The Supreme Action League Saves the Day!!

Jenn Cohen | March 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

by: Corey Blecha

Forming this year through the magic of the Internet and mutual friends, the Supreme Action League exploded onto the scene with their signature blend of funked-up house music, full of energy and inspiration, and perfectly suited for the dance floor. Comprised of vocalist/percussionist Anthony Fugate, producer Cody Wille, and MC Marc Brawley aka RELIC SECURE, the band has an all-star line-up of musicians, each respectable in their own right. Meeting in music production school, Brawley and Wille quickly developed a friendship through their similar interests. Fugate came into the mix after being introduced to Wille by mutual friend, Ryan Burnett, of local touring favorites, Signal Path. Brawley and Fugate didn’t even meet each other until a couple days before their album release show, only exchanging musical ideas and inspiration via digital format. According to Brawley, “I recorded my parts for the album at home in Oakland California and we swapped files over the Internet.”

It didn’t take long for the chemistry to form, as the group released their debut single, “It’s Up To Us,” and began a run of Colorado shows that included Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, the Belly Up in Aspen, and Ullrs in Winter Park. Their first album, Capes, Mullets and Moustaches, is out now on Velcro City Records and they don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon!

With a message of positivity, and a live show that has the feel and energy of a house party, SAL brings a refreshing take on electronic music to the stage, combining clever and infectious vocals with ridiculously danceable house beats; all to the backdrop of mind-bending visual art courtesy of new-era renaissance man, Fugate. Bringing his Swiss army knife of audio and visual expertise, whether it be beat boxing on top of the kick drum, or manipulating video and sound files, Fugate has a unique skill set that is definitely the SAL’s secret weapon. Playing percussion for over 15 years, and sharing the stage with everyone from Lotus to Bassnectar to the Dave Mathews Band, Fugate has plenty of experience under his belt in the studio and on the road, allowing him to fit in perfectly with the SAL trio.

Before Fugate joined up with the band, Brawley and Wille met in music school in California, which led to their current project. In Oakland, Relic Secure was part of the hip-hop community, and a pioneer in pushing the Reggae movement there with Secure Dem Sound (a company known for bringing artists from the Caribbean to the west coast, and hosting reggae infused hip-hop shows around the region). Wille is “instrumental” in the band’s songwriting process, as he is the main producer and has a skilled hand at more than a few instruments, and a firm understanding of several music software programs.

The combination of the three musicians has resulted in some brilliantly crafted funky house gems, sprinkled with hip-hop and pop influences. Fugate’s smooth lead vocals, layered upon the spaced-out funk sections of guitar samples, synth leads, and digital beats below, begs the listener to stomp their feet and move to the front of the dance floor, (something I was quickly doing the first time I saw the band!). Their sound is unique and finely polished, something missing in Denver’s ever expanding electronic music scene, and something that will surely work to their advantage as they move forward on their mission.

Moving into 2012, the band has some big surprises up their sleeves. I was sworn to secrecy for the time being, so stay posted, because it looks to be a huge year for the band, and they have some awesome surprises in store for you! You can be sure they will be playing shows around Colorado this spring, and as summer approaches, watch for more tour dates around the country, where the Supreme Action League will be working hard to save the day, one music scene at a time!