Artist description We have been described as Jamiriquai meets No Doubt.

Music Style Funk, Jazz, Rock & Roll

Musical Influences James Brown, Bela Fleck, Jeff Buckley, Jamiroquai

Similar Artists Jamiriquai, No Doubt

Group Members Tom Corbett- Drums / Jillian Rocafort- Vocals / John Newman- Guitar / Doug DeRienzo- Sax / Sean Lelchuk- Bass / David Pichard- Guitar

Instruments bass, guitar, sax, drums, keyboard

Press Reviews Don't miss this party!by terry roberts/break correspondentEddie threw a party and everybodycame. Eddie, owner of Gordo's downtown has branched out into the world of live local music. "I really love the atmosphere," says Eddie, smiling broadly. He's got good reason to smile. Perhaps 100 twentysomethings fill the room,attracted by the dollar cover, dollar drafts, live music and even livelier crowd. It's an impressive turnout for a Tallahassee summer Wednesday night. The popular lunch hangout lends itself surprisingly well to the nightlife. The lights are turned down low and some of the tables are moved to the side to make room for dancing. For a stage, the bands squeeze onto the raised platform nearest to the large window that looks out onto College Avenue. The first band to perform, Flint Hardware, takes the stage around 11p.m., playing a soul-seared, guitar-driven set that calls to mind the Allman Brothers spiced with a dash of Jimi Hendrix. Tasteful background vocals and an antique-looking wooden organ add welcome layers of sound beneath the electrifying guitar solos. The striking thing about the set, however,is that the songs are all originals. "On the Tennessee strip, there are so many cover bands," says Laura Dixon, a Gordo's patron. "It's cool to have a place for people to do their own stuff. I like the variety." While it's true that Tennessee Avenue bars host their share of original music, the Gordo's crowd seems to have different expectations. Gone are the DJs, the cover songs, the pickup artists and the slick production. "I think most of the people are really here to see the music," says Brian Clark, another local. Flint Hardware's alterna-blues power hour pleases the crowd and by 12:30, the second band, Sugarshak, takes the stage. Though this is only the band's third gig, Sugarshak already comes off refined. "John Newman, Tom Corbett, and I have been in several bands together before, so it is all fitting together quite nicely," explains David Pichard, one of Sugarshak's two guitarists. "Friendship is an important aspect of our band." Besides having played in several local bands, David also runs a local independent record label, Clovis Records, accessible at www.clovisrecords.com. Sugarshak vocalist Jillian Rockaforte doesn't harness "girl power" so much as plain old power. She swaggers, teases and grooves to Sugarshak'scatchy blend of funk, pop, soul and alternative rock, lashing out with a powerhouse voice that calls to mind Janis Joplin with none of the scratch or rasp. Jillian, only 18 years old, already handles herself like a seasoned pro. She sings with conviction, but between songs she teases the crowd and cracks jokes. At one point, the drummer drops a hip-hop beat and Jillian gamely raps, "I like big butts and I cannot lie," a hilarious nod to rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot. "It's nice to have a singer that can carry a tune in a bucket and blow the doors off the room if she wants to,"says David. "Jillian is definitely the best singer I've ever been in a band with." Along with David, Tom Corbett (drums), Marshall (bass) and John Newman(guitar) back the soul singer with a sound that boasts shades of Jamiroquai, No Doubt, Sade and a touch of the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Flea. In short, this is stuff that's supposed to make you get up and shake. And it does. Unlike much of the local post-grunge or punk scene, Sugarshak taps less into angst and more into fun. "I would like this music to be real and to have a good message. If it can help people forget their worries or problems for an hour or two then it has served its purpose," says David. Doug,a saxophone player from New Orleans, sits in, adding another layer to the mix. "The addition of Doug has been a key element of our sound," says David. Sugarshak holds the crowd until closing time, sending everyone home happy at nearly 2 a.m. With luck, Gordo's may be here to add some much needed variety to our underground local scene, so next Wednesday, when Eddie throws his party, make sure you're there. Check out the live music at Gordo's every Wednesday at 11 p.m. Covercharge: $3. Sugarshak returns to Gordo's on Sept. 27. This week's bands: Soular System and Flint Hardware.

Location Tallahassee, Florida - USA

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