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Spotlight: Wylde Bunch

Wylde Style: Meet the new band on the block
The Wylde Bunch, a group of fourteen players that defy musical convention, is staging a takeover you should be aware. Assigning a genre to their sound would find you confused as their songs pay tribute to Rock & Roll while speaking through Hip Hop. Each player was influenced by a different set of artists, and they continue to have different muses. But when this jam band plays they come together under one cause: good music. Utilizing, but not depending on computer production, the group incorporates their different inspirations to create songs with musical depth and fresh imagination. The group is self-contained with all writing, production and performances created within the group.

They are an anomaly in the urban music world these days--with songs that are not laden with heavy lyrics, but rather reflect the life some of us enjoy living--one with wit, levity, mischief and fun. And one more thing: live instrumentation!

Most of the players in The Wylde Bunch met in junior high as members of the marching band. In their South Central homes they convened on the weekend to jam, and over the years merged into a performance band. Their years of history rocking house parties in the 'hood to the weekend barbeques for the church, the group has seen the violence of their hometown thankfully pass them by. Each member is more than cognizant of this fact and wishes to impress upon others the importance of music in community.

They are also nice people and their goodwill comes from the satisfaction they get from honing their individual craft: Yung Dame (MC, producer), Rico (MC), Tazzo (MC), Speed (MC), Ken Folk (singer, writer, arranger), LB (singer, writer), B (trumpet), Janey (trumpet, MC), Corey (saxophone, producer, arranger), Daniel (keyboards), Byg Sexy (singer, back-up bass), V. Ray (bass), Popz (guitar, music director), Ish (drums, producer).

Growing up through the nineties, they took in music from all directions-church, old school, rap, R&B, rock. The lived through the emergence of video games, skater culture, urban fashion, and have grown out of those times to embody all things, well, 'cool'.

Never victims of mainstream fashion, the band members remind us that sometimes being a cool cat means being yourself and that being 'black' or 'urban' is not so easily defined as Vibe and Vogue would like to believe. Their style and swagger reminds you to enjoy them for what they are sans stylist: the band. Their fans, mostly alternative, embrace them for this very fact. At live performances people find themselves caught up in how a particular section of the band is rocking or following the MC's steps--all the while singing along. They make music for everyone, and to be down all you need to do is be willing to jam.

The Wydle Bunch's debut album, Wylde Times At Washington High, was released in July. Their first single, “Last Day Of School”, is the song they take as an anthem to the back-to-school jams they are doing throughout the country, not without irony. Currently in Miami, the band is on a tour schedule that they hope will bring their infectious love for music to the masses. I caught up with the band's team leader, Yung Dame, on their tour bus:

As an acoustic hip hop band, how do you feel about the lack of focus on live instrumentation in youth culture and schools?

It's very disappointing. When we were young, music was in school. That's how we met! We reached out to MusicCares about it because we know first hand what it means to have music in schools. It keeps people off of darker paths. Music may be extra curricular--but it's needed.

In a day and age of high marketing budget releases, how do you feel about putting out an album and building your fan base through touring and live shows?

It is better for us because of the type of band we are. We are a live band. You can hear the music and you might like it, but when you see us, you love us. We are doing the MTV Rock the Vote tour. We are doing a west coast tour in the fall with some other bands then heading overseas late fall. We get back in December, then in January we are touring again through the spring. We tour, that is what we do. We want to be around for a while. We are about the longevity, and for us this is the best way to do it.

Your live performances feature choreography and staging, something that is missing from most urban acts these days. What made you focus so much on staging in your performances?

We came up watching Prince, Michael Jackson, and Earth, Wind & Fire. I remember that we would rush home to catch the award shows because we didn't want to miss the performances. And they were exciting to watch! That's missing these days and we want to bring that excitement back.

Get familiar with the Wylde Bunch at Wyldedbunch.com because they're going to be around for a minute! For the underground heads, check them out at Wyldeunderground.com.)

Daina Richie is a freelance journalist living in NYC. Contact her at dainalexis@hotmail.com

Messege the Yung Dame, the Wylde Bunch, and Daina Richie and tell them what you think

Daina Richie

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