Artist Summary
Artist Bio
Sweet J Band (formerly Sweet Japonic) is a soulful roots rock cover band for hire.
THE SOUND
Blended soul, blues classic rock covers ranging from the 60's to today
Stevie Ray Vaughan meets the Temptations, meets Tom Petty and John Mayer with a little bit of Mid-Western charm
THE BAND
Dueling lead guitarists:
Matt Young (guitar)
Sam Parks (guitar)
Solid groove “pocket” style rhythm section:
Gabe Dutton (bass)
Roy Wallace (drums)
3 part harmonies backing soulful lead vocals by Matt Young
AWARD WINNING
Formerly Sweet Japonic the three-time "Jammy Award" (for best local rock band)
EXPERIENCE
Moving and grooving audiences throughout the Mid-west region for the last 6 year
BACKING BAND
Kalamazoo's own top five American Idol finalist Matt Giraud approached The Sweet J Band in late 09 to be his backing band. Sweet J Band has been playing behind Giraud for over a year playing to tens of thousand's of fans throughout the region including such festivals as Muskegon Summer Celebration, Taste of Kalamazoo, Van Andel arena and the Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo.
Sweet J has also backed Ralston Bowles, John Gist and others
http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_8/matt_giraud
http://ralstonbowles.com/about
http://www.myspace.com/JohnnyGist
FLEXIBLE
A full sound system can be provided for any size show
Always starting and stopping on time
Appropriate volume levels for every room (i.e. dinner crowd vs. dance crowd)
Able to whip up most songs that patrons request
All around crowd pleasing (and venue pleasing) band
EASY GOING
4 guys with an easy-going nature
Aim to please and always delivers a good show no matter the circumstances
BEYOND THE BAND
Outside of playing covers, the members are busy guitar teachers, recording engineers and first side/session musicians in the West Michigan music scene
More About Sweet J Band
"Where My Devils Go" CD reviews:
The music: GR's Sweet Japonic keeps impressing with its ability and willingness to grow and morph into something unlike anything else. At once bluesy, alt-country, folksy and jazzy, SJ reflects the personalities and talents of its six members, from singer/frontman Lucas Wilson to lead guitarist Matt Young. The new CD is a tasteful foray into rock, whether it's the soulful sheen of "There's An Eel in This Town" or the roots-rock twang of "Over and Over." -Grand Rapids Press
Blending old Detroit rock, R&B and country into a Van Morrison meets Wilco at a Keb’ Mo concert-type experience, Grand Rapids’ six-piece Sweet Japonic has whittled a compact disc from the mighty oak of classic vinyl – with the connoted breadth of influence intact – which is from stem to stern a celebration of the gritty warmth that an easy and heartfelt groove can evoke. It’s a very Midwestern disc, so be sure to pack it with your flannel shirt as you head to the lake this fall. -Recoil Magazine
Sweet Japonic is rock, but you won’t hear it before a Metallica concert. It’s also blues, but it’s not depressing. It’s pop, but not to the point where you want a lobotomy. And it has a little country influence. With that equation, Where My Devils Go, the latest from Sweet Japonic, has something for everyone to like. The album is comprised with strong guitar hooks and solos, piano, percussion and versatile vocals – for those times when the band changes genres.- Revue Magazine
