The Heavy Pets

If you listen closely to The Heavy Pets, you will find yourself immersed in a world of musical evolution, one that is connected to our reality, but dreamlike enough to warrant a second listening. Within the intensity of their own growing human experience, you encounter a world of tones and musical crescendos, which move through the air like rolling ocean waves at your feet. Soothing, loving, and caressing your every nerve and impulse into a trance of motion hard to overcome. If you ask one of the heavy pets why they do what they do, they are more than likely to answer "I... Love [it]... To me it just feels natural, like what I'm supposed to be doing," says Michael Genius, guitar and vocals. In a world of over produced music, it's worth while to find a band that loves to play live shows. "The few minutes, or the few hours a day, that we get to play music while we are on the road... Thats what it's all about, you know?" Jeff Lloyd, guitar and vocals. A live pets show is jam filled with goodness, and is guaranteed to shake your bones. A band like this comes around every once in a while. I bring to attention the case of Soulive, The Grateful Dead, The Band, and who could forget Phish. Amazing bands, who take music into the realm of the primordial jam. A place where the soul is free to roam, and the spontaneous overflow of emotion is not just a textbook idea, but a living truth.

The pets are for anyone.

With Jeff Lloyd and Michael Genius on vocals and guitar, their transpositions from lead to rhythm between each other, makes for interesting mixes in two varied but equally matched styles. Felix Pastorius on base adds a level of jazzy funk and groove to the mix, that will leave you shaking in your shoes. Jah Newitt's beats transpose chaos into a rythmic wonderland worthy of Alice's funky dance moves. And you can always feel the soul in Jim Wuest's fingers, traveling across the keys of his piano. Their style ranges from funky jams, to techno-esque sounds, with hard rocking riffs strewn in the middle. I would even dare to say that the song "Bibbles," from their January release "HEAVY Air," touches a great deal in all of the following styles: Jazz, funk, soul, techno, jam rock, and their own personal brand of what I like to call "personal theme music." Really, it's that good, people would love to have you around.

"One of my favorite things to hear, ever, is: 'Hey man, I don't really dig your type of music, but I Love your band!'" - Jeff Lloyd. It truly is so.

How long have The Heavy Pets been around?

"We've been together for about... 4 years now?" Michael Genius.

Humble Beginnings

Imagine yourself, in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in 2005, walking through the Ft. Lauderdale downtown area. All of the power is out. Streets lay empty as the darkness extends from building to building. Luckily the stars burst through the heavens like you've never experienced all your years in the hustle and bustle of the Ft. Lauderdale area. Orion, The Dipper, even the Milky way, are all visible like never before. This time, you've been standing at what is usually a busy intersection. It now lays empty, a painful reminder of the past couple of days. Ahead of you a shimmer of hope lights the way. You decide to take this walk through the darkness towards the lit edifices. You near this glimmer, off in the horizon, when you start to hear a gurgling base guitar, in sync with jazz drums that sweeten the walk through the unknown. Soon, keys strike your ears, and your nose picks up on the funky grooves played by the guitars.

"Our first gig was actually at one of the few large apartment complexes in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale that had power the weekend following Wilma. So all concerts, all events where canceled for the weekend on the time being. We where able to like sneak something in basically at the pool deck, of an apartment complex... what was the name of that place... The Summit, at downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Yeah, we played out there, we were just happy to have (along with Mike) 'power', and get to hear our electric instruments." Shares Jeff Lloyd. That night, The Heavy Pets would soothe the souls of the people and relax the weary. For every night they play, the people can relax, and share with the rest of their community. Just chatting with people whom you'd never thought to hang out with.

This was the birth of The Heavy Pets.

Community has always been important for The Heavy Pets. It is the fans, their local community, who have accompanied and supported them from that starry night four years ago. From Downtown Ft. Lauderdale, through 4 U.S. Tours and their own Music Festival last summer, The Petting Zoo. "We love our fans," says Jeff Lloyd. "You know, it's just so interesting to have all these friends from all over. Because, eventually they will meet each other and interact. It makes for interesting times, and cool chemistry. Like when couples meet at our shows. It's just great." Jeff's eager response, assures that the people who attend Heavy Pet shows, will not only have a good time, but make lasting friendships.

The atmosphere at a Pets Show is welcoming, and everyone seems eager to share a unique experience with friends. You never stand alone at a Pets show. Each show is also made unique by their ability to improvise, and allow the music to react with the energy of the room. From the moment they start with sound check, to the last note, they are measuring up the room, reacting to it with their instruments. The energy people bring in is the energy that the band puts out. It's a beautiful experience. Their Jazz roots really come through at times like these, as they complement each other's musical prowess with hooky licks. Even as improvised as some of their jams get, you can understand just how well thought out these compositions are. It's a music listeners dream.

The band itself, much like the music they play, has been evolving. Change can sometimes be a weird thing for musicians, but these guys take it to another level. It has helped them develop their sound, and continually renovate their style. The newest addition to the group is Felix Pastorius. A base player praised even by the likes of Victor Wooten, base guitar virtuoso and legend.. After all, being the son of Jaco Pastorius 1951-1987, who revolutionized the way electric base guitar was played and listened to, Felix notably fills his father's shoes with his own unique brand of base skills. This makes his addition to The Heavy Pets a welcome, open arm reception.

You can catch their next show, by checking out their web-site.

Www.theheavypets.com

Also, Check out a snippet from a Jam by The Heavy Pets. Please view in High Quality for better sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dj1zAMz8PM

First Posted on www.maggish.com on May 10, 2009

Who_Leo©

(The Organ playing for the first show is an artistic adittion from the writer. It compliments and shows the current line ups true strength and potential, let it be known that the Pets first show did not have an Organ).