Sat, Dec 14 - 9pm - $15adv/$20door

Proud to be firmly installed in the new-funk movement, KUNG FU is quickly popularizing their unique sonic contribution, blurring the line between intense electro-fusion, and blistering dance arrangements. Making fusion music "cool" again, the band draws on influences such as early Headhunters and Weather Report, and merges those ideas with a contemporary EDM informed sensibility. Imagine 70's funk-fusion meets a modern dance party!Although the ensemble cast enjoys a seasoned pedigree that reads like a late-night summer festival all-star jam, this fledgling "nu-sion" project is growing a unique and rabid following by commanding audiences at theaters, clubs, and major national festivals since 2012. The powerhouse quintet's live show has been described by critics and fans alike as "lethal funk", "explosive", "jaw dropping", and "musically mesmerizing". For the uninitiated, the experience is typically shocking yet the focus is simple: just sit back and enjoy the ride!Kung Fu Features: Tim Palmieri (guitar & vocals)Robert Somerville (tenor sax & vocals)Beau Sasser (keyboards & vocals)Chris DeAngelis (bass guitar & vocals)Adrian Tramontano (drums/percussion)

"I LIKE THE IDEA OF SAYING SOMETHING VERY COMPLICATED IN A VERY SIMPLE WAY," BEN MILLER STATES. "THAT'S WHAT WE STRIVE FOR MUSICALLY, AND WHAT I STRIVE FOR LYRICALLY—TO GET DIRECTLY TO THE POINT."GETTING TO THE POINT IS SOMETHING THAT THE BEN MILLER BAND DOES CONSISTENTLY ON CHOKE CHERRY TREE, THE JOPLIN, MISSOURI-BRED COMBO'S THIRD ALBUM AND SECOND NEW WEST RELEASE. THE CONSISTENTLY COMPELLING SET OFFERS 11 NEW EXAMPLES OF MILLER'S DECEPTIVELY UNPRETENTIOUS SONGCRAFT, BENEATH WHOSE RAMSHACKLE EXTERIOR LURKS STURDY, INFECTIOUS MELODIES AND RESONANT, EMOTIONALLY INSIGHTFUL LYRICS.MILLER'S BAND DELIVERS SUCH MEMORABLE NEW TUNES AS "NOTHING GETS ME DOWN," "AKIRA KUROSAWA," "TRAPEZE," "LIGHTHOUSE" AND "MISSISSIPPI CURE" WITH THE SORT OF UNPRETENTIOUS ENTHUSIASM THAT'S ALREADY WON THE GROUP A DEVOTED FAN BASE THAT STRETCHES FROM THE BAND'S MIDWESTERN HOME TURF TO THE U.K. AND EUROPE, WHERE THEY'VE TOURED TO RAVE REVIEWS.CHOKE CHERRY TREE INTRODUCES A RETOOLED BEN MILLER BAND LINEUP, WITH MILLER AND FELLOW FOUNDING MEMBER SCOTT LEEPER JOINED BY NEW ADDITIONS RACHEL AMMONS AND SMILIN' BOB LEWIS. THE PAIR'S MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL SKILLS BRING ADDED AUTHORITY TO MILLER'S ROOTSY NEW COMPOSITIONS, WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGH ENERGY LEVEL (COMPLETE WITH HOMEMADE INSTRUMENTS CONSTRUCTED FROM BROKEN AND DISCARDED AXES) THAT ORIGINALLY ENDEARED THE BAND TO ITS FANS. ELSEWHERE, RACHEL AMMONS' EXPRESSIVE VOCALS LEND DEPTH TO THE HAUNTING "REDWING BLACKBIRD."