Beyond the groove

Krakow combine pop hooks with free-form jamming

By Shaun Suhoski

They don't play one defined style of music, nor do they share common musical influences. They don't have a particular home base. They don't even dress alike. But put these five North County lads together on stage or in a studio, and their collective musical psyche gels into a cohesive state that alternately mutates into rock, blues, jazz or trippy psychedelia, depending upon the group vibe.

"We're five people who can connect unlike any others at this time," says lead singer Brian Chaffee. "I'm thankful to find four other people to release like we do. Besides playing Las Vegas and singing theme songs, this is the only thing I wanna do."

Lead guitarist John Kleber -- nicknamed "Johnny Bravo" for his striking resemblance to the Cartoon Network icon -- agrees. "This is why I'm alive. I might jam with other people, but Krakow is my thing."

Formed in 1995, Krakow quickly gained a strong foothold in the Worcester-North area playing to mostly young, sweaty crowds hooked into the "jam band" circuit. But the "groove" or "jam" band misnomer fails to account for the band's wide range of ability (despite their being runner-ups in the "groove-jam band" category in the Worcester Phoenix 2000 Best Music Poll).

Sure, live shows offer Kleber's extended solos into heretofore uncharted territory, but they also include songs with strong pop hooks, melodies and lyrics crafted by Chaffee, whose unique charisma enables him to get a crowd directly into the groove the band is putting forth.

"Brian is the one who can personify our energy and make people relate to it," says Kleber. "Everyone in the band is witty, but people really relate to him. When Brian lays out, our music is shining, but with him it draws people. We couldn't do 20 minute jams all night."

Indeed, there is a dichotomy between the performances captured on the group's studio recordings (1998's Krakow 1445, the 1999 four-song EP Foo Foo's Adventures In Hell, and last fall's Minnesota) each of which feature strong songwriting and some pop tendencies, versus the moody, ethereal atmosphere generated during the winding jams of a live performance. The variation in styles from studio to stage doesn't faze Kleber.

"I hated pop until recently. Then I realized we can write unique pop songs with musical integrity," he says, citing Jeff Beck, John Scofield and Ani DiFranco as some of his influences. A look at the musical roots of the other members of Krakow sheds light on the group's diversity of styles.

Chaffee recalls his father "spinning lots of Motown and oldies" when he was younger and praises the playing of Herbie Hancock and Ray Manzarek. Guitarist Reed Brewer notes "[Bob] Dylan was part of my DNA," while bassist "Jesus" Barry lists everything from the punk of the Clash to "trains going by" as inspirations from which he draws ideas.

As responses to the musical influences question continued to spiral downward with each successive answer, drummer A.J. Sausville (who is also the band's resident wise-guy) says John Bonham, Frank Zappa, and Billy Martin (the embattled, hard-drinking, now deceased NY Yankee manager) were his primary motivators.

"A.J. can air drum every part to a live Zappa album," says Kleber. "It's freaky."

Krakow plays this Saturday at Slattery's in Fitchburg, before returning to Wormtown for shows February 3 at The Alley, and February 10 at The Tammany Club. They recently played a couple of gigs at The Elbow Room in New York City, and last week jammed out at the Charles Playhouse in Boston following a performance by Blue Man Group.

In the summer of 2000, the band surprised the New Hampshire rock scene by besting several favored hardcore acts in the Rock Of Ages Battle of the Bands at Sharky's in Nashua. The win gave the group $10,000 (which they spent replacing beat-up equipment) and mentions on Rock 101 (WGIR-FM).

Besides the accolades, the band remains most proud of their most recent CD.

"The music on Minnesota represents what we stand for really well. Rock, blues, jazz, reggae. We want to touch everything ... literally," says Chaffee.

"Minnesota was a turning point for us in the studio," says Sausville, adding that the group may go through "birthing pains" on their next recording as they solidify their sound.

"The disc represents what's going to happen. We hope to shake things up," Kleber says, while the unassuming Barry is proud of the recording for posterity of sorts. "If I ever have grandkids, I'll be like, `Fuck you, I'm cool.'

"Or was," Sausville quips.

For now, Krakow remains cool, even Reed Brewer, the quiet guitarist and songwriter that "never gets quoted," according to the band.

"But I feel pretty good about everything I've said," Brewer deadpans.