Chromatic Cabooze: Turkuaz & The Suffers Perform In Minneapolis – Recap & Photos

Images by: Tim McGuire

Turkuaz & The Suffers :: 11.29.17 :: The Cabooze
Minneapolis, MN

Brooklyn-based Turkuaz resumed touring last night at The Cabooze in Minneapolis. The dedicated group of fans of all ages (above 18) that came out on a Wednesday night were given ample opportunity to get over the hump by dancing to funky live music.

Opening this run of shows with Turkuaz is Houston-based The Suffers. The eight-piece ensemble’s charismatic lead singer Kam Franklin warmed up the crowd with captivating vocals and engaging vamps between songs. By their set-closing cover of “Shout” the well-prompted audience was shouting the band’s name and hometown in response to Franklin’s enthusiastic inquiry.

Turkuaz entered the stage as introductory music played over the PA and frontman, guitarist Dave Brandwein, quickly showed off his French speaking skills with the set opening “Chatte Lunatique” that saw full band choreography in time with the tune. Bassist Taylor Shell got slappy and drummer Michelangelo Carubba got funky on “Percy Thrills (The Moondog)” and kept a tight, highly-danceable pocket throughout the full throttle set.

Vocalists Sammi Garett and Shira Elias were prominently showcased throughout the evening, including the newer songs “If I Ever Fall Asleep” and their current single “On The Run.” The pair also took on The Band’s version of “Don’t Do It,” while Garett fronted the group on the swampy funk of “Tiptoe Through The Crypto” and Elias was out front for “Gogo Mr. Dodo.”

The multi-talented guitarist/keyboardist Craig Brodhead showed off his six-string talents on songs like the extended “Lookin’ Tough, Feelin’ Good” and he added vocoder keys to “Digital Love.” Baritone saxophonist Josh Schwartz beat boxed and sang lead on “Holy Ghost” and multi-skilled trumpeter/keyboardist Chris Brouwers could often be seen playing both of his instruments at the same time.

The set wrapped with the super-charged “Coast To Coast” punctuated by tenor saxophonist Greg Sanderson’s soloing and “Bubba Slide,” which saw the crowd singing along. Brandwein wished his wife in attendance a happy birthday at the start of the encore and then proceeded to lead Turkuaz through a romping “Monkey Fingers.”

Turkuaz and The Suffers continue their tour tonight at High Noon Saloon in Madison, Wisconsin. View photographer Tim McGuire’s gallery from last night at The Cabooze below:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”679″ gal_title=”20171129 Turkuaz McGuire”]

Setlist

Set: Chatte Lunatique, Percy Thrills (The Moondog), Nightswimming, If Ever I Fall Asleep, Tiptoe Through the Crypto, On The Run, Future 86, Holy Ghost, EFN (European Festivity Nightmare), Digital Love > The Generator, Gogo Mr. Dodo, Lookin’ Tough, Feelin’ Good, 20 Dollar Bill, Don’t Do It, Coast to Coast, Bubba Slide

Encore: Monkey Fingers