Tanya Batson, Staff reporterDo you know what funk rhythm and blues is (note it was not shortened to R&B)? Even if you think you do not, you probably have heard a version of it. If you have heard 'the coolest mother @!#%$!! on the planet', then you have heard funk rhythm and blues, mixed with rap.
That genre of music, however, is not limited to Outkast. The Caribbean Music Expo (CME) 2002 showcase on Thursday afternoon revealed a band out of Chicago who also plays funk rhythm and blues (minus the rap). Dressed all in white, nine members of the ten-piece band brought home the very stimulating funk to those who had gathered to participate in the conference.
House of Twang is the name by which they call themselves as a group. Of course, the 'twang' has nothing to do with 'twang' as we understand it in Jamaica. Actually, it is quite the opposite. Although House of Twang plays funk rhythm and blues, different members of the group specialise in various genres. It includes gospel, jazz, rock and blues artistes. The band's presence at CME 2002 is especially interesting because they have been engaging in what Bermali Tillman, frontman and founder of those of Twang refers to as guerrilla marketing tactics to promote the band. Their appearance on the CME 2002 showcase is another move in this marketing scheme.
Their manager, Jimalita Tillman, who has barely made it into her 20s, could be seen skipping around the conference making contacts with media personnel present and passing out press kits for the band. They obviously were not here simply to play.
The Sunday Gleaner spoke with Tillman. To take a glance at Bemali off stage might not leave one very impressed. When dressed to the nines in full flowing white and a matching felt hat, combined with his vocal and guitar skills, he came across as impressive indeed. However, strip him of that and you could easily walk past him.
When Sunday Gleaner went to interview him, he was fast asleep in the hotel lobby and looked to be in his mid-teens. A second look was needed to realise that this was the same person who had just been in control of a stage. He was, however, obviously quite tired, not even a few light taps could awaken him. When he finally arose of his own free will, he came fully awake almost immediately and was exuding the same amount of energy he had shown on the stage. Explaining the hectic schedule he had been keeping, he stated, "I've stopped trying to catch a nap. I'm letting my nap catch me," Evidently, it just had.
When we got to a much more quiet spot than the hotel lobby, Bemali reveals that he does not play only with House of Twang. Furthermore, Bemali also produces other artistes, noting that that's what keeps "popcorn in his pantry."
Interestingly, all the band members also have individual projects they work on. However, they all recognise that when any of them make a breakthrough, the entire band gets promoted and vice versa. "It's almost like bait," he explains with a laugh.
It is for this reason that Bemali describes House of Twang as not merely a band, but more like a movement. To understand this further, one needs to get, what 'twang' is. "Twang is simply like the spice of life," Bemali explains. "Whatever your 'twang' is defines you as a person." He goes on to note, however that in crossing into mainstream music, people run the risk of being "stripped of your twang." Despite knowing this, however, he has no clue as to how he would retain his twang were he to make the cross. "Once you have 'twang' you can play anything," he stated confidently. While some might not believe, it seems to be working for him. At 26 years old, Tillman plays rhythm, bass and woodwind instruments. When one sees the host of artistes around whose music he grew up, it does not seem surprising. He describes his father, blues drummer Jimmy Tillman as "the Puff Daddy of the blues". This is because of the number of artistes with whom he worked. These include Willie Dixon, Otis Clay, KoKo Taylor, Pops and Mavis Staples, among others. "I used to sleep in his (father's) bass drum during rehearsals," Tillman explains. "My daddy kicked every beat into my head." Since then, he has also played with a very reputable group of singers. His biography states that he has played with B.B. King, George Benson, The Chi Lites and The Staple Singers, among several others.
Despite this, Bemali Tillman's musical career did not come easy. He notes that he and his band have worked very hard to gain a presence in Chicago. He notes, however, that the segregated nature of radio in the United States, has made it even harder to break into the mainstream. As such, the House of Twang leaves 'pluggers' for shows on cars outside of parties and clubs. Even more interestingly, Bemali points out that he sells his CDs from the trunk of his car (sometimes he also distributes through friends). What he has done is produce the CDs 100 at a time, at a cost of US$250. These are then sold for US$10 each. Nonetheless, business seems to be going very well. "This one has been selling like salt on an icy day," Bemali explained.
Sheer determination, grit and talent seem to be getting this band through. Unlike the few other artistes who turned up for the event, they had press kits and CDs readily available to distribute as they continued to engage in a marketing war, to make themselves heard above the clatter.
