The Hot Grits

The Hot Grits

Originally formed in 2002, "The Hot Grits" have made a name for themselves in Auckland and parts of the lower north island as fine purveyors of the psychedelic afro-beat big band sound. Always focusing on the rougher side of soul/funk music, "The Hot Grits" were recently recognised as finalists in the MTV Kickstart competition, a sure sign of bigger and better things to come.

I spoke to the bands singer Barney recently to get a better idea of what is happening with this Auckland based funk phenomena

We're influenced by a lot of southern soul music from America, artists like the "The Meters" and "Rufus Thomas", but at the same time we listen to a lot of 1960's afro-beat music from West Africa.

"The Hot Grits" originally started out as a funk covers band and slowly took on board other influences from afro beat to classic psychedelic music, eventually molding it into their own sound and style.

We aren't as smooth and candy coated as the other soul/funk bands that are getting known in Auckland and New Zealand at the moment. The Hot Grits are primarily a live gigging band and we try to capture that blistering raw old school funk 45 sound in our recordings and live performances.

Since formation, the Hot Grits have gigged heavily in Auckland at venues like the Khuja lounge and toured around the country, performing in Taupo, Wellington, Napier, the Coromandel and Nelson.

When I spoke to Barney the band had just been through some slight changes in the lineup, which is to be expected when you have an 11-12 piece band.

At present the members are Barnie Duncan (Lead Vocals), Nick Wood (Percussion), Marlon Lobo (Bass), Marc Johnstone (Keyboards), Elitia Clark (Lead Vocals), Trygve Wakenshaw (Percussion), Martin Sutcliffe (Guitar), Alistair Deverick (Drums), Jim A'Hara (Trombone), Glen Cossey (Saxophone), Ben McNicoll (Saxophone), Andrew Watts (Trumpet), Hugh Harlow (Live sound).

"The Hot Grits" released their debut EP "The Championship Sounds EP" late last year on their own imprint "Championship Sounds" (distributed via Border Music) and are currently working on a follow-up EP which they hope will allow them to really capture that classic 60's/70's funk soul recording style and move forward onto the next phase in their musical journey.

Funk and soul is back!

For more information on "The Hot Grits", check out www.thehotgrits.co.nz or contact their manager Dunc Tha Funk @ duncthafunk@gmail.com

Martyn Pepperell

Taken from New Zealand Musician Magazine