J-Roddy and Mungo Jerry
Baltimore loves its rock 'n' roll.
But so many local bands are stuck rehashing rock from five to 10 years ago. So it's really refreshing to hear J-Roddy Walston and the Business, a group with tons of energy and an arsenal of raw, dirty rock 'n' roll.
This is "I'll Tell You What" from their CD Hail Megaboys.
Roddy is also the only musician I've ever talked to who lists Mungo Jerry as a serious influence on his music. He's not kidding.
I found this clip of Mungo Jerry playing their hit "In the Summertime."
It's kind of funny, because this song is all about kicking back and having fun in the summertime, but singer Ray Dorset barely smiles in the whole video. He just looks mean most of the time.
Maybe that's what the two groups have in common -- they both take their music really seriously.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
