Kadesh + Perfect Strangers, a band featuring University of Alabama students, will bring their brand of “rock hop,” mixing hip-hop, funk, rock and jazz, to a performance Thursday at the Jupiter Bar and Grill on The Strip.
The band, founded by UA graduate student Ryan Davis during his sophomore year in 2009, will also play a variety of covers in addition to their original music.
“We’ve covered the Rolling Stones right after covering Dr. Dre and then done The Meters and Tennessee Ernie Ford right after that,” Davis said. “We also have a good bit of very crunk originals that mix funk, rock and rap, as well. Our shows get really funky and pretty crunk most of the time. We can get a little crazy on stage.”
The band consists of five members, including Davis, who raps, sings and plays the trombone.
“KadeshFlow is actually my hip-hop moniker, so I am the ‘Kadesh’ of the band, and I do a lot of social awareness and nerd rap on my own,” Davis said. “I am also very passionate about playing trombone though, and I wanted to rap with a live band and be able to mix my hip-hop and jazz roots with some rock ‘n’ roll.”
Other band members include Jack Thomason on guitar, Josh Kavanaugh on bass, Alex Garret on sax and Will McCarley, who is substituting for band member Michael Battito, on drums and vocals.
Thomason, a junior majoring in communication studies, said he started playing guitar with the group at the end of his freshman year, when their former guitarist had trouble making some of the shows.
“I enjoy playing for student-based audiences for a few reasons,” Thomason said. “I know a lot of them from school or other things, and college students generally know how to have a good time. Playing at the Jupiter is always a good time because the stage is huge, as is the sound system.”
Davis said the band plays frequently, whether together or in different groups. “We do a lot of nighttime venues and some parties,” he said. “We’ve done a couple of rare Birmingham gigs and a few Mobile shows, but for the most part, we’re in Tuscaloosa. I plan to get us out a little more in the late fall and spring.”
Davis said the band’s mix of genres and styles, as well as their ability to engage the crowd, are key elements to a good show.
“We come out swinging with rap, and the older people at the bar start to grab their purses and finish their drinks,” Davis said. “Then we come back with some Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd or something classic rock, and they put their stuff back down and start dancing. I think when you can get the new sorority pledges and their moms and dads to dance, you’re at least in the ball park.”
Thursday’s performance begins at 10 p.m. for ages 19 and up.
Davis said he is excited to have the opportunity to be at the Jupiter.
“You feel like a superstar on that stage,” he said. “It’s definitely the best place you can play here outside of being famous and playing at the amphitheater.”
