Music

With seven band members (from left, Tony Juarez, Phillip Juarez, Dale Fox, Jeff Dobberpuhl, Gil Guillia, Jim Dustan and Jocelyn Fox), several of whom are multi-instrumentalists, World Class Thugs experiment with a maze of musical textures on their debut disc, “Ameripirahna.”

Joe Trevino Special to Get Out

Local spotlight: World Class Thugs make music with 'instruments at our disposal'

By Chris Hansen Orf, Get Out

May 31, 2007

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If you’re the kind of person who judges a book by its cover, you might think that, going strictly by their name alone, the Valley’s World Class Thugs are gangsta rappers with an abundance of “Thug Life” tattoos and shiny bling. But guitarist and vocalist Jim Dustan assures us that’s not the case.

“I guess that some of the band members, present and past, at one time or another, have had issues with the law,” laughs Dustan. “But in terms of being a 'thug’ or being 'thuggish,’ the answer would be no.”

The band, which took its moniker from famed linguist Noam Chomsky’s essay “Media Control,” plays the furthest thing from “thug” music, sounding at times on their debut CD, “Ameripirahna,” like a band equally at home in a German cabaret, a ska club or even a honky-tonk.

“I think that we all must follow the same muse — picture one head with seven bodies attached to it,” says Dustan of the band, which formed in 2001 from the remnants of Rain Rose Alchemy. “There is no agenda of having a certain song sound like this or like that. The songs just happen organically.”

“Ameripirahna” showcases the multi-instrumental talents of the band members — lead singer Jocelyn Fox plays the tung-drum, clarinet, flute, bass and washboard; Dale Fox plays guitar, mandolin and sings; Dustan plays banjo in addition to guitar; and Phillip Juarez plays trombone, percussion and sings. Gil Guillia (bass), Jeff Dobberpuhl (accordion) and Tony Juarez (drums) round out the group.

“There are many different influences that people in the band have,” explains Dustan. “But ultimately, we have fun with the instruments at our disposal.”

And the band is looking to add even more to the mix.

“We don’t foresee adding any more players, but we will be getting some more instruments to fool around on,” Dustan says. “Maybe some keys and ukuleles — we are always wanting to expand the landscape.”

With seven band members and a slew of instruments onstage, World Class Thugs, which will celebrate the release of “Ameripirahna” Friday, June 1, at Hollywood Alley in Mesa, put on an atypical live show.

“We would liken it to a jamboree of sorts,” says Dustan. “We have over 70 songs, so we like to mix up the set list and try not to play the same set every time.

“We like to keep people engaged in the show, and by having different types of songs and styles in the set list. We think that keeps the audience from falling asleep.”

>>World Class Thugs perform 9 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Hollywood Alley, 2610 W. Baseline Road, Mesa. $5. (480) 820-7117.

Contact Chris Hansen Orf by email, or phone (480) 898-5684

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