The UFGOODS played their “second first show” to showcase their debut full length LP Taking The Blame For Everything to a decent crowd for a Thursday night at the Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio.
The crowd consisted of family and friends sporting UFGOODS merch, a good mix of local musicians, and a half a dozen local music photographers. It’s no secret here that this is a band to watch and even more so after the release of this LP which you can listen to HERE and HERE
The Ufgoods perform at their LP Release Show at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
The Ufgoods are Kris Misevski (guitar), Sammy Dodge (lead vocals), Troy Fox (bass) and Brian Mayes (drums). All these guys have played with a variety of local bands and are no strangers to the stage, most notably Kris Misevski (formerly of Saving Jane), who counts among his influences The Stones (whom he has met), Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour and Eddie Van Halen.
He describes himself as a “long lost musician finding his way back to music.” Playing with the Ufgoods is giving him the chance to do just that. On the future of The Ufgoods, he says he is looking forward to “another album and ultimately, to simply enjoy what we do. At this point, happiness means more than hits.”
Kris Misevski performs at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
Drummer Brian Mayes was born and raised in Columbus and hopes The Ufgoods continue to write and record rock and roll music because he really enjoys it. He says his favorite song on this LP is “Bavmorda” “because it’s heavy and I dig heavy.”
When asked to share a little known fact about himself, he offered, “Flamingos bend their legs at the ankle, not the knee.” Ok, that’s interesting, but Brian, what about YOU personally? To which he replied matter-of-factly, “I am personally a flamingo.” To which he added, “Contrary to popular believe, I am not Brian May (Queen).”
Brain Mayes performs at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
Troy Fox, the youngest member of the band, who grew up with blues and jazz influences, shifted to metal and rock as he got older and it shows in his headbanging approach onstage. His favorite song on the LP is “Talk” and he explains why:
“It was a great summer night and the band had made a bonfire. As the night progressed, Sammy, Kris, and I, started writing a song. Kris had his acoustic guitar and Sammy was writing lyrics in the same notepad he has been using for every song. As the chords and lyrics linked, I began to hear the bass line, soft, delicate, somber, growing into a monstrous yet similar part. I think I like the song so much because of the emotional attachment I have to that great summer night. Instruments in hand and a bass line in my heart.”
On the future of the band Troy says, “Of course I hope The Ufgoods becomes successful but I ultimately can’t control that. What I can hope for, and commit to producing, is vinyl for the band. I want some beautiful vinyl pressings not only so fans can listen to The Ufgoods on their own turn tables, but also so I can design beautiful vinyl sleeves. That way if someone wants to buy a vinyl but can’t spin it they can frame it and have their own nice Ufgoods artwork.”
Troy Fox performs at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
Ufgood’s frontman Sammy Dodge says, by way of introduction, that he was born a rambling Sam, who “is bad at skateboarding but good at stage diving.” In his down time he can be found watching The Karate Kid and reading Shakespeare. His favorite color, if you must know, is lightsaber green. He also cannot operate a computer but loves seeing himself on Youtube.
Onstage Sammy has boundless energy, channeling Mick Jagger or Iggy Pop, commanding your undivided attention with his antics. In a flash, he will snatch the beer from an unsuspecting front row attendee and pour the entire contents on his head or in his mouth, depending on his mood, then jump back onto the stage like a maniac to resume vocal duties.
Sonny Dodge gets wild at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
The band closed their LP Release Show with a cover of The Stones “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” which was definitely fitting as Sammy struck defiant poses as he belted out the lyrics, leaving the crowd hungry for more. It was an all Ufgoods show with no opening act and it was a wild night!
Go check this band out if you get a chance and click the links above to give listen to Taking The Blame For Everything.
Images by O’Rock Photos
