No BS! Brass Band: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Just southeast of the Virginia Commonwealth University campus in Richmond, Va., lies a compact neighborhood called Oregon Hill. Historically, it's been a (white) working-class part of town, affordable for students and various bohemian types. Recording engineer Lance Koehler was drawn to the place when he moved to Richmond from New Orleans; it's where he eventually found a two-story garage and converted it into his own recording studio and home. It didn't take him long to start doing business across the Richmond music map: Koehler is good at his job, and he's affordable. His business is called Minimum Wage Studios for a reason.
He's also a drummer, and though he grew up in Southern California, his time in New Orleans left a deep impression. Inspired by the Crescent City's modern brass bands, in 2006 he started the NO BS! Brass Band with trombonist Reggie Pace. They had a place to fit between 10 and 13 musicians for rehearsal, and they had the means to document their work. And, owing to VCU and its conservatory program - with a history of producing top-notch jazz players - they had plenty of great horn players at their disposal.
Funky and danceable, the NO BS! Brass Band takes after the full black-music continuum you hear in groups like Rebirth or the Hot 8. But it's also proggy, and a bit brutalizing, and full of pride in a different Southern outpost. The group's new album is called RVA All Day, after all. And about that jazz cred: In July, it'll release another album called Fight Song, so named because it features the band's arrangements of Charles Mingus compositions.
Recently, Koehler, Pace and nine other musicians piled into a bus and journeyed up the freeway to NPR Music's Tiny Desk in Washington, D.C. They blasted us with songs from the new album - it was so loud, you could hear the music on the other side of the building, a floor down. And this summer, when Pace isn't out with Bon Iver's touring band, they'll strike out from Oregon Hill to fly the Richmond flag up and down the East Coast.
--PATRICK JARENWATTANANON
Set List
"RVA All Day"
"Run Around"
"Infamous"
Personnel
Lance Koehler, drums
Reggie Pace, trombone
Bryan Hooten, trombone/vocals
John Hulley, trombone
Dillard Watt, bass trombone
David Hood, alto saxophone
Marcus Tenney, trumpet
Sam Koff, trumpet
Ben Court, trumpet
Taylor Barnett, trumpet
Stefan Demetriadis, tuba
Credits
Producer: Patrick Jarenwattananon; Editor: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo

[@GuitarClassVideos]

can't see the drummer but you can sure as heck feel him

[@joehiggs100]

You can see Lance Koehler towards the end, beard n'all, fundamental, a great recording in such a small space

[@mudholestomp2252]

The tuba player (yes, its a modified tuba) gets no love but he's laying down some serious bass grooves. And the drummer is the total truth.

[@itsamemario333]

Mudhole Stomp Gets no love? Where's the love queue? Pretty sure they're all awesome and the tuba was the first one I noticed because the way the fat guy holds it.

[@EddFairman]

Mudhole Stomp Yeah, not sure who's not showing the love. He is working hard! Hell, I played the trumpet for years and once in awhile I would get thrown onto Baritone Treble Clef (same music, fingering, etc) and I thought I was going to die every time and that thing is HALF the size of tuba. They have a tight sound and I love it. No BS.

[@Grayham4]

itsamemario333 im confused how is the tuba player fat

[@Grayham4]

itsamemario333 im confused how is the tuba player fat

[@southproduct7463]

No its not a modified tuba, it's a contra, not modified at all. Just redesigned ;)

[@dillimeinbilli]

These guys are adorably nerdy and totally badass at the same time. I love brass bands.

[@rileywhite6503]

The trombone player in the purple shirt is absolutely insane! He’s doing some crazy tonguing and is getting up to ridiculously high notes. I play trombone and that stuff is hard!

[@fjdelcroix3455]

Bro is playing fast asf

[@angiearnold8911]

🔥📯😈🦋

[@JayDizz92]

anybody else dying to watch the drummer playing.

[@ScottyOnespeed]

Ha

[@martinleura3869]

Damn , i'm not the only one ! i want to see that guy groovin !

[@cass5866]

yes. especially on that last one

[@hohman6]

JayDizz92 me being a drummer, I could feel the groove just being poured on.

[@bveracka]

Definitely...us drummers always get sidelined.

[@theSauceBoss137]

This is what happens when band nerds go to college for music. Awesome.

[@OrchestraBeat]

)

[@nvrmind1205]

Indeed true...cause I'm currently one band nerds in college 1 😅😁

[@douglasbawden3134]

🤣🤣🤣 That's why I got not just one, but two degrees in music!

[@penelopejoann]

God bless band nerds. This band nerd is hooked!

[@freezor80]

You get a wicked jazz band.

[@davidharris5430]

I'm impressed, the drummer & tuba player is putting in work for sure

[@bemanthonybemanthony]

Man, that's the funkiest tuba player, holding down the fort. I love everyone, thanks for putting a smile on my face listening to this.

[@nathanpleasants7878]

Accidentally wound up here and I am content as hell

[@gado__]

the desk concerts are often really good!

[@riyansimmons5379]

Nathan Pleasants -. 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 LOL

[@gingahninja7956]

There are no accidents

[@jer-man823]

Trust lol I was looking for youngblood brass but can't complain

[@Qodesh00]

RVA All day: 0:00 Run around: 4:19 Infamous: 8:40

[@JustinZymbaluk]

I'm in awe of the sound engineers every time. How on earth do you manage to get such gorgeous sound out of a setup like this?

[@nickvtguitar546]

Almost looks like 1 🎤!

[@mattpenman2284]

It's nuts isn't it! Most tidy desks sound better than the album versions

[@waiakalulu7544]

I'm a drummer, but my daughter is learning the tuba. I showed her this video for inspiration. Such great memories when I watch this. Looking back on it: this was a happy time before a lot of sad things happened in the world. Bravo to the soloists and the "worker" musicians that gave body to all the warm tones. Bottom line: Love the power and sound of all that brass!

[@Bimp_Lizkit]

I want these guys to play at my funeral! I want folks rockin' out, thinking about how great life is and what having fun looks like while throwing back some great food and some good cocktails. I want my life portrayed by this band and these guys. Good stuff guys!

[@jeremytaylor2998]

There's a drummer in there... Somewhere...

[@greatbyrondo]

The drummer is buried under a mountain of horn cases!!!!!!!!

[@stierspider-man2559]

...somewhere deep in the pocket

[@PedroGomez-bd9ro]

He's recoding

[@brianh5878]

11:43 six years but you found him ;)

[@austinnevels7447]

He’s IN the desk!

[@Pulverpojken]

There are some dads in this brass band that annoys the heck out of their teenage kids every weekend morning. No sleeping in in Brass Dads house!

[@bassboydavid]

Gotta love the Low Low Brass :D Being a Tuba, Trombone, and Bass Trombone Player just gotta give them 1,000 props :D

[@charlieyarwood1117]

My gawd the sound mixing on this is incredible. That's not a studio and these always sound amazing. So props to them

[@Ayabellesify]

THAT TUBA PLAYER IS SO BOSS.

[@bobcat24]

I can barely even hear him 😂

[@HugoDrummerBassist]

If you want to see the drummer, go to "11:00" ;)

[@stevenmelton5370]

TUBA PLAYER IS A GOD.

[@danbunch1514]

TRUTH

[@fortazerty]

4 years late ... fck yeah he is 🔥

[@Niamhmusicmusic]

Chills

[@brianwoodcox9878]

He is until you listen to Youngblood Brass Band.

[@cookie0329]

Contra, but yes

[@justinhardy1184]

No BS brass kills it every time I see them. Richmond VA representing keep up the great work guys! Thanks NPR Tiny Desk for hosting such great musicians.

[@ianjeffrey94]

The trumpet player in purple is my theory professor at VCU! Just thought I'd share haha

[@djjd5067]

Marten Dekker He means the light purple trumpet player, why do people on youtube feel the need to be so pedantic?

[@rxh1013]

haha he looks very professorish

[@grotewobbo]

He certainly looks that way haha. He killed the look of the band with his clothes.

[@srajfnly2]

Marten Dekker EXCUSE YOU AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT THEY’RE SAYING UNLIKE MOST RAPPERS THAT I CAN THINK OF

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Does Rex Richardson teach at VCU also?

[@panicnow14]

I'm just checking out these guys for the first time. I'm really digging the variety of sounds here. Infectious melodies and earworm qualities aside, these dudes are badass musicians. The brassy, throaty cadences of a high school marching band are the backbone of these songs, but I especically love the heavy spin on it with the drummer's attitude and power, it definitely supports the rest of the ensemble well. I hear a lot of jazz thrown in on the solo sections of these songs. The passages are hectic and make the songs feel even better-structured after the fact. I also really love the megaphone vocals; it also harkens back to that high-school pep rally feeling. The whole thing gives off this wild, urban, robust sound that I didn't know I needed in my life. I hate sounding like a douchey music critic, but damn, I just needed to get those thoughts written down because I've not grown to like such an eclectic group this fast before. A-1 stuff.

[@robertoesquivel4447]

Panic the Kid Apt analysis, apt indeed

[@colinthorn]

Very well put!

[@5va]

Awesome insight

[@guerrillastylefilms]

They should call themselves the No BS Brass band and a drummer who is totally killin it!!!! next time show some love to your drummer and give him a little camera time. He sounded like he was playing his butt off lol. Great video guys.

[@Sheldogg23]

GuerrillaStyleFilms He's also the founder of the band...

[@bradenriebe5849]

GuerrillaStyleFilms im sure he gets love in different venues. tiny desk concert usually has the whole band crammed in a corner so that might be the reason for lack of camera time. You are right though he has some mean grooves.

[@riodelossantos4411]

+ a lonely saxophone

[@melopsicodelia]

Varga Sámuel Dude, the sax is already includes in the title.

[@PedroGomez-bd9ro]

But they got woodwinds

[@69bigwahoo]

Tuba man. They seem to leave you out. You are the bomb!

[@joelv4495]

Who on earth would thumbs down this??

[@counterfit5]

Sax quartets

[@davidconway3891]

@@counterfit5 hahaha🤣😂🤣

[@michellevaughn4682]

That tuba player is right on! Non stop amazing! Love it!!!

[@BigTizzy304]

SHOUTOUT TO ALL OF MY FELLOW TROMBONES AND DEM BARS ON RVA ALL DAY

[@AllanJTaylor]

I love how on the right the tuba and the 2 trombones are acting really hype, meanwhile the trumpets look they want to be anywhere but there xD

[@PatFreakinRickTV]

As a trumpet player who sits in front of the trombone section in a concert setting, i can tell you that trombones usually have the best personalities, and the trumpets are usually too cool for school or hella egotistical

[@joshmayfield6402]

+PatFreakinRick what about tubas?

[@danielstein5290]

+PatFreakinRick YEEESSS!!!!

[@mesirpez]

+Allan Tayor There always the hype people

[@themoniathansnest5404]

pgily as a trombone I second this XD that itself was a bit egotistical but I know my section well and we are the type that hold the band down, have a lot of incredible musicians, yet we are very fun and make sure to not take things too seriously.

[@timmysmith9163]

Ok this is beyond sick, their stage presence is remarkable I love this

[@campbellarmybase]

The trombones are killin it!

[@jayefoe3284]

Yeah, Dennis Rollins style solos - lovin' it!

[@annewagoner4827]

Soloist, especially!!

[@uriahedwards]

No BS! is like the perfect mix of ska, funk, and hip hop.

[@skyzefawlun]

These guys remind me of Youngblood Brass Band, and that's a wonderful thing! Anyone who digs this and isn't familiar with YBB, check them out, they're legendary.

[@markghermanson]

+skyzefawlun TRUTH!!!

[@chriswilson3106]

I thought the same thing.

[@julesunderscore]

I am Obsessed with their song Brooklyn

[@toverei]

@@julesunderscore Late to the game; but so am I!

[@julesunderscore]

Ivo Tierie 3 years later and they’re still my favorite band

[@Guateco]

That tuba is doing work at 7:30

[@Niamhmusicmusic]

Lucas Norrington dammn

[@theonettleton3042]

phat

[@Evitaschannel]

These are the coolest nerds I've ever seen

[@billschwandt1]

i bet that tuba player is the most underrated tuba player ever the guy is just SHREDDING it, and i play! his tone is fantastic i want to know what kind of horn that is know what my next purchase will be! keep it up brother!!!!

[@austin5920]

You hear that scream in the 1st song?

[@cityhood]

Honestly I think its just an upright concert horn with a modified neck for the mouthpiece. And yes, he is a beast!!!

[@austin5920]

William Tanelus Yup, same here. Mostly because of the valve angle. Our school has the convertibles with the switchable leadpipes.

[@billschwandt1]

if he was using a horn setup like that it would cause the horn to be extremely flat and im not sure there is a way to push the slides in enough to offset it. Point being it almost HAS to be a marching horn.

[@austin5920]

+william schwandt that looks like an awfully uncomfortable valve setup for marching tho...plus, might have a shorter tuning slide he changes too

[@ChrisHaro]

At 1:09 I about lost it… Brass POWER! Drummer is killing it as well

[@D0nnyB0y]

Saxophone... in a Brass band... I'll allow it.

[@unclejessekush9987]

donaldengine9 that’s cuz they superior

[@kennyriley2198]

@@unclejessekush9987 and cause they made of brass...see L u c k y C h o p s

[@eliudl]

It's a brass band? That's why?, good luck...

[@PilliamWilliam]

for the uninitiated, saxophones are not a brass instrument

[@sritchie1272]

It’s both

[@lizbailey3925]

Thank you KZbin for suggesting this

[@canosgmk]

Funny, I lived in Richmond VA for 7 years and never heard of these guys. I was also a active trumpeter in the area and was 'starving' to see live music like this.

[@Jkp1321]

I want them to record their songs with more megaphone vocals. It works so well for their sound. I bought the the RVA All Day album anyway cause I wanted to support these dudes. It's on sale $3 off right now

[@spentont]

This year they’re supposed to release some tunes with their newer vocalist Sam Reed- they have a vid of a chart from their upcoming album with the megaphone on their insta and KZbin pages. -a humble NoBS! fan

[@z289c1]

still gettin love in 2024!! awesome stuff....

[@drummerzarate]

WOW THIS GUYS REALLY SOUND AWESOME, MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS WHY THE DRUMMER DOES NOT APPEAR, HE IS SO IMPORTANT TO THIS SOUND

[@ivoezeta5084]

wow! make me feel good! thanks you for your energy and groove! listening in mexico

[@cogman62]

If Tower of Power, Chicago and a New Orleans jazz brass ensemble had a love child, it would be this band. This is some serious jazzy, funky stuff! Love it

[@iaminthegarage]

lets play the game "who marched drum corps"

[@gregsdad52]

Matt S lol

[@hylkema101]

Matt S not the sax player.

[@be9nz]

Matt S Just look for the Corps' necklaces.

[@brarry3459]

Matt S I know for a fact the tuba player didn't

[@LtPeeWeeHerman]

Brarry Why?

[@longopeter]

Great band. I met Taylor Barnett's brother at a hotel in Charlottesville while traveling and he told me to check this out.....I'm glad I did!

[@spizzerspunk]

That trumpet who took a solo on infamous is such a beast. I think I might learn a couple of these tunes, they're hot!

[@vidadechiste]

I'M DANCING IN THE COUCH !! AMAAAAZIIING BOYS!!!

[@rosypenson6228]

JUJUJU

[@penelopejoann]

This video is my favorite of 2020! These guys are HOT and SWINGIN..I can't stop dancing, singing, playing with them!! Don't want to, can't make me!! My heaven is No BS.

[@MrAdamloring1985]

Haven't heard these guys till now. Pretty sick. I'm now a fan.

[@josecurios]

They're all great but the tuba is the STAR!

[@kendallbell2726]

HOLY crap I love those sweet trombone solo's are awesome

[@rmc3966]

Oh wow -- what a find! Now I know. Will spread the word. True musicians. Praise the rhythm and diversity.

[@Mx12b]

Came here looking for epic brass music. Not what I was looking for but not disapointed at all! :D

[@kirillfrolov9595]

tuba man is amazing. he made this sound

[@thomasheinzel7343]

so fresh everytime i listen

[@sighduck5183]

I love the splits between the tuba and trombone, just yes.

[@SantiagoVFX]

2:44 The rap with the megaphone was an amazing effect. I loved it!! This is an amazing group, great energy! The trombones are just ROCKIN it!

[@nicholasgermer5240]

A whole lota spit be all over that phat juicy music! What an energetic group of fun!

[@gabhelp8697]

MUSIC IS SO GREAT

[@djnoble1]

These guys are awesome. Remind me a lot of Snarky Puppy (minus the guitars). Can't get enough.

[@KyleTheWynner]

Such a well rehearsed group, some of the bands they bring on here seem super sloppy but these guys definitely rise above the rest. The Drumming fits perfectly with the brass.

[@Grayham4]

These guys are the real deal holy crap

[@zeebrown7103]

Could've shot the drummer in there 1 time. Sheesh! He gets busy. Shouts to the band. Just stumbled on to this group and video.

[@iamhistorygeek]

I want to do this so much!!! I play alto sax, could learn soprano or bari easy. Been playing for about 11-12 years now.

[@dahalofreeek]

Bari is very easy. Probably easier than you are used to, it's lower so it just stays in tune once you find the sweet spot. Soprano is the saxophone where you start to need to change your embouchure for each note. I think that can be the case on the upper register on altos too but I haven't played one since I was a beginner. Tone for both will probably take quite a lot of playing to get to sounding great on them. It took me three years of pretty much daily playing for a couple of hours to get to a point where I started to produce a sound that wasn't just generic baritone saxophone noise. I hadn't been playing nearly as long as you when I started so I assume you will get there quickly but be under no illusions that it will come immediately. Also, the soprano is in B flat but I'm sure you know that.

[@olliecronk2667]

Not only is the Tuba player an absolute Tank, but he has the coolest name going

[@michelangelo644]

7:30 oh damnnn that tuba bass. I have heard some dope shit and that is up there

[@ProfessorDex]

spending so much time in new orleans ...there is no better sound than the power of brass line! y'all sound amaaaazing!

[@Tacofreak]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!

[@jaman198]

GOOD ASS DRUMS AND CONTRA!!!!!

[@stonedhippyus]

+jaman198 convertable tuba*

[@stonedhippyus]

+CHKNnuclei no, it's a covert able tuba, look at the tubing. contras are made differently.

[@TheBlondebaby80]

+CHKNnuclei yep contra bass

[@TheBlondebaby80]

+Jaesh Jurbs ur right. its where the valves r positioned tht makes this a converted tuba. I'd still call it a contra tho lol

[@speckledperch4158]

jaman198. They have an Contra Bass double B flat Trombone player too!! He tears it up too!!! :-)

[@WGBHMusic]

Watch out, folks. The Tiny Desk just got loud. Good stuff.

[@Dude-gd5wm]

This gaggle of guys. A+

[@mikkiismyname]

The trumpet solo in the last song infamous..killed it! Love this video

[@themoniathansnest5404]

People complain about Reggie pace being a show off who only plays high notes really fast, they are absolutely correct and I fucking love it, make that thing sing Reg

[@zadtheinhaler]

Holy shit, the compression in that room must have been friggin' GLORIOUS.

[@jamesswofford6619]

The tuba always kills it.

[@Detalks]

this is nuts!! how could you not like this?

[@cortbot989]

+Detalks i go to shows all the time in flatliner-VA and think to myself "how are these people controlling themselves??!!" standing around like a buncha hypnotized cows! i dont know how NOT to dance to this

[@Detalks]

word up!

[@DrewBrown88]

These guys a freaking awesome!

[@martinenglander710]

Awesome groove with these fellas!! Love it

[@5va]

That Tuba giving me life 🔥🔥🔥

[@MrAdamloring1985]

This reminds me of those days when you finally find that group of musicians that you can do anything with.

[@captainsuperfly]

You guys are just fricken awesome fantastic music !! Thank you for sharing !!

[@rejectedjeepers7317]

Having a bad day....... cheers me up everytime.....

[@bob1152]

You guys are *AMAZING*!

[@bonelegged]

this is so fucking lit

[@philipatoz]

What a great bunch of musicians - doesn't get much better than that!

[@billgoodman3213]

these guys make me want to drink. That says a lot as 40 something with a mean day job, wife and kid. Great Stuff....keep owning what you do!

[@DanZiemecki]

You're a 40 year old man with a mean job, a wife and a kid ... and you need *another* reason to drink?

[@greatbyrondo]

For everyone who is wondering "where's the drummer?".....He's buried under a mountain of horn cases!!!!!

[@aidanbryson1024]

This band is amazing!

[@giuseppeferlito7371]

Ascolto questa meravigliosa per la prima volta. Posso dire solo una cosa ...stupendi

[@heinzigartigst3746]

love that groove, just got my spareparts for my borrowed baritone horn and now the guys are kickin me in to my skiing weekend and it`s about time here, it's only a quarter of an hour difference to the recording of this video here....

[@jeffkeogh1982]

Yet another Tiny Desk video that has truly made my day 🎷🎺🥁

[@kshanksr]

I have such respect for contra players. This is fantastic.

[@callmejay05]

The trumpet soloist on “Infamous” sounded like he was basically playing over “Night In Tunisia” changes. It fit pretty well.

[@DivvyDeluxe]

Alton Brown on that megaphone there

[@mattbetts01]

....trombone?

[@DivvyDeluxe]

mattbetts01 yeah, he takes out a megaphone somewhere in the video

[@fakeasaur]

good beats

[@zebra3stripes]

He brings flavor to the party.

[@kimberlyweekley4438]

@@fakeasaur best comment!

[@evans4140]

This is one of the best video's on KZbin

[@36index]

Fresh sound finally..... this ain't no cookie cutter band/music....thank-you

[@thajaymantv]

Good to be back watching tiny desk....forgive me for leaving you

[@TRANhanoi]

superb Trombone sound! I've never heard such a crispy sound!