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Andy Frasco & The U.N.

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Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Frasco performing in 2015
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresBlues, rock
Years active2007 (2007)–present
Labels
Members
  • Andrew Frasco
  • Shawn Eckels
  • Ernie Chang
  • Andee Avila
  • Floyd Kellogg
Past members
  • Daniel Avila
  • Matt Romero
  • Adam Watson
  • Supa Man
  • Matt Owen
  • Jelmer Olsman
  • Niels Kant
Websitewww.andyfrasco.com

Andy Frasco & The U.N. are an American blues rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 2007. The band consists of Andrew Frasco (lead vocals, keys), Ernie Chang (saxophone), Shawn Eckels (guitar, vocals), Andee "Beats" Avila (drums, vocals), and Floyd Kellogg (bass guitar).[2] Historically, the band has also included a rotating and evolving cast of additional band members to form the U.N. Additional featured members of the U.N. include Daniel Avila (guitar), Supa Man (bass guitar) from the band Philosophy of Soul, and Matt Owen (tuba) of Eclectic Tuba, as well as members of the Kris Lager Band: Kris Lager (guitar, vocals), Jeremiah Weir (organ, keys), Brandon Miller (bass guitar), and John Fairchild (drums). Dutch musicians Jelmer Olsman (bass guitar and drums), Niels Kant (trumpet) also toured with the band. [3]

To date, the band has released nine studio albums: Love, You're Just Too Expensive (2010),[4] Road Life Revival (2012),[5] Just a Good Ole Time (2013),[6] Half a Man (2014),[7] Happy Bastards (2016),[8] Change of Pace (2019),[9] Keep On Keepin' On (2020),[10] Wash, Rinse, Repeat (2022),[11] and L'Optimist (2023).[12]

In 2017, the band released their first live album (CD and DVD) entitled Songs From The Road, which was recorded in August 2016 at the Tucher Blues and Jazz Festival in Bamberg, Germany.[13] In September 2021, they released Live On the Rocks, an album recorded live at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on May 27, 2021.[14]

Sound

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Their sound has been described as "blues-rock fueled by reckless abandonment and a disregard for the rules, with witty lyrics to back it all up".[15]

Performances

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Andy Frasco stagediving at the Open Flair festival 2015 in Germany

Andy Frasco & The U.N.’s performances have been described as a "boisterous blend of harmonic funk and jazzy influences, all topped with boundless energy".[16] Frasco frequently calls additional guest musicians to join his band on stage during sets, as well as fans.[17] Shows are highly improvisational featuring impromptu “battles” between band members, who graciously hop off stage into the crowd to contest their instrumental fortitude against one another in a sporting display of individual musicianship.[17] Frasco's shows are also highly interactive, often stopping the show to speak directly to audience members, as well as invite people in the audience up on stage.[18]

Supa Man playing the bass guitar

Andy Frasco & The U.N. are recognized for their heavy tour schedule and D.I.Y. work ethic.[19] The band has toured the U.S. numerous times over, as well as Europe, and China, performing at festivals such as Wakarusa, Electric Forest Festival, Sacred Rose Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Festival, String Cheese Incident's Festival at Horning's Hideout, Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival, Zwarte Cross Festival, Paaspop, Koningsmiddag Festival, Geuzenpop Festival, and the Tucher Jazz & Blues Festival.[citation needed]

Wakarusa 2014

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Andy Frasco & The U.N. co-headlined a handful of Pre-Wakarusa events with support from Mike Dillon's Band of Outsiders, performed two sets at the festival, and shared guest hosting duties,[17] introducing many big-name acts such as The Flaming Lips.[20]

Electric Forest 2014

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The band was selected by Live for Live Music as the top performance pick.[21] SoundFuse Magazine stated "This was easily one of the most energetic moments of the weekend," noting the crowds lively dancing and attempts to rush onto the stage.[22]

Discography

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Shawn Eckels playing guitar

Albums

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  • Love, You're Just Too Expensive (2010), 2010 Lifeline Promotion[4]
  • Road Life Revival (2012), Fro it Out Music[5]
  • Just a Good Ole Time (2013), Fro it Out Music[6]
  • Half A Man (2014), Fun Machine Records[7]
  • Happy Bastards (2016), Ruf Records[8]
  • Songs From The Road (CD/DVD set, 2017), Ruf Records[23]
  • Change of Pace (February 22, 2019), Fun Machine Records[9]
  • Keep On Keepin' On (April 24, 2020), SideOneDummy Records[10]
  • Live On The Rocks (September 15, 2021), Fun Machine Records[24]
  • Wash, Rinse, Repeat (2022), Fun Machine Records[11]
  • L'Optimist (2023), Fun Machine Records/Soundly Music[12]

References

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  1. ^
  2. ^ "Andy Frasco & The U.N. Announce New Album ‘L’Optimist,’ Add Doom Flamingo and Other Support to Fall Tour." JamBands.com. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  3. ^ Harris, Randy "Album Review - Half A Man" 18 June 2014. Retrieved 12 Sept 2014.
  4. ^ a b Love, You're Just Too Expensive, 2010-10-04, retrieved 2021-12-13
  5. ^ a b Road Life Revival, 2012-01-14, retrieved 2021-12-13
  6. ^ a b Just a Good Ole Time, 2013-09-17, retrieved 2021-12-13
  7. ^ a b Half a Man, 2014-06-03, retrieved 2021-12-13
  8. ^ a b Happy Bastards, 2016-02-26, retrieved 2021-12-13
  9. ^ a b Change of Pace, 2019-02-22, retrieved 2021-12-13
  10. ^ a b Keep On Keepin' On, 2020-04-24, retrieved 2021-12-13
  11. ^ a b Wash, Rinse, Repeat, 2022-04-11
  12. ^ a b L'Optimist. 2023-08-11, retrieved 2023-10-03.
  13. ^ Williams, Rhys (21 April 2018). "Andy Frasco & The U.N. – Songs From The Road | Album Review". Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  14. ^ "Andy Frasco & The UN Release 'Live On The Rocks' Album". JamBase. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  15. ^ Klein, Chris. "Smokin’ Dope and Rock N’ Roll; Andy Frasco and the U.N.’s Blues Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine."City2Snow. 18 May 2014. retrieved 12 September 2014.
  16. ^ Under Review: Wakarusa Souls in Action. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  17. ^ a b c "Review and Photos: Andy Frasco & The UN W/Mike Dillon’s Band of Outsiders and Mouth - 1884 Lounge - Memphis, TN - May 28, 2014" Grateful Music. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014
  18. ^ Kinder, Kevin."Yonder on the Mountain: Summarizing Harvest Fest’s Third (and Final) Day." Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Tuned In. 21 Oct. 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  19. ^ "Andy Frasco & the U.N." The Vogue. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  20. ^ "Waka Wednesdays with Andy Frasco" Archived 2014-10-06 at the Wayback Machine Wakarusa. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  21. ^ Korcz, Kathryn. "10 Magnificent Things You Will Only Find inside Electric Forest!" Live for Live Music. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014
  22. ^ Frazier, Jeremy. ""2014 Electric Forest Festival" Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine 29 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  23. ^ Songs from the Road, 2017-06-30, retrieved 2021-12-13
  24. ^ Live On The Rocks, 2021-09-15, retrieved 2021-12-13
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