Phuncle Sam

Jam Band / Psychedelic / Americana

James "Stymie" Collins - guitar,vocals
Bill Evans - guitar,vocals
Dan Joffe - bass,vocals
Ned McGinn - percussion
David Mulder - piano,vocals
John "Gio" Wyatt - drums,vocals


SINCE their formation in October of 2004, Asheville, NC based, Phuncle Sam has been firmly rooted in musical exploration, Asheville's own Improv~ Americana, Dead~Centric "jam band". Over three years of intense jamming and rehearsing finds Phuncle Sam with an ever-expanding body of original music.



The band has played local venues as the Westville Pub, Stella Blue, the Emerald Lounge and The Town Pump in Black Mountain and festival venues such as The Harvest Bash in Mars Hill and The Pig Pull at Deerfields.


Phuncle Sam has also worked with Bonfires For Peace playing in Asheville’s Pritchard park many times and also playing acoustic shows in smaller venues such as Malliprop’s bookstore and Rosetta’s Kitchen also for the Traveling Bonfires.


Phuncle Sam’s real testing grounds were at Bearly Edible (now Ophelia’s). Frankly, we lost track of how many gigs we played there, maybe close to twenty?




The band will also serve up quintessential interpretations of Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead and many others. It’s been over forty years since the Grateful Dead began the long strange trip that generations have since embraced and enjoyed. Traditions born of trust, sharing, kindness and good will, formed a critical mass of optimism and musical joy. Sharing the music as well as crafts and art became a part of the community scene. These traditions eventually found there way into many concerts and festivals. The Garage is offering an experiment appropriate for Asheville, by presenting quintessential Grateful Dead-centric music and a space for vendors and craftspeople to share their wares. Asheville’s own magical Grateful Dead interpreters, Phuncle Sam will be steering the musical boat



Dan Joffe, (bass, vocals) ~~ From New Jersey, influences include the Grateful Dead, the Holy Model Rounders, Stone House and Mike Hutchinson. Dan has previously played with “Scarlet Fire”, “Monkeys With Car Keys” and “Sugarstick And The Boilermakers” among others.

Bill Evans, (guitar, guitar synth, vocals) ~~ From New York, influences run from Jerry Garcia to John Coltrane. Bill previously played in Asheville’s “Unidentified Filharmonic Orchestra”and “String Elixer”, upstate NY’s popular “Deeper Roots” and many other musical projects.

James “Stymie” Collins, (guitar, vocals) ~~ From North Carolina, influences include, The Grateful dead, Phish and Widespread Panic. Stymie previously played with “Universal Circle” and is a big Tar Heel fan.

Ned McGinn, (percussion) ~~ From Illinois, influences include The Grateful Dead, Trey Anastasio, String Cheese Incident and JJ Cale and he is an avid music collector. Ned has previously played with “Alligator Wine”

David Mulder, (piano and keyboards, vocals) ~~ From New Jersey, influences include Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, King Crimson and Rusted Root. David started playing with NJ Ska bands and later played with “Cerberus Shoal” and the high energy jam band, “Blend”

John "Gio" Wyatt (Drums, Vocals) ~~ From Detroit & Ft. Lauderdale. influences include Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Rush, Led Zepplin, down to Roots Reggae. With an extensive background in Rock & Roll & Reggae Music, Gio has played with many great artists including members of the Marley family. Gio also plays with the fine band Jerrod's Door.


Phuncle Sam on Sonic Bids


Recordings:
Phuncle Sam -
EP
1 - Broken Hinges
2 - Water Spirit
3 - Stand
4 - Can I Slow Down For You?


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Send Updated Info to: ashevillemusicscene@gmail.com