Keep Dancing with Spank

Local band Spank has been whipping audiences into shape on the dance floor as far away as Southern California, Chicago and New Orleans with an invigorating blend of rock, soul, funk and acid-jazz. Spank's mixture of old and new musical genres brings audiences to their feet like no one else around.

The groove behind Spank began over a decade ago, when guitarist Greg Camphuis and bassist Bill Thomas began playing together in San Diego. Camphuis and Thomas reunited while attending HSU, and they quickly incorporated keyboard player Brian Swislow's skills upon his arrival in Humboldt County. Camphius, Thomas and Swislow founded Spank in January of 1998 and have played with several talented drummers and horn players in search of musicians who understand a style that can only be described as Spank.

Today saxophone player Justin Schwartzman and drummer Blair Shotts complete the quintet. "Our music is a high-energy fusion of funk and acid-jazz," said Camphuis, who has a degree from HSU.

Spank's danceable beats have been influenced by many musicians, including James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Herbie Hancock, Grant Green, The Greyboy Allstars, Tower of Power, Maceo Parker and P-funk.

Although Spank formed just two years ago, the band has enjoyed a rapid succession of gigs at all major local venues.

In February of 1999,Spank self-produced its first album, "Acidfunkgroovejazz."

Spank's local success allowed band members to begin booking gigs outside Humboldt County. The band spent two weeks in January of this year touring Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Southern California.

The band also has a tendency to improvise. Spank has been known to invite local musicians to play onstage for portions of North Coast performances.

"We are jam addicts," Swislow said."The crowd fuels us to put out our best."