Ben White - Keys & Vocals
David Ashby - Bass & Vocals
Geoff Bakel - Drums & Electronics
Targeting to influence and inspire the human spirit with dynamic groove-based compositions, their music has been described through a multitude of genres including Rock, Funk, World-Beat, Live Electronics, and NuJazz. Within this varied genre approach, the music combines tightly composed and adventurous passages with in-the-moment improvisation. Despite the genre bending output, FC does indeed have a sound that is instantly identifiable and unique to themselves. But, there ability to transform and shape this sound to fit the surroundings and setting of each venue is what sets them apart.
Former Champions' self-titled debut studio album spans a multitude of genres including Rock, Funk, World-Beat, Live Electronics, and NuJazz. Amongst these tracks you will find a story of an American man's experience in the modern world, and his past and present dealings with life's fascinations. Tales of his adventures and of his realizations of the mystery of love are expressed through a variety of combinations of groove, harmony, melody, and poetry.
Tour Dates
08/23/2011
Richmond, VA @ Cary St. Cafe
08/23/2011
Richmond, VA @ Cary St. Cafe
08/25/2011
Elkins, WV @ pegasus farm campground
09/02/2011
Harrisonburg, VA @ Blue Nile
09/06/2011
Richmond, VA @ Cary St. Cafe
09/08/2011
Richmond, VA @ City Dogs (in the Fan)
09/13/2011
Richmond, VA @ Cary St. Cafe
Press
"I have been lucky enough to see the Champs in the past and knew they were going to put on a good show. If you have not seen them yet, you won't want to wait much longer. With festival announcements piling up, it is becoming pretty apparent that this might be the last year the Champs are going to be opening shows instead of headlining."
- Brandon Samuel, Virginia Magazine 33
"The roles within a song are constantly changing -- who's the rhythm section, who plays the melody, who improvises up into the stratosphere. Different performances of a song are rarely exactly the same"
-Tristan Lejeune, Charlottesville Progress
"A melding of talented musical personalities... The Former Champions are highly recommended."
- Alex Jasperse, Musemuse.com
http://www.formerchampions.net
http://www.facebook.com/FormerChamps
http://www.myspace.com/formerchampions
http://www.twitter.com/formerchampions
