P-Man | The Che Underground

Paul Howland tunes up with Unsteady

September 14, 2020December 14, 2017 by Mmrothenberg

I’ve followed with delight the evolution of monster bass talent (and OG SD Wallflower) Paul Howland into a dubstep DJ — a testimonial to the kind of reinvention a creative mind embraces, regardless of genre or gear.

However, this 35-year fan of Paul’s fret work is always excited when the man picks up an axe and takes his talent analog.

So I’m gleeful about his recent appearances on six strings, playing with Unsteady, a ska band with which he toured nationally and recorded two albums in the 1990s.

Paul’s first tour of duty was on bass as part of a lineup organized in 1992 by saxophonist/vocalist John Roy. Other members of the era included keyboardist Kevin “Baby” Hewitt as well as guitarist Creedy Bates and drummer Kent Graves, both veterans of venerable San Diego ska band the Donkey Show.)

As of December 2017, Roy and Hewitt are still going steady with Unsteady, along with an expanded lineup that features a full horn section and two guitars.

Re-enter Paul Howland, who’s been gigging with the band in recent months — his first public appearances as a guitarist.

(Footage by Curtis Meacham, November 2017. To see an extended set, visit his Facebook page.)

Geeked Podcast Episode 1:
Pure Boom Hi-Fi Live

December 17, 2011November 1, 2011 by Paul.Howland

(Paul Howland, a k a P Man, ushers in a new podcast straight out of San Diego.)

Oct. 11, 2011, was the official launch night of a new dance called “Geeked.” Geeked was very pleased to be able to present The Pure Boom Hi-Fi.

Episode 1; Pure Boom Hi-Fi Live at Geeked Launch Night 10.09.11

Pure Boom is one of my very favorite selectors. I met him through the Dubstep scene in San Diego in early 2009. Here though, by special request of Geeked, he’s playing roots steppers dub. Pure Boom is the only selector I know of who actually mixes this type of music, as it’s usually played “sound system style” (play the dub, flip over, play the vocal, no beatmatching). Heavy-duty mixing chops and super-sick selecting and programming skills, combine to make each of his sets a very special occasion.

This We Dug : A Certain Ratio

December 11, 2017June 28, 2009 by Paul.Howland

(Wallflower Paul “The P Man” Howland polls the collective memory banks.)

A Certain Ratio formed in Manchester, UK, in 1977. They are still together as a recording entity.

Their cover of Banbarra’s tune “Shack Up” was a favorite of mine in the early ’80s. Here’s ACR’s version. And Banbarra’s original (which I became aware of recently by reading about it in the excellent Waxpoetics magazine).

Both versions of this tune are nice stripped-down funk; the Banbarra version is arguably better, but ACR’s is not without its charms.

“To Each …” was my favorite of their albums back in the day. (I may have to get the re-issue from Soul Jazz.)

Che Games for May: Extended play!

March 27, 2019February 23, 2009 by Mmrothenberg

Set the controls for the heart of the sun: The Che Underground’s quarter-century reunion looms ever larger — so large, in fact, that one night just couldn’t contain it.

Now scheduled for May 29 and 30 at Tim Mays’ legendary Casbah Club in San Diego, the event will comprise: