Jazz-pop-funk-dance six-piece with an air-tight rhythm section and bop-aliscious horns.

17 MP3 Songs in this album (65:04) !
Related styles: POP: Pop/Rock, ROCK: Funk Rock

People who are interested in Barenaked Ladies Steely Dan XTC should consider this download.


Details:
The Mongol Beach Party is one of the most unique bands to ever come out of Kansas City. Known for their driving grooves and relentless party onslaught, the Mongols are about having fun in an off-kilter kind of way. Hook-heavy guitar riffs, speed-demon bass lines, funky, soulful horns and tight, crispy percussion blend pop, jazz, funk and Latin feels into the indescribable fusion that is the Mongol Beach Party.

The band, which played throughout the Midwest from 1989 through 1992, was compared to everyone from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones to the Bare Naked Ladies, from Steely Dan to XTC. But the truth is, from back in the day to right now, there's no other band that sounds like the Mongol Beach Party.

The band features a who's-who of current KC music scene heavyweights:

Christian Hankel (alacartoona) - vocals
Scott Easterday (Expassionates) - bass
Mark Southerland (Snuff Jazz, Malachy Papers) - saxophone
Kyle Dahlquist (alacartoona) - trombone
Bill Belzer (New Amsterdams) - drums
Jeff Freling (Chicago Blue Man Group) - guitar

In December of 2008, The Mongol Beach Party regrouped for two sell-out shows at the recordBar in Kansas City. You can visit the their website to view videos of and about the event.

The Mongols are planning several more shows in 2009, including a trip to Chicago. Keep an eye out for them!


HISTORY

After returning to Kansas City in 1988, dissatisfied after a year at the Berkley School of Music, guitarist Jeff Freling formed Flipped Genius with Bill Belzer on drums, Mark Southerland on saxophone, Kyle Dahlquist on trombone and Jim Caccamo on bass. In 1989, Christian Hankel was added into the line-up on vocals and percussion, Caccamo left to be replaced by Scott Easterday and the Mongol Beach Party was born.

The Mongols built a loyal following over the next three years as they toured extensively, playing clubs and colleges throughout the Midwest. Their CD Toast (City Spark Records, 1991) sold several thousand units and was regularly played on college radio stations in Minneapolis, Houston, Chicago and a host of cities between.

In 1992, Easterday left the band to head up his own project. He was replaced briefly by Thomas Montgomery until Belzer left to join Uncle Tupelo and the Mongols called it quits.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Christian Hankel: Hankel writes and performs with local modern cabaret troupe Alacartoona. In his spare time, he and his wife Tiffany own and operate Lillibelle, the rock ânâ roll children's boutique on the Country Club Plaza which won "Best Boutique" in KC Magazineâs Best of Kansas City 2008.

Scott Easterday: Easterday heads up local ensemble Expassionates, voted Best New Act 2008 in The Pitch.

Mark Southerland: Southerland is heavily involved in the Crossroads arts community. He and his wife, nationally renowned artist Peregrine Honig, collaborate on numerous art installations and events. He heads up Snuff Jazz, voted Best Jazz Act 2008 in The Pitch.

Bill Belzer: Belzer just recently moved to Portland and tours the US and Europe with indie faves The New Amsterdams.

Kyle Dahlquist: Dahlquist travels most of the year with his wife, artist Chris Dahlquist, running the business side of her successful career in fine arts photography. In January, 2008 Dahlquist replaced the outgoing accordionist in Hankel's Alacartoona, reuniting the two on stage for the first time since 1992.

Jeff Freling: Freling is located in Chicago, IL where he lives and breathes music. Along with heading up his own band (Jeff Freling and the Rock Squad), he also performs with the Chicago Blue Man Group, the popular tribute band Tributosaraus and a number of other projects.