Jeff Van Reiken on Joining Brass Hysteria
By: Kindra Robinson
Ska music, as discussed on worldmusic.about.com is a genre which became popular in the 1960’s. It originated in Jamaica and combined a combination of Mento, Calypso, Jazz and R&B music.
Ska music has evolved over the years and went through phases referred to as Traditional Ska, Second Wave or “Two Toned” Ska and Third Wave Ska.
Second Wave Ska music was created in Europe durintg the 1970s and added elements of punk music into the genre.
Third Wave Ska music became popular in the United States during the 1990s. Third Wave Ska can range from sounding similar to Traditional Ska to sounding more like Punk music.
What is Ska Music?
Jeff Van Reiken is a guitar player for the Ska band, Brass Hysteria. The group of men, who make up this eight-piece band, cross genres and combined Punk and Swing music into their performance.
“When you have that many members it has to be really thought out,” said Van Reikan.
Although, Brass Hysteria was formed in 2008, Van Reiken joined two years ago, when he replaced one of the band’s guitar players. Van Reikan was already friends with the other band members and found them interesting when he decided to join Brass Hysteria.
Joining Brass made me a better musician, said Van Reikan.
The band performs with a blend of two guitars, a banjo, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, a homemade upright bass, and drums.
“It’s really hard to coordinate, but when it all comes together it’s really cool,” said Van Reikan.
Although the band is based in Chico, Calif., they go on tours for two to three weeks at a time. They are also occasionally played on the local radio station Z-Rock.
“I never thought I’d be on the radio,” said Van Reiken
The bands style of performing is energetic and interactive with the audience. They often get off stage and run around.
“They are a montly crew of musicians who love playing music for crowds,” said Kat Klobucar, a Chico resident who has attended performances by the band.
Just as Brass hysteria incorporates a variety of instruments and genres into their music, the band also has a variety of people who attend their shows.
Performing in Brass Hysteria provides the opportunity for “meeting a lot of really interesting people through music,” said Van Reiken.
There upcoming shows, which include a United Way Benefit and upcoming Shows at the bars Lost on Main and The Downlo, can be found on their website http://www.brasshysteriamusic.com
