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After a two night run opening for Vida Blue, MOFRO was able to stretch out for a lively Denver audience on the 17th of July. A Wednesday night at Quixote's True Blue could provide anything and everything, so the crowd got out early to check out the southern fried sensation that is MOFRO. After hearing the buzz around this band and then seeing them open for Vida Blue, I was extremely excited to see them play a full two sets.
The band was just featured on MTV’s “You Heard It Hear First,” and the constant noise this band is making translated into a large raucous crowd at Quixote’s. The band got the crowd involved right away by playing the title track to their new Fog City release Blackwater. Some highlights of the show were “Air,” “Jookhouse,” “Nare Sugar,” and “Cracka Break.” The band’s unique sound comes from JJ Grey and Daryl Hance’s upbringing in the swamps of Jacksonville, Florida. MOFRO has an 'at home' vibe that is no more obvious than the stage set up, finding both men sitting down on comfy chairs. Their front porch soul is well complimented by the slide guitar and harmonica use.
JJ Grey, the leader of the band, is quite the showman with his unique tales of life in the South. Whether he is speaking of his pension for Southern food, a love gone bad, his Grandma’s life as a 'Cracka,' or the destruction of his homeland for a new golf course, JJ speaks with the audience as if we stepped onto his porch after a long, hot day in the Florida sun. His improvisational stories provide the crowd with entertainment, as well as providing the band with some neat ways to lay grooves down. The band’s interaction is fun to watch as well. The band recently began playing with a new keyboard player and drummer. The new lineup’s first gig was this years Bonnaroo, not a bad place to start. Mike Shapiro, on keys, is challenged by JJ all night to “get nasty” or to “give him something” and Mike responds quickly providing some excellent grooves on the keyboard.
MOFRO is primed and ready to take the world by storm with its unique blend of Skynyrd like southern rock and Stevie Ray like soul. The band can be down right nasty and in your face, or light and soulful with a funk filled dance number. The players are proud of where they're from and are more than willing to share it with any audience anywhere, anytime. The only foreseeable problem for MOFRO is their continued rise in the scene could leave fans wanting more material. Their shows, at this point, tend to be fairly similar, which makes sense because they have on true album out. Their speedy rise is no doubt due to the bands unique bond with the audience combined with their new sound and fun atmosphere. You might not have heard it here first, but you will definitely here it again: MOFRO is a sight to see and a sound to be heard. Catch these small town boys in the intimacy of a small club before they blow up!
Greg Berman
JamBase | USA
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