There is a
contagious and combustible energy every time the eight-piece wonder-band The
Suffers steps on the scene. NPR's Bob Boilen attributes the band's allure to
their "Soul, straight from horn to heart." He adds, "This band
is on fire when it's in front of an audience...but the intensity of their shows
are also captured in the studio." Following The Suffers' electrifying late
night TV debut on Letterman in 2015, David Letterman exclaimed, "If you
can't do this, get out of the business!" There is something undeniable
about The Suffers (whose name is a reference to the 1978 Jamaican film Rockers
starring Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Jacob Miller and Burning Spear,
among others), that instantly hits home with their audiences. "We make
music for all people," says lead vocalist Kam Franklin. "At this
point, we've played all over the world and one thing is certain - if the music
is good, the people will enjoy it." Since 2011, the H-Town heroes have
been on a steady grind and have no plans of stopping. It seems the secret to
their success is simple. Keyboardist Patrick Kelly confides, "There is a
universal groove in the music that we play," while bass guitarist Adam
Castaneda adds, "I don't think any of us are trying to impress anyone with
our technical abilities, we just want to make them dance."
July 13,
2018, Shanachie Entertainment will release The Suffers' highly anticipated
label debut Everything Here. Guitarist Kevin Bernier says, "Everything
Here, as a whole, explores the many aspects of who we are as people through
songs. We've had crushes on people, we've had our hearts broken, and we've
moved through all the difficult times so that we can experience the joyful
moments." The Suffers have got
everything you need and there's no need to look further - a heaping dose of
soul, a dash of reggae, a splash of jazz, a pinch of salsa, a hint of rock 'n'
roll and a dollop of hip hop and funk - and that is just a few ingredients
simmering inside their magical Gulf Coast soul. Percussionist Jose Luna says,
"The glue that holds us together is our experience. We have all played
with so many bands and musicians through the years that we have learned how not
to step on each others toes." The
Suffers however will get your feet moving on Everything Here, a riveting
collection of 15 originals that shows mad love for Houston (there are even
cameos from Houston rappers Paul Wall and Bun B), explores the many sides of
love, celebrates the virtues of individuality, reminds us of the destruction of
Harvey and resilience of the human spirit
and declares love for their mothers.
All of these themes coalesce into one soulful soundtrack. The band co-produced the album with John
Allen Stephens and Zeke Listenbee co-produced on several tracks. Trombonist Michael Razo explains, "One
of our goals was to have the songs on the album flow or tie into each other.
Like creating an album where you just press play and let it go without having
to skip to the next song." The
album's new single is "Do Whatever," opens with tight and soul-stirring
horns, thumping bass lines and Kam laying down the law singing "Full on
disclosure, I'm not here for exposure. I came to have a good time so let me
shine....Do whatever feels right all night, alright, alright!"
The Suffers'
drive coupled with their can't lose attitude and serious chops have taken them
from their beloved Houston to the world stage (they are the first band to break
nationally out of Houston in a long time). "We're a testament to teamwork
and camaraderie resulting in things working out even when the odds are against
a positive outcome," says drummer Nick Zamora. "The wonderful thing
about music is that it is ultimate universal communication," reflects
trumpeter Jon Durbin. The Suffers have
played sold out shows in Japan and Latin America, turned out audiences at the
Newport Folk Festival and Afropunk Festival and made believers of just about
anyone who has experienced their live shows.
With the release of Everything Here, The Suffers are bound to further
endear die-hard fans and make believers of new ones. "I'm most proud that
we are still here going at it," concludes Kam Franklin. "All the
travels, new friends, and fans we've gained along the way are just an added
bonus to a much bigger dream."
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