By Kelsey McNickle
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| Photo credit: Kelsey McNickle |
The familiar groove of 1960’s funk takes a whole new beat in Stockton funk fusion band Ship of Foolz. Ship of Foolz creates their own blend of funk by pulling inspiration from the genre’s jazz roots as well as it’s hip hop and soul derivatives. Toss in a little bit of reggae and samba and you come close to describing Ship of Foolz’s unique sound.
The eleven-month-old band, varying in age from 17 to 35, specializes in original compositions like the high-energy Latin-rock number “Jump Start” and the intricate, time-changing tune “Time Machine”. Their repertoire also features a few choice covers from heavy-hitters like Sly and The Family Stone and James Brown.
The band features Ship of Foolz founders Jeff Anderson on bass and Ryan Blodgett on drums leading the rhythm and groove section. Guitarist Ralph Miranda and Neelesh “DJ No Shame” Maharaj on turntables provide scratches, shreds and rhythmic hits, while Isaac Lòpez on alto and bari saxophone, Saye Dealy on trumpet, and Carolyn Kendrick on violin fill out the band’s sound in the horn section while serving double duty as vocalists.
Ship of Foolz started in September of 2010 as an offshoot project for drummer Blodgett and bassist Anderson. Both were members of several other Stockton-based bands, but wanted a project of their own. The duo decided to form a funk band and called on former Lincoln High School band mates and friends, Lòpez, Dealy, Miranda and Kendrick to join the ensemble.
The newly formed Ship of Foolz began playing weekly gigs at the Blackwater Café, creating their sound and working out original material in the comfort of the close-knit Blackwater community.
Dublin native Maharaj, A.K.A. “DJ No Shame” first met the band in March of 2011 at one of these Blackwater Café jam sessions and became a permanent member soon after, solidifying the Ship of Foolz line up and making their sound even funkier.
Ship of Foolz began playing all around the Stockton Area at bars, cafés and private events, and festivals, including the San Joaquin County Fair. In July they were booked as the opening band for New Orleans band Big Sam’s Funky Nation at the Empire Theater, their biggest gig yet.
Currently Ship of Foolz is working on recording a self-produced album of all original songs. Though they enjoy playing in Stockton, they hope to expand their audience beyond the parameters of the San Joaquin Valley and into the Bay Area and Central Coast.
Ship of Foolz hopes to not only spread their music, but also their motto:
“Be funky, be cool, and above all be different.”
You can find Ship of Foolz flying their motto at full mast all around town. If you hear a funky beat, just keep moving your feet to the rhythm of a heart in Stockton that cannot be stopped.
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