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The Cactus Channel
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The Cactus Channel
Genre: Roots, Dance
Region: Melbourne, VIC
Members: David Thor - Guitar, Henry Jenkins - Fender Bass, Hudson Whitlock - Drums, Callum Riley - Organ/Tambourine, Lewis Coleman - Guitar, Daniel Sutton - Trumpet, Campbell Wheeler - Alto Saxophone, Kate Charlwood -Tenor Saxophone, Lena Douglas - Trumpet, Lauren Mullarvey - Tenor Saxophone
Sounds Like: The Dap-Kings, Eddie Bo, James Brown
Influences: The Menahan Street Band, Daptone + Truth & Soul Records, James Brown
Artist Website: www.thecactuschannel.com

Hear that sound? Raw, loose and nasty funk recorded straight to analog tape. It’s just like the old days, but so new it’s sporting a badass teenage moustache.
Not many bands release their first single on seven-inch vinyl these days. Far fewer release two vinyl singles internationally before they turn eighteen. Melbourne funk sensation The Cactus Channel have done just that. Now they’ve graduated High School, they’re taking their own brand of high-octane, instrumental car chase funk and smooth soundtrack soul to the people: On the road and on the airwaves, 2012 is the year The Cactus Channel come of age.

Back in 2009, the founding members of The Cactus Channel were already jamming on some classic soul feels, tripping on Eddie Bo, James Brown and their contemporaries, and using words like “Boss” and “Cat” while trying to make it through year 10 in 21st Century Australia. What began as experimentation in Junior Stage Band developed into outright insubordination in Senior Jazz Ensemble, and by 2011 The Cactus Channel were an out of control ten piece funk orchestra with the momentum of a runaway train who could count The Dap Kings’ Tom Brenneck and soul legend Charles Walker as fans.

How did members of the iTunes generation get on to those rare and deep seventies sounds at the age of 14? The Internet of course! Also, who really cares? It works! No matter what year it is, or sounds like it is, these records are great. From Triple J Unearthed in Australia to FatBeats Records in New York, people all over the place love this band. The Cactus Channel’s Emanuel Ciccolini b/w Budokan single is available online and in stores in March 2012 on HopeStreet Recordings in both 7” vinyl and digital download formats. The band also toured with Charles Bradley and The Menehan Street Band nationally in March '12 and have a super heavy full length LP full of deep funk, soul and boogaloo hits scheduled for release in June. Roll on!

"The Cactus Channel hit you with a hard funk groove to rival the likes of James Brown or The Meters and you find you just can't stop moving. But what's that? They're still high school?! With a musical maturity beyond their years you know that this 10 piece collective will go far. And that they'll get a whole lotta rumps shaking along the way" DJ Manchild (PBS 106.7 'The Breakdown')

"The Cactus Channel are a fantastic young teenage funk band. They have managed to capture the fun and looseness of what funk truly means. They are right up there with the great Melbourne funk scene. They have a great future ahead of them. Playing with jazz sensiblities and a funky feeling these kids truly belong on the BIG stage!!!" DJ Chris Gil (Northside Records)

"The Cactus Channel are playing this music in an original way... They are a youthful group that instantly arrived with a deeper and earthier musical aesthetic than many of their contemporaries" Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos/Lanu/Tru Thoughts)

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reviews

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Pepper Snake
rating:  3/5
Big, fun, tight sound! I would love to see this live! Nice work.
triplej



Pepper Snake
rating:  4/5
wow i am totally watching `mad men' in my cool 60s dress dancing to this - love it bring on the vintage revival
triplej



Pepper Snake
rating:  4/5
Cool old skool funk track. If you're a fan of acts like The Dap Kings then check this out. A great up and coming local act.
triplej



Pepper Snake
rating:  4/5
I freaking love this song. Solid musicianship, awesome grooves... can't believe these guys are still in high school! Radtastic!
triplej


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