Our favorite reader submissions. Mon Feb 8, 2010 more galleries 56

GET AN EVENT PASS NOW AT HTTP://MEDCANCUP.COM

The first annual HIGH TIMES Medical Cannabis Cup in San Francisco will include prizes for the best …

Thu Feb 18, 2010 more videos 15

Unsigned Bands: Urban Sun

Tue, Sep 29, 2009 3:11 pm

more: unsigned bands, music

Urban Sun:

***February 2010 HIGH TIMES Unsigned Band of the Month***

Urban Sun is an NYC-based band that combines elements of funk, rock, and soul to create contagious, danceable funk music. To put it simply, Urban Sun never fails to fill a venue with happy people who can't help but get down.

The music is undeniably funky, and varies from deep, swampy grooves, to grinding rock, to future-retro dance anthems. Influences such as The Meters, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Jamiroquai and many more contribute to the chemistry that keeps the band tight and creative.

Urban Sun has been at it for over nine years and their loyal fan base, appreciative of the breath of fresh air the band provides, has relentlessly packed dozens of venues (B.B. King’s, The Knitting Factory, Sullivan Hall and several concert cruise ships to name just a few).

With the release of their debut full-length album, Practice Me, Urban Sun demonstrated their prowess in the studio – deftly capturing the energy and excitement fans have come to expect in concert. Practice Me is guaranteed to get your backyard bouncing, and is available via CDbaby and iTunes.

Be sure to check the Web site for upcoming tour dates and audio samples. And, if you like what you hear, make sure to circle October 30, as the band will be playing “Halloween Eve” at NYC’s Mercury Lounge.

Urban Sun is:

Joe Trombino: Vocals

Rob Buckley: Guitar

Zach Abramson: Bass

Rich Formidoni: Keyboards

Lex Dunbar: Drums

Theo Moore: Congas & Percussion

Gerad O'Shea: Sax

Ariel Levine: Baritone Sax

Visit Urban Sun at:

www.urbansun.org

www.myspace.com/urbansun

www.youtube.com

Click here to Submit a Band

» add a comment

Donald Trump

Nov 4 2009, 6:02 pm

These guy's rule! They are the funnest and by far most funky band in the solar system. if you ask me can they make it funky? - YES THEY CAN! Go and see them right now!

Barry madden

Oct 12 2009, 10:24 am

Urban Sun is uniquely funky. As an original P Funker, these
guys got MoJo.

krackadile

Oct 11 2009, 3:57 am

these dudes make the funk funky. all my good love to ya!

Enrgist

Oct 11 2009, 12:57 am

Most definitely.

Better Now

Oct 10 2009, 4:42 pm

I was sick. Now I'm not. The difference was one fine Urban Sun show and the funk cure prevailed. I'm better now.

cape26

Oct 10 2009, 12:03 pm

Urban Sun is for real and should blow the rest out of the water. t

LetVacNY

Oct 10 2009, 5:13 am

Great band. Love them!

Nate Dal Cais

Oct 9 2009, 7:01 pm

Urban Sun Rules! Rich Formidoni for President

Will Melo

Oct 9 2009, 10:38 am

Your comment is hard to beat Dominick! I can't count the number of Urban Sun shows I've been to and the most impressive thing about the entire band is their consistency. Every show has just as much energy and the crowd always feeds off that. But at the same time no two shows are the same. That's why they have such a loyal following.

Jose Reyes

Oct 9 2009, 8:53 am

urban sun the are best live entertainment band i ever heard they know how to funk the crowd how the everyone into what they do it's crazy i will be following this group closely Urban sun keep funky

Alex

Oct 8 2009, 10:09 pm

Literally my favorite band to see live. It's impossible not to get down once they start playing, and this is from a guy who's normally getting-down disabled.

Oct 8 2009, 7:56 pm

Urban Sun is one of the best bands in the Cew York City area!!

funkwagon

Oct 8 2009, 4:15 pm

Funk and soul done right! I just saw them for the first time, definitely won't be the last. They were unbelievable. You couldn't help but get down. The groove was contagious. Highly recommended!

A Sica

Oct 8 2009, 3:04 pm

Planet Energy LoveBuzz is where Urban Sun comes from. Dem's de sheet.
With all sober seriousness at the moment, Urban Sun literally give IT to the people and this city in astronomical doses. They are one of a kind made up of Sincerity, Happiness, Sounds from the funk gods, and Beautiful Souls, each one of them. Joe Trombino is someone you gotta feel if wanna experience another form of greatness. Peace to the band. thankyou for always amazing inspiring live interactions of soundlove.

Is pot legal, yet? it is, right? Ok good. Love to all who exist.

Anony

Oct 8 2009, 2:49 pm

I love this band!! I have seen them several times and the high energy crowds they generate coupled with the original rhythms definitey justifies them being voted last month's best unsigned band. In particular, gerad o'shay on the sax, is kickin. awesomeawesome band Go urban sun!!!

Aaron

Oct 8 2009, 2:21 pm

Seen Urban Sun more times than I can remember, each time I get blown away! See 'em once and you just cant resist coming back for more!!

lLaura

Oct 8 2009, 1:54 pm

Amazing - must feel for real!

Jax

Oct 8 2009, 1:08 pm

Saw Urban Sun and they blew me away.

Donna Bellanger

Oct 8 2009, 12:59 pm

Urban Sun funkin' rocks!

joe

Oct 8 2009, 12:59 pm

lets go urban sun LEX DUNBAR FOR PRESIDENT!

Scarlett

Oct 8 2009, 11:11 am

Urban Sun is an awesome band!!!!!

K*rock

Oct 8 2009, 11:08 am

Common effects include severe hip movement and tush grooving and a large smile across your face. Beware, this is some powerful stuff.

jsomartinez

Oct 8 2009, 10:54 am

Always a party with Urban Sun! Can't keep from dancing...
Love you guys!

Desiree

Oct 8 2009, 9:30 am

Urban Sun kills it - every time!! You just can't help but to move and grove when you hear their sound. Not to mention an awesome collection of guys, LOVE 'EM!!

Navegante

Oct 7 2009, 10:49 pm

Urband sun's gotta get it! They are the real deal!!!

Daniel Belfiore

Oct 7 2009, 7:13 pm

Combined with the lead singer's unmatched energy, the guitarist's uncanny talent, and the rest of the band's unbelievable rhythm, this band is unreal.

Seraina

Oct 4 2009, 1:56 pm

Die Sieche sind aifach huere gail! =)
(can't translate it without losing some of the meaning..)

Dominick Magnotta

Oct 4 2009, 1:41 pm

Bands so tight they can't be smoked. But they will get you higher.

Madame Dragonfly

Oct 3 2009, 11:39 pm

You never want them to stop. Truly amazing!

Craig OTiS

Oct 3 2009, 8:46 pm

Good friends, amazing band- good for high times for the recognition!

seanysean

Oct 3 2009, 6:26 pm

Their music has helped me through some tough times. Thanks HT for showcasing them.

Andre Rockwell

Oct 3 2009, 5:23 pm

Dope ass band! Tight across the board!!!

Snowy

Oct 3 2009, 2:05 pm

Hate missing any of their shows. Great band!

Robert Taylor Jr

Oct 3 2009, 12:55 am

I gotta say this: I saw "U.S" in 2005 for the first time and I was totally blown away. I love the style, the flava, the genre's of music that they use, and awww man...they've got that thing that is reeeeeally missing in today's signed music.....that 'funk'!! I can't help but to move when I hear them getting down. Even when i'm chillen with the crazy talented Mr. Joe Trombino and we're just 'kickin it' he makes me wanna harmonize with him on some out-of-nowhere-hypeness. I'm thrilled to see that the group is being recognized as the hottest unsigned act...because I totally agree. Moreover, i'm thrilled to call Joe Trombino my homie. So proud....congratulations, 'Urban Sun', keep makin those moves and keep it funky-rocky-fresh! WoOoOoOoOo!

----------->RTJ

Kyle

Oct 1 2009, 9:39 pm

I saw Urban Sun in Aug. this year on a sold out concert cruise on the Hudson in NYC. I gotta tell ya! These guys are hot and tight! ...with a killer horn section, screamin' keyboards and guitar, and a bass, drums, and percussion bottom that'd make a zombie move like James Brown! When the show was over (3 hrs. later, give or take), I seriously wished they'd had a gig the next night, 'cuz I'd have been there to see them again!! Big, big energy and lots of fun!! You owe it to yourself, get out and get some Urban Sun!

Lee Lawless

Oct 1 2009, 2:07 am

Urban Sun is like kindbud for your ears. Rock on!

woodz

Oct 1 2009, 12:15 am

Hell yeah! US deserves it. Keep it fonky fellas -

cape26

Oct 1 2009, 12:00 am

Urban Sun is a must see. I made a trip up from South Carolina to see them this past December and believe me it was well worth the 16 hour ride. I hope to see them expand their horizons and come down south where they can breath some life back in these folks. They give you everything you want and more. Koudos to them and may their funk continue forever. Also, I'm bias since the percussionist is my bro. Luv ya and I hope to see you in New Orleans in the near future if they know what's good for them.

Matthew

Sep 30 2009, 10:53 pm

This band puts on amazing shows! Their music is unbelievably fun and they can perform like nobody's business.

ZigZag

Sep 30 2009, 9:07 pm

I've brought many friends (with different tastes) to see these guys play throughout the years. Everyone I've brought to their shows has loved it and wanted more, and everyone always ends up asking for CD's and their next show dates. This band has such a versatile audience, a large following, and I can't think of ANYONE who wouldn't LOVE the type of energy this band puts out. Truly a fantastic time, every time. Everyone should have some Urban Sun in their life- they WILL make you dance, sing, smile, forget all the b.s. of everyday life, and just let go. If you are a record producer and you are reading this- I recommend you invest BIG in Urban Sun. They've got the star quality, excellent personality, prescence, and a very promising message that the world DEFINTELY needs.

kitty

Sep 30 2009, 6:44 pm

these guys fucking rock. I can't get them out of my head - and i don't want to!

Sep 30 2009, 5:33 pm

no one sprinkles the funk like rich formidoni!

Sep 30 2009, 5:32 pm

no one sprinkles the funk like rich formidoni!

Xaq

Sep 30 2009, 4:34 pm

There's no better reason to dance yourself into a funky sweat than Urban Sun. A broad range of funk styles converging in sonic orgasm to melt you into the dance floor. Don't miss a show!

Matt

Sep 30 2009, 3:33 pm

Consistently the best local show I've ever seen every single time.

Jen Roller

Sep 30 2009, 2:41 pm

Urban Sun is such a talented, high-energy group that totally deserves this recognition! Congrats y'all! I've unfortunately missed many opportunities to hear these guys live, but am making it a point to get into the city to check them out again soon. Their tracks are great, but their live show can't be beat!!

Josh

Sep 30 2009, 2:22 pm

Always a pleasure to see these guys perform! They're the definition of Funky! =D

Alana

Sep 30 2009, 2:13 pm

Urban Sun is fantastic in every way! They never cease to amaze and inspire me, not to mention work up a sweat by dancing so much!

Joseph

Sep 30 2009, 1:58 pm

Urban Sun rocks my socks off indeed! I can't help but get down to the good, loving beat of their music; it's a very awesome band that provides a wonderful, fun filled atmosphere to those who come to see them! God Bless 'em!

Dan

Sep 30 2009, 1:57 pm

Best band on the NYC scene by far.

Isaac

Sep 30 2009, 1:55 pm

Urban Sun bring the funk like no one else!

Francis

Sep 30 2009, 5:10 am

I friggin' LOVE these guys!

» add a comment

headlines