Tour de frog

>> The little band that could still can, as their debut LP leaps off the shelf

by SCOTT C

Low-profile hometown heroes Bullfrog are taking their funky inner-workings on the road like a band possessed. A quick trip to their Web site (www.gobullfrog.com) will prove that they've hardly been sitting around watching the lily-pads float by. From Seattle to Salt Lake City, Hollywood to Englewood, the band has been working the groove much the same way they have for the last 10 years, except now there's a self-titled LP to promote. The Rope-a-Dope Records release features Mark Robertson (guitar/vocals), Eric "Kid Koala" San (records/turntables), James "bluRum 13" Sobers (MC), Peter Santiago (bass), Massimo Sansalone (drums), and Joanna Peters (percussion, vocals), playing a few familiar tunes alongside lots of new stuff. No, this is not Kid Koala's "side project," and yes, they have that live shit down pat. The Mirror spoke to MC bluRum 13 about what's been going on.



Mirror: You guys have been doing a hell of a lot travelling!

bluRum 13: We've been to Vancouver three times since last spring, played San Francisco and L.A. three times each as well. We're really starting to get fans out there, and the reception has been nothing but positive... better than positive.

M: Back in the day, people used to go to Bullfrog shows hoping Kid Koala would explode into some sort of scratching frenzy. Does this still happen?

b: Most fans of KK wouldn't normally listen to anything like Bullfrog. He's toured a lot more than the rest of us, so people come to check him out, but the band doesn't sound like his solo stuff at all.

M: How did you hook up with Rope-a-Dope?

b: We sent a demo to John Medeski (of Medeski, Martin and Wood) who co-owns the label and he showed some interest in our stuff. They're doing a great job promoting us, which is surprising.

M: Why is it surprising?

b: Well, we basically we have no fan base, in the huge scope of American labels. We're not really known in that respect, so the fact that they're putting that much behind us is cool. Other small labels would wait to see what the buzz is, and then put you out. :

With Parkside Jones at Cabaret on Thursday, Nov. 29, 9pm, $15