OK, so I rode around on the back of a Vespa in the early 80s, idolized The Who, hung out with Mod (ish) types, but it wasn’t until about a week ago that I learned the real story about Northern Soul. Then I talked to bass player Mike Luke who gave me a little more incite about The Inciters.
That enthusiastic, fast-paced sound you guys specialize in is called Northern Soul, music with a lot of mojo and super cool danceable beat that draws from American Motown. How would you describe the sound you guys put together?
The term Northern Soul was coined by DJs from the Northern area of England. From the late 60s through the 70s, there were a lot of soul dances called “all-nighters.” They are actually still going on, but that was their heyday. The DJs used to try to out do each other with rare soul cuts, usually upbeat with a driving snare to keep the dancers moving. This became known as Northern Soul.
Most of them were American, and they didn't really consider themselves Northern Soul. It’s more a style of song rather than a whole genre. A lot our music is in this style, but I think some of our strongest songs are the slower ones. I think we will always be called a Northern Soul band, which is great, but the band just considers itself a Soul Band.
With a pretty upbeat flavor, which people love. Do you ever do any sad or depressing numbers something with a dejected, world-weary vibe?
I don't think we have many inner struggle type songs, a couple love-lost numbers, but soul tunes tend to be that way.
The evolution of the Inciters is interesting. You had a big successful run in the mid/late 90s, Europe adores you, then the band broke up in 2005. How many original members are still around?
The band has always been an evolving creature—sometimes a beast. It has always been a sum greater than its parts. Members of the band have come and gone, and sometimes back again.
How long have you been around?
Since 2008, after the ‘05 reformation.
You’ve got a drummer, four horn players, two guitars, bass—which you play—and three strong female vocalists. Eleven members is a lot of people to please. How's the group dynamic? Are you guys all friends?
A group of 11 people is always going to be challenging but when you’ve got 11 musicians, it's basically a reality TV show. I am actually kidding. For some strange reason we all get along pretty well. We spend a lot of time crammed into a 15-passenger van, which is basically a personality amplifier. Anything less than cordial would be disastrous.
Is everyone a Santa Cruzian?
Do you do covers and originals? We do both, but we like to focus on our originals. When we do covers they are usually a little obscure. We try to stay away from the obvious.
I’ve always wondered how songwriting works in a big band. Is it like a writing workshop, everyone votes on a song someone just wrote, occasionally feelings get crushed?
Songwriting is sometimes great and sometimes a struggle. Usually someone will come in with some idea, it could be just a lick or a melody, or it could be more. The band works through it, adding ideas and their own flavor to the song. It varies song to song but overall it is a group effort.
What other musical lives do you and some of the other Inciters have outside of the band?
Different members are involved with other projects, but The Inciters are definitely the focus. We have a large group of very talented musicians, to keep that going, to grow as an individual musician I think you need to continue to challenge yourself. The more people grow, the more they are bringing to the Inciters. We can't exist in a bubble—at least if we want to stay interesting.
The Inciters will play on Sunday at 6:30 pm at the Church Street Fair.