Dance off
PHB’s Top three songs for the dance flo’
1 “Girl, You Need a Change of Mind” by Eddie Kendricks
2 “Bad Mouthin’” by Michael L. Smith
3 “Melting Pot” by Booker T. and the MG’s
Published 23:54, September the 30th, 2009
Something like a phenomenon
Phenomenal Handclap Band brings eight people to the stage, along with disco grooves to the dance floor
Daniel Collas is in a crowded bus on his way from London to Wales on the Phenomenal Handclap Band’s U.K. tour. It can’t be easy traveling in such close quarters with this hulking band of eight, but please, please, don’t compare them to the Polyphonic Spree.
“Once the comparisons started rolling in, it didn’t really encourage us to check them out,” says Collas. “We heard that they were a big band and at one point a lot of them were in robes or something.”
Collas says he doesn’t mind the cult part of the comparison, though. The Brooklyn-based Handclap Band, who have collaborated with other high-headcount acts such as Antibalas and the Dap-Kings, is already gaining a cult following itself, with its long, hip-shaking groove sets.
“Dance inspires and informs our performance,” says Collas. “When we play live it is more like a dance type of thing. When we play it’s like an event as opposed to a show.”
Phenomenal Handclap Band
Friday, Oct. 16
Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place
Sold out, 212-777-6800
www.irvingplaza.com