Home2011 Reviews and Interviews Friday Night at J-Alans w/ Boogie Matrix and Romeo Champagne
Friday
Night at J-Alan’s w/ Boogie Matrix and Romeo Champagne
Writtien by Jimmy Cummings
The weekends are a big deal at Buckeye Music
Magazine. But there so many great bands playing around the Buckeye State
sometimes it’s hard to choose where to go and who to see. There are times
however when the budget chooses for us and we have to stay close to home, as
was the case this past Friday. Luckily we didn’t have to go far to find one of
the best shows of the weekend. J-Alan’s in downtown Dayton was our destination for
an evening of Romeo Champagne and Boogie Matrix. J-Alan’s is quickly building a
reputation around the Gem City as one of Dayton’s “hotspots” for great music.
Phil and his staff work hard to provide patrons with great service and one of
the coolest atmospheres in the Miami Valley. In addition J-Alan’s is home to the
Wednesday Jamband Jam featuring J-Alan’s Underground House Band. But tonight
J-Alan’s was home to a couple of our favorites; Romeo Champagne and Boogie Matrix.
Romeo Champagne was first up. Romeo Champagne has
been rocking the Buckeye State since 2007 and their debut album “Guilt to
Consume” highlights the bands soulful, funky, and hard driving sound. Danny
Sauers (Sax, Vocals, Harmonica) , Josh Johnson (Drums, Vocals, Percussion),
Andrew Scorti (Bass, Vocals), and Chris Coalt (Guitar, Vocals) offer fans a
unique musical experience by blending Rock, Jazz, Funk, and Blues for a sound
that is like no other. The band played several tunes from their CD including “Pawn
Shop” “Check Your Mind” and my favorite Romeo tune “Guilt to Consume.” The set
also included collaborations between Romeo and Stan Middleton (Demolition Crew)
and his magical Trombone. OK, Stan provides the magic, the Trombone is simply a
magic wand of sorts; this guy will blow your mind. That’s why bands are always
more than willing to share the stage with Demolition Crew; and any time Stan
and Danny are on the same stage you can be sure that something Funky is about
to happen. Chris Coalt and his kick-ass guitar riffs, Scorti’s brutal bass,
Johnson’s hard pounding beat on drums (not to mention one of the best voices in
the business), and Sauers with his saxiness and charisma on stage give Romeo
Champagne that “IT” factor. These guys bring the goods every single time.
Before their set, Johnny Kuntz of Boogie Matrix promised
that tonight was gonna be special. He told Chubby and I that they were playing
some stuff they hadn’t played before and he couldn’t wait for their set. You
could see the excitement and anticipation on Johnny’s face so when the guys
from Toledo took the J-Alan stage I was more than ready to get crushed. Boogie
released their fourth studio album earlier this year called “Coaster Ride” and
the band has been one of the hottest tickets in the state all summer; one reason
the band was BMM’s October Artist of the Month. Their set incorporated songs
from the new CD like the title cut Coaster Ride as well as one of my favorite
Boogie tunes “Reputable Plumber” a song that more than any other shows the
bands musical and improvisational talents. But the song maybe the song of the
set was a cover of the Edgar Winter classic “Frankenstein.” I thought this was
a bold choice considering I have heard some really bad versions of this song,
but the Boogie Matrix version was incredible. Jim Kahman (Keys) and Seth
Kafoure (Drums) freakin lit it up,; about half way through the tune me and
Chuckie Love kind of looked at each other and said WOW! Along with band mates
Johnny Kuntz (Guitar, Vocals), Ben Durham (Bass, Vocals), and Bob Maltby
(Guitar, Vocals) Boogie Matrix amazed us again. The guys had other surprises as
well when Chuckie Love, Stan Middleton and Danny Sauers took the stage for one
of the best jams of the night; then Blue Moon Soup's Robby Marion joined Boogie with a little Fiddle action. The support and mutual respect that these
musicians have for one another is one of the things that make the Ohio music
scene so unique. Team Crush was also present and in full force and showed
J-Alan’s how to CRUSH a Friday night that’s for sure; the dancing didn’t stop
till the music did.
What a night, got to hang with some great musicians
and even greater friends. Buckeye Music Magazine would like to thank Romeo Champagne
and Boogie Matrix for one amazing night of jams; you guys never disappoint. We
would also like to thank Phil and everyone at J-Alan’s for their hospitality;
you always make us fell like family. And thanks to Team Crush and all the fans
who came out to support the local music scene. Dayton ROCKS!!!
2011 Reviews and Interviews 
from their CD including “Pawn
Shop” “Check Your Mind” and my favorite Romeo tune “Guilt to Consume.” The set
also included collaborations between Romeo and Stan Middleton (Demolition Crew)
and his magical Trombone. OK, Stan provides the magic, the Trombone is simply a
magic wand of sorts; this guy will blow your mind. That’s why bands are always
more than willing to share the stage with Demolition Crew; and any time Stan
and Danny are on the same stage you can be sure that something Funky is about
to happen. Chris Coalt and his kick-ass guitar riffs, Scorti’s brutal bass,
Johnson’s hard pounding beat on drums (not to mention one of the best voices in
the business), and Sauers with his saxiness and charisma on stage give Romeo
Champagne that “IT” factor. These guys bring the goods every single time. 
like the title cut Coaster Ride as well as one of my favorite
Boogie tunes “Reputable Plumber” a song that more than any other shows the
bands musical and improvisational talents. But the song maybe the song of the
set was a cover of the Edgar Winter classic “Frankenstein.” I thought this was
a bold choice considering I have heard some really bad versions of this song,
but the Boogie Matrix version was incredible. Jim Kahman (Keys) and Seth
Kafoure (Drums) freakin lit it up,; about half way through the tune me and
Chuckie Love kind of looked at each other and said WOW! Along with band mates
Johnny Kuntz (Guitar, Vocals), Ben Durham (Bass, Vocals), and Bob Maltby
(Guitar, Vocals) Boogie Matrix amazed us again. The guys had other surprises as
well when Chuckie Love, Stan Middleton and Danny Sauers took the stage for one
of the best jams of the night; then Blue Moon Soup's Robby Marion joined Boogie with a little Fiddle action. The support and mutual respect that these
musicians have for one another is one of the things that make the Ohio music
scene so unique. Team Crush was also present and in full force and showed
J-Alan’s how to CRUSH a Friday night that’s for sure; the dancing didn’t stop
till the music did. 
