Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
May 17, 2007 issue
Hobex Brings Southern Soul, Funk and Rock
To Canyons May 25
Story by David Brewer
For more than a decade, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Greg Humphreys has led a soul-infused charge across the United States as leader of Hobex. The band—a righteous mixture of old-school soul, riff-heavy classic rock and funky blues—will return to the High Country on Friday, May 25, for a show at Canyons in Blowing Rock.
Rising from the ashes of Chapel Hill-based, Humphreys-led alternative rock band Dillon Fence, Hobex quickly developed into a hard-touring funk machine in the late 1990s. Working clubs all over the Southeast, the band honed its blue-eyed soul rock chops, sharing bills with the Greyboy Allstars, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Gran Torino, North Mississippi Allstars and many others.
“It was like starting over. It was humbling,” said Humphreys. “We had to play any gig we could get. Back then there was really no funk and soul scene, so we were the odd bird.”
In addition to Humphreys, the band consists of founding member Andy Ware on bass and vocals, Dustin Clifford on drums and Russ Betenbaugh on keyboards and vocals.
After recording six CDs, Hobex still seems to be a bit of an oddity in terms of touring live music acts. Dozens of bands incorporate the sounds of Stax and Motown’s funkier, soul-based artists into their music. However, few have used those sounds to effectively develop a style that simultaneously references those classic artists while taking it to a new sonic realm.
The impassioned falsetto of Curtis Mayfield, funky organ of Booker T. & The MGs, psychedelic touches of Shuggie Otis, tight riffs of Tower of Power and bounce of Billy Preston have all worked their way into what others have described as Hobex’s alternative soul sound.
Enlightened Soul, Hobex’s latest CD of original songs, finds the band grooving in familiar territory while also scratching their itch for blues-drenched rock and even dipping into a bit of twangy country on the title track. Tracks “Free The Music” and “You Set Me Free” received a considerable amount of airplay on WNCW when the disc was released this past winter.
In the live setting, the many strengths of Hobex come alive. From pedal steel-powered gospel rave-ups and blues shuffles to blazing, bass-driven instrumentals and their bread and butter grooves, not to mention the occasional choice Al Green or Marvin Gaye cover, Hobex knows how to deliver.
Clifford’s effortless but undeniably in-the-pocket drumming, coupled with Betenbaugh’s Keith-Richards-of-the-keys approach to organ, Ware’s fat bottom end bass punch and Humphreys’ blue-eyed rasp and jangly guitar combine for a sweet Southern soul stew.
Like nearly any band that lasts for more than a short time, Hobex has experienced a few lineup changes throughout the years. Having already experimented with additional players by the release of their second CD, Back in the 90s, Hobex continued recording and playing live with a series of horn sections and keyboard players before slimming down and settling on the current foursome a few years ago.
Though Humphreys is quick to admit his love for the sound of a bigger band, two decades on the road have more than brought home the realities—both sonic and financial—of touring with a large ensemble.
“It’s a lot of fun to have that brass up there and have those players blowing over a big band,” said Humphreys. “We get to play a little more and solo a little more [with the current lineup] and that’s fun too.”
Whether Hobex will be around for 11 more years, no one can say. But for now, the band continues to play with passion and plenty of soul power.
“It’s been a pretty good run so far,” said Humphreys. “I’ve got thousands of shows under my belt and I’m proud of that.”
Want To Go?
Date: Friday, May 25
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Canyons in Blowing Rock
Cost: FREE!