Ivan Julian with special guests The Brass and The Meadows

Ivan Julian Ivan Julian is a must-see event happening at The Divine Theater @ Gateway City Arts.

At 19, his wanderlust led him to London, where he joined U.K. R&B hitmakers The Foundations, (Build Me Up Buttercup) with whom he toured throughout Great Britain and Europe. It was during one of these tours that he decided to stay on in Macedonia to absorb and study the musical scales and rhythms that would have a major influence on his playing. Then Julian returned to the U.S. and settled in New York, just in time to become part of the emerging punk rock movement. A founding member of the seminal Richard Hell and the Voidoids, he was now playing alongside trend-setting punk poet Hell, fabled guitarist Robert Quine and drummer Marc Bell (a.k.a. Marky Ramone). Julian’s instrumental and songwriting contributions to the band’s classic album Blank Generation established him as one of the scene’s most acclaimed and influential axemen. After the Voidoids disbanded, Julian stepped out to form the Outsets as a vehicle for his own vocal and songwriting efforts. Combining rock, funk and African rhythms, the Outsets became a beloved fixture on New York’s burgeoning club scene, winning considerable critical acclaim for such releases as the debut single “I’m Searchin’ for You”/”Fever,” a self-titled EP produced by Garland Jeffreys and the posthumously released The Punk/Funk Voodoo Collection. Teaming up with Bush Tetras singer Cynthia Sley Julian’s next band, the Lovelies, won substantial attention with the release of the Mad Orphan LP. Also, during this time he regrouped with former bandmate Richard Hell to do an extensive tour of Japan. By this point, Julian’s abilities as a collaborator had become sought after by a wide array of acts. He plays on “The Call Up” and “Ivan Meets GI Joe” with The Clash (on their Sandinista album), collaborated with Afrika Bambaataa and Bernie Worrell of Parliament/Funkadelic. He also joined England’s Shriekback for two tours of North America and Europe. Julian spent much of the 1990s touring and recording with Matthew Sweet. In recent years, Ivan has concentrated mainly on studio work, producing and/or recording artist such as Sean Lennon and producing three albums by The Fleshtones. He’s also developed his recording studio, SuperGiraffeSound into one of New York’s hottest new recording facilities, working with numerous local, national and international bands. His solo LP, The Naked Flame was named one of the best records of the year by several trade magazines in Europe and the states including Trouser Press. Soon after came The Fauntleroys EP, Below the Pink Pony, a collaboration with Alejandro Escovedo, Nick Tremulis and Linda Pittman. His newest album ‘Swing Your Lanterns’ is available on PRAVDA Records. The songs encompass his experiences of the past five years and more; Some of which, we have all lived through.

The Brass has been described as “Jawbox filtered through Nile Rodgers”; with influences from “J-Rock” to Soul and everything in-between, they offer up a truly original musical experience.

https://soundcloud.com/the-brass/whiplash?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The Meadows is a new 4-piece indie rock project hailing from Western Massachusetts. The band consists of lead vocalists/guitarists Chris Rea (formerly of The Westies, The 11th Hour, Fiesta Brava) and Ray Keane (formerly of Fiesta Brava), bassist Taylor Buckholz (formerly of Richmond, VA’s Clair Morgan, Armored Duck, Punch Button) and drummer Bob Comire (formerly of Kansas City, MO’s Crossed Wires and Steady States). They each bring their unique style and influence to create a dynamic blend of music that resonates with indie, folk, and punk undertones. With two lead vocalists they create a sound characterized by unique and engaging harmonies, catchy hooks, and driving melodies.