All in the Family: Robert Randolph & the Family Band 'put the joy back into music'

Robert Randolph & the Family Band is out "to put the joy back in music."\n"Playing around where I grew up, I started to realize how my music touched people," says Randolph, the group's energetic leader and namesake.\nRandolph describes where he grew up as "rough enough." Coming from New Jersey's streets, Randolph and his band mates lay down gospel-laced funk-rock that captivates even the most fickle and musically disinterested listeners. \nTypically, Randolph keeps lyrics simple and uplifting, accompanying them with clever, screaming melodies.\nFinding an appropriate category for RRFB's style is impossible. The Family Band consists of a funky, forceful bassist, an opera-rock organist and a soulful drummer. Randolph is hardest to categorize. Imagine Trey Anastasio combined with an impossibly optimistic Buddy Guy.\nRandolph's guitar picking could make Jimmy Page jealous; his solos dwarf Eddie Van Halen; his creativity rivals John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers).\nRandolph would be the first to admit, and often does admit, that he and most of his band mates look like stereotypical rappers. RRFB sports an assortment of professional sports jerseys, Timberlands and headbands. But they play what Randolph deems "jamming soul rock" with everything they've got.\nRRFB knows how to jam. Shows have concertgoers dancing on the bar or in the aisle as each lyrical line Randolph and company offer fills the venue with jubilance. One song kicks in with, "I need more love everyday of my life," and yet another: "Can't nobody love me like you love me."\nThe band keeps crowds captivated while stretching eight or nine songs over four-hour sets. Crowds range from young to old, blues fan to Dead-head.\nA night's playlist typically includes originals like "Nobody" and "The March," as well as crowd-pleasing covers like Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze." Randolph flashes his infectious smile while the crowd rides every note, hanging, waiting for more. \nDuring RRFB's Feb. 21 show at Axis, the crowd sang the chorus from Parliament's "Give Up the Funk" in unison, trying to entice the band back onstage while waiting for the obligatory encore. "We need the funk/We gotta have that funk" brought an excited RRFB back onstage. The band wasn't even able to close the door to the green room, missing out on a well-deserved rest just to pay back an appreciative crowd. \nRandolph's trademark is a pedal steel guitar, which he uses to wow unsuspecting crowds. Pedal steel is an instrument usually reserved for crying-in-your-beer country music. \n"Playing (pedal steel guitar) is hard," he says. "Even finding one is hard. You've got to get deep in the backwoods to find places that sell them."\nRandolph knows about guitars. He was named in Rolling Stone's 'The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time' at the age of 24. Released in 2003, the band's only studio album, Unclassified, garnered two Grammy nominations and a four-star review from Rolling Stone. \nChris Barton characterized the young virtuoso well in Seattle Weekly: "Randolph's liquid lightning leads had people throwing around comparisons to Hendrix and Clapton. Strong words for a 24-year-old who until then had never performed outside of New Jersey's House of God Church. Randolph remains a musical force of nature."\nAccolades abound, but recognition is still lacking. Through it all, Randolph keeps a positive attitude about being a cult favorite.\n"You know, the thing that's cool with us is, other bands who've sold a million or two million records come to town and they get promoted like crazy," he says. "It's like 'Attention! Everyone come to the club to see so-and-so.' With us, it's all word-of-mouth. The word goes out on the street and we sell out places in Columbus, (Ohio); Chicago ... the same clubs these other bands are playing."\nHe isn't exaggerating. RRFB plays to crowds that know every word, every nuance, every point of interaction (of which there are many) in each song played -- exceptional, considering their songs and videos rarely, if ever, see rotation.\nRandolph likened his band's situation to that of Widespread Panic. They both play music widely considered talent-laden and fan-friendly, yet neither enjoy high record sales.\n"Every band wants to sell records," Randolph says. "People will come around."\nRRFB has built a following, winning over crowds touring with Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton and O.A.R., as well as receiving praise for playing the Grammys, the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Bonnaroo (an experience regaled by Rolling Stone and Spin magazines as "Festival of the Year").\n"The Dave Matthews Band is just a fun experience," says Randolph. "Playing with them gives you a crazy feeling. Carter (Beauford) is unbelievable and Dave (Matthews) ... Dave is a better guitarist than anyone knows. To be able to sing the things he sings and play that stuff ... it's like he has three brains or something."\nWhile he prefers playing to being a spectator, Randolph says the Grammys are the "best thing you could ever go to."\n"There are so many stars there, so everyone's ego gets shot down," he says "Dave Matthews, as big as he is, will walk in, and then ... maybe Beyoncé will come through. It's wild."\nRandolph, who played with OutKast, Earth, Wind & Fire and Parliament at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, is looking to attend again.\nAn RRFB album is set to drop this summer. The yet-untitled project will be their first studio album in two years. Also, Randolph has spent the winter recording with the likes of Ozzy Osborne, Ringo Starr and Steven Tyler, among others.\n"I've been doing stuff with everyone," he said. "I just got done recording with Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Santana -- it's sort of like a three-guitar duel. It's crazy."\nHe plays it from his Apple Powerbook's little speakers. Three guitarists soloing at once create an insane sound; something that can only be defined as greatness. \nRandolph has also been playing with former touring-buddy Eric Clapton.\n"We just finished recording a song with Clapton. It's a Doobie Brothers cover 'Jesus Is Just Alright.'"\nThe duets won't stop there, as Randolph is looking to work with Alicia Keys and says he would enjoy working with Prince -- one of his musical idols. \n"Sometimes I feel like a pop guy, sometimes a metal guy, sometimes a gospel guy," Randolph says of his various duets. "Basically, I would play with anyone whose sound is good and original"