Gig - Oomph

A lot of people complain that there is virtually no opportunity to dance in Lewes. Well that’s not the case this weekend. The organisers of the Chasin’ the Blues night, back in the All Saints again due to what could be reasonably termed ‘popular demand', have organised a gig featuring the 7-piece Brighton-based funk band Oomph. “We are well known for getting people up onto the dance floor,” says band spokesman Rob Heasman. “There aren’t many who don’t end up on their feet. We’ve got an infectious sound.” The band, who have a regular night at the Casablanca Club in Brighton and have preformed a number of times at the Komedia, do funk and soul covers. “We do songs like ‘Jungle Boogie’ by Kool and the Gang, ‘Pick up the Pieces’ by the Average White Band, Christine Aguilera’s ‘Lady Marmalade’ and ‘Car Wash’ by Rose Royce,” he continues. “And a few Stevie Wonder numbers. And a couple of songs by Michal Jackson.”

“Because we’re all professional musicians, and we gig together at least twice a week, we have a very tight sound. We’re very good,” says Robert. “It’s a big sound - there’s a guitar, drums, keyboard, trumpet and alto sax. And vocals, of course. Our singer, Sammy Salfass, is often compared to a young Michael Jackson. He’s only 20. His voice is amazing.” So why ‘Oomph’? “We all met on a jazz course we did for a year in Chichester. The guy who put the band together came up with the name. It fits us well. I don’t want to sound corny, but we do have a lot of oomph.” DL