Simplfy meld funk, doo-wop for original sound
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

When Simplfy debuted their doo-wop song ‘‘Epiphany,’’ the Valley band didn't get the reaction they had hoped for.

“The first time we played the song was at the Mason Jar and we played right after a death-metal band,’’ drummer Bruce Weitz says. “That was the tune we opened with. We didn't get the greatest response that night.’’

Fortunately for the five-member band, which melds elements of rock and funk into an eclectic sound, the unusual ‘‘Epiphany’’ — about the conspiracy theories that surround us and how you can have an epiphany sometime by losing your mind, according to bassist Bill Delrieu — has become a favorite at Simplfy's shows.

“It's just a really fun song,’’ says lead singer Curtis Casey. “It's pretty different from the rest of the songs.’’

The band, which has been together for 18 months, also includes guitarist Rob Robbins and guitarist Vitor Weber.

“We come from such different musical backgrounds that it's amazing that we put all of our tastes inside one big pot and put it to a rock bass,’’ Casey says. “The thing that kind of brings us all together is that our CD cases range from everything from rap to rock to alternative to Zappa and a whole bunch of different stuff.’’
In addition to sharing a love for music, the group's members — ages of 22 to 28 — enjoy cracking each other up.

“What do you call a musician who just broke up with his girlfriend?’’ Delrieu asks out of the blue. “Homeless.’’

The band erupts into laughter. (Female fans will be disappointed to hear that Delrieu, who is Casey's brother-in-law, and Weber are married.)

Since they formed, Simplfy has opened for national acts Alien Ant Farm, Guttermouth, Three Days Grace and local standouts Authority Zero.

“Me and Bruce went and saw (Authority Zero) back before we really got this band together,’’ Casey says. “And we were just like, ‘You know what? Let's do it. Let's get our band together.’ And here we are.’’