Go-go
Go-Go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid and late 1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Chuck Brown (b. 1934) is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.
Go-go is defined by continuous, complex, heavy rhythm arrangements focused through two motifs performed on multiple congas, tumbadoras, and rototoms, interspersed with timbale and cowbell parts, driven by heavy-footed drumming and punctuated by crowd call-and-response. A swing rhythm is often implied (if not explicitly stated).
Some go-go bands have seen varying degrees of success nationally and worldwide, but Washington, D.C. remains the preeminent center for the music.
History
Chuck Brown, a fixture on the Washington music scene with Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers ("We the People", "Ashley's Roachclip"), inspired other local bands in the mid-1970s to incorporate go-go music more and more into their standard live shows. This included the funk-driven Trouble Funk and the rock-influenced E.U., who became the most popular bands on the go-go music scene by the end of the 70s. Brown's 1979 hit single "Bustin' Loose" was the culmination of go-go music's early success. Trouble Funk briefly signed with New Jersey's Sugar Hill Records, where they released the minor hit "Pump Me Up". E.U. scored a national hit when they performed their song "Da Butt" in the motion picture School Daze in 1988.
The next generation of go-go featured The Junk Yard Band and Rare Essence, two enduring bands that gained popularity after go-go had become established. The Junk Yard Band began as a group of children as young as nine years old, performing music on a hodge-podge of discarded items fashioned into musical instruments. They signed and toured with New York's Def Jam Records, where they released the 12-inch single "The Word". Rare Essence, who was mentored at a young age by Chuck Brown, signed briefly with Mercury Records, but both bands' prominence were primarily established in and around Washington and the Mid-Atlantic area.
Many of these bands still perform today, along with successive generations of bands. Go-Go is always performed live at nightclubs, neighborhood parties, and sometimes with famous singers. Go-Go initially spread through the distribution of free cassette tapes, and is now found locally in the Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia area for sale on CDs.
Popular go-go bands and songs
First generation
- Chuck Brown ("Bustin Loose," "That'll Work," "Money")
- E.U. (Experience Unlimited) ("Da Butt," "EU Freeze," "Future Funk")
- Trouble Funk ("Pump Me Up," "Drop the Bomb," "E Flat Boogie")
Second generation
- Backyard Band ("91 Dope Jam", "Unibomber", "Skillet", "Thug Passion", "Keep it Gangsta", "Pretty Girls", "Fakin Like")
- Junk Yard Band ("Sardines," "Rough it Off," "Go Hard")
- Northeast Groovers ("The Rumble," "Off the Muscle," "The Water")
- Rare Essence ("Lock It," "Work the Walls," "Body Moves," "Overnight Scenario")
Third generation
- UCB(UNCALLED4BAND)
- TCB (AZZ CLAP)
- CCB(CRITICAL CONDITION)
- 3DB (third Dimension Band)
- H.O.O.D (Having Only One Dream)
- Red Alert (From VCU)
- Mumbo Sauce(originated at Hampton University)
- DA REATION BAND(DORA)
- MOB(MONEY OVA BITCHES)
- YBI(YOUNG BLACK IMAGE)
- PAB(PARENTAL ADVISORY BAND)
- TOB(...MOVE YA BODY GIRL)
- NEB(NEW VISION BAND)
- Havoc
- High Intention Band (HIB)
- UIB (Unlimited Intensity Band)
- New Impressions)
- NWO (Northwest Outlaws)
- TDB (Total Destruction Band)
- M.E.B.(mixed emotions band)
- NEB(Natural Expressions Band)
- MCB
- FEB
- TAB
- RIBItalic text
- Untouchables
- Tallaband(established at Florida A&M University)
- TMA
- 24/7
- Y.C.B(body Rock)**
Hybrid Go-go and R&B bands
- After Hours Band
- Familiar Faces
- L!SSEN Band
- Soul Patrol
- Suttle Thought
FEB
External links
- GoGoRadio The only 24-7 online GoGo station
- Take Me Out to the Go-go — The D.C. go-go scene
- The History of Go-go
- Go-go Music from the All Music Guide
- www.justlissen.com — Home of the L!SSEN Band
- Strictly Go-Go Strictly GoGo message board
- Washingtonpost.com MP3 -list of gogo bands; with free downloads of gogo songs. -->