Critters Buggin

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Critters Buggin

Background information
Origin	Seattle, Washington, USA
Years active	1993 - present
Label(s)	Ropeadope
Website	Crittersbuggin.com
Members
Matt Chamberlain, Skerik, Brad Houser, Mike Dillon
Former members
John Bush

Critters Buggin is a Seattle-based instrumental group which performs in a jazz and funk-influenced, eclectic style.

1 Brief History
2 Description
3 Members
4 Discography
5 Notes
6 External Links

[edit] Brief History

The group began with Matt Chamberlain and Skerik who were later joined by Brad Houser, thus forming a trio in early 1993. John Bush joined soon afterward, and the group gave their first live performance using the "Critters Buggin" name in May 1993 at the Seattle club The Colourbox. Chamberlain, Houser and Bush were all from the then-disbanded Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. Chamberlain and Dillon had both played in the locally popular Dallas, Texas band Ten Hands in the 1980s. Skerik came from another Seattle group, Sadhappy. Their live success was followed by the release of their first album which was produced by Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam on his new label Loosegroove. The original Critters Buggin trio continued with several guest musicians, including Mike Dillon, who by 1998 had joined as a fourth member, thus forming the current line-up as of the 2004-2005 release and tour of Stampede.

[edit] Description

Critters Buggin often defies categorical description because of the diverse range of musical influences and interests expressed in their collaborations. Reviews tend to describe their music as a combination of electronic, ambient, jazz and "groove." When asked to describe their music in 1994, Chamberlain stated that it is "jazzy, funky, rocky.... it has African rhythms, too. (It is) African, industrial, tribal music."^[1]

They have been commonly recognized for their innovative and creative musical approach. It has also been noted that because they are such active and accomplished musicians recording and performing with a wide range of other artists that when together their music remains fresh and high-spirited.^[2]^[3]

[edit] Members

Matt Chamberlain - drums, percussion, piano, programming, synths, loops, samples, digital editing
Skerik - saxophone, keyboards, loops, samples, effects, guitar
Brad Houser - bass, bass clarinet, electronics
Mike Dillon - vibraphone, percussion (1998-present)
John Bush - percussion, loops (1993-1994)