Very excited to be doing our big hometown fall show this Tuesday October 14th at the Wonder Ball in Allston, MA. OG will be joining forces with our good friends The Z3 (funky takes on Frank Zappa) featuring Zappa alumn Ed Mann on percussion! Not to be left ouf of the tribute shows OG will also be performing a very special set featuring the music of Medeski, Martin and Wood with Geoff Scott (Miracle Orchestra) on Bass!

Tuesday 10/14
Wonder Bar
Harvard Ave.
Allston, MA
$10 21+ 8p-2a

This show is not to be missed!!! CHECK IT!

We give the people what they want, but we are going to give em' something more... Otis Grove, long time Secret Sessions Boston family favorite, will be collaborating in a different way this time out. For this night they will be featuring guest Mr Lif, performing together, in an effort to push the boundaries of funk!. Akashic Record returns to deliver the funk and nothing but it. They return for their first Boston show since fall of 2013 are pumped to make you get up and rage! But wait... we got something extra, ElephantProof. Elephant Proof is a rag tag group musical mercenaries and battle hardened hired guns who have banded together to bring you Funk, Soul and to make you DANCE! March 15th, the Lion will be coming early this year. $10adv / $12dos, 21+ 8p-1a

So as many of you know, this past August on our way to Bella Terra, our van blew a tire and rolled a couple times on the highway. The van was totaled, some gear was destroyed and Sam suffered severe lacerations to his arm. Now that the dust has settled and healing has occurred, we are putting on a benefit show to raise some funds to help cover some of the expenses from the accident. Next Tuesday at 11/5 please join us for an allstar benefit concert featuring set's by Mama's Love, Club d'Elf and Otis Grove. With guest appearances by Ryan Montbleau, Akrobatik, Richard James, Van Gordon Martin, Akashic Record Horns, MC Kabir The Hornitz, Mike Rivard and many more! Please come out and support!

Tuesday 11/5
Church
Kilmarnok St.
Boston, MA
8-1
$15
21+

August 25 - RiversideBBQ Session #3 - Chef Louis DiBiccari from Tavern Road and some serious funk from Big Ol' Dirty Bucket and Otis Grove .... Plus beer. Tickets onsale soon. You heard it here first!

Get your TIX here!


http://holdmyticket.com/event/148818

Disc Jam Music Festival is PROUD to Present the Maters of Funk: KUNG FU at Tammany Hall in Worcester Friday Night March the 1st 2013 !!
Special guests Otis Grove to open!

Through discipline, practice & study KUNG FU has sought excellence in the art of improvised dance music. Schooled by the masters, The Headhunters, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Frank Zappa, the quintet of masterfully seasoned musicians blends electro-jazz-funk with an EDM informed danceability at the highest level of skill & inspiration nightly. The resulting “NU-SION” is “captivating”, “explosive”, “jaw-dropping” and “musically mesmerizing. Prepare yourselves for a devastating, LETHAL FUNK to be rained down on you by a BAD-ASS BLACK-BELT BACKBEAT. For the uninitiated, the experience is typically shocking yet the focus is simple: ENTER THE DRAGON!


Kung Fu features Tim Palmieri (guitar), Robert Somerville (tenor sax), Todd Stoops (keyboards), Chris DeAngelis (bass guitar), and Adrian Tramontano (drums/percussion)

Otis Grove is happy to celebrate the Release of their new album 'Live in Boston' recorded at the Secret Sessions Residency in March of 2012. The album features all new Otis Grove material and includes special guests; Jesse Dee, Johnny Trama, Aaron Bellamy, DJ Axel Foley, MC Kabir, The Hornitz and Jared Sims and Brian Thomas from Akashic Record.

In celebration of the release Otis Grove is returning to Church for another Secret Sessions Residency. We've got a whole new set of special guests to bring in, and this time we are going with a new concept. OG Mash-ups, where we bring in members of our favorite bands and join forces with them to create a double headed OG hybrid monster! The mash up nights are:

The Return of Otis Grove to Tuesdays in March "Secret" Special Guests!* 3/5 Otis Grove w/ DO SO* 3/12 Otis Grove feat. "Akashic Record" (Brian Thomas, Jared Sims, Pete Mclean) w/ JIMKATA* 3/19 Otis Grove feat. "Sparkplug" - Tribute to Melvin Sparks (Bill Carbone (Max Creek, Z3) w/ UV HIPPO* 3/26 Otis Grove feat. "Club D'elf" (Mike Rivard, Dean Johnston) W/ TURBINE

In late 2011, promoter Jeff Wallace of MySecretBoston.com approached Otis Grove about doing a month long residency at Church rock club in Boston.  The idea was to create an evening of good music every Tuesday, where the bands had full creative control and that was completely free for the audience.   Otis Grove agreed to do the idea, but decided to take it a step further.  Why not use the residency as a vehicle to record their first ever Live Album?  The idea of doing a live record had intrigued the band for years, but they never found the right venue or time to do it.  With the offer of this residency appeared the opportunity they had been waiting for, not only was this club in their home market, but the night was put on by a good friend who could help get the word out and promote.

Yet they took it one step further, with OG's desire to make every night a unique musical experience, they decided to enlist some of their favorite local musicians to join them each night, collaborating on original Otis Grove music as well as the artist's own songs.  They recruited bassist Aaron Bellamy, The Hornitz, vocalist Jesse Dee, guitarist Johnny Trama, MC Kabir, DJ Axel Foley, Trombonist Brian Thomas and Saxophonist Jared Sims from the Akashic Record.  They also got there friends to set up their own lights, multi-track record each show and encouraged artists to come and vend.

Tuesday nights in March 2012 would never be the same, each week was completely different musically as well as visually from the week before. It created a unique vibe in which the residency flourished. Through four weeks of packed show's and amazing artistic collaboration Otis Grove had the makings of an excellent Live Album.
 
After sifting through over eight hours of music, Otis Grove dwindled it all down to ten tracks that best captures the diversity of each night.  All of the musicians are represented from the Al Green soul of 'I'm a Ram' featuring Jesse Dee and Johnny Trama, the hip-hop verse on OG's own 'Pure Luck' to the big band funk with Aaron Bellamy and the Hornitz on 'Crosstown Traffic'.  Not to mention additions of DJ Axel Foley, Brian Thomas, Jared Sims and some good old OG trio work.  The song selection gives an excellent representation of the special vibe those Tuesdays in March held. 

The artwork of the record also has roots in the residency.  OG had enlisted local photographer Kevin Chubbuck, to photograph each night which is represented on the inner cover of the CD as well as the galleries online.  The back cover of the album is the poster that was custom designed for the event by local artist Dan Blakeslee and the front cover is a variation on the 'Made in Boston' design by local artist Mikey Maker who was a presence each week vending his own art.   This CD is truly a collaborative effort from all of the musicians, artist and promoters who helped put on this event each week.  It is much larger than just Otis Grove, it encompasses the artistic community which they involve themselves in on whole.  It was the collaborative spirit that helped to create this record, so Otis Grove is proud to present to the world not just the music, but what Boston has to offer as artistic haven of creativity and music. They present to the world Otis Grove 'Live in Boston'.

Happy New Year!We have lots of good stuff in store for 2013, including an EPIC CD Release resdiency for our new album "Live in Boston". We are kicking things off on February 2nd at the Precinct in Somerville, MA with our good friends Akashic Record. Than we are at Bishop's Lounge on February 8th. That is just the tip of the ice berg so check back as we will be releasing more dates and info on our upcoming album soon!

After 10 years and thousands of shows together we are saddened to announce that Blake will be leaving Otis Grove at the end of 2012. It's been a wild ride with some incredible highs, but the time is right for everyone to move forward. THIS DOES NOT MEAN OTIS GROVE IS ENDING, on the contrary, we've got some really cool stuff planned for 2013 and intend to keep RUNKing as long as we can.

We feel it's appropriate to end this chapter of Otis Grove where it all began, The Middle East Corner Room on Saturday night. So please come join us in a celebration of endings and new beginnings as we wrap up 2012 doing what we do best, RUNK!


Saturday, 12/15/12
Middle East Corner Room
Cambridge, MA
FREE!

Happy to be apart of Richard James and the Name Changers CD Release show at the Middle East Downstairs, Oct 13th!!! Don't miss out!Details Here

We are very excited to be returning to play the Burlington Jazz Fest once again! This year we have three shows of different varieties throughout the first weekend of the Jazz Fest.

6/1 - Radio Bean Late night set 1am - 2am (technically this is 6/2 but it will still feel like 6/1!!!)

6/2 - Nectars Window Set FREE early evening set from 6-9

6/3 - Salaam Burlington - 2pm, right between Asiana Noodle House and Boloco on Church St.!!!

COME GET YOUR RUNK ON BURLINGTON!

We are happy to be runking Nectars again on Friday May 4th! We are opening up for our friend Spiritual Rez, so you know this going to be a sick funk, runk, reggae, soul throwdown! Don't miss out! OG two hour set from 9-11!

The Church Residency was a resounding success! Thanks to everyone who came out and raged with us every Tuesday in March!! And a special thanks to all the artist and the sound and lights crew who helped us make a each week a completely unique event!We have some killer gigs coming up in the next couple weeks, including a mini run with our good friends from Burlington, VT, JAPHY RYDER!!4/21 - Ascension Fest - Mill St. Brews, Southbridge, MA (OG @ 7:30pm on the big stage!)4/27 - Bishop's Lounge - Northampton, MA w/ Japhy Ryder4/28 - Lizard Lounge - Cambridge, MA w/ Japhy Ryder5/4 - Nectars - Burlington, VT opening for Spiritual RezDon't miss out!!!

We are excited to announce that Otis Grove will be doing the My Secret Boston residency in March. This will take place a every Tuesday night at Church in Boston, MA. Each night will feature a bevy of special guests and we will be recording it for an upcoming Otis Grove Live Album.

Each night will feature an opening set as well as a full set of Otis Grove with some of our favorite local musicians sitting in. The best part is, it's completely FREE!!!

The My Secret Boston Tuesday Night Residency has already hosted Richard James and the Name Changers and Elephant Wrecking Ball and is quickly becoming one of the staples of the Boston music scene.

Otis Grove continues the cutting edge trend of the free mid-week residency by using the shows as a platform to finally capture their dynamic, high-energy live shows for a new album. Along the way they are inviting some of their friends and favorite musicians to join in to create a one of a life time experience.
The line-up:

March 6th - The Hornitz, special guest Aaron Bellamy

March 13th - Sky Foot, special guest - Johnny Trama and Jesse Dee

March 20th - DJ Axel Foley and MC Kabir

March 27th - Pongo's Groove, special guest - Jared Sims and Brian Thomas of Akashic Record

Come be a part of Otis Grove history! Every Tuesday night in March for FREE!!!!

Church
69 Kilmarnock Street 
Boston, MA

Got some sick shows to kick off 2012!

Sat 1/21 - Otis Grove LIVE at the Spot Underground w/ Daddie Long Legs

FRI 1/27 - Otis Grove LIVE At Bishop's Lounge! FRIDAY 1/27

SAT 1/28 OTIS GROVE + AKASHIC RECORD - LIZARD LOUNGE SAT 1/28!


Plus stops in Amherst, MA, the Java Barn at St. Lawrence University and Radio Bean in BURLINGTON!!!

Otis Grove Holiday Get Down will be December 17th at Johnny D's in Somerville, MA. This is a funk filled evening with our friends from the North Sly-Chi joining us as well as some other special guests. Don't miss out!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!! : http://nightmareonmillstreet.bigcartel.com/

SATURDAY OCTOBER 29th @ Mill Street Brews in Southbridge MA
80's/90's Movie Theme Halloween BASH!!!

4 NEW bands added!!!

DOPAPOD - performs the music of Wayne's World!
KUNG FU
GOOSE PIMP ORCHESTRA
OTIS GROVE
AKASHIC RECORDS (feat Beau Sasser and Jeff Lockhart)
SEED
lespecial
WOLFMAN CONSPIRACY
COSMIC DUST BUNNIES
READY SET FLO
The ShApE


One Night.
11 Bands!!!
3 Stages.
2 Dj's.
18+ Event.
Costume Contests.
LED Hula Hoopers.
Live Artists.
Prizes.
Custom Carved Pumpkins.
Spooky Walk.
Madness Galore...AND MORE!

Doors at 6pm
Muisc at 7pm

***JUST ADDED***
We will be running 4 different BUS TRIPS to and from this show!

Locations for the buses are:
Worcester (Green street parking lot across from the Dive)
Allston/Brighton (leaves from the Wonderbar)
Northampton/Amherst -
West Brookfield, MA (Lake Shore Drive aka LSD)

ALL buses to arrive at 8pm and leave at 2am..more info to follow soon.
***JUST ADDED***

We have ALL ( a Scavone production, MFE, the Brain Trust, Wormtown, Shireworks Productions) teamed up and put together THE baddest one night Halloween Show to ever go down!!

Clear the calendar now and start planning your costumes 'cause this one is about to BLOW UP!!!

Tickets are just $20 in advance and $25 at the door*

*bring a flier for the show and get $5 off the door

We are very excited to playing this year's Great Bay Music Festival, in Dover, NH.,this Saturday, August 20th. We go on at 11:30PM on the Backwoods Stage, right after John Brown's Body. GET YOUR LATE NIGHT RUNK!!!! More InfoSUPPORT LIVE MUSIC

FIRST ANNUAL “ROOTS TO REGGAE” OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL BRINGS ALL-STAR LINEUP TO UNION SQUARE

Somerville, MA - Bull McCabe’s Pub is hosting their first annual “Roots to Reggae” Outdoor Music Festival on June 11th, 2011 from 3PM-10PM. Bull McCabe’s, established in 2008, is located at 366A Somerville Avenue, in Somerville, in the space formerly occupied by the legendary pub, The Tir na nOg. An established local music venue, Bull McCabe’s is bringing music to the streets with an outdoor music festival in the space adjacent to the pub. The lineup includes The David Johnston Band, Otis Grove, Dub Apocalypse, and Dub Down & The Scotch Bonnet Band, with special guests throughout the day. Food, beer, and wine will be available all day. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door.

About The Bands:
3pm: David Johnston (also of One Thin Dime) “incorporates elements of swamp/delta blues, Memphis soul, reggae, raga, psychedelic and melodic rock into a strong personal statement.”- (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidjohnston)
4:00PM Otis Grove, “A collective experiment in crossing the traditional organ jazz sound with funk, hip hop, and rock tones….Thick groovy beats banging out a trail for raw guitar licks and a soul-drenched Hammond organ.” www.otisgrove.net
5:30PM Dub Apocalypse, the 2010 Boston Music Award-winner for Best International Artist , 2010, features members of The Trama Unit, John Brown’s Body, Nate Wilson Group, Morphine, and G-Love & Special Sauce, Dub Apocalypse brings an unmatched Jazz/Funk/Reggae style to the stage.
7:30PM: The Dub Down is headlining, backed by the fiery Scotch Bonnet Band. The Dub Down is a collaboration of renowned Boston reggae musicians and artists featuring the vocal stylings of Jimmy Trapella, Skiffington Ruglass, Sarah Brindell, Craig Akira Fujita, & MC Kabir. (www.thedubdown.com)
Families are certainly welcome.
For more information about the event, or would like to set up an interview, please call Brian Manning at 781-710-2572, or email Bullmccabespub@gmail.com.

We are very happy to be taking part in a number of festivals this summer! The season starts on Memorial Day weekend with the Strange Creek Camp Out. Check the schedule below for a full list of the Festivals Otis Grove will be at this summer:


May 28th - Strange Creek Camp Out - Camp Kewanee, Greenfield, MA - Saturday - 11am River Worm Stage

June 19th - Disc Jam - Hyland Brewery, Sturbridge, MA - Sunday

July 17th - BreakFEST - Goshen, NH - Saturday

July 29th - The BIG UP - Ghent, NY - Friday

8/19 - Great Bay Music Festival - Dover, NH - Saturday - 11:30 pm

Unfortunately, due to scheduled conflicts our show at Bishop's Lounge in Northampton, MA for this Friday 5/20 has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule in the near future, so keep an eye out!

We are very excited to be opening for the New Mastersounds at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA, TOMORROW April 20th. OG will be going on EARLY - 8pm - So make sure to get there in time to get your fill of the RUNK!


Wednesday, April 20th
Paradise Rock Club 967 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA

OG @ 8pm SHARP

MySecretBoston returns to Church on Thursday, April 14 with Secret Sessions, a live music series presented by the online magazine.

Tickets are available online HERE: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/34835

Joining us will be the Nephrok! Allstars, Richard James & the Name Changers, and Otis Grove.

The Nephrok! Allstars brew the finest blend of funk and soul in the land, visiting the sacred works of James Brown, Sly Stone, and P. Funk. Be ready to shake your money maker during their headlining set.

Richard James and the Name Changers are poised to become a household product. They touch all the rhythmic bases, playing a jam-friendly brew of soul and rock numbers that have the power to carry any gathering.


7 p.m. Doors
8 p.m. Showtime. (set times to come soon)
18+

$10 online (http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/34835)

OTIS GROVE GOES ON AT 8PM
Tickets will be available at the door starting at 5 p.m. day of the show on a first come first serve basis. The best way to secure yourself a spot inside is to buy your ticket online in advance!

The funk will be brought!

We made it to ROUND 2 of the Strange Creek Battle of the Bands!!! But we need YOUR help to get that coveted Cabin set! So PLEASE come out and support and spread the word to your friends! The more of you who show up the better chance that we can bring the RUNK to Strange Creek this year! So come out and get down with us! THIS SHOW IS COMPLETELY FREE!!!!!

THIS WED 3/16

Tammany Hall
Worcester, MA
43 Pleasant St.
9pm

FREE

We are playing the Strange Creek Battle of the Bands this Wed. 3/2 at Tammany Hall. We need YOU the fans to come out and help us get on Strange Creek 2011! Spread the word and come out and support us as we show everyone what the RUNK is all about! THIS SHOW IS COMPLETELY FREE

Wed 3/2
Tammany Hall
42 Pleasant st.
Worcester, MA

FREE
9pm

SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!

We are very excited to playing the Nateva Festival Presents The Mclovins and Otis Grove at the Middle East Upstairs on Saturday Feburary 5th. This is going to be a great show so make sure to get your tickets early because it may sell out! Plus it is 18+! Don't miss out!


Nateva Music Festival Presents
The Mclovins and Otis Grove
Saturday Feburary 5th
Middle East Upstairs
472 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA
18+ $12

On Sunday Jan 2nd at 4:00 PM, we are doing an online video release of our sold-out The Runk CD Release Party with legendary rapper Mr. Lif. This was a killer show, and now you can relive the experience or see it for the first time right from your own computer! Exclusively through Ropeadope Records and otisgrove.net you can watch and witness the madness which was 'The Runk' CD release party.

We are very excited to be holding our annual New Years Eve show at the House of Blues Front room in Boston, MA! This is a great venue located right next to the main room of the House of Blues on Lansdowne st. and the best part is the show is completely FREE! We will also be joined by special guests the Po' Boyz, so make sure you don't miss this great night of free music! It's really gonna be something special.


If your going to the MOE show in the main room of House of Blues, please stop by BEFORE and AFTER and catch some sick rock/funk jams - DON'T MISS OUT!

House of Blues - Front Room
15 Lansdowne Street
Boston, MA
21+

Po Boyz - 8:30 - 11:00

OTIS GROVE 11:30 - 2:00 AM

We are very happy to be apart of the first of many series of concerts put on by the Natevea Music Festival. This show will feature headliners The Mclovins with as well your very own Otis Grove. This show is not to be missed as we will be debuting a slew of new materials and covers! So check it!



Saturday, February 5, 2011 · 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Middle East Upstairs

472 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA

18+ $12 Advance / $15 Day Of Show

Yes, it's true... Otis Grove will be opening for THE HEADHUNTERS on November 11th at Church in Boston, MA. We start at 8pm so get there early for a night of insanse funk music!


Click here for Details

Check out this great review of our CD Release Party in the Deli Magazine


This is why I do what I do; why I spend endless hours searching for new music on the Internet, at the record shops and in clubs. I’ve seen more great shows than I can ever count (plenty of terrible ones too), but every once in a while I get turned on to something truly exceptional. Otis Grove falls into the latter category and if their new album, The Runk, didn’t prove it on its own, their CD release party at the Lizard Lounge did.
The club itself is something special. It has the feel of a dark, sexy basement living room. The super-low ceiling, flickering candles on the walls, oriental carpets on the floor and dark red lighting all support a very intimate feel. The fact that the band plays in what amounts to the middle of the floor, with no stage to speak of, completes the homey feel. It’s as though the band is playing their own jam space to an audience of close friends. The acoustics of the room are impressive too, with driving, thumping bass at a reasonable volume which doesn’t leave you with bleeding ears at the end of the night.
When I got an advanced copy of The Runk a couple of weeks ago, I was floored by the combination of influences and styles - funk, soul, jazz, metal, hip-hop, jams. I knew these guys could play but nothing really prepared me for the musicianship I witnessed in the live experience. They opened with a triplet of songs from the new album; “The Bunk,” a classic sounding funk/soul number, segued into “Rock City,” which is, as the title alludes, a driving rock instrumental, then into “Bobby Nosox,” another jam in the classic funk/soul vein.
Otis Grove are a spectacle to watch - Sam Gilman playing the role of a white Stevie Wonder, eyes closed and head a-swaying; Blake Goedde drumming with a ferocity that would make Neil Peart envious; Tyler Drabick, a geeked-out guitar god. Each song was layered with drum fills, keyboard flourishes and guitar work but with every note in the groove. For all the technical musicianship there’s never a wonky moment. Every note contributes to the mood. There’s not a second of showmanship for showmanship’s sake. Everything instead comes together in an organic, jammy flow.

The songs are so hook-laden that, just before the end of the first half of their set, my friend turned to me and said, “Hey, I just realized they’re not singing.” That, I think, is the key to why Otis Grove works so well. Without any lyrics they manage to connect and communicate with their audience directly through the music and between song banter. Even their more throwback style songs sound modern; making great use of the Pixies/Nirvana loud-quiet-loud method to pull their songs through whole series of emotions without ever uttering a word.
At about the half-way point the band introduced Brighton native, Mr. Lif, to MC a series of songs they’ve worked on together. Mr. Lif’s skills are legendary and in another context the short set would have been thoroughly enjoyable. For me, though, the introduction of vocals to the mix was such a jarring transition from the mood that had been building earlier that it left me wishing they’d performed these tunes in an opening set instead. That’s not to say that the songs weren’t good. They reminded me of some of the Beastie Boys more groove-laden work and Mr. Lif pumped the crowd along with a vast well of energy.

After the short hip-hop interlude Otis Grove get right back into it, running through a scorching Jimi Hendrix medley that hit “Little Wing,” “Hey Joe,” and “Purple Haze,” among others. As the night wore on I started to worry that they weren’t going to play my favorite track from The Runk, the album’s opener, “The Monarch.” Fortunately, I wasn’t let down. Finally, in their next to last song, I heard the classic, Deep Purple-esque, dual guitar keyboard riff that opens the song. They killed it, complete with an Emerson, Lake and Palmer-like organ breakdown in the middle. They closed the set with their interpretation of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” a seven-plus minute jam that turns the classic heavy metal tune into a wandering jam session. I’m not sure which was more entertaining, hearing the guitar and keyboards mimic Ozzie Osbourne’s vocals, or watching the entire crowd singing along, trying to step up into the role of the Prince of Darkness.
- George Dow

Check it out here

Published: 2010/10/25
by Fady Khalil
The Runk

Ropeadope

For over half a decade, the three members of Otis Grove has been bringing their particular brand of jazz-laced funk to the Boston area, and now, they want more. The eager instrumental trio has set its sights on ever larger audiences, and their latest album, The Runk, may very well be the vehicle to achieve their aspirations. Featuring high octane improvisation, but with song structures that remain cerebral in nature, the album offers a bit of everything to capture listeners’ attention. But in an improvisational market saturated with amazing musicians, can another instrumental trio really prove fresh and enticing? The answer is a resounding, maybe.

For sake of orientation, Otis Grove exists within the same sphere as MMW, but the trio’s focus on experimentation propels them towards the likes of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and San Franciscan psych-jazz troupe, Mushroom. However, though overall musicianship is very solid, there still remains some distance to be covered before Otis Grove can properly and comfortably be likened to such progressive-jazz virtuosos. Still, one element in particular sets the Boston troubadours apart – and foreshadows a rather exciting future for the band – that’s their greater focus on funk, and their ability to craft perfectly balanced heavy-rock opuses. In short, throughout their latest album, The Runk, songs hit with a life-size impact.

Album opener “Monark,” introduces itself with a wall of sound bigger than most budget stereo systems – and perhaps your eardrums – can handle. However, a quick transition into a clever passage of sound, takes the song into some bona fide jazz, without the listener necessarily realizing it. And that perhaps is Otis Grove’s single greatest asset, their ability to re-imagine jazz in ways that either aficionados, or those uninitiated, can both appreciate. This affords the band great flexibility to fit in from jamband to jazz, night clubs to festivals, and just about everywhere in between. And whether the smooth Hammond organ of “Uncle Runky” to the coy syncopations of “Bobby Nosox,” the songs throughout always remain accessible and avoid being mired down by over-zealous improvisation.

Otis Grove adeptly walks a line, drawing from the improvisational wisdom of those who’ve come before, while understanding the changing tastes of contemporary listeners. The Runk is a strong and a compelling chronicle of this talented trio’s balancing act with songs throughout – particularly “Plywood Snowshoe,” and “Waiting,” – proving deliberate, focused, and doled out in increments that today’s fast paced audiences would easily find continually engaging. Sharp interactions between instruments further leave a certain awe-factor that proves rather convincing to fans or newcomers. And though this album is just an early indication of the band’s potential, it fairs well amongst the inspiring works of contemporaries in the progressive jazz world, leaving Otis Grove, a band you’ll definitely be hearing about

Here are the details for our CD Release party on October 15th at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA. This show will feature the great Club D'elf and the Squabble!

Also, we will be joined by special guest MR. LIF, who recently helped us create a special bonus track for 'The Runk'.This is gonna be one of the funkiest nights of the fall, so don't miss out!

We fully expect this show to sell out so get your tickets early!

check out Brown Paper Tickets for advance ticketing. get them early cause this show WILL SELL OUT!

Friday, October 15th
Lizard Lounge
21+$10 adv $12 door
8pm doors9pm

The Squabble
10-11:45 Otis Grove w/ Mr. Lif
12-1:45 Club D'elf

It's finally here! Our new album entitled THE RUNK will be released on Ropeadope Records on October 12th! The online release of the Runk also features a special bonus track, a remix of the song 'Fausto' featuring the great hip-hop artist Mr. Lif on vocals!

On October 15th we are having a CD Release show at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA! This is gonna be a killer show, featuring The Squabble opening, Otis Grove featuring special gust Mr. Lif and then the great Club D'Elf closing the night out! This is gonna be a once in a lifetime show, and we know we say it alot but seriously DON'T MISS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

check out Brown Paper Tickets for advance ticketing. get them early cause this show WILL SELL OUT!

We are excited to be opening up Spiritual Rez's CD Release party at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA on Sept. 17th! It's an amazing bill as legendary keyboard player BERNIE WORRELL will be sitting in with Spirtual Rez and using Sam's keyboard rig! It's gonna be killer and probably sell-out so contact band@otisgrove.net for your no fee pre-sales!

We are also releasing the second single from "The Runk" called 'Plywood Snowshoe'. The single will be available online using a pay-what-you-want system, but as a special bonus we are giving the single away for FREE at the Paradise Rock Club show! So make sure you come out and get your free music!

ROCK CITY DOWNLOAD

or help us spread the word through facebook and twitter and Tweet for a Track!

Tweet For a Track

HIT IT UP!

In celebration of the release of our new single "Rock City" off of our upcoming album 'The Runk' we are returning to the Middle East Corner room for a month residency every Saturday night!

Join us Saturdays - 7/24, 7/31, 8/7 and 8/14 - and get exclusive access to our new single and other great stuff!

All shows start at 11pm and end when we feel like it! Don't miss out!

We are pleased to be headling two nights at the first annual Brooklyn DIY Festival. We will be headling two nights of shows, Friday 3/26 at Fireproof and Sat 3/27 at the Bushwick Music Studios. Don't miss out! Check out this story on it from the NY Post! http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/inaugural_diy_music_festival_rocks_eQI7fuOcUud2QD4NiqIX0K


UPDATE 3/24: Check www.diybushwick.com for show information!

Come out to the Asylum in Portland, ME on March 13th for a great show featuring Spiritual Rez and Otis Grove. It's gonna be a funkin good time, don't miss out!

We are playing the early show at the Regatta Bar in Havard Sq. Cambridge on Thursday Jan. 21st. Come on out and help support!

SCOTTY HARD BENEFIT SHOW THIS THURDSAY!

That's right, this Thursday November 5th Ropeadope Records will be having another Scotty Hard Benefit at Sullivan Hall NYC, this time featuring Sex Mob, Dj Logic, Erik Krasno and of course an opening set by OTIS GROVE.

Show starts at 8pm,

Sullivan Hall
214 Sullivan St.
New York, New York

That's right we are making a new album, going into the studio at the beginning of December. We will post updates and some a/v as soon as its avaiable.

The Ropeadope 10th Anniversary Celebration touches down in the land where it all began, New York City, for an old school improv-mash-up at Sullivan Hall. The house band for the evening defines the label's exquisite aesthetic over the last decade:

JOHN MEDESKI - keys
JOHN ELLIS - horns
CHARLIE HUNTER - guitars
BILLY MARTIN – drums

Plus opener OTIS GROVE

Tickets: $20 advanced, $25 day of show

It's all a benefit for longtime Ropeadope producer Scotty Hard who's in the process of getting his career back in gear after being paralyzed in a car accident last year. His new studio is up and running and all proceeds from the performance will help him keep the dream alive.

Our July 16th Show at the Regatta Bar has been changed to Thursday July 9th. Please mark your calendars!

Due to circumstances beyond our control and the general lamness that has taken over what was one of the best music houses in Boston, our show at Matt Murphy's next Saturday will not be happening. Apparently, the ownership has decided to stop doing music there and will be focusing more on being a restaurant. This is a huge loss to the Boston music community as matt murphy's was one of the few FREE places that had consistant quality live music. Unfortuantely we only found out today that our show was cancelled, so we are trying to set something else up so we can play for our hometown some time real soon.

Please feel free to write, call and go to Matt Murphys to let them know how much the live music meant.

Our show from Sullivan Hall, NYC opening for the New Mastersounds is now available on the live music archive! Check it out here and get your grove on!

Just added some new dates to the page including our next stop in NYC opening for the Brew! Check it out!

We are bidding a fond farwell to our good friend and colleague Mike Daillak this Monday December 15th. Come out to Great Scott in Allston to catch a special farwell party featruing Otis Grove, Missing Traces (featuring Mike) and the Rex Complex. While it will be sad to see Mike go off to the West Coast we will all be satisfied that we atleast sent him off in style! Don't miss out. OG goes on at 9pm!

We are very happy to be playing the Blue Note NYC's late Night Groove series on 10/25! We will be playing from 1-3am, so come funk it up late night with OG at the Blue Note NYC! check www.bluenote.net for details

We are happy to anounce that OG will be opening for British funk sensations the New Mastersounds at Sullivan Hall on 11/7. We know many of you have wanted the OG to get down to NYC for a while, so now's your chance to come out and show some support! Check www.sullivanhallnyc.com for details!

We have posted some live cuts from our set at the Harpoon Octoberfest in Boston, MA on 10/4. This was our first show in Boston since we got back from the tour and you can tell we are happy to be back playing to our home crowd. You can check them both here and the myspace, www.myspace.com/otisgrove. Thanks to Ethan Drew for hooking us up and recording this awesome set of ours!

The last two Otis Grove shows at the Middle East Corner are coming up!  This Saturday, August 16th and next Saturday August 23rd are our last shows of our two and half year residency at the Corner.  We've been honored to be able to hold down this residency for so long, it has truly helped develop the band's sound into what it is today, as well as let us bring our music to much wider audience.  This will be our last show in Boston/Cambridge for a little while, so please come out in full force to help us end our residency in style. Tell your friends, family, acquaintances, teachers, employers, whatever it takes to help us pack the corner room one last time!   As always the shows start at 11 and are completely FREE!!

We are also very excited that our official re-release of 'Crank it UP' through Rope-a-dope records will be on August 19th. Check out www.ropeadope.com for our official Otis Grove/Ropeadope page!

We are happy to have our new webiste up a running! Thanks to Steffen Kelsey for making this happen! We will be updating the page with new tunes and some new videos soon so keep checking back!

We are very excited to play the All Good Music festival in Masontown, WV. It's honor to be playing among some of the best musicians and bands around today. We will play from 1:30 to 2:45 on Saturday July 12th on the Ropeadope stage, come check out our West Virginia debut!

Otis Grove recently signed with Ropeadope Record's digital label. We couldn't be happier to be part of a label that has put out some of the best and most innovative records in the last ten years. Our official re-release of 'Crank it UP' will be on August 19th through Ropeadope Digitals website, check it!

As you all know OG has been playing a residency every Saturday night at the Middle East Corner in Cambridge, MA. This gig has giving us the opportunity to expand our music and audience in so many ways and many of you heard us there for the first time. But with the recent signing and urge to try to keep moving forward, we have decided to end the residency. Our last show will be on August 23rd, we hope everyone will come out and rage with us one last time! This will also be the last show we play in Boston/cambridge for a little bit, so get your fix of the Grove while you can!

Thank you to everyone who came out week after week and helped support us!

We've got some fresh new tour dates for the summer, including our last show at the Middle East Corner! Check out the Tour Dates page for more information!!!

Video from Otis Grove's 'Crank it UP' Cd release warehouse party is up on youtube, you can check out 'Pure Luck' 'Buckfush' and 'Meet Me Halfway'

Click here to check it out.

We've recently added new recordings of 'I Won't Forget and 'Bobby Nosox' to the myspace page and have just added a bonus cut from the same sessions 'Basket Case' to our homepage, check em out!

Click here to go to myspace.