By: Rudy Lu

Many in the 518 are familiar with Alec Lewis from his work on the soundboard at Music Haven. Others may be familiar with his work with the Alec Lewis Group as its lead singer and composer.

Personally, I am familiar with Alec’s work as a soundman. This was the first time I have heard him as a performer.

Alec writes and sings primarily about his life experiences. The writing is vivid, humorous and much of it the audience can closely relate to…

*Being a school crossing guard

*Positive affirmations (Chicken soup, half empty)

*Breakups

* Localities (Keene Village)

Other songs describing that life you have working a day job and doing your thing in the arts (Six show week).

The old Beatles tune “Rocky Racoon” was even covered.

It would be hard to pigeonhole this band’s sound. They are self described as :

“contemporary funk with guitar-driven classic rock and blues, all with a slick pop finish”

The band presently is anchored by Joe Sorbero on drums and Josh Ratigan on bass. Noah Scannell played the second guitar and acted as the second vocalist, composer.

In that funk category, Bad Monk approaches their music in the opposite way. Compositions are created through grooving and jamming together. Names of tunes are almost created on a whim. Brad Monkell shares Alec’s sense of humor if not more so. His other excursion in the arts is as a standup comic, which demands spontaneity and quick response to audience feedback.

Among the jams played were “Homer Simpson Dekrek”, “Oof Mingus” inspired by Charles Mingus’ “Pithecanthropus Erectus” from the mid 50s, a yet unnamed tune inspired by 4, 5, 6 a rap by Cool G (that drew a blank from me and much of the baby boomer, Gen X crowd). The groundbreaking Herbie Hancock ‘s 1974 “Butterfly” was the base of an interesting cover. It was one of the earliest combinations of Jazz with R&B and Soul. Something that is now taken for granted.

The unique sound of the band was accented by young guitarist Jayden Mignot. Jayden Mignot has explored and expanded the tone of the electric guitar into something I have not heard throughout a performance. Think Denny Dias’ electric sitar solo on Steely Dan’s “Do it Again”. He certainly has made the “Wheels Turn Round and Round”. His performance was after a round trip to NYC to audition at the New School of Music. I am sure the maestro’s of NY will help him further his musicial voice which has already developed.

It was a fun evening attended by friends and family who were treated to a more contemporary treatment of Funk and Contemporary music.

My follow up homework assignment is to listen to Cool G and the more contemporary song based band music.

Thanks as always to Chris Sule for making this recording and performance possible.

Alec Lewis Band

Alec Lewis -Guitar/vocals

Noah Scanell-Guitar/vocals

John Radigan- bass

Joe Sorbero-drums

Setlist:

When Cross Me

Whatever You Want

Always Right

Keene Village

Six Show Week

Be Myself

Taking Time

Pocket Man

If I May

Half Empty

Chick Soup

Rocky Racoon (Beatles)

If I Loved You

Bad Monk

Brad Monkell-bass

Jayden Mignot-guitar

Dylan Suski-drums

Setlist

Homer Simpson Dekerk

Butterfly ( Herbie Hancock)

Oof Mingus(Inspired by Pithecanthropus Erectus)

Unnamed ( inspired by 4, 5, 6 by Cool G)