USA Today - Big Press Slowly Heating Up on March Fourth Marching Band

Here's a fun little write up that appeared in the Travel section of the online newspaper on Tuesday this week. Great timing as the band swings through the unconquered territories of the eastern seaboard.

Re-printed from USA Today:
by Tim

I’m not sure when the last time was that I enjoyed a band so much. When MarchFourth Marching Band comes to town, it’s not just a band on a stage playing some songs. It’s a SHOW!

I just reviewed the MarchFourth album Magnificent Beast in the new issue of Perceptive Travel because it’s not really “world music” in the traditional sense, but it’s novel, which is what really gets our interest. Besides, if there’s a point of reference in this material it’s New Orleans—itself a musical gumbo of styles from many lands.

When I heard these guys were coming to Skipper’s Smoke House in my new home of Tampa, I simply had to get there. From the first note to the last, the sound was pumping and the fun never stopped. I’m not exaggerating when I say everyone seemed to be smiling the entire time the band was on stage. A permagrin crowd, with no chemical enhancement required.

The video posted here doesn’t give the band justice as it was just a point-and-shoot camera with no external mic, but it’s a nice little taste of what to expect. This is a big band: lots of drummers, sax players, trombones, trumpets, a bass guitar, and occasional electric guitar. Then there are three stilt dancers moving through the crowd, doing acrobatics, and breathing fire. Plus some burlesque dancers at one point. Half the band member have on pieces of discarded marching band uniforms, adding to the visual flair.

It’s worth noting that there are serious musicians behind all the fun. I was a music major in college and it’s obvious these guys (and gals) have had lots of training and formal practice. Talented band geeks turned rebels. When one of the horn players steps up to improvise a solo, you know it’s going to be a treat.

They’re on their way up to the northeast now after Atlanta, Charlotte, and Roanoke the next three nights, so check the tour dates to see if they’re headed your way. The band is from Portland, so if you’re out that way, sign up for their newsletter and catch them on their home turf. As for me, I’m hoping they play Jazzfest in New Orleans next time I go as that seems like the ultimate match.

March Fourth: A Luta Continua

In support of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators and their dedication during the past month of this important movement, today we are offering a FREE DOWNLOAD of "A Luta Continua!" from our forthcoming CD. The struggle goes on and on. It's time to Rock-upy!

http://marchfourth.bandcamp.com/track/a-luta-continua

Spread the word!

MarchFourth Album Magnificent Beast Release Oct. 25th

MarchFourth Marching Band’s fourth CD, Magnificent Beast is due out October 25, 2011. M4′s Magnificent Beast tour starts October 20 and features shows around the country. Check out our calendar and come see us in a city near you.

http://march4thmarchingband.com/calendar/

Magnificent Beast was produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) and features a wide array of genre-mashing groove-based material that incorporates more vocals and guitar than previous albums. Magnificent Beast is a full-blown big-stage brass-rock-funk assault peppered with moments of swing, jazz, bollywood, ska and metal.

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 27 "Little Stars of ...

August 14, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The annual Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA proved to be very fertile ground for the band. The big finale show at Levitt Pavillion Steel Stacks was EPIC!

Camera: Gogo Bambino
Photos by: Urch

More on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 26 "Bulgarian Bar"

August 11, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. While in Manhattan, the band squeezes into Mehanata Bulgarian Bar on John's birthday and surprises him with a song as he conducts the count in to Space Hole.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 25 "New York City"

August 11th, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The band plays in New York City at the Lincoln Center and stuns the locals.

Cameraman: Gogo Bambino

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 24 "Tower of Power"

August 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The M4 brass section joins in with Tower of Power while at the Telluride Jazz Festival.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 23 "Grammy"

August 5, 2010 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Ryan stops into the metal shop where the Grammy Awards are made in Ridgeway, Colorado.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 22 "High and Tight"

August 5, 2010 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. While in Fruita, Jeremiah demonstrates his hair cutting skills on Dan.

More info:
http://marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 19 "Wino"

July 22, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Jen, Russell and the dance team entertain folks in Sun Valley, Idaho for their 30th anniversary wine auction.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 18 "ESPY's"

July 13, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The gang orients themselves before playing for TV and celebs at the ESPY (ESPN) Award Show.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 17 "Class Act"

July 9, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Daniel leads the Cumberland Marching Band in a song at the Vancouver Island Music Festival.

More on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 16 "Nice Pose, Eh?"

July 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. John and the band horse around on the ferry while a media team on assignment needles the group in anticipation of the Vancouver Island Music Fest.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 15 "Load Up"

June 29, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Jeremiah kicks in with his handyman building skills during Bus Cleaning, while the next morning the band packs up at the Egg for the next tour.

More info on M4 @
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions @
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 14 "Nashville" (2011)

June 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The band opens fire on the venerable Exit/In, a 40-year old club in Nashville, Tennessee.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 13 "Left Right Left"...

June 6, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. During downtime at the overnight spot, Ryan takes charge of a formation rehearsal.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 12 "Quixotic Fusion"...

June 4, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The MarchFourth rhythm section and stilters are invited to play along on the finale of the last Quixotic Fusion show at Wakarusa 2011.

More info on Quixotic
http://www.quixoticfusion.com

More info on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 11 "Granny's House...

May 31, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Daniel and the band chat with our host, Monk and enjoy the beautiful landscape from Granny's House just outside of Carbondale, Colorado.

More Info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 10 - "Bus Bling" (2011)

May 30, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Somewhere near Winnemucca, Aaron takes us through a little M4 bling production with his adjustable hat design and the new trophy.

More info
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com
Cover photo by GoGo Bambino

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 9 "Pickin' for Parts...

May 27, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The bus breaks down on Hwy 58 near McCredie Springs, OR and delays the group while they wait for parts to arrive from.... somewhere.

More info on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Cover Photo by Gogo Bambino
© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com