The Punch List with David Grimm
Metronome Charleston‘s weekly Punch List puts local musicians on the spot with a questionnaire that touches on music, venues, gear, records, vices, and more. This week, busy funk/jazz guitarist David Grimm takes a turn.
1. What is your favorite local hang (hangout/bar/venue) and why?
“I love the Pour House. Everyone over there — the staff, the musicians, and the audience — are all part of this family mentality that feels really special. There’s nothing quite like cracking open a PBR tall boy in the summertime and jamming out on the deck. I do miss El Bohio though; the Pollo a Parilla was a serious staple of of my diet.”
2. You know you’ve played an excellent show when…
“You don’t want to stop playing, and you feel like you’ve accomplished something.”
3. What was the last show you attended that really got you fired up in a good or bad way?
“Jimmy Herring at the Charleston Music Hall. I had never seen him live before. He showed me colors that I didn’t even know existed.”
4. Define your musical style in exactly 10 words.
“Funky laser beam bebop underwater modal blues with sprinkles.”
David Grimm (provided)
5. What’s your theme song?
“Aaron Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring.’ This piece is my ‘Desperado.’ Every time I hear it I transcend into a lucid kind of head space.”
6. Gear-wise, what’s is your irreplaceable baby?
“My 2001 American Fender Stratocaster. It’s my ‘I got my first real six string’ guitar. When I was 17, I worked a one summer in a swimming pool store to save up for it. It was the first non-pawn shop guitar I ever owned. It’s seen its fair share of gigs, and it has its battle scars, but it still feels like a dream.”
7. What’s the most overplayed album in your collection?
“Carolina Funk —a compilation of funk groups from North and South Carolina in the ’60s and ’70s. Some seriously funky stuff, and I can’t get enough of that funky stuff.”
8. When was the last time you were genuinely star-struck?
“I sent jazz saxophonist and composer Steve Coleman an e-mail asking about his use of serialism, and he emailed me back with: ‘David, I have never used serialism in my compositions, you must have me confused for someone else.’ Embarrassing, but cool nonetheless.”
9. What’s your poison?
“Aaah… so many choices. My favorite potable would have to be white rum and coconut water, preferably served in a coconut.”
10. In 10 years, I will be…
“Hopefully playing music much better than I do now.”
Wadata (provided)
Funk/fusion combo Wadata is an all-star Charleston ensemble featuring Dave Grimm on guitar, Mike Quinn on saxophone, Ross Bogan on keys, Matt Thompson on bass, and Adam Williams on drums. Devout fans of the Meters and all New Orleans funk and soul, the group specializes in sets of deep cuts and brassy grooves.
Over the last two years, Wadata has performed several series of Meters-themed jams and “PoHo family jams” on the deck and on the main stage at the Pour House.
These days, it’s tricky for Wadata to congregate at shows because every band member is involved with several musical projects from season to season (the Long Miles, the Reckoning, Sol Driven Train, Quiana Parler and Friends, Bringers of the Dawn, etc.).
After a loose hiatus, the original lineup of Wadata reconvened at the Pour House on Feb 20. The band will play at the downtown Kickin’ Chicken on Fri. March 1 (no cover). A smaller version of Wadata (with guests) presents the “Thank God it’s Funky” show every Thursday evening at the Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale on King Street.
Grimm performs jazz every Friday from 6-9 p.m. at the Southend Brewery on East Bay Street. His jazz trio will perform at the Simons Center’s Recital Hall on the CofC campus on Tues. April 9 at 8 p.m.
Visit facebook.com/WadataMusic for more.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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