Plump is: Al Bear, guitar Doug Payne, drums Jason Jackson, saxophone Josh Matranga, bass James Yarbrough, vocals Plump plays toe-tappin’, head-bobbin’, foot-stompin, dance floor-bouncin’, slap yo mama in the face funk--and they want people to get moving on the dance floor, plain and simple. In performance, Plump strives to listen to each other intently and create a new audio experience every night. The players celebrate a wide variety of influences, and what comes out when these guys play is a gumbo of musical styles—a taste sensation. If you were to investigate the car stereos of the guys in Plump, you would be sure to find The Meters, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, John Scofield, Dr. John, Jane’s Addiction, Jesus Christ Superstar, the O’Jays, and Miles Davis. All influences aside, when these guys get together and start playing, they make Plump music. Period. Plump first got started in the early fall of 2001. The band spent a few months jamming in Doug’s living room, until they grew weary of the next-door neighbor calling the cops for playing too loud. After getting some songs together, the band tested their mettle in some “battle of the bands” in a cheesy bar in downtown Houston. This was Plump’s first official gig. They lost. Unfortunately, some heavy metal band won the epic “battle”, and looking back Al now attributes the loss to the utter lack of platform shoes and laser lights in the Plump stage show. Luckily, the disappointment of such a humiliating loss didn’t last too long, and the guys soon found themselves playing in venues all over Houston. By the summer of 2002, Plump found themselves playing throughout Texas, and then often found themselves being asked to open for touring bands of the “jamband” variety when these bands came to town. As Plump became friends with these bands, their touring circle became wider and wider. The band began driving to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Colorado for shows. In 2003, Plump released their first CD and launched their website at www.plumpsounds.com. In addition, Plump was selected and featured as being “On the Verge” in the July 2003 issue of Relix magazine. In April 2004, the band released their second CD titled, “Voyage”, which features many of Houston’s fine musicians making guest appearances. In January 2005, Plump was named as one of 10 “Bands to See in 2005” by www.jambase.com. Plump averaged has 75 shows per year from 2003 through 2005. In 2006, Plump has been nominated by the Houston Press for “Best Funk/Reggae” as part of the 2006 Houston Press awards (second time nominated). In 2007 PLUMP recorded its long-waited follow-up album “I Like the Idea of Chance” and is extremely excited having this album available for the public. Plump has shared the stage with the following bands: Dr. John, Rebirth Brass Band, Umphrey’s McGee, New Monsoon, Tony Furtado Band, Smokin’ Grass, Moses Guest, The Greyhounds, Olospo, Zony Mash, Larry, Psychedelic Breakfast, Brotherhood of Groove, Peach Truck Republic, Gnappy, Dimorphodon, Mellowship, Groovin’ Ground, Netwerk: Electric, Zwee, Drop Trio, and Vibe Committee, among others.