The past 5 years have been an amazing road traveled for the band. I don't think any of us had any inclination that we would really, like seriously keep this thing going for any length of time. After all, it was just supposed to be a one shot deal, a cool thing to do. You know, have a good time, hook up with some old friends, let the hair down, play a couple gigs, raise the suspicion of the local authorities and get some grooves happenin' along the way. But most importantly, the intent was to have a blast one last time before moving on to other projects etc. That single reunion show back in 1995 was the vehicle that changed our course and got us to where we are today. Truth is, we just had too much fun doing that show and realized then and there that we were hooked in a big time way, like totally possessed in that we had to do some more shows despite the asking price. In reality, none of us were ready or willing to call it quits with the music scene. It was a hard choice but here we are today, still going strong. Even in the face of relationships going down the toilet, neurotic fans calling in the middle of the night, teetering on the verge of mental and financial bankruptcy we survived and are still here kickin' out the jams. Yes my friend, what a great life it is living in this free country of ours and playing in a band and still having one heck of a ride. Who would have thought…..

Which brings me to this point. Bare with me as I give you brief history lesson on Central Heat for those who think we just popped on the scene within the past couple years.

So with that, lets take a ride on the way back machine and visit the 70s and early 80s. Yeah, remember those times? Somewhere between Play That Funky Music White Boy, Cold Sweat, Zig Zag, Bongs and Platform Shoes and an over abundant amount of in your face disco. The era that brought us mind expanding drugs (now that's a novel concept), the peace movement, the end of the Vietnam War, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone and the happening phrase of the century, "groovy". Whoa, talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place while trying to maintain your individuality and still hold onto some amount of dignity and self-respect in such an unsettled time for the music biz. This my friend was the real age of survival.

Now flash back to the present day, as in right now, so you'll understand where we're headed with this scenario and why we're doing the music thing again. The reunion show was the catalyst that has gotten us to this point in our creative little lives. In all honesty, things this time around are much better, more relaxed and the whole trip has been a real kick because there is no more pressure from the man.

The Man? That’s right - THE MAN! O.K. flash back to the 70s and 80s again. The MAN! Yeah, you know who I'm talking about, the man, the guy hangin' out somewhere in the back of the pub trying so damn hard to look impressively hip. The cat with a one wheel in the sand and a beer short of a 6 pak. The one with fins and sharp teeth in dressed in the cheap three-piece suit. The spooge who with his disregard for the arts could reduce you to an absolute zero and have you out on the street at the drop of a dotted sixteenth note. The guy who all his life wanted to be a musician but couldn't make the cut so he bacame a club owner or manager. The one who was always intent at impressing you with his abundant lack of taste in music who incessantly and relentlessly coerced you to cover every, I mean every Top 40 hit to come across the airwaves. Remember too that back in those glorious days of disco, Top 40 hits were being cranked out in record numbers by industry execs at a rate that would make your head spin more uncontrollably than Carrie Fisher in the scene from the Exorcist. The man! Working in clubs! That brothers and sisters was survival back in the 70s and 80s!

Yep, that’s the way it was… back in those days and being somewhat naïve we were forced to succumb to the demands of the man because it was out of necessity to stay a viable touring road band and get some gigs rather than become unemployed musicians without any alternate sources of income. After all, much like yourself, we did have to eat, sleep and support our daily habits. Yeah, in hindsight, we all look back and think of how we could have done things differently. What it would be like if we could do it all over again. Ah - to be young again with the knowledge and wisdom we have acquired though a lengthy trial by fire.

During those early days we were a culturally and racially mixed group of lads. This by virtue of itself, made those top paying gigs harder to get because there was no in between, no crossover etc. Being a mixed band playing soul music was totally out of the question and made it very difficult to get good work. It was tough, we paid our dues, playing 5-6 hours a night 7 nights a week and on the road roughly 250 - 300 days a year. So why did we do it then, I told ya, survival. But why do it today? Well, it's the MUSIC! No more demands from the man who by the way is still hangin out in the clubs today but has managed to change his perspective, somewhat and I use that term sparingly. However, we no longer play music for the man anymore and could care a rats ass what he thinks about our music……our music is for the people who still remember and dig the GROOVE!

All right - forgive me, I know it sounds like I'm becoming obsessed with this whole issue and appears as though I'm digressing, but after 20 years of occasionally reflecting back on the way things could have or should have been in light of the the head trips these losers would put musicians through by enticing us with the promise of more gigs, the almighty dollar and other illicit things it is finally time to clear the air and get it right. Alright - consider it done…….

Speaking of getting it right, and getting back on track. We are playing the music that we dig and the music that comes straight from the heart. After all, if it feels right and it makes sense, then you do it. This particular type of mental and artistic realignment has paved the way for us to open for some of the world's top national recording artists in the music industry and gain the respect from each and every audience. It has also provided us with opportunities to reach out and help those in need by pulling the brothers and sisters in the community together by selling out shows through benefit concerts.

So what the heck are we up to? Well, that’s a good question…. Actually, quite a bit. We have taken a lot of time off from actual playing and have progressed quite well into wrapping up our first Compact Disk. I think you will be quite impressed when it finally hits the streets. The Central Heat sound is music that will "bring you to your knees". It's the real deal, it's got rhythm, feeling, compassion, and a pulse that will move right through you. We must acknowledge and say a special thanks to all who volunteered to be our crash test dummies for this project, in other words, those who actually listened to some of the initial takes and tracks of the songs and then provided their opinions. Some of which were extremely encouraging and productive while others unfortunately could not be printed for this article. All in all though, the encouragement has been great. You guys have been phenomenal. The songs are genuine Central Heat originals and cover our roots from the 70's up to the current day. I seriously think you are going to find this CD not only different and refreshing, but one you will want to hang onto for sometime. At least until we get the next one out….

Gotta move on to other things - until next time - You guys have been super great, keep hangin' with us - it's been fun and the groove gets better everyday.

So what's the current line-up as of June 7, 2000 - here goes

"The Central Heat sound is genuine, straight to the core Rhythm and Blues with a lot of funk elements and a great deal of soul attitude"

"Washington DC Powerhouse Funk Band is Back!"

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