BAND PROFILE: Soul of the River

By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise

Who: Brett Dawson, vocals and guitar; Steve Hansen, bass; and Rene Felix, drums.

From: Riverside

Formed: 2002

Sounds like: Fans of bands including Jimmie's Chicken Shack, the Black Keys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers can dig these guys. Throw in a touch of jam band-ness (in a Jack Johnson way, not in a bad way), and there you have it. Listen to "BSide to Honky Tonk Woman," and be sure to check out "We've Gone Crazy" -- it includes a lyric about Wheat Thins.

Soul of the River is made up of, from left, Steve Hansen, bass; Brett Dawson, guitar and vocals; and Rene Felix, drums. (Special to The Press-Enterprise)

Releases: A full-length album is coming in 2008.

Sample the music: www.myspace.com/souloftheriver

Web site: www.souloftheriver.com

Riverside's Soul of the River has its roots in parties, which makes sense when you hear the groove-laden rock sound of the band.

"We would always jam -- just goof around at parties and stuff," said singer-guitarist Brett Dawson.

Sitting around the fire, the friends would just play songs and try to get everybody to join in. Those impromptu jams turned into Soul of the River.

The band has been working on its full-length album at Sound Sanctuary Recording Studio in Riverside.

Dawson said the plan is to have 16 tracks when it's finished. The band has been saving up money and recording a couple of songs at a time.

Whenever the band finishes some songs, it will put together a CD to hand out for free at shows and pretty much wherever it goes.

"Most of the songs I think I just write on my own -- a bare-bones sort of thing," Dawson said.

The band then works it out in practice.

"We're really, really good at jamming," he said, quickly adding that Soul of the River is not the typical jam band.

"It's more like if a Beastie Boys DJ were to play a set and go from song to song," he said. "There aren't 15-minute guitar solos."

Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575, at vfranko@PE.com or www.myspace.com/Audio_File

Posted by Vanessa Franko at 9:28 AM, November 21

Soulful. And Funky. And Rockin'.
Soul Of The River (Independent)
Soul Of The River
By Leslie Ritchie
"Oh to think Mr. McDoodle / What will happen if there's no music for your noodle? / Don't you fret, the funky rock grooves I will deliver / I will bring forth, The Soul Of the River."
Formed in 2002 in Southern California, these funk rockers create one unusual sound that will grab your attention in a second. The band consists of three effective guys: Brett Dawson, the man who brings the melodic vocals and guitar playing to this single. Rene Felix is the drummer, while Steve Hansen rocks out on bass.
This self-titled release has three very upbeat, blood-pumping tunes, so the music scene can get prepared for their upcoming album.
The first song, "B-side to the Honky Tonk Woman," put a smile on my face. It's a different sound that cannot be explained. The sound is one of a kind, that could make everyone from hard rockers to country fans rock out and get down.
"Daylight Honey" would have to be the most outstanding song listened to. It's not your everyday love song, with the tune's higher beat and the more passionate lyrics. "They Just Don't Get It," the last track on the CD, is a little different then the others, reminding me of an upbeat remix of a television theme song.
Soul of the River has created an unusual blend of songs that will immediately grab the attention of all listeners. The music on this CD is highly addicting and recommended, because of the different sound and passion throughout the CD.
You can listen to the funky grooves of Soul Of the River online at http://www.myspace.com/souloftheriver.

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