Nonzine-Oklahoma Arts and Entertainment
Live Music Review
April 14th, 2006

When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans last year, a lot of things were lost. Homes, jobs, and lives, just to name a few. But its spirit will always live on. Luckily for us, that spirit can be heard by simply going out to see the Sugar Free Allstars. I knew I was in for a treat as I entered the bar and saw a Hammond B-3 organ on stage. It was painted with a flame job that would make a 57 Chevy green with envy. Soon Chris Wiser climbed aboard this organ and our adventure began. He pulled double and triple duties between laying down bass lines on the B-3, ripping the sax and singing with as much passion as a fat lady in church. I don't know what it is about a Hammond B-3 organ that makes your bones vibrate, but I know I like it, and the crowd couldn't stop moving or smiling while Chris Wiser laid it down. Having a good drummer is the key to any successful group, and Rob Martin (otherwise known as the incredible "Dr. Rock") not only has a perfect meter but his no nonsense style allows for jamming and free styling that both he and Chris do flawlessly. The Allstars travelled through the show, combining all kinds of ingredients in their recipe for songs that made for not only an entertaining show, but kept me wanting more of those tasty treats. Besides, who doesn't like songs about big legged fast women, or or playing in the elementary school band, followed by some Dr. John or the Beatles. Heck, I know I do! It seems to me that the theory of less is more would be a perfect way to explain the Sugar Free Allstars. Sounding full is a hard job, and they are good at it. Hell, not only are they good at it, they are great at it! With a huge selection of originals and some covers that can and always will make a crowd happy, I think we will be seeing the Allstars in much larger venues, sharing the stage with some of the greats. If it were up to me and I had a shit ton of money, I would give it all to Chris and the good Doctor, let them hire as many musicians as they wanted, and lead us all to the Mothership of Funk.

-Sheridan Marquardt III