We've had threads on them before - this is the band with 4 of the 5 living members of War's classic lineup - Harold Brown, Howard Scott, BB Dickerson and Lee Oskar - that still can't use the name because their old manager owns the trademark.

They killed it at a benefit performance on Satuday in San Pedro, 2 hours of War classics with a couple promising new tunes. It feels real, and raw and funky as hell. The "official" War with one original member is pretty slick but this was the real deal. Absolutely excellent show, and Lee Oskar gives one of the best instumental performances I've seen by anybody on any instrument.

They play Hollywood Park on Friday July 3 and I would seriously recommend it if you can get there.

bobzilla77 said:

Hoping they jammed it out with "City, Country, City" or "Four-Cornered Room". I gotta check. I'll probably be there if I got the morning of the Fourth off.

PFunkjazz said:

No they skipped those two... Four Cornered Room is a big favorite of mine! But I know they are practicing all week so there may be some more on Friday.

bobzilla77 said:

Yeah I saw 'em out in Pomona a few yrs back and Harold promised "C,C,C", but it didn't happen. Like Allen Iverson said "Practice, practice, practice. We talkin' 'bout practice y'all".

I'm thrilled that you finally got to check them out Bobzilla! I hope the legal mess gets cleared up soon so they can do a proper tour because they are still a kick ass band.

Tell Joe that Peach said hi...

They got a new song "Ordinary Man". Check it out!

I'm gonna be there tonight!!

3 fingers and a smile!

PFunkjazz said:

Yeah I made it down there. Good set only thing is you know they could do a mammoth 3 - 4 hour set. They started around 10.45 PM and finished up around 12.45 AM. The whole set started off with full-volume playback of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" track. OOOH that sounded so GOOD!

Tunes were lengthy extensions with serious jamming from all members. Howard Scott was particularly on point with his guitar strutting and strumming. He's one of cats who laid down the very beginnings of funk guitar. Folks need to recognize.

Setlist

Gypsy Man
Slipping Into Darkness
Cisco Kid (which Scott noted was a fave of Michael Jackson's)
Low Rider (tribute to late Sax man Charles Miller)
Why Can't We Be Friends?
Ordinary Man (new song)
Me and Baby Brother
So

Some flubs on lyrics and riffs, but this band is "good to go". Unlike the Lonnie Jordan WAR band, these guys, Howard, BB, Lee and Harold are the core that made those great old school jams so they know the material best. CAn't wait to see them hit a major club date.

I hope they play in Chicago one day. I'm going to see "War" with AWB in two weeks and while I love Lonnie Jordan, he ain't War.

Do you know Lee Oskar's Haunted House?

I love Lonnie as well. No grudges against him or the LRB guys, but I can't acknowledge WAR as a band. It has to be [i]Lonnie Jordan and Fake War[/i] or LJaFW.

Oh I forgot "Galaxy" in the setlist. I think that was after "Ordinary Man". Don't really know that Lee Oskar, bt I know I have two of his solo albums.

PFunkjazz said:

Thanks a million for the report...for anybody who doesn't already know, WAR is my all time favorite band!

I don't exactly hate Lonnie but I feel strongly that he is a traitor and I will never support him and his damn cover band.

I will be thrilled when the Lowriders finally go on tour.

Vendetta1 said:

I do.

You, remind me of, a hunted house, I once was in.

(((YouYou))), (((RemindRemind me of))) a hunted house, I once was in.


But, I must say, I dig the 'Lee Oskar' LP more. 'Starkite' is one of my fav-O-rites on the LP.
[Edited 7/6/09 0:28am]

babynoz said:

I agree.I saw Lonnie and his "fake" WAR band a few years ago and I was really disappointed.The 'vibe' just wasn't right.It was ridiculous seeing him onstage,playing those classic songs with a bunch of anonymous musicians who were never part of the original WAR.He tried his best,but the show just wasn't working for me.



Me too.

SoulAlive said:

I'm going to see War w/ AWB next Saturday. You guys are making me want to skip them.

Like I said. Lonnie's a great musician and I don't bear him any ill will. As far I'm concerned his band sounds ok, but I don't want to call them WAR without Howard BB, Lee and Harold up there. Papa Dee and Charles Miller RIP.

In any case, I'd certianly go see AWB. That band still sounds good.

PFunkjazz said:

Oh yeah, I know! I see them every time they come to Chicago. I have the band's autographs and the sax player personally autographed his solo CD for me before he mailed it to me himself.

Vendetta1 said:

You better go! AWB are incredible in concert.

Vendetta1 said:

No worries sis...have fun.