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Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series opens Friday

Luke Graham
New Orleans funk and soul band Dumpstaphunk
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— The cop-out answer for Dumpstaphunk guitarist Ian Neville, and just about any music fan, is always Jimi Hendrix.

“I mean, he’s insane,” Neville said.

But naming his top guitarists reveals a little something about Neville. His style is a nod to his past — the man certainly can tickle the strings — the New Orleans genre and funk.



Neville places Freddie Stone, of Sly and Family Stone, in the conversation as well as Gary Shider and Glen Goins from Parliament.

“Their stuff was dope,” he said. “It will forever be some classic.”



Of course a look at Neville’s iPod also reveals the rounded sound of the 10-year-old funk band. He’s got live shows of Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin from the 1970s on repeat.

“All those cats writing that music are killer musicians and dug what they did,” Neville said.

The New Orleans quintet opens the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series on Friday at Howelsen Hill. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Bill Smith’s electronic and jazz infused will open the show at 6 p.m. Dumpstaphunk is expected to begin at about 7:30 p.m.

“It’s a good way to kick it off,” concert series board member Coleman Cook said. “I think it’s a band people are familiar with, and if they’re not familiar with them, they are familiar with the Neville name.”

Ian Neville is the son of the great Art Neville, of the Neville Brothers and Meters.

The band comprises Ivan Neville on keyboard, Ian Neville on guitar, Tony Hall and Nick Daniels on bass and Nikki Glaspie on drums.

The band hasn’t had the busiest summer, so it usually gets together for a few gigs on the weekends.

Dumpstaphunk played Steamboat last winter as part of Ski Mardi Gras.

The band just got out of the studio, recording their first album with Glaspie on drums. Ian said the new album has much the same free-flowing feel of past records, with each band member contributing something new. Ian said that Friday they’ll mix in some of the new stuff into their set.

“We’re very different and all listen to different” stuff, he said. “That’s kind of what makes us, us. It’s a very New Orleans kind of thing.”

Getting out to Colorado is always on the list for Dumpstaphunk whether it be the weather or the always fun-loving crowd.

“Expect to have a blast, dance your (butt) off and get New Orleansified,” he said. “They’ll get a taste of what New Orleans can bring you.”

Concert Series to feature happy hour

In an effort to get people to the show earlier, the series will offer a two-for-one happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. In addition to wine and beer, there will be margaritas. People also can use a credit or debit card at the entrance to buy drink tokens.

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com


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