Boom Lava

About

Nils Crusberg was born and raised in the suburban ghettos of Worcester, MA where he specialized in illegal activities. His attendance at Doherty High School didn't provide him with an education as advertised. Instead he got his education from illicit recreations. At the age of 15, he realized you didn't have to work hard to earn lots of money in this world, so he took up the guitar. The instruction he received from renowned jazz guitar legend Joe D'Angelo was exceptional. This set him on the track for a career in music. As a teenager he fronted the controversial and confrontational group, Pudding in a Cloud, a band that took on issues of sex, drug use, vandalism, larceny, and racial diversity as inferred by its name. Nils realized he wasn't ready to work forty plus hours a week, so he enrolled in college. Here he attained the academic knowledge he never received at public high school. He lived in Boulder, CO for ten years where he had the opportunity to study the world and music. His travels led him to the corners of the world. He experienced the affluence of Europe and California, and the destitution of the Mexican slums. His trip to Negril, Jamaica held the strongest influence on his musical future. The people of Jamaica seemed to overcome their poverty with a combination of music and spirituality. Nils adopted this point of view. The antics of Puerto Rico and the power and beauty of Hawaii have recently influenced his understanding of the world and music. For five years, Nils incessantly practiced guitar and alto saxophone while living on Cape Cod in MA - Santa Cruz, CA - Boulder, CO - and the Seacoast of NH - respectively. He has recorded and produced three LP’s, which display his exceptional talents. He has worked with a host of talented musicians and is presently performing and recording with the J. Kells Band, and Boom Lava.

Jon Cross is from Worcester, Massachusetts. He grew riding a skateboard, and therefore listened, predictably, to british Oi! punk, classic skater thrash, and victory-records hardcore. His interests in music have since exploded, thanks in large part to the Disco Biscuits. He has a deep-rooted love for music and its diversity. Jon is a fan of acid jazz, dub reggae, downtempo, underground hip hop, classic jazz, afro-beat, and most things in between. And while he loves to listen to Victor Wooten or Les Claypool, he thinks a big part of playing the bass is the simplicity and the control of that low end. He feels that there is much to be appreciated about almost all music, but playing the bass is all about dropping those funk bombs and making booties shake....

Drummer extraordinaire Greg Angus of no relation to the world renowned guitar icon Angus Young but of possible kin to the Guinness world record adjudicators or more likely the members of the master brewing family with the same name in connection to his family lineage of the MacInnes clan. In any case, he is the solid timekeeper for the Funk-Reggae Party band Boom Lava. He developed a keen sense of music at an early age with his knowledge of woodwinds and his desire to play the electric bagpipes and the reverse accordion. Greg realized his desire to play as many instruments at one time could not be attained unless he took up drumming. He took lessons at Daddy’s Junky Music where he learned rudiments, the art of high-pressure sales, paradiddles, and how to fend off egotistical guitar legend wannabes. His influences include Danny Carey (Tool), Tre Cool (Green Day), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters and Nirvana), and every drummers pre-requisite Neil Pert (Rush). Greg’s high-energy style drives the beat and keeps the funk low for Boom Lava of which he is a major asset.

Boomlava's electronic and hand percussionist, John Alphonse, also plays drum kit and has over 15 years of drumming experience. A fusionist of many styles, he has performed with the African Soukous group "The Bernard Tshimangoly Band"; a ska/reggae group called "Reggae Roots"; as well as with an early power trio named "Gus" that was known for its all-out extended versions of Who classics along with originals and other rock/fusion covers in which John had the opportunity to display his specialty for live improvisation. His influences range from ancient chanting and early pre-recording-era performance music to "modern era" performers in rock, reggae and electronica such as Jimi Hendrix, The Police, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Sublime, Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Robert Miles, Paul Oakenfold and too many others to even begin to mention.

Carl Johns’ control of the microphone and the vocal implications that follow are traits of his that are immediately recognized when Boom Lava performs. His professionalism is more than evident, and he displays a high level of inspiration to his audiences. Carl grew up in Alton Bay, NH where he learned sing in the acoustically immoderate venues of garages and basements. He has also lived in at least 10 other states throughout the nation as he attempted to avoid unfavorable authorities and other inimicable figures. His diverse vocal influences compliment Boom Lava’s open-minded approach to music. To name a few: Bob Marley, Billy Joel, Grant Lee Buffalo, John Mayer, Big Audio Dynamite, and Jimmy Cliff.

Personnel

Nils Crusberg: Manager/Band Member

Influences

Buju Banton, George Clinton, Sizzla, Eddy Grant, Luciano, Lauryn Hill, Jurassic 5, The Chilli Peppers, Ky-Mani Marley, Sean Kingston, ZZ Top, The Roots, 311, Sergent Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Stevie Wonder, RATM, U2, Supernateral, Fishbone, Coolio, Curtis Mayfield, The Sex Pistols, Macy Grey, Us3, Tone-Loc, The Spinners, Ray Charles, Afrika Bambaataa, Rush, Seal, etc.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 30 - 180 minutes

Boom Lava is a four-piece band located in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire. They have deep devotions to music. Their hard work and professionalism is recognizably outstanding. The music they play is a mix of unconventional dance/funk/rock/reggae/hip-hop standards. Boom Lava’s original music has a blend of these styles with lyrics of deeper meaning. Live performances express the true nature of their profound experience. Their sound excites the crowd and brings a party vibe to any venue. Their members include Nils Crusberg on Vocals, Guitar and Alto Saxophone; Jon Cross on Vocals and Bass; Gregg Angus on the Drum Kit; John Alphonse on Hand Drums; Carl Johns on Vocals; and Pat Flynn on Guitar. They all have eminent credentials and experience playing music.

Additional Notes:
Boom Lava provides a full sound system and a home-grown light show for all of their performances.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Covers
Bra - Cymande
Bend Down Low - Bob Marley
Down Under - Men At Work
Flashlight - Parliament
Float On - Modest Mouse
Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc
Herb Tree - Collie Buddz
I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley
Low Rider - War
Move on Up - Curtis Mayfield
No Sugar Tonight - The Guess Who
Pawn Shop - Sublime
Police and Thieves - The Clash
Rosa Parks - Outkast
What I Got - Sublime

Originals
Brings us On
'Cause
Dirty Low Down Reggae Blues
Floating Colored Snake Groove
Inner Rhymes
It's On
Love is Here
One Devotion
The Palace of Groove
Second Praise
San Felipe
Scorched City Summer
Straight From the Top
Strong to Stronger

Available for Your

Bar/Lounge, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Cruise, Festival, Graduation, Holiday Party, Private Party, Wedding Reception

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