Shows, tour upcoming for Genuine Junk Band

By LEE WARD / THE INDEPENDENT

ASHLAND May 14, 2008 09:17 am

— Given their influences, the two-month tour the Genuine Junk Band is planning will be just the right thing.
The Americana-jam band from Ashland will have a CD release party at The V Club in Huntington Friday, followed by a show on the main stage of the Paramount Arts Center May 23. Then, after a few more possibel dates in the area, singer-guitarist-pianist-mandolin player Nathan Gillum said the summer tour will begin the second week in June, taking the group to North Carolina’s Outer Banks and up the east coast and throughout the Northeast.
The touring band Phish from Burlington, Vt., has been an influence on each member of GJB.
“It’s very cool because one of the stops on our tour is a gig we have at a place called “Nectar’s,” Gillum said. “That’s where Phish got their start in Burlington and so this is going to be great for us to visit their roots! It’s very special for us and we were really excited when we got the gig!”
Gillum named the ultimate jam band, The Grateful Dead, as another influence.
“I think we have our own thing going on but we have definitely incorporated elements of both of those bands into our sound,” he said. “From there, it’s all across the board. We like to let a little bit if everything seep into our music.”
In addition of GJB, the Paramount show will include a solo performance by Gillum, who plans a solo album soon. Performing with him will be his brother, Andrew Gillum, on drums; Jose Oreta on bass; and his cousin, Sonya Crites from Gary and Sonya on WTCR.
GJB’s tour is in support of its third album, titled “Stories from the Hills and Sea,” produced by the band and Tom Atha and distributed by 9 lives Records.
Success so far has lead the band to high hopes for the future as they continue to stay grounded.
“At this point we have no expectations other than to just give it our best shot and see what happens,” Gillum said. “It seems that this is the absolute best time for us to hit the road and hope doors will start opening for us. We definitely feel like we’re gaining momentum.”

Genuine Junk Band will have a CD release party at The V Club Friday and will be on the main stage of the Paramount Arts Center May 23. The band will tour the northern and eastern parts of the U.S. this summer.
LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.

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