Funky musical arrangement
Rough Congress lights up stage, dance floor
ID: Rough Congress features Jamie Maker and Aaron Saye, of the notorious Makers.
Style: Vintage soul, R&B and funk for crate-digging retrophiles
Roster: Keyboardist Chris White, guitarist Maker, bassist Jake Barr, drummer Saye, and lead vocalist Brandon O’Neill, of Spokane’s noteworthy O’Neill clan.
Origin: “Jamie, Chris and Aaron met at EWU in ’90. Jamie toured the world with The Makers. Aaron and Chris played in High Lonesome and Mulligan. Aaron joined The Makers… Chris made a living writing music for TV networks and crappy movies. Jake and Brandon met a cultish religious sect as infants… The gang regularly did session work at Chris’ studio for ads, TVs and movie and decide to form a band for grins and gins. We choose a name, booked a gig and played a full set in a little over a month,” O’Neill stated.
Songwriting: “Right now it’s more arrangement than writing. Rough Congress original funk babies in utero,” said O’Neill.
Educated sing-alongs: Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, and George Benson.
Live show: “We’ve been known to cause water damage on a dance floor,” said O’Neill.
Next gig: Sept. 13 at Zola, 22 W. Main. No cover.
More: Listen to a live concert stream of Rough Congress in action from last week’s show at Zola at spokane7.com/music/shows.