They don’t need tubas to make you get down

Mostly Ape

Drums and Tuba

Righteous Babe Records

Fun…

Mostly Ape

Drums and Tuba

Righteous Babe Records

Fun fact No. 1: Drums and Tuba used to make smoothies at a health food store in Austin, Texas. Fun fact No. 2: Before they added guitar, Drums and Tuba used to be called “Just Drums and Tuba.” Fun fact No. 3: Drums and Tuba are not righteous babes, yet they are on Ani diFranco’s Righteous Babe record label. Fun fact No. 4: Drums and Tuba, despite its stylistic fusion, is a great rock band.

Most bands that feed you the “experimental” line, especially the instrumental ones, end up barking squeaks and giggles in your ear, making music that’s more blatantly self-indulgent than fun to listen to. Drums and Tuba, thankfully, do not.

Mostly Ape, the group’s second Righteous Babe Records release, is a funky, jazzy, groovy and entertaining rock album with marching band horns, slick guitar licks and drums that brink on tribal. The band also feeds electronic nuances into their music, adding textures and just plain oddity. A band that built its name on a knack for grooving out, Drums and Tuba’s songs have acquired a rock structure on Mostly Ape, all without losing that groove.

In accordance with its stylistic meanderings, the group’s fan base is extremely expansive. You’ll find punk rockers, indie rock kids, Phish and Dead fans, jazz enthusiasts and music fans of all ages at their shows.

On Mostly Ape, which was recorded in only one week, Drums and Tuba have put together an enjoyable set of instrumentals. It’s the type of record that’s easy to forget out about once you put it on, but amazes you when you listen carefully.