Ceremony of the Alchemists: PuraPharm * Mr Plow * Blues Funeral

Rudyard’s presents Ceremony of the Alchemists: PuraPharm * Mr. Plow * Blues Funeral.

PuraPharm (Houston, TX)
http://www.purapharmmusic.com/

“Holy God in Tifa’s 7th Heaven, have you heard this girl? It’s like Nina Hagen was fronting the Legendary Pink Dots! She’s got a voice like a living orgasm that just pounds right out of a wall of psychedelic rock until you fall on the floor like the heroin just kicked in. No wonder she’s up for a Best Female Vocal award this year. ” – Jef With One F – Houston Press: Rocks Off 100

PuraPharm was formed in 2007 by Tessa Kole and Niki Sims. Tessa was looking for a new project after 61 Cygni – her former project – when her drummer, Eric Jarvis, moved on to pursue his dreams becoming more involved in professional recording & production. Tessa and Niki were coworkers at the time, and Niki was one of 61 Cygni’s biggest fans. Niki was usually not old enough to get into all the gigs, but she would find a way every time; whether she had to sneak in the back by helping lug in gear, or hide out in a bathroom for an hour before the venue would start carding at the door, she was always determined to find a way into the show.

In 2005, Tessa approached Niki with an opportunity to start something new from the ground up – Tessa doing what she does best by leading the band by bringing her vocal talents and guitar playing, and Niki rocking a saxophone and clarinet – which they named PuraPharm.

Soon afterwards, Paul Adams (former bass player, and founding member of 61 Cygni) joined in on bass guitar. In 2009, a second guitar player came into the mix named Anthony “Tony” Rodriguez. Tony really helped the band to discover their new and unique sound, but he left the band in October of 2012, and was quickly replaced by Davis Jumper. Like Tony, Davis has brought another new element to PuraPharm’s sound, and still with us today.

While the songs had been driven with programmed drum arrangements since the beginning, live drummers came along in 2013; first Josh Lastrapes for about 5 months, then John Polinski. In September of 2014 our newest drummer, Daniel Haymes, joined the band.

In 2012 PuraPharm and its members were nominated for five Houston Press Music Awards; Best Modern Rock Band, Best Vocalist, Best Bassist, Best Guitarist, and Best Other Instrument. Niki Sims won her nomination for Best Other Instrument, thanks to her saxophone and clarinet skills!

Purapharm is currently writing, recording, and very much an active part of the Houston music scene. We play regularly at local venues and even tour around the Gulf Coast region once in a while. Our live shows are the best part of being in this band; we enjoy every opportunity we can get to bring our energy to the stage, and love to be in the company of our friends and fans!

Mr. Plow (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/Mr.PlowRock

Formed in the mid nineties without a name or singer. Greg, Jeremy and Dave got together on Friday nights at Jeremy’s house right behind the original location of the Goode Company BBQ on Kirby. While the patrons at the Goode company were dining on BBQ outside on a picinic table with old country music playing through cheap outdoor speakers, the sound of Mr. Plow was being forged; overbearing the atmosphere with a big thick wall of bass and groove.

After a few attempts of playing shows with a couple vocalists that never worked out, it was finally suggested that Jeremy’s good friend and law school cohort Justin Waggoner join the band. Soon thereafter the name Mr. Plow was decided upon based on a favorite episode of the Simpsons and a catchy jingle therein. The first album, Head On, was soon recorded and released. Mr. Plow played several gigs around Houston at places like The Mausoleum, The Oven, Mary Jane’s, Fitzgeralds, and Emo’s. Cock Fights and Pony Racing was released a couple years later.

This album had a more produced sound albeit very bass heavy and thick by design to mimick the sound of a band favorite album, Kyuss-Blues for the Red Sun. By this time the band was reaching out to places like Austin and Dallas for a gig here and there, as well as playing more venues in Houston such as Rudyards. It was at Rudyards where the band met Joel Omelcheck, sound guy extraordinaire who recorded their most recent album, Asteroid 25399.

Asteroid was considered the crowning achievement recording by the band but lacked as much public interest as their previous efforts despite being nominated as Album of the Year by 94.5 The Buzz rock DJ Zakk United who invited the band to play the Scout Bar as a part of the Texas Buzz. Some of the Mr. Plow catalog even saw airplay on the radio at this time slot, especially the stand out track from Asteroid 25399, Dead Eye Dick.

Eventually, Greg Green left the band to pursue an out of state education to become a doctor. The band tried to carry on with another bassist but floundered after a couple gigs. Today the band memebers remain good friends and Greg is back in Houston. Justin is playing with a new Band called Sactus Bellum with the bass player, Ben Yaker, who briefly replaced Greg in the Plow. Jeremy and Greg play weekly in a band without a name and no gigs as of yet, playing mostly covers. David has been playing bass with a cover band called Likely Story for the last few years as well. The band is at least open to the possibility of playing again at some point some day.

Blues Funeral (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/bluesfuneralofficial

Blues Funeral is the new proto-metal project on the Houston scene, featuring guitar and vocal harmonies with a screaming Nord synth!

Formed in late 2014 by Jan Kimmel (guitar, ex-Sanctus Bellum), Cory Cousins (drums, ex-Sanctus Bellum) and Maurice Eggenschwiler (guitar, ex-Sanctus Bellum), Blues Funeral plays a unique brand of 60’s and 70’s infused music with a metal twist. Experienced upright bass player, Gabe Katz, decided to tip his bass over and play it through an amp to complete the band’s lineup.

The band name, inspired by the 1969 Groundhogs cut, “Blues Obituary”, is an ode to many of the groups’ influences including classic bands like: Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Mountain, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, etc.

In their prior project, the trio has shared the stage with acts like: Pentagram, St. Vitus, Trouble, Orange Goblin, Kylessa, Dio Disciples, Gates of Slumber, Las Cruces, and local Houston metal legends, Helstar.

Though Blues Funeral explores new musical territory for the trio, it will still feel like snake’s venom with a twist of absinthe under a purple sky. You will be witnesses! The band is currently fast at work writing new material to be unveiled in 2015!!!