It's Too Drunk To Be This Early

What do you get if you mix a pound of Fela Kuti's Afrika 70, two cupfuls of The Meters, 250g of thinly sliced early James Brown and a level dessert spoon of psychedelic rock? Welcome to 'It's too Drunk to be this Early', the debut album from the heaving, convulsing powerhouse of soul music that is the AK-based The Hot Grits!

For over 5 years The Hot Grits have been electrifying club dancefloors and festival stages around NZ with an eclectic, take no prisoners approach to soul and afrobeat music. When The Hot Grits hit their stride, the power and sheer soulfulness of their groove unites band and audience in a testament to the power of good music. The overall Hot Grits sound is funky and deep, but always powerful and never too smooth.

The current Hot Grits lineup consists of no fewer than eleven very talented musicians from such varied backgrounds as jazz, hardcore, metal, reggae, hip hop and big band, including members of noted local bands The Shades, The Defendents and Payola - led by two vocalists: "Uncle" Barnie Duncan is an incendiary presence operating at the absolute limits of funkiness, while Elitia Clark provides both sensual soul and sheer power.