Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Col. Bruce Hampton |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit was a jam band established by Col. Bruce Hampton.[1] The group gained recognition during the early 1990s within Atlanta's club circuit and participated in the first H.O.R.D.E. Tour. The principal members consisted of Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbridge, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Matt Mundy, and Count M'Butu. Initial contributors Jeff Mosier and Charlie Williams departed to explore other ventures. Although they did not achieve commercial success, their innovative blend of bluegrass, rock, Latin, blues, jazz, and funk influenced subsequent musicians.
History
The band emerged from a regular jam session in Atlanta led by Hampton (previously of the Hampton Grease Band and The Late Bronze Age). This ensemble, featuring Hampton, Herring, Burbridge, Sipe, Mundy, and M'Butu, toured throughout the Southeastern United States. They produced two studio albums under Capricorn Records: Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit released in 1992 and Mirrors of Embarrassment in 1993.
During the summer of 1992, they were instrumental in launching the H.O.R.D.E. tour alongside acts such as Phish, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, and Widespread Panic. These bands frequently collaborated on tours and recordings. For instance, contributions from Béla Fleck and John Popper appear on Mirrors of Embarrassment, with Popper also featured on The Benefit Concert Vol. 2. Additionally, Chuck Leavell performed on ARU’s initial two Capricorn releases. In 1992, Billy Bob Thornton directed Widespread Panic: Live from the Georgia Theatre, which includes a music video for "Basically Frightened" showcasing Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit alongside Leavell and Count M'Butu.
Break-up
By 1993, the band experienced the departure of key figures Matt Mundy and Hampton. The remaining members Oteil, Herring, and Sipe continued under the name "The Aquarium Rescue Unit," incorporating a fluctuating roster that featured lead singer Paul Henson, Oteil's brother Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute, as well as drummer Sean O'Rourke. This iteration released further records including 1994’s eeePee and In A Perfect World, followed by 2003’s The Calling.
Over time, original personnel transitioned to more prominent projects. In 1995, Jeff Sipe joined forces with Jonas Hellborg and Shawn Lane before collaborating with Leftover Salmon, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Lesh, Trey Anastasio, and ultimately becoming the drummer for Keller Williams' ensemble the WMDs. In 1997, Oteil Burbridge succeeded Allen Woody in The Allman Brothers Band, also participating in bands like Vida Blue and Trey Anastasio's Surrender to the Air. He remained with the Allman Brothers until their disbandment in 2014 and subsequently became a full-time member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Burbridge also substituted on bass for Dead & Company following Phil Lesh’s retirement from touring. Meanwhile, Jimmy Herring co-founded Jazz Is Dead in 1998, toured with Frogwings, The Allman Brothers Band, Project Z, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, and joined Widespread Panic in 2006 for extensive recording sessions and live performances.
Reunion
In 2004, the original lineup of Col. Bruce Hampton and Aquarium Rescue Unit—comprising Hampton, Herring, Sipe, Burbridge, and M'Butu—came together once more for a series of performances. From January 2006 through May 2007, the group played eight concerts throughout Colorado and the Southeastern United States. During this period, Bobby Lee Rodgers from The Codetalkers stepped in on banjo and vocals, filling the role left by the retired Matt Mundy.
By 2007, each founding member had developed a distinct career: Herring was active with Widespread Panic; Burbridge performed with The Allman Brothers Band as well as Oteil and The Peacemakers; Sipe collaborated with Trey Anastasio and Leftover Salmon; M'Butu contributed to The Derek Trucks Band; and Hampton led Col. Bruce & The Quark Alliance.
The Aquarium Rescue Unit assembled again for the reopening of the Georgia Theatre in Athens on August 8, 2011. This reunion featured Hampton, Herring, Burbridge, Sipe, alongside keyboardist Matt Slocum.
On March 24, 2015, Col. Bruce Hampton announced via Facebook a reunion tour scheduled for summer 2015, reuniting Hampton, Burbridge, Herring, Slocum, and Sipe for the event.
Aquarium Rescue Unit with Hampton
- Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit (1992) – Live recording – Capricorn Records
- Mirrors of Embarrassment (1993) – Studio release – Capricorn Records
- Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert, Vol. 2 (2007) – Live album – Evil Teen Records
Aquarium Rescue Unit without Hampton
- In a Perfect World (1994) – Studio album – Velvet Dwarf Records
- EeePeee (EP, 1994)
- The Calling (2003) – Studio album – Inio Music
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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