Under the Influence of Giants
Under the Influence of Giants
Label: Island
In stores: August 8

If you live in an alternate universe populated by leisure suits and afros, you wouldn’t blink twice at So-Cal’s Under the Influence of Giants (myspace) and their full-length debut.

But ever since Travolta gave up dancing and Shaft joined a cult, funk music has experienced a misunderstood appreciation by newer generations, who we’re positive are unsure of the influence groove-based funk has had on modern music.

Enter UTIOG and their unapologetic, embraced and refined influences of Earth, Wind & Fire, Bee Gees, Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, the Who, Hall & Oates, etc. etc. etc.

But they’ve taken imitation (the highest form of flattery, you know) to the next level by strategically blending pop sensibility where their predecessors went for over-indulgence, arguably for better or worse.

Vocalist Aaron Bruno and guitarist Drew Stewart have been writing songs together since high school and were starting to build a good following about in L.A. two years ago, but it took until now to get a good push from Island to get them into the mainstream.

The single, “Mama’s Room” (stream), is a catchy “get your pants off funk-pop” (our term) track featuring some crazy falsetto balanced with a danceable groove that’s more than radio-ready.

If you can’t wait until August, the four track Heaven is Full EP preview is currently available on

Under the Influence of Giants play Minneapolis’ Fine Line Music Café with Castle vs. Castle, Dayfeed, Throw the Fight, Attention, Flying Just Below Radar on Saturday, July 29.