Dysphunctional Species

Dysfunctional Species is a potent soul/funk/pop cocktail with an electrifying and genuine chemistry that draws the listener in. Like a full moon night in their isolated, coastal hometown of Point Arena, California, their relentless groove voodoo suggests a celebration. The group's three frontmen possess interlocking talents forged over two decades of friendship, mischief, and music. As boys, they honed freestyles in the echo of an old water tower and wooed ladies with harmonies and freestyle verses. They found their voices together and musically raised one another. Jameson "Jamo" Hodder brings a honeyed voice and explosive presence to center stage. Performing is in his blood—his father, Jimmy Hodder, was the founding drummer of Steely Dan. Losing his father as a young teen lit a fire under Jamo to become a hip-hop prodigy. In the spotlight, he radiates confidence and love of his craft. Beside Jamo the showman is Ian Gleason. His imaginative, ever-clever rhymes bring clarity and purpose. He is balanced by Andrew Johnston, the big man with the big, rich tone and focus who delivers with conviction. The band's veteran musicians form a similar bond. Drummer/vocalist James "Schmidty" Schmidt, who cut his teeth on soul, hip hop, jazz, and metal, naturally complements the vast palette and feral nature of guitarist/vocalist George Abrams. With musical chameleon Keith Abrams on heavy bass and classical guitar, this tight unit can take the listener on a cosmic tour, representing more styles than can be listed here. After self-releasing their debut in 2001, Future Primitive, DPS rose to notoriety in the expansive Northern California roots music scene. Eleven years and eleven children later, the band is reunited with greater wisdom and purpose. "Being a father informs your music," says Keith. "We play music that is going to uplift people, putting out a vibration that's inspiring to us. It's good medicine." DPS also straight up makes people dance. Their set is a nonstop ride on the music continuum, flowing seamlessly from hard-hitting jams, to improvised freestyles and soulful moments of truth. For the entranced crowd, it's a mating ritual, at once physical and mystical. Last year, DPS shared the stage with Bay Area heavyweights Lyrics Born and Shotgun Wedding and left audiences with sore feet and full hearts at NorCal's premier events such as the Humboldt Arts and Music Festival, the Unity Festival on the Russian River, and the Bask Festival in Sonoma County. This summer, following the release of the new recording "Endless Nights," appearances at Reggae on the River and playing as the official afterparty band for the Good Vibes Tour, which included Rebelution, Matisyahu, and Collie Buddz, were some of the highlights. Northern California made Dysfunctional Species and their brand of rebel music, but it can't hold it much longer. The band is writing multiple new songs at each session, and the tracks from their current release on War Cry Records, "Endless Nights," are complicated, layered, and beautiful, just like the human race the band is named for.