Winterfest is the biggest festival at UCSD that isn’t named “”Sun God,”” and it has gradually grown to invite bands that tend to have small but very strong fan bases.
UCSD’s first Winterfest in 1998 capitalized on the ska and swing revival, bringing the Dance Hall Crashers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Goldfish to town.
The lineup for the following year was successful with the popularity of one-hit wonders Digital Underground, and the past-their-prime Violent Femmes and Southern-California-act World Tribe. They were able to carry the show with the anticipation of Digital Underground’s “”The Humpty Dance”” and the enduring quality of “”Blister in the Sun”” by the Femmes.
Buck-o-Nine, Ozomatli and Coolio came to last year’s Winterfest with the power of a small but strong following that fueled the energy of the show.
Sprung: Sprung Monkey will open Winterfest 2001 with their punk rock styles dealt straight from San Diego.
Even with all the skepticism about the show and the lineup, Winterfest has traditionally been able to fill RIMAC arena up to capacity and Winterfest 2001 is not expected to be any different. Following the tradition of having a balanced lineup, Winterfest will feature Juvenile, Lucy Pearl and San Diego band Sprung Monkey.
We will have to wait and see this Friday if the selection of bands will bring out the masses. As for now, your friendly hiatus editor will happily give you some background on the bands that will grace our lovely campus.
The Bands
Juvenile
Bio: Juvenile was born Terius Gray and for the past 15 years he has he has been honing his style. He came on to the music scene about a year ago with a hit song called, “”Ha.”” His last full length album, “”400 Degreez”” is expected to be quadruple platinum. “”Tha G-Code”” has also been met with positive reviews.
The New Orleans native started out working at a local gas plant to support his family and rapped on the side. He was able to successfully blend hip-hop and “”bounce”” music. The success of his tune, “”Bounce For the Juvenile”” led him to a deal with a small New York record label. The deal eventually soured and turned Juvenile away from the music industry.
Juvenile eventually came back into the music scene after he realized that he could emerge as a rapper that did not adhere to the West coast or East coast rap formula.
“”We didn’t have a New Orleans rapper that straight up used our language and rapped for our people,”” Juvenile stated. “”Everybody wanted to be either East coast or West coast. That’s where I came in.””
Juvenile eventually caught the attention of Cash Money Records and in 1997 released “”Solja Rags,”” which was an underground hit. Eventually, “”Solja Rags”” reached a half-million sales and with that recognition, Cash Money Records was able to reach a distribution deal with Universal Records.
Juvenile’s second album with Cash Money and Universal earned the Billboard award for “”R&B Album of the Year”” in 1999 and the single, “”Ha”” won “”Single of the Year”” from the Source Awards.
Juvenile is expected to release his new album, “”Project English,”” March 27.
What to Expect: The fact that Juvenile doesn’t conform too much to the West coast and East coast formula is refreshing. He may not have the hit of the year in 2001 but he definitely knows how to entertain.
Lucy Pearl
Bio: Take jazz-funk singer Joi, Raphael Saadiq from Tony! Toni! Tone!, mix them with Ali Shaheed Muhammed from A Tribe Called Quest, and you get the talented group known as Lucy Pearl.
Originally formed in the summer of 1999 with Saadiq, Muhammed and former En Vogue vocalist Dawn Robinson, Lucy Pearl immediately worked on its May, 2000 self-titled album. Lucy Pearl seemed to be a new supergroup on their way to the top until Robinson left the group early in November.
Robinson went on to sign a solo recording contract with Q Records.
Lucy Pearl did not falter, and recruited the talents of Joi, who has released three solo albums of her own. Her last album was released in 1996 and since then she has worked with Fishbone, Organized Noise, Dallas Austin and the Goodie Mob.
Saadiq was the bassist, singer and songwriter of the popular group Tony! Toni! Tone!. After Saadiq left the group in 1998 he went on to work with John Mellencamp, the Bee Gees and D’Angelo.
Muhammed picked up the sax at age 13 but turned his musical energy to the turntables. During high school he met up with rapper and writer Q-Tip and with another rapper, Phife, A Tribe Called Quest was born. Muhammed was able to seamlessly fuse R&B and jazz with hip-hop. Muhammed was also part of the team that helped put together D’Angelo’s 1995 album, “”Brown Sugar.””
Joi is officially on tour with Lucy Pearl and she will also be featured on next Lucy Pearl album.
What to Expect: In spite of former En Vogue vocalist Robinson leaving the group last November, you can expect Lucy Pearl to put on an amazing show. Lucy Pearl offers a smooth combination of hip-hop and R&B along with seductive vocals and funky grooves. The songwriting, singing and musical talent of Saadiq, Muhammed and Joi cannot be ignored.
Sprung Monkey
Bio: San Diego punk band Sprung Monkey debuted in 1995 with their album “”Swirl.”” They eventually signed to Hollywood Records and released another album in 1998 called “”Mr. Funny Face.””
Their hit song was “”Get ‘Em Outta Here,”” a summer anthem in 1998 with their tales of San Diego girls and the trouble that they get in to.
After their hit in 1998 they did not release another album but they toured extensively in the United States, Australia and in New Zealand. Sprung Monkey also made a trip to Japan with Kottonmouth Kings and traveled extensively in Europe with The Offspring. Monkey have also made numerous television appearances and contributed to soundtracks and radio shows.
Sprung Monkeys did find their way into the studio to work on a new album. Their new album produced by Jim Wirt should be released in late October and it is tentatively titled “”Get a Taste.””
What to Expect: Sprung Monkey adds the guitar-rock element into Winterfest 2001, making it a well-balanced show. Their extensive touring schedule has led to a polished live act that should energize the crowd.
