Since its formation in 2012, reggae-soul band Root Shock has become a staple in the Syracuse music scene.

The band will play back-to-back shows at Funk ‘n Waffles downtown this weekend for its last shows at the venue this year. Root Shock’s performance will be opened by Old Deer Ensemble on Friday and Mosaic Foundation on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased on the Funk ‘n Waffles website.

“We have this longtime relationship with the venue and the people there,” said Bill Eppel, the band’s bassist. “They’re all family to us.”

As the self-described “old guy in the band,” Eppel is a veteran of the Syracuse music scene, having played in bands in the central New York area since his freshman year at Syracuse University in the late 1980s.

“I’ve lived on Westcott Street and played in-house parties when I was an undergraduate,” Eppel said. “I’ve played all the clubs in the area. I’ve just been part of the music community ever since.”

Funk ‘n Waffles played an important role in the formation of Root Shock in 2012. Formed from the core of a previous Syracuse band — Riddim Wise — Root Shock was created when Jessica Brown joined the band on backup vocals. Eppel said the band took a new direction after moving Brown to lead vocals and adding members.

Eppel first met Brown when she was the manager at the now-closed Funk ‘n Waffles near Marshall Street. Eppel was approached by Funk ‘n Waffles owner Adam Gold of Syracuse-based band Sophistafunk, who urged Eppel and the band to give Brown a shot.

Gold told Eppel that the band could use another singer and that she could be the one. Brown, who was performing with Sophistafunk at the time, joined Eppel and others to form Root Shock.

“Root Shock grew right along with Funk ‘n Waffles, basically,” said Charley Orlando, talent buyer for the Syracuse and Rochester locations of Funk ‘n Waffles. “They were a big reason why we got a lot of attention.”

While the two-night festival has garnered attention and support for its fusion of reggae and soul, Brown said there is more to the band’s music than the sound.

“We discuss more difficult topics, but try to have a positive outlook on things,” Brown said.

Brown and Eppel agreed that besides the musical goals of the band, Root Shock’s purpose is to make the lives of others better by helping people with the music.

“They sing about very positive things, about change, about uplifting, in-the-light type of moments, and they all live like that, so it’s really nice to know people like that,” Orlando said. “They’re the genuine deal.”

Eppel, who is a program administrator for the Higher Education Opportunity Program at the University College of Syracuse University, said a large part of his musical ethic comes from places like the Grateful Dead.

He cites his musical influences as early Jamaican dancehall and reggae artists, as well as 1980s punk-rock and hardcore artists. Brown, on the other hand, cites artists ranging from Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine to Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin.

This mixture of influences is evident in Root Shock’s one release to date, a 2016 self-titled debut album. The album, which can be found on platforms such as iTunes and Spotify, will be followed up with an EP that Eppel said will be released in the winter.

Published on September 25, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Contact Jordan: jslazins@syr.edu