Галактик: Жаңа Орлеандық Фанк Тобының Тарихы

the band
American jam band

Galactic is an American funk band from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton Moore, Hammond organist Rich Vogel, Theryl DeClouet on vocals, and later adding saxophonist Ben Ellman. The group was started when Raines and Mercurio, childhood friends from affluent Chevy Chase, Maryland, moved to New Orleans together to attend college at Tulane and Loyola Universities, became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts as The Meters and Dirty Dozen Brass Band and inspired by local legends such as Professor Longhair. There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore, In 2018, the members of the band made their association with the venue official, purchasing the venue from the previous owners, Mary and Roland Von Kurnatowski.

The band is also noted for inviting guest musicians from New Orleans to perform onstage with them. These include: the Soul Rebels Brass Band, The Neville Brothers, Brian Seeger, Corey "Boe Money" Henry, George Porter of The Meters, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Skerik (a saxophone player who is actually based in Seattle, Washington, but is part of Stanton Moore's side project Garage A Trois). The band is often on tour, and have shared the stage with acts including Live, Counting Crows, the Allman Brothers Band, The Roots, Fusebox Funk, Widespread Panic, B. B. King, Mike Doughty (formerly of Soul Coughing), Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious), Jurassic 5, Jack Johnson, Gov't Mule, The Revivalists, The Record Company, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave, Toots and the Maytals, and Steel Pulse. Galactic performed "I Got It (What You Need)" on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2007. They also performed "Back That Ass Up" and "Rodeo" as Juvenile's band on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2006. Galactic toured North America in 2012 with Corey Glover and Soul Rebels Brass Band. On March 29, 2012, Galactic appeared with Soul Rebels Brass Band and Corey Glover on Conan show on TBS
In 2015, they performed Summer Festivals in the US, Canada, and Japan with vocalist Macy Gray. While on their 2016 tour, Galactic performed on marine themed call in talkshow, FishCenter Live. They correctly guessed the coloration of a squirrelfish and won points for a zebra moray eel, Eel Hamburger. They will be headlining the 11th annual Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in Martinsville, VA in May 2019.

Ya Ka May was released on February 9, 2010, on ANTI The album includes guest performances by a range of New Orleans musicians. Long established performers such as Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis of The Wild Magnolias, Allen Toussaint and Walter "Wolfman" Washington are represented, along with younger performers in the traditional vein, such as Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry, John Boutté, Josh Cohen and Ryan Scully of Morning 40 Federation, and Glen David Andrews, and also Bounce artists Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, Katey Red, and Sissy Nobby. Galactic released a live album in May 2011 titled The Other Side of Midnight: Live in New Orleans. This album includes live versions of many songs on Ya Ka May. On February 21, 2012, Galactic released a new studio album titled Carnivale Electricos which focused on the theme of Carnivale. They invited artists from New Orleans to flesh out the diversity of the town's music in a virtual Fat Tuesday strut across town: the battle chant of Mardi Gras Indian War Chief Juan Pardo and the Golden Comanches; the voice of Mystikal; and the 40 piece Kipp Renaissance High School marching band. For "Voyage Ton Flag" they sampled the late accordionist Clifton Chenier and carnival rock number "Hey Na Na (Hey Na)" with David Shaw of New Orleans's Revivalists. Brazil is represented by samba poet Moyseis Marques on "O Coco da Galinha" and by Casa Samba, who retake the forro "Magalenha " The LP has been described by the band as "a tour" through New Orleans' various styles of music. On July 17, 2015, Galactic released a new studio album titled Into the Deep. It featured Macy Gray, J. J. Grey, David Shaw, Maggie Koerner, and Mavis Staples. On February 8, 2019, Galactic released their latest studio album, Already Ready Already, via Tchoup Zilla Records. It was produced by Galactic's own Robert Mercurio and Ben Ellman, and marks the band's 10th studio LP. The album features guest appearances from Erica Falls, Princess Shaw, Miss Charm Taylor, David Shaw (The Revivalists), Nahko, and Boyfriend. On February 7, 2020, Galactic released a single titled "Float Up". The track features Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph. In 2023, Galactic released Tchompitoulas, an EP which includes singer Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph, trumpeter Eric Gordon, Afro Cuban musician Cimafunk, trombonist and singer Glen David Andrews, and rapper Eric Biddines.