Artist description Listen and tell us.

Music Style Progressive, Rock, Jam, Pop

Musical Influences Genisis, Grateful Dead

Similar Artists Some people say phish...

Artist History The band formed in 1999. Allen Giese performs double duty as both lead vocalist and bassist. Matt Popp (drums) and Rich Doll piano) round out the rhythm section. The Root Project has played the local / regional club scene around Kalamazoo since 2000. The band's unique blend of pop, rock, folk, jam and roots music has a wide appeal and show cases their strong song writing ability.

Group Members Allen Giese / Vocals / Bass Matt Popp / Drums Rich Doll / Keyboards

Instruments Bass, Drums, Guitars, Keys, Vocals

Albums The Root Project

Press Reviews "Root Project CD scratches surface of band's potential" from the Kalamazoo Gazette "Fridays" section review, August 23, 2002. Ever find yourself dancing alone in your living room, doing that little shimmy that you do when no one's looking? If you're capable of this gallivanting sort of behavior, The Roo Project's new self-titled CD may be an acquistion worth eyeballing. The disc is packed chock-full of meandering melodies, straying folk tunes ideally suited for that beachfront camp session, an earthy endeavor for the happiest of hipsters. The Root Project has a standard jam band lineup of a pair of guitars, a bass, drums and keys. The five-piece combines for a formidable sound, bound together by the glue that keyboardist Rich Doll provides. Romping from hippie thrillers to jammy lullaby, The Root Project oozes a groovy, mellow vibe conducive to the spastic maneuvers some of us have come to call "dancing." This brings us back to those prone to the living room boogie. The sixth track, titled "Ripples in the Water," is one of the more upbeat tunes on the record and one that will at the very least get a toe or two tapping. The band then slides into "Dirt Devil," one of two funky, Phish-y instrumentals residing on the album. The band, led by bass player/lead vocalist Allen Giese, revolves around a Phil Lesh-type of four-string and heavy keys from Doll. All five members contribute harmonic melodies, usually pulling off a soothing yet convincing effect. The harmonies occasionally stray into choppy waters, but generally remain crisp and defined. The Root Project fills the genre of "jam band," arranging fairly simple melodies in a way reminiscent of Midwest hippie heroes Ekoostic Hookah and occasionally dabbling into the vast area of the Phishing pond. As with every jam band, much of the frantic, trance-inducing montage is lead by the lead guitarist, Damon Bluhm, lead guitar adventurer of the group, contributes some impressive lead licks, especially on "Something Coming" and " 'Till We Meet Again," where Bluhm achieves a tone similar to Trey Anastaio, a reverberating echo, crawiling through just enough distortion to avoid confusion and chaos. Although on numerous occasions Bluhm floats and drigts through the music, much of the sound is still carried by Giese and Doll. Doll shines especially brightly on "Lonesome Dog," where he transforms a two-chord trance groove into bluesy, jazzy, snad-your- fingers heel-tapper. Bluhm and Giese keep time, the guitar chipping away, backing flat '60s folk harmonies. Giese's voice is deadpan, extremely sincere, and whne he utters, "We all go lessons to learn" on " 'Till We Meet Again," believable. Though not generally displaying some sort of sonic vocal range, Giese seeps feeling, a kind of subtle honesty that is often-times more effective than the highest Mariah carey-esque note that can be screeched. It is if Giese could be standing in your backyard, popping notes on a bass and grilling a veggie burger. It is this sense of musical honesty that makes this disc enjoyable. But, in essence, it seems that the self-titled recrod is a mere sampler, perhaps a small glimpse into an entertaining live show. When a band allows itself two funky instrumentals on a 10-track album, it is a sure sign of raw musical direction, but a direction that is confined to short, catchy tunes. It is as if they were expensive wine: They are good bottled up and locked down, but would be excellent if allowed to breathe. -Jay Plegge, Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Additional Info http://www.umanota.com/therootproject.html

Location Kalamazoo, Michigan - USA

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