Electro-jazz fusion, live jazz electronica, and electro space jazz are all terms that local band “Sci Fi” would use to describe their music genre, but their ever-changing style is something that makes you want to see this band more than once. Sci Fi’s members have played hundreds of shows together since the creation of the band three and a half years ago, but their merging styles and improvisation make each show different than the last.
Sci Fi’s three members include bassist Tim Philpott, drummer, percussionist and vocalist, Justin Heter and keyboardist, percussionist and vocalist Tyler Simmons. The group has been together for three and a half years and has grown from a small, local band trying to land a gig, to the stages of nationally recognized festivals such as Bonnaroo. The band got the idea for the name Sci Fi from keyboardist and percussionist Tyler’s nickname, “Sci Fi Ty.” After realizing that they were all a little strange and different just like their style of music, they decided on the name and it stuck.
Although the name has been the same since the beginning, each member of the band would definitely agree that they have changed since the days of playing house parties. Having toured the East Coast over the summer and playing in a number of different cities, the evolution of their music was not the only thing changing. Their stories range from the time they bought a full-size school bus to the time they played a four and a half hour show at 5 a.m. for Ashefest after playing another gig the previous night.
“We finally felt like we made it,” said Justin Heter after describing Sci Fi’s performance at Ashefest that night, but each member of the band gives at least some of the credit to their manager and owner of Coma Gun Music Joel Stout. Stout has helped Sci Fi grow from the beginning and played an integral role in setting up their East Coast tour over the summer.
Most people think that touring with a band would consist of a lot of wild nights and fun times and you must be crazy if you think that Sci Fi is going to tell you something different. Many of us can imagine the great times that these guys must have, but the one thing that they love the most about being on the road is seeing new places and meeting new people. The creation of Sci Fi has allowed the members to visit places that they probably would not have been able to see otherwise. Although they go on tour to promote the band and introduce their music to a new audience, Heter said that all you can do is “Be glad you can barely make it and just have fun.”
Having fun is something that Sci Fi has no problem doing and it has helped them become known on the regional and national level. They take that energy and enthusiasm onto the stage during each one of their shows. Sci Fi describes their music as “soulful” as this allows the audience to “see what we’re going through.” Their improvisation also gives each member the independence to do what they want as well as make each show a unique experience for the audience.
Sci Fi has played all over the country, introducing their style to new listeners, but they have not forgotten their Wilmington roots. Each 4th of July, Sci Fi performs at the Soapbox and they continue another tradition this year by playing at The Whiskey on Halloween. If you can’t make it out to one of their shows, you can go to http://www.scifimusic.net/ to download their Sci Fi Live Album for free. You can also find Sci Fi at http://www.myspace.com/scifimusic where you can learn more about the band and view videos of their previous shows.
By: T.J. Mulligan
