Artist description We got funkalicious right here and they go by the name of the Fat Beat Squad. An excellent "Origial" funk band with a "brass-induced hip hop groove". With seven fellas groovin' and a pumpin' out delicious sounds and with their naughty; but mostly humorous lyrics, this band has gained its fair share of props from the San Diego music scene. Matter of fact, fbs has quite a rap sheet for only five years of life. They've received rave press reviews, numerous invites from proving grounds like the Belly Up in Solana Beach and the '98 Vans Warped Tour, and have received multiple San Diego Music Award nominations in 1999 and 2000. Yea, these pranksters know how to play. Their canned juice is tasty, so imagine what happens when you get it right from the source. FBS, with its seven members hootin' and jammin' across the stage, are bound to put out so many good feelings that even the most stiff-lipped corporate kook will get out there and groove like there's no tomorrow.

Music Style Classified as a Brass Induced, Hip Hop Groove Experience

Musical Influences James Brown, George Clinton's Parliment, JB Horns, Stanley Clark, Charlie Hunter, Mos Def, E40, Slum Village, Outcast, The Roots

Similar Artists We're simply "Original Funk" , mixed with endless flavors of "Unique Hip-Hop"!

Artist History San Diego band together for five years. Performing at numerous clubs all around San Diego, Las Vegas, Orange Co., and Los Angeles. Winner of Ernie Ball/Guitar Center "Battle of the Bands in 98'. Performed at the 1998 Vans Warped Tour in Del Mar, Ca. Has Received Nominations in 1999 and 2000 for the "Best Funk/Dance Band" in San Diego County!!!!

Group Members 7 total. Davis Williams-(Lead guitar/Rhymes/Vocals), Jeff Williamson-(Bass), Saul Ashley-(Drums), Jason Dalton-(Percussion/Vocals), Jeff Dresser-(Alto Sax/Soprano Sax/Flute/Vocals), Tom Dresser-(Trumpet/Valve Trombone/Vocals), Chris Nolf-(Tenor Sax/Baritone Sax/Vocals)

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Aux. Percussion, Flute, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, and Valve Trombone

Albums "Black & White Edition"(Available on Cassette Only!) - "ACRONYM"(1st Studio Release) - "FBS-Live in Las Vegas"(Minimal Copies, Only Availabe Upon Request) - "Delicious"(2nd Studio Release)

Press Reviews North County Times 1/5/01 Local Sounds - Fat Beat Squad ain't in it for 'Jungle Boogie' Stephen Rubin North County Times Is it not true that all of those '70s/groove/funk bands hamming it up at the clubs and bars are really just nostalgia-peddling cover bands? Armed with renditions of "Jungle Boogie" and "Brick House," these groups guide us to a mindlessly fun time. Generous portions of alcohol don't hurt either. Members of the Fat Beat Squad would argue that slapping bass lines, wah-wah guitar licks and funky get-ups do not mean that what we've been hearing is 25 years old and readily available on albums sold on TV. Yes, "Jungle Boogie" is in the arsenal, but the Fat Beat Squad would much rather entertain us, and with original tunes. The group has had tons of booking offers from promoters, but not for the kind of gigs they want. "'If you played more covers, we could use you for corporate events,'" says percussionist Jason Dalton, imitating a promoter. "I think that our original music is good enough to continue persevering. We could learn a bunch of covers. They're easy enough to learn. ... If it was sucky music, maybe we'd learn some more." That's OK. Fat Beat Squad isn't just a '70s funk band, even if Neimans in Carsbad bills the band as such. The group's sophomore effort, "Delicious," delves deeper into the band's hip-hop leanings with appealing success. Singer-guitarist Davis Williams, a k a Sugga D, commands a charisma that doesn't beg endless, obvious comparisons to other artists. There is still a bit too much of the "Shaft"-style guitar riffs, but the band has chops, putting together a solid album of catchy tunes. Sax player Jeff Dresser even sneaks in a Men At Work flute line in "Hello." "We're just trying to evolve as musicians, trying to get our beats tighter, working with better studios, writing our songs better," says Dalton, who is also the band's manager. Williams displays a solid range lyrically, jumping from inward reflection ("Live for Today") to humorous bravado ("Ladies"); from wiseacre social commentary ("Ghetto") to sincere relationship tussles ("Love Thang"). On "Ladies," he riffs, "I think one of these bitches put some roofies in my cup / I don't doubt it, I don't doubt it yo / Then it hit me, when I leave the table I need to take my drink with me ... / She aint gonna find out if she ain't got no evidence / I ain't no role model / I twist a scam full throttle." Williams salutes San Diego on "Sunny Sunny Day," a hip-hop tune that is one of the album's strongest tracks. "San Diego where I happen at / Beautiful sunny warm ... / Smoke erbz yo, here the hot girlies at / I put my money on the Bolts / Yo I'm loosin (sic) that ... / Yo download my MP3 chart stats." Williams' mouth isn't always the most polite, referring to women in "Hello" as "scandalous ass bitches (who) tried to snatch my ice." "I went through some really terrible experiences with women. I don't want to write for other people, I write for myself," Williams says, alluding to hypothetical charges of sexism. "I love women. Women rule this world. Bitches and hoes ---- those are just words. I have no problem with women (in general) ... that's how I vent." The early version of the North County-based seven-piece formed in 1994 and now comprises Dalton, Williams, bassist Jeff Williamson, drummer Saul Ashley, trombonist Tom Dresser and sax players Jeff Dresser and Chris Nolf. Dalton joined in 1997, when the Fat Beat Squad began playing more shows. The band released its debut, "Aeronym," in 1998 and has built a healthy local following by playing regularly at venues such as Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach and Moondoggies in Pacific Beach. Dalton says the band hopes to perform more in Los Angeles, hopefully in front of some industry types. "My favorite labels are Interscope and Dreamworks. They both have bands that I could see us on tour with," Dalton says. "To me, there's so much crappy music that's signed and on the radio. I can't believe how they got that deal or that hookup." Don't worry, you're not alone. Dalton doesn't sound like a wide-eyed, fame-starved wannabe musician. He says he doesn't want a record company to bring some hollow five-album contract to the table. Something shorter will do as well as support for touring overseas. Fat Beat Squad shouldn't be too naive considering its failed relationship with SpinRecords.com. The defunct Carlsbad-based company made a splash a while back with a ballyhooed plan to promote records and shows of mostly unsigned acts for a slice of the sales. It sounded great, but the band eventually soured on the company. "I pretty much started the SpinRecords bashing," Dalton says with a laugh. "They had a lot of great ideas and no one to implement any of them. Any time I talked to them ... they were supposed to come out to shows and they didn't come."

Additional Info Nominated for Two 1999 San Diego Music Awards....."Best Funk/Dance" and "Best Jazz/Blues album" and Nominated in 2000 once again for "Best Funk/Dance". Look for Fat Beat Squad's newest studio album "Delicious" in stores NOW!!!!.......This latest album is off the hook!!!!!! Street Scene 2000 and 2001

Location San Diego, CA - USA

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