Bomb Squad:
Bomb Squad is a hard-hitting, aggressive, in-your-face funk trio that brings a party to the stage every time they play. Coming together from different cultural backgrounds, each member contributes a unique flavor to the sound of the band. Guitarist Ricky Giordano adds a heavy rock edge to organist Tonga Ross-Ma'u's modern jazz approach. With drummer Tim Newton's gospel and R&B background, he provides a foundation with deep grooves and captivating rhythms. His ability to stretch out and express himself through creative drum solos and collective improvisations with the band, is the most exciting part of Bomb Squad's live performance.
These young but highly experienced musicians have collaborated and played with a wide range of artists across various genres, including members of The Mars Volta, The Greyboy All-Stars, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, The Original Wailers, DJ Logic, P.O.D., The B-Side Players, Grammy Award-winning producer Kamau Kenyatta, Mary Mary, Javen, One Drop, and The Devastators.
In 2013, guitarist Ricky Giordano and drummer Tim Newton were developing their chemistry touring with San Diego funk outfit The Earful, when they were approached by organist Tonga Ross-Ma'u to form a Soulive tribute group. From there, the trio began writing their own material and creating a unique and individual sound that guided their music in a heavier, more raw, rock driven direction then organ trios of the past.
While sonic comparisons can be drawn to groups like Funkadelic, Band of Gypsys, Tony Williams Lifetime, Rage Against the Machine, and early Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bomb Squad fuses these influences together in a way that's fresh and new to the classic organ trio format.
Bomb Squad has opened for well respected artists in the Funk, Jazz, and Jam worlds, including Charlie Hunter, TAUK, Moon Hooch, The Surefire Soul Ensemble, Spafford, and The New Orleans Suspects to name a few. They have been internationally featured artists at The Ensenada Jazz Festival in Mexico as well.
