The Phoenix Traveler

I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a live performance by this local six-member band in Phoenix called Shallow Water. Click on the video above to hear a portion of my new favorite song called “Clap.” The group has a few CDs that you can purchase: the first called “2 Dollar Sailboat” was produced in 2002; the second called “What’s Her Name” was produced in 2006. “Clap” appears on that one.

The six-member band plays a rock, punk, ska and alternative mix of sounds, and has opened at concert performances for top touring groups, including Live, Smash Mouth and Barenaked Ladies.

Influenced by various musical styles, they’ve created an upbeat sound that even an old Boomer like me can enjoy. No one seems to steal the limelight in this group–not even the vocalists–but the two horn players really rev up the crowd and get the dancers on the floor. It was fun to watch.

And from what I could see at the sports bar (Sport Peppers, northeast corner of 16th Street and Bell Road, Phoenix) where they were playing and hope to again, they have a decent following.

The band originally consisted of four members: Kris McCoy, lead vocals; RJ Rizzo, drummer; Johnny Baba, guitar; and Scott Calhoun, bass guitar. They added the horn players, Ed Zubow and Paul Nolde-Morrissey, after a New Year’s Eve performance last year with the two proved to be successful. 

You can catch them yourself if you’ll be in Phoenix this weekend. They’ll be playing at Tailgater’s (northwest corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road) on Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Their next performances at Tailgater’s will be in November. You can check the band’s schedule here.

(Photo of the band above used with permission by Shallow Water.)

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