The Fritz is live funk. The Fritz is live rock. The Fritz is live music.
Every time we see The Fritz, our souls are funkified. This amazing Asheville quintet plays powerful, intelligent, funky rock. Or, to quote their bio:
THE FRITZ IS LIVE FUNK.
THE FRITZ IS LIVE ROCK.
THE FRITZ IS LIVE MUSIC.
The band will release its second album, Natural Mind, this Tuesday. Then they set off on a 31-date tour that starts and ends in Florida. First are three dates with outstanding jazz fusion quintet Leisure Chief from Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa. From there, they head to through Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina. The next segment features nine dates in New York and New England, before they wind their way back south, ending up all the way south — at the Green Parrot in Key West for three shows!
As usual, they’ve knocked us out at each of the four shows we’ve caught this year, but perhaps none as much as their recent set at The BIG What?
And the night was young. Over on the Grove Stage, The Fritz threw down a titanic funk set, stunning from start to finish. Jamar Woods led the troops into “Voices,” his vocals so perfect for the band’s deep, deep funk. As we have become accustomed, bassist Jake O’Connor was once again out front and blazing. Jamie Hendrickson (guitar) and Woods (keyboards) knocked out great solos. And there was no letup the entire set, propelled by Mike Tillis and Mikey Spice (drums and percussion). The message of the encore was especially appropriate for those of us optimists: “Things are Getting Better.”
Time to give in to the funk, Fritz-style. Resistance is futile.