MANHATTAN, NY—Kareem Bunton is from Kentucky but has made the Brooklyn music scene his home. Perhaps inspired by the success his younger brother, Jaleel Bunton, was having as the drummer in TV On The Radio, Kareem assembled a band called Kareem Bunton & The Juggs in 2008. The Juggs’ current lineup consists of Bunton on vocals and rhythm guitar, Konstance Patton on vocals, George Devoe on guitar, Charles Becker on bass and Vic Barocas on drums. Their most recent release is the Midnight Shine EP.
At The Bowery Electric, Bunton and his band combined a variety of sounds. The guitarist sounded like he was ripping in a grunge band, the bassist often played muscular funk grooves and the drummer pounded away like a punk rocker. For most of the set, Bunton and Patton’s vocals were nearly inaudible, buried in the mix, but they sounded like they were singing The Temptations during the classic Motown vocal group’s “Cloud Nine” and “Psychedelic Shack” stage.
It was an eclectic sound, almost like a late ’70s British experimental blues rock band, but yet loud and rocking enough to slam a body into the wall. The simple vocal melodies and two-vocal arrangements added a bit of sweetness to the overriding fierceness of the band, like honey over a hard pretzel. Time and experience will help bring a unique cohesion to the band’s live sound.
Visit Kareem Bunon & The Juggs at thejuggsmusic.com.
