There's a new sound in area music venues that's funky, bluesy and fun all over. Grooveline, a group formed one year ago by Vancouverite Michael Weight, has found a niche and is quickly catching on with folks on both sides of the big river.

One recent Friday in June, this writer found himself at Cheers II in West Linn and was treated to a fabulous night of Grooveline mu-sic. Both easy on the ears and hard not to dance to, the band kept the music and the people in motion the entire night.

With equal parts funk and R&B, the band brings a fresh, lively sound to town. Tight, smooth and professional, Grooveline gets down in a way that will surely get you up to dance and keep you there.

Head Groover Michael Weight took a minute to chat between sets and shared thoughts about his group and the Portland music scene.

Started principally as a blues band, Grooveline has evolved into a much more uptempo affair. Weight relates that the band is currently playing up to 75 per cent original material and hopes to have a CD out this fall. When they do play blues, it's about the most unblue kind around. "It's time for a fresh sound in this town," observes Weight. Grooveline is certainly that.

The group has held down the Thursday night slot at the Arnada in Vancouver, Wash., for the last year. The members have coalesced into a tight ensemble, honing their individual chops and building a loyal and enthusiastic following. At the Cheers II show, several people had driven from Kalama, Wash. to see their fave band.

The band has also secured a coveted gig at the Portland Air National Guard Base. They can also be seen at The Etcetera Tavern on North Killingsworth and the U.R.S. Club in Southeast Portland. As Weight says, "We've got patience, and it's paying off."

During the second set, Grooveline played a very nice extended cover of the song Standin' On Shaky Ground, which was well-received. Bassist Robert Carson held down the lead vocals. His voice brings to mind Little Feat, among others. Drummer Craig Jasperson on a sparkle-red kit was confident, with great meter and not over-powering. Allen Campbell burned on saxophone, deftly supplying backing vocals where needed. Weight was the clean, snaky funkmeister on his semi-hollow electric guitar. It was a pleasure to hear the group interplay, the way the rhythm sec-tion eased off at just the right mo-ment to let the solo-ist's point come through. These are real players and a real band. You don't always get both.

On this night, the dance floor was half full at 11, and packed at 12. When it comes to music, people vote with their feet and Grooveline was voted in by a landslide.

Cheers II has a good thing workin' too. Formerly known as Mark's Tavern, the venue is situated at 1889 Willamette Falls Drive in West Linn. Access to the I-205 is blocks away, so Eastsiders will undoubtedly warm up to this room. With live music on Fri-days, great food and drinks and a staff of three gorgeous women, the club makes a great place to wind up the work-week or just hand out and sip a cool one with friends. Enjoy!