Crested Butte News-The Scene
Sugar Free Allstars swing into the Eldo
July 29, 2005

The Sugar Free Allstars will bring their quirky blend of New Orleans funk, Memphis soul, and pop to the Eldo on Thursday, July 28 at 10pm. The Oklahoma duo suggests that you “Imagine that Deep Purple and Sly and the Family Stone had a love child that grew up in New Orleans listening to Ray Charles, Black Sabbath, and Booker T. That love child would be the Sugar Free Allstars.”
Lead singer Chris Wiser multi-tasks with a stockpile of instruments including a Hammond B3, alto sax, and a Honer D6 Clavinet. Rob “Dr Rock” Martin keeps the audience moving with drum skills that transition easily between the Allstars funk and rock tunes. Wiser and Martin are known for delivering high-energy performances, and have shared the stage with artists as diverse as G. Love and the Special Sauce, Bowling for Soup, Hank Williams III, and the All-American Rejects.
The Allstars released their sophomore album, Dos Machos, last year. The album was SFA’s first release without founding member and guitar player Mike Satawake. Satawake makes a few guest appearances on Dos Machos, but most of the album is guitar-free. The album features an eclectic array of guest performances, including Moog, violin, and horn players.
Tracks on Dos Machos have received critical praise for their quirky, witty lyrics, delivered with Wiser’s characteristic dry style. Standout tracks on Dos Machos include “Cover Band Boyfriend” artists and the women who love them, and “Buddhist in a Beamer,” which is sure to be a highlight of Thursday night’s show. The track “Bender to Ender” has been hailed as “a hilarious ‘roll-your-windows-down-and-sing’ song” by Stephen Carradini of Independent Clauses.
Two of the hardest working men in show business will be laying it down at the Eldo on Thursday at 10 p.m., but they won’t be taking requests. You’ll have to listen to “Smoke on the Water” and “Everyday People” on your own time, because this duo is sugar-free.

-Allison Keagle