Bolt Upright
Rockin’ blues CD is definitely
‘Up for Grabs’
“Full-Release” CD Party @ Hipbone Studio
Bolt Upright’s Ashbolt Stewart, bandleader, drummer and vocalist, presented his full-release Up For Grabs CD party at Hipbone Studios recently. This group may not be local too much longer as they are on their way to big-time fame.
Bolt Upright band members include: Stewart (drums, percussion and vocals); Sus (rhymes with “snooze”) McDonald (bass and vocals); Ken Brewer (guitar, piano, organ and vocals); Brad Ulrich (saxophone and harmonica) and Dave Grafe (pedal steel guitar). Guitarist Adrian Martin and conga player Timmy B. were featured at the party for the total unit of the musical team.
Up For Grabs CD
Stewart is a power-punchin,' solid groovin' drummer with serious soul. He is the centerpiece of the tight-knit band who keeps the groove jammin' and live. They are top quality musicians with many original tunes. They are all vocalists and perform background harmonies while playing their instruments. Sus McDonald has a smooth style as she plays the bass. Her musicianship and original tunes are superb.
Brewer plays piano, organ, guitar and sings. He has quality and fire, sometimes playing the guitar and piano in one tune. What a joy and pleasure to watch him perform.
Jeff Burke opened the show mentioning the year of hard work, time and management to finalize the CD Up For Grabs. Over 22 tunes were played during the course of the party. Old rockin' tunes included tunes by artists such as Junior Wells, Ray Charles, Joe Cochran, James Brown, Van Morrison, Paul Simon and Wilson Pickett. Many tunes performed were written by Stewart, McDonald and Brewer.
Brewer has seriously mastered the keyboards and chord patterns. McDonald was in total control of her bass lines; teamwork was tight with Stewart on rhythm patterns. Stewart has a powerful steady drive and keeps a spark in the room, ending some tunes with a wonderful bang. At times, it seemed he was doing the “old school” tap dancing rhythms with the drumsticks.
The guests packed the dance floor all night, groovin' to the band's tempo and never-ending upbeat solid groove.
Stewart was born in Detroit, Michigan, growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started drumming at four-years-old, stemming a 35-year musical career.
McDonald enjoyed television theme songs and classical music at six-years-old. She played the flute from elementary to high school and enjoyed Fine Arts in college. Music controlled her desires to grow as a musician for a career goal. She played the bass steel pans, which led to electric bass. She assisted in creating and naming the band.
Brewer attended college in Connecticut. His music career allowed him to tour the Northeastern U.S., moved to California and eventually landed in the Pacific Northwest. He has performed with many professional musicians in the region and then started working as a part of Stewart’s musical team.
Bolt Upright is a thrill to see as he “throws down” the drum patterns with a punchin,' groovin,' soul spirit that's felt all around the room. Dancers don't immediately leave the dance floor after a tune has ended, but wait for the next one. Bolt Upright is exciting.
Guests interviewed stated, “Bolt Upright has a groove and a good vibe and they're a lot of fun.” It was mentioned, “The group is wonderful, their musicianship is right on target, great rhythm section.”
One woman said, “Sus McDonald is wonderful...watching her since 1995, she's on the road to being a great bass player. She has found her voice and has strength that she's showing.” Christopher Slischer says, “I've known Ashbolt for 10 years. I call him nearly everyday. I'm his left-handed right-hand man in being a friend. Essentially, though, I'm his fan in that he is a brilliant drummer and entertainer. I have a guaranteed good time.”
In 2009, McDonald wrote nine of the 12 songs on Up For Grabs. Brewer wrote You Told Me So. Stewart wrote Gypsy Blues and After Midnight Blues.
Up For Grabs, written by McDonald, explains that she wants to know if a certain man is the one who could make her love him and that she’s up for grabs. Like a ripe grape full of wine, her love is ripe on the vine and it’s up for grabs. The tune is a driving up-tempo blues. You Told Me So, written by Brewer, speaks of a man in conversation with the girl of his life explaining that she’s nice, smart, the prettiest girl he knows and is the only one for him. It’s an upbeat country style groove. Stewart’s original tune After Midnight Blues is a low-down blues. His woman left him as they always fussed and fought; when things were goin’ so good and seemed they were tight. He wants her back home and misses her most after midnight.
The CD Up for Grabs is filled with spirit and energy with a country and rockin' blues style along with originals. Bolt Upright tunes are uplifting. Check their schedule in Bandstand.
“Don't forget, You gotta get down to b-up!” says Stewart.
Visit ashboltstewart@yahoo.com. Reference B-UP in the subject of your e-mail so he'll be sure to read it! To purchase Bolt Upright CDs and t-shirts go to: www.boltupright.net.