Why You Need Some Dumpstaphunk in Your Life (at River Rock Music Fest)

We are so looking forward to Saturday’s River Rock Music Festival at Water Works Park in Tampa (1710 N Highland Ave 33602). The weather will be spectacular, with an afternoon high of 83 and a late-night low of 63. Music starts at 4, and we plan to boogie until 10:30. And you are welcome to bring your small folding chairs — for when you’re not boogie-ing!

There is parking at the site, or you might also consider using the water taxi as a fun way to arrive in style! Show your River Rock ticket to Pirate Water Taxi for a discounted price! Avoid the parking at Water Works Park — park downtown and then arrive in style. The dock is located right outside of the park.

rr-taxi

Organizers made this request: “We would love to have some more help at RiverRock for our 6:30 – 10:30 shift! Volunteers will receive free entry into the park all day long and a volunteer t-shirt.” Click the link for the online application here.

But this is event is about two things: the music and the organizations that will benefit from the proceeds: Voices for Children of Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough County Guardian ad Litem Program.

Did we mention music?

RIVER ROCK SCHEDULE

4:15  Gritt

5:30  Max Norton

6:45  Roadkill Ghost Choir

8:45  Dumpstaphunk

You can read more here.

But about “putting it in the Dumpsta.” MusicFestNews was fortunate enough to catch Dumpstaphunk twice at Bear Creek Bayou Music Festival in New Orleans September 30 and October 1. Let us take you back there for a moment.

FRIDAY AT BEAR CREEK BAYOU

It was time to “put it in the Dumpsta!” Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk had the 1:45 slot both days, and they had Nikki Glaspie at the kit for both shows, yet another of the NOLA drum royalty. It was a total throw-down. They were on fire, kicking off with “If You Can.” Nick Daniels, Tony Hall and Ivan Neville all sounded great on vocals. After “Living in a World Gone Mad,” they had the four horns up (Cressman, Skerik, Hartswick, and Ellis) to augment their own horn section for “Sledgehammer.” Pee Wee Ellis stayed up for several more songs. The band closed with “Justice,” a very powerful message about our times.

SATURDAY AT BEAR CREEK BAYOU

Dumpstaphunk, Round Two. They had already started when we walked out to… my favorite song: “I Wish You Would.” Straight up front to dance! Ian Neville and Tony Hall were crushing on guitars, then Hall and Nick Daniels were crushing on bass, Glaspie driving the funk machine. “You Don’t Miss Your Water” was brilliant, as were “New Day” and “Justice” (definitely worth hearing twice). How do you finish it off? “Put It in the Dumpsta!”

Did we mention their set at this year’s Wanee Music Festival?

Dumpstaphunk
Dumpstaphunk

THURSDAY AT WANEE

It was time to put it in the Dumpsta! This night, Dumpstaphunk would do ‘Earth, War, and Power.’ They teased us first with three new Dumpsta tunes including “Do Your Thing.” And then it was time for the fun. How would they approach this project?

They hit Earth, Wind & Fire first, with “People of the Mighty > Shining Star > Can’t Hide Love > Yearnin’ Learnin’.” This segment was great if not spectacular, although “Yearnin’ Learnin’” was really hot. They were clearly having fun as they shifted to War’s “Cisco Kid.” Ian and Ivan Neville were both smoking while the twin towers of bass (Tony Hall and Nick Daniels) were blowing it up. Alvin Ford, Jr., was beast at the drum kit.

Everything clicked as they shifted into “The World is a Ghetto,” then “Slippin’ into Darkness,” including “Get Up, Stand Up” in the middle. And it just exploded on a song I usually ignore, but Dumpstaphunk sent “Me and Baby Brother” into outer space. And the Tower of Power set included “On the Serious Side > What is Hip? > You’re the Most > Soul Vaccination.” I might have missed a tune or two.

Just be sure you put on… your… your… your… your… your boogie shoes. Because you’re gonna need ’em!

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