's myspace blog

There's a book called " The Dream Giver"...Wonderfully written book!!!
But, for those who go on the chase for that dream, be aware that what you set out for is not what you signed up for!!!
See, we get confused as to what a dream is, we think that we control the direction in which we walk, too bad, because that's not true!!! We only decide the direction we take...We have no say in what happens after that! We would all like to believe that we are great supernatural beings that control the course of our lives! But if that was the case, EVERYONE you know would be living the way they wanted to! And I'm pretty sure that YOU, and everyone you know, are not happy with the direction they are going, and the situation they're in! But if you are? Then kudos to you!
I'm gonna' keep this super short...When you decide to chase your dream, in order to achieve that dream you have to let go of everything, and everyone that's trying to stop you!
What this means is that you have to create a new way of being, while only incorporating the "old way" of being when, and only when neccessary! So say goodbye to your comfort zone!
Those who chase dreams eventually catch them, but is it what you want? Ask youself!
Chase on dreamer, Because dreaming is good!

Goals by Bubbles

2009-02-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

From Missy "Bubbles Johnson's" myspace blog

Picture this, me singing on stage in a gold bikini wearing high heels! How about Azma wearing a blond wig and a wedding dress? Well it could happen!
My biggest dream was to play at Red Rocks. Well, the Pipe got to play Red Rocks last summer and my dream came true! So now it is a new year and time to make some new dreams and set some new goals.
So, at practice last night, the band was clowning about me wearing on a bikini on stage. Everyone busted out because that sure as hell was never gonna happen. Not because I don't look good in a bikini, because I look hot in a bikini, I just gotta lose 5 pounds, shave my legs and go tanning. I think it was the high heels that had everyone laughing???
Then I got to thinking, why not set a goal and aim high, because if the dream comes true, i mean when the dream comes true, I'm gonna need some time to get my tan! So here is what is on the table, if the Pipe gets to play a show at the Pepsi Center, I will wear a bikini and high heels on stage! Not to be outdone and raise the anty, Azma declared that he will put on a blond wig and wedding dress! Wow, that is gonna be one crazy show! Let's make it happen!!!

Official CD Release Party for United Sound Pipe!

2009-02-01T12:22:00.002-07:00

Our official CD release party is coming soon! We are going to be dropping the BOMB on Denver!

Playing with the incredible bands Future Jazz Project and Foma, this evening is gonna be a night to be remembered!

***GET TICKETS***

—UNITED SOUND PIPE OFFICIAL DENVER CD RELEASE PARTY, BLUEBIRD THEATER, FEB 19—

DENVER, COLO., January 15, 2009 — Colorado's premier funk band, U.S. Pipe, is pleased to announce the first official CD release party for their debut full-length release, United Sound Pipe, at Denver's Bluebird Theater, on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m.

The album, released through their own label, Pipe Circle Music, Inc., was produced by Bill Thomas, recorded and mixed by Christopher "C3" Cardone at Area Five Point One Studio in Evergreen, Colo., and was mastered by multi-Grammy-winning David Glasser of Airshow Mastering, Boulder, Colo. United Sound Pipe features cover art by famous artist, Scrojo (scrojo.com) and very special guest, Rick Gardner, on trumpet (rubberhorn.com). An original member of Bootsy's Rubber Band and longtime member of the P-Funk family, U.S. Pipe is honored to collaborate with him.

The music is a unique amalgamation of funk, hip hop and rock that positively conveys both the essence of the legacy of the funk culture as well as the future of cutting-edge, funk-flavored music. It entertains, inspires and moves. Colorado Music Buzz magazine raves: "...Citrus Sauthoff and crew showcase amazing energy along with the obvious lofty level talent that is bursting throughout the disc. With their innate ability to marry up an album with this kind of production quality and still maintain the feel of 'live,' United Sound Pipe should be on your short list of new purchases."

Support acts on the bill for the release party are Foma*, a quintet with a sonic palette that combines rock-alternative, funk, and blues, all lightly peppered with a pinch of country twang, Future Jazz Project, who set a new level of artistry with jazz roots combined with hip hop, R&B, and soul, and up-and-coming DJs The Illionaires.

The evening will also feature some giveaways and other fun surprises. The first 50 fans in the door will receive a collectible poster with Scrojo's amazing album art signed by U.S. Pipe. In addition, everyone who brings a non-perishable food item and/or clothing to donate to local area charities will receive freebies courtesy of Flying Dog Brewery, a longtime supporter of U.S. Pipe.

"We know these are tough times for everyone," says U.S. Pipe leader, Citrus, "so we really wanted to make this party an opportunity to give back to those who need it the most. We hope everyone will come out and not only have a great time, but bring a donation so we can spread the positivity within the community."

Tickets for the release party are $10 in advance and $12 day of show. For tickets visit http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=21057.

Video from P-Funk opening set now online!

2009-01-13T16:39:00.003-07:00

Hi everyone,

We just uploaded video to our YouTube station from the opening set for P-Funk show. You can check it out on our Facebook page or visit the YouTube station at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/USPipe

It was a pleasure to be part of a really magical evening. P-Funk lay down the funk in full effect! Thanks to them for being so gracious and putting on one kick-ass show.

More to come...stay tuned!

Happy New Year! Let's Get this Party Started!

2009-01-08T18:25:00.003-07:00

We trust you had a magnificent Holiday Season and that you are ready to start ’09 off with a Funky Bang!

We are getting this year jumpin off by opening up for George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic at the Fillmore in Denver on Sat Jan 10th! Tix are still on sale!!

We are more than stoked to get the opportunity to play this incredible venue before our Heroes and Mentors! Can You Get to That? We sho nuff can!

We are planning a special aftershow party that night as well at Tooey’s....should be a blazin good time! You just don’t know WHO is gonna show up? The Pipe is taking it's entire pa and a bunch of musical gear to play with!

Monday the 12th Citrus (dat's me) will be spinning some of his old Funky Vinyl at Matt Fecher’s evening at the Larimer Lounge! New Music Mondays is gonna be filled with Good Ol Funky Music!

Be sure to stop in and listen to some OLD SCHOOL FUNK and more! I am really excited for this evening!

Feb 19th is gonna be off the chain!

The CD Release Party and tour are starting to come into good shape! We will be playing with the DJs Illusionaires, Future Jazz Project and Foma*

Special Guests, Drink Specials, Neighborhood business participation and a BIG Food Drive are all in the works!! Stay Tuned!

We really want to thank each and every of you for your continued support!

WE as a band want to wish you a Great 2009 and WE deeply hope that you get many steps forward on YOUR journey and towards YOUR goals!

Stay Funky Ya’all!

Citrus

KTCL's Locals Only Show Tonight!

2009-01-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between 8pm and Midnight tonight KTCL's Locals Only Show will be playing a mix of Writa Man that the DJ ALF made himself!
I am way excited to hear what he did...basically fit it for time and made it safe for FCC. A huge honor that he would bother to do this for U.S. on his own initiative!
If you can...please let your friends know....93.3 Fm
Listen in and give a call after you hear the track and ask for MORE!

Our foot is in the door and we need YOU to help us get it all the way open!
Stanx!
Citrus

p.s.
ya'all rock! I hope you had a great holiday! LUV to you and yours!

Over the Hills and Thru the Woods to Funk YOU UP! by Citrus

2008-12-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

From Citrus' myspace blog

We almost didn't GO! The show Yesterday was a Blizzast! An epic adventure in the name of Funk!

Due to several reasons...Azma not being able to make it for a VERY SPECIAL reason, Not having a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive a couple folks up, the INCREDIBLE blizzard that had most of the roads CLOSED, we ALMOST didn't even bother going up the hill!

Xmas Day was spent in speculation and wonder..fear was growing in the ranks. We had realized that we didn't have a 4X4 reserved about a week back and tried in vain to get one. The news and online tools all pointed to it being impossible to get to Telluride. A HUGE storm was passing thru..dumping 40 inches of snow on Telluride in 24 hours! I couldn't get thru to the club to find out what was going on and around 1 am I fell out...worried about the morning.

Popped up at about 7 and found that one road I was worried about was open according to the CDOT website. Yet the TV said that it was impossible to get to Telluride. I called the police up there and the officer told me that "If you aren't in Telluride NOW..you aren't getting to Telluride today!" So I left a message with the club that we weren't going to head up. Sent out the word to the band and went about relaxing.....about an hour later that all changed!

Got a call from Tom at the Club finally! He said that we could make it...Oh lord...I called the cops again...different officer...."if you can get to Grand Junction you can get here!!" Well....I-70 was open all the way!
Took about another hour to finally re-assemble the troops. Another couple hours to get out to the Airport to pick up the vehicle and back and get loaded up and all...buying tire chains along the way home. We were OFF..

The ride was breezy till we got to Vail Pass...that's when we had our first "oh hell" moment. A huge chunk of snow hit the windshield..like 4 inches deep...sliding off the mountain in front of me in a mini avalanche. Took my feet up off the pedals and relaxed. Kept on keepin on and it was really no problem till we got past Glenwood Springs...that's when everything changed!
It was getting dark..the snow was THICK and blowing all over the place. My fellow travellers on the road were mainly a bunch of wimps tho. I would try to conform and sit in line with them..but found that following an idiot that slams on their breaks at every curve was much more dangerous than riding in the other lane with nobody in front of me. I LOVE driving in the snow...and I got my fill of it! The conditions were about as bad as I had ever driven in till we got to Grand Junction...At one point Tom called me..."hows it going?" he asked...."Much better than it is for the truck that just flipped into the ditch in front of me bro" was my reply. I counted at least 5 wrecks in that stretch of highway...with a jack-knifed tractor-trailer being one of them on an off ramp. There were times that I had to imagine I was a goalie in Hockey...keeping track of the sides of the roads cuz I couldn't really see in front of me at all.
Then it was like there was NO snow at all..not even on the ground..a Big patch of clean easy driving...I thanked the heavens for the break. As soon as we headed south it was clear! For a while. After a bit the snow came back...hard and heavy. My biggest problem now tho was the fools with their brights on illuminating the storm and not the roads..the jerks who flashed their lights at me cuz they didn't see me turn off my brights...

One of the HIGHLIGHTS of the trip was calling KURT and asking for Directions! Thank GOD somebody bought him a GPS for Xmas!

At long last we arrived safe and sound! Sent Missy and Mike to deal with the Hotel and the rest of us Loaded in..set up and got HIGH as a kite!

Now the show....The show was one of the best shows musically that we have put on in a LONG time. We started off with Music For My Mother and mugs were dancing like freaks from the TOP! We had all decided to stretch things and experiment a bit. It paid off.
I was really loving my set up of amps for the evening. The old Twin (that is now dubbed 7 but pronounced Seb'n) and the Boogie blended with the stereo delay sounded like they were made for each other! Izabella came thru and sent me into a sexual frenzy that I hadn't experienced in decades! I was fuckin her good all over the place...grinding the frets on my amp...droppin her on the gound and makin her rumble...calling down the thunder by scratching the springs in the back...most of the old tricks from my Jimi and Stevie worshipping daze. She held her tuning pretty well and maintained playability thru the night...She's BACK for real now! Plus I know I can put her thru the ropes and have a great place to take her to for tender love and care!

With Tear the Roof we hit the nail on the head baby... had the crowd in our hands...they kept the chant going and going....and we would drop out and let them take charge...THIS is the FIRST Time that we ever got our audience to that point...that point in a show where the band becomes secondary and the crowd takes over. It didn't stop there.

Kurt and Murphy dropped into a pocket while I tuned up that had every lady in front of me wet and all the dudes boned up....I joined in and they tried to stop, but I couldn't let those people down like that till they got a nut! We kept the jam going and it ended up being a real highlight of the evening...the horns hit some great lines they had been working on and I sang the Cajun Stripper Queen over it cuz it had that Dirty sexy Big Easy vibe on it.

Maggott Brain...oh hell...I told the crowd to start makin out and to get out their lighters...they did..it was beautiful!
I was bending that Strat's strings farther than I have since the early 90s...she was on fire...FINALLY I broke one..the b string snapped under the tension...."What would Mike do?" I went apeshit on the high e string...moving to the g occasionally but over all I just played a few more minutes on one string...getting the melody to come thru as well. We even managed to pull off the heavy ending...

There were TONS of great moments... a few "ass-pie" moments. But basically we did great..
Missy really shone thru ! We mapped out a few things on the ride up and it paid off big time. Her voice was strong all night and we had some really good blends! She was confident and sure of herself all night long! It was a pleasure to behold!
The Horns were horny and groovin......a lot of good stuff was coming thru and they sounded tight as could be. I loved it seeing the charts fall to the ground in a pile! We don't need to stinkin charts! Mike and Jimmy both had some major solo's...at one point in the night there was a crowd of mugs just eggin them on...eating up every note! tha bomb! We did a lot of give and take and took each other into different phrasing and note combos...how fun!

Kurt slammed some major shit Solo'd his ass off and really held things down...we had some great improvisational moments too
The Lock Brothers? the three of us were locked tight as our sphincters were on the ride up! LOL.
Murpholoptic? SHEEEITTT>..he drove the whole way and played a killer show...In fact...while we were just setting up and getting ready to start soundcheck..he hit just a couple of notes on the drums and it made the kundalini shoot up my spine! The rest of the night was no different. His vocals were killer too...Soldier.

Everybody was on point..their ears were open...their eyes were communicating! We were a unit again!

We missed Azma big time..in fact we dedicated the show to him and his son. I think that in a way we were playin FOR them and their big chance to be together...sending love from afar.

For me personally it was a victory....I was deeply saddened by the thoughts of not going to the show...the debates and the obstacles thrown in my way made me question my Self and a lot of other things. I thought "what would my heroes do?" they would be at the road block waiting for them to open the gates so they could play the gig...they would play Maggott Brain on one string...they would let the audience dictate the momentum of the show...they would soldier on and do the damn thing...

Well...now my band is my hero.

Izabella by Citrus

2008-12-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

From Citrus' myspace blog

Back in '85 I went to this guitar shop in the northern suburbs of denver. On the wall was MY guitar...I felt it pulling me towards it...I just couldn't take my damn eyes off of it.
Being a young cat...16yrs old...I really had no duckets for this guitar...I mean $310!!! c'mon!
I put it on Layaway! and went in and paid on it whenever I could...taking Polaroid pics of me and my baby to keep me going! In fact...MOM has a picture of me and Izabella on her fridge to this DAY!
I TRULY felt that either Jimi Hendrix or Garry Shider had owned that guitar....Hendrix was ruled out when I found it was a '72. Shider has since confirmed that he thinks he owned the guitar at one point in the Glory Daze.
Anyway...This gorgeous Blonde Strat with a Maple Neck....I took it home and played it to death...but noticed right away that it played like CRAP! I took it in to AXE Haven and had it refretted! In keeping with my poor financial situation and the sillyness of being a teenager...I didn't have them finish the neck....then I even went so far at to Scallop a few of the frets down at the bottom...I played her SO much...falling asleep with her....doing all the things that good guitarist does...tripped acid....went rollorblading LOL ...everything..with my guitar. If there has EVER been a guitar that actually felt like it was a PART of ME...it's THIS guitar...
Well...I have been broken for a while! I played that guitar to death! I traded it, I sold it...and I bought it back every time...I figure I let her go about 4 or 5 times and bought her back for $310 every time! I traded her for a Danelectro Doubleneck Bass with an 8 string neck! I traded her for Marshall Stacks...for ART amps when they were hot...for money...I always got her back tho!

in '02 she went with me overseas to Europe and Africa...In Africa she was in the wreck that we had...Al Davis, all 300lbs of him, dropped right on to her...I thought she was crushed...I used her in her leapord skin case to break open the big window to the van so that we could WALK out instead of climb up thru the little windows...Hell she was damn near in tune! Just played like SHIT!

I took her in to a few shops and had her refretted and tried to bring the life into her...but I wasn't ready personally I guess...cuz she wouldn' be fixed.

Recently, my Mentor and friend Mike Hampton came thru town...He showed me a hot little left handed strat that he had bought on the Isle of Wight!... It set me into action. I HAD to get Izabella back in action..OUT of the case and INTO my arms! (like a Billy Ocean song)
I just can't bare to see her and NOT touch her...but touching her drove me NUTZ!....so I took her in recently....expecting the cat to say...oh man the neck is beyond help etc etc...

but NO...she is home...she has had a heart transplant...a sweet set of pickups and new wiring...a GREAT job of setting her up and all... I mean...she plays better than she EVER has before. I can't put her down..

Pilgrimage to Madison Headquarters by Citrus

2008-11-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

From Citrus' myspace blog

I made the Pilgrimage to Madison Headquarters again yesterday!

I headed out at about 10 am. Had some smooth sailing till I came upon a pretty ugly accident on the I-25 corridor. Didn't look like anybody got hurt, but they were obviously freaked OUT! I counted my blessings and moved on down the road. It's about 65 miles away from the house. I look forward to the drive because it takes you thru some really beautiful country. The last stretch goes along a killer razor back formation of rocks!

The place doesn't look like an amplifier factory at all...in fact the first time I went up there I went to the house first and not the shop! This time tho...I parked and went right to the shop's door. Ron came to the door and it was "oh HEY DUDE!!!" from the both of us! He took me into the depths of the shop! The last time I went up there I got a tour of the place and they were spread out all thru the building.
THIS time tho they were all holed up in one little section, by the wood burning stove. Eric and Ron were working on wedges while Andy was in his office. Ron took me to Andy but we headed right to the little work room where it's ALL going down. The spot is normally just for the speaker construction. The wood shop...so it's covered in sawdust. The wood-burning stove is fed the little scraps and unusable bits from the cabinets and wedges and heads.. All real wood here. I didn't ask a thousand questions...but my eyes were everywhere! There was no press board or crap of lesser amps. I was impressed by their obvious ingenuity and flexibility. They are getting the job done man!
Eric was skillfully building a wedge. He was all business the whole time...workin away. Andy and Ron and I sorta BS'd a bit about the Myspace and Distributors and the questions and suggestions that people are sending in to the Myspace page.

I asked Andy to blog a bit more cuz folks seem to really dig when he blogs...HE then took me to look at a bunch of Cabinets in his office.

"You wanna blog man? I got something for you Bog!" He showed me the covers that go on the corners of each cab. They were all filed to a sharp point where the pieces of wood actually meet. "That Fucker in there (Ron) Files these all down man...every one of them...cuz it just looks so much better!" In my world of Funk we say "If you have Funk. You have Style" These mother funkers got mad FUNK! I mean...I have always been drawn to the amps cuz of the way they look! Madison amps are some of the coolest looking rigs I have ever seen!

We headed back to the heart of it all and started talking about Distribution more and how hard it is to find the right folks to sell his stuff. I can't imagine what it's like breaking into this market at all! They need to get this gear into real stores in L.A. and Vegas and all over the world! Looks like things may pan out over seas in the near future...which I hope will help with the American market as well.

Ron and Andy went out to the main room of the shop and came back with the wedges that I had come to pick up. Andy then suggested that they mod them and add some capacitors to make the tone cooler. They get to opening them up....Andy says that he will help by just opening the one...but he ends up with a soldering iron in hand anyway..can't help himself. They do the mod and then Ron wraps them up with precision and care..you can tell that he takes a LOT of pride in his work..they all do! Some little inside jokes were going around about sawdust in the cabinets and other things....

We talked music...I couldn't believe that they claimed to not have much theoretical knowledge on the guitars...cuz these cats can SHRED!!...but they do it by ear and feel and emotion....I think they make their amps that way too...tons of Heart and Soul!

Last ’08 Denver show + Lincoln, NE on Sat!

2008-11-20T12:04:00.001-07:00

Just want to let you know we'll be doing our last Denver gig for 2008 on Friday night, Nov 21: the Warren Miller after-party at the Paramount Cafe, 519 16th Street in downtown Denver. We'll hit around 10 p.m.

If you've ever gone to one of these Warren Miller events, well, we don't need to tell you--it's off the chain! If you're hankering for a helluva party, you should come by. It's your last chance to party with the Pipe in D-Town this year--let's go out with a bang!

On Saturday night, Nov 22, we'll be making our debut in Lincoln, Nebraska, so if you're out that way or have peeps, let 'em know we'll be at the Box Awesome, 815 O Street. We'll be playing with two awesome Lincoln-area bands: Son of 76 and Electric Soul Method.

They made a really cool poster for us, check it out:

Don't forget that you can now order United Sound Pipe online!

We'll also have CDs available at all our shows so we hope to see you soon!

Funk On,
U.S. Pipe
us-pipe.com reverbnation.com/uspipe myspace.com/uspipe uspipe.ning.com

My $250 Cigarette!!!! by Azma

2008-11-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

From Azma's myspace blog

So saturday night My band, U.S PIPE Rocked a show up in winter park at the Winter Park Pub!!! Dope ass show!!! Those cats know how to get down on the good foot!!! It was our 2nd time up and they were jus' as wild as the 1st, Rocked wit' us from 10-2am. NON-STOP!!

Aiight, So the shows over, we load up our equipment, sign some cd's, drink some"danks", and roll out!!

Now I know that we have all been to hotels were they got signs up that say no smoking, right? Right. Otay!! And I'm sure that some people disregard these signs, like me!! Hahahaha!! This "BAD MUTHAFUCKA", (me) pulls a "SUPER STUPID", while I "ENJOY LIFE", and decides to smoke a muthafuckin' cigarette!!!! Tsk, tsk, tsk!!! Bad choice!!! In my state of Ignorant bliss...hahaha...I payed no attention to the sign that said, "No smoking in the rooms, violators will be subject to a $250 fine." Now keep in mind, I've smoked in most hotel rooms that had similar signs, but they never inforced them...Hell to tha naw...not this time!!!! apparently ALL of the rooms on the 2nd floor were jus' remodeled, new carpet, new paint, new furniture, new everything!!! Damnit!

And duh, I'm in winter park, where their only goal is to make scrilla!!

Ok, Sunday morning I roll out wit' the horn players and Everythang is coo', or so I Think!! Remember ignorant bliss? I get to denver, do what I gotta do for my day, go home and chill....Citrus texted me and says, "Winter park promoter called...great show...someone smoked in room 203...Owe best western $250...

DAMNIT!!! A brotha' shoulda used a "SMOKESCREEN"!!! oh yeah I'm on a roll!!! hahahahaha!! So now my dumb ass has to "WRITA' MAN" a $250 dolla' check! Ain't that a bitch! for a goddamn cigarette, thee most expensive muthafuckin' cigarette to touch my lips!! I should call em' and see if they still got the butt so I can put that shit in a gold case or some shit! So after my first reaction I laughed so muthafuckin' hard that I was cryin', my stomach is still sore from laughin so damn hard!!! If I can't laugh at myself, then who the fuck can I laugh at?

So the moral of the story is....fuck it ain't no damn moral, next time you wanna smoke, take yo' ass outside!!!

Maybe Hotels should start usin' a picture of my ass handin' over a $250 dolla' check to keep people from smokin' in their rooms!!! hahahaha! yeah laugh it up, jus' be glad it wasn't you!!

On the serious tip....My apologies to Jeff Williams, The Promoter for the pub, and to The best western....and especially my band!! My bad!!

Peace

Azmorphius.... the man who paid $250 for a cigarette!!

The Berf of my Baby! by Citrus

2008-11-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

From Citrus' myspace blog

Good Grief...how many years in the making? Two I guess...really. We had started off with by recording an entire album that got shelved! Lot's of hard work and great guests are on it...we will slowly trickle that one down to the Pipe Posse. The Lost Album.. I won't go into the other names for it as it may offend some mugs! LOL
One year down the drain...but a HUGE learning period for my band and myself, setting the stage for the NEXT one!

Then after deciding to scrap it all Laura talked my good buddy C3 into giving us like 4 days...two to record and two to mix. We were hoping to at least get a real DEMO out on the table. When working with intelligent and talented mugs who have great toys in their houses(C3) you often find that time is as man made concept. He kept sayin...now GET OUT...it's gotta be DONE by (add any date here)!!!! but then we would somehow manage to schedule another session!
The Rhythm section did it's thing in a flash really. We got all the basic tracks done in a session and a half or so.

Then came the overdub period. Horns were laid up on there first. One Session and they were out. Then I came in and did my guitar overdubs...only one and a half hours! It was amazing. I laid down like some 20 tracks in that time. Hit it and quit it was in full effect!
Afta dat came Vox....we spent a goodly amount of time on them...going back again and again until they sounded just right...of course...most of our studio time was in the mornings at the start...and my vocalists were normally going to sleep at the time they were supposed to be trackin! But we got thru it...changed the schedule some and it all worked out!

Next up??? the MIXDOWN! Now the BIG problem with the LOST Album was that while I was away we had a body go in there and move stuff all around... I mean...cut copy and paste like mad...it got chopped into a lifeless bunch of samples IMHO....so with THIS one...we decided that we weren't going to splice solo's together...unless we had to...We kept it as LIVE and energetic as we could...leaving in the little bits of music that make it organic. We stayed as far away from triggering and sampling as we could...adding a few effects here and there for fun tho!
The process took a long time as we had short bursts of studio time in which to work...I suppose that if we had the duckets to PAY for our studio...we would have done it much faster in larger blocks of time...but as it was...we were on borrowed time and we took it when it came to us.

Afta DAT....we took the mixes to get Mastered...now this was something completely NEW to me. I had never sat in a mastering studio even...and here we go...to a grammy winning mug that really sprinkled some good juice on it!

Then of course...we had to deal with the tape..the RED tape...I have never had to go thru the whole copyright jammy in ernest. I was in bands that had somebody else handle it. The wifey and I went round and round trying to get it all just right with much help from our lawyer (Shoshana) and our producer(Billy Tee)!
Finally we had to send it off....and WAIT....
The wait is over...I have TEN beautiful boxes of CDs in my living room! True product...and a wonderful group of recordings if I do say so myself... I have listened to this thang enough to make me sick of it...but I am NOT sick of it...in fact...I keep hearing things that I didn't hear before we went to Master..
Morale of the story? This shyt ain't over...in fact..it's just begun!

The CDs are here and will be available for sale at our Moe's show!

2008-11-13T20:43:00.003-07:00

The wait is over--U.S. Pipe's debut CDs are now here and ready for sale! United Sound Pipe has officially dropped.

We will have them at our shows this weekend: Denver @ Moe's BBQ Friday night, November 14 (formerly known as The Falcon and just a few doors down from The Gothic Theatre) and at Winter Park Pub Saturday night, November 15!

If you ordered your CD online, we will mail them out ASAP so you will be getting them by the end of next week (depending on where you live as some of you who pre-ordered are outside the States).

Official CD release parties will be announced so we can all celebrate. We will be selling these CDs in numerous spots online and will send out links as stores are in place.

And...you can buy them right now online at us-pipe.com/buypipe.cfm.

We hope to see you this weekend!

My brother.... by Azma

2008-11-13T02:32:00.000-07:00

From Azma's myspace blog

Ok, alot of people have been askin' me why I don't have a song up in memory of my brother, who was killed in june....first of all like I've replied to most of you...tha's none of your business!!!! But it made me realize that I have been tyrin' to live my life like he is NOT gone! Denial sucks...It's been 5 months since my big brother was killed...the media and the police have put out THEIR story of what happened, but it's not even close to the truth!!! But I'm not about that right now...I'm about my fans who made me wake up and deal with my brothers death...It's been really hard for me to deal with this!!! I've seen alot of ya'll at shows, whether it was a Cadava show, or a United sound pipe show.

My brother was my best friend, and my biggest enemy...we were two giants in the same place, and that never worked well...AT ALL! My brother went through alot of bullshit bein' locked up at the age of 15, he taught me that the choices we make will either haunt us, or launch us to the platform of our dreams...(Media) "he was a thug, with a criminal record...) I have a fuckin' criminal record too!!! most young black men our age do!!! are you SHOCKED??? we have been their target for years...anyway I won't go there either! To the people who have asked, The reason I have'nt put up a song about my brother on my page is because I don't want him to be gone...might not make since but have you ever had a really good friend that pissed you off and ya'll never agreed on shit, argued all the time, talked shit to eachother, fought eachother, but always stayed friends??? That was me and my brother...no matter what we did to eachother, we loved eachother!! He was the only person in my life, that was not directly involved in my life that gave me advice that changed my life......for the better!!! We grew up in very fucked up situations, and because he was older, he tried to hide those things from me...but when he got locked up at 15, I was thrown into shit that I never even knew existed!! ya'll have all read the papers about him, and have probably come to your own conclusions about what kind of person he was, but let me bust the media in it's ass!!! My brother was a LEADER, he was the kind of person who was always helping people, yes he hustled, yes he fought, yes he dabbled in dope, yes he had many women, yes he did certain things when needed, and yes he grew up with no direction!!! count how many muthafuckas you know who fit this category....

He was still loved by his mother, his grandmother, who by the way, died 2 months after he did, his brothers, his sister, and his wonderfully smart children!!!

I AM my Brothers keeper!!! I have a song written especially 4 him, and it will be on my solo album...before my album is ever released that song will be given a away for free...because it will speak to those who need it...the truth is to be told not sold!!!

Thanks to the cats that made me realize what I needed to do...

PEACE

AZMA

Veteran’s Day by Citrus

2008-11-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

From Citrus' myspace blog

I know there are a LOT of heroes out there. I thank you.
For me...especially now that he has passed on, my HERO Veteran has been my Uncle Joseph P Delio.

He was in WWII. He was a radio operator on B-17s. Once while bombing Germany he was shot out of the sky. He was knocked out but came to his senses and pulled his Chute in the nick of time. He evaded the Germans for about 10 days, but was captured. He was put in a prison camp and then, he and his fellow prisoners endured a forced 80-day, 487-mile march across the wintry landscape, a trek that cost him 65 pounds and earned him severe frostbite. He managed to write a book on that march. He used cigarette package paper and bound them together with floss! matchbooks...whatever worked. That book is in my Aunt's possession now...tho it belongs in a museum or something.
He came home with 6 medals.
When I met Uncle Joe...it was long after the war obviously. He never said a word about it to me. I asked and asked but he wouldn't glorify himself or the war. He just wouldn't go there. Instead he was putting the "magic" into figure and hockey skaters blades... He had become the BEST skate sharpener in the world. Every Gold medalist sent their skates to him in the day.
He had three daughters...all of whom I love..but you know they drove him nutso! His patience was endless...his strength you could feel across the room..the flash of love in his eyes could brighten your darkest day.

He taught me my first trade. Sharpening Ice Skates. He played Chess with me. He was the one man in my family that I truly respected in the MOMENT, not just in retrospect. I watched and I learned....and a great many of my traits that I am complimented on are directly related to Uncle Joe.
I was given some of his clothes recently. Strange that we are the same size cuz I always thought of him as a giant.
He is my Hero and will not be forgotten as long as I live!

PDF about my uncle here!

Go-Bama! Celebrate with U.S.! Obama-rama!

2008-11-06T21:56:00.003-07:00

We're very excited about President-elect Obama. Help us celebrate this glorious change with some pure stanky funk!

This coming SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 you can party with U.S. at Out'a Bounds Saloon in Loveland, if you're up in northern Colorado! ALL PIPE, ALL NIGHT, 21+, 9:30 p.m.

Then next FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 we'll be playing with our friends, HOME. at Moe's BBQ next to the Gothic Theatre (formerly known as The Falcon). 16+ AGES, 9 p.m.