Boom Lava

Nils Crusberg was born and raised in the suburban ghettos of Worcester, MA.  His attendance at Doherty High School didn't provide him with an education as advertised.  Instead, he learned about life through illicit recreations.  At the age of 15, he began receiving instruction in the smoke filled rooms of the Clement Music Studio from the locally renowned jazz guitar legend Joe D'Angelo.  This set him on the track for a career in music.  As a teenager he fronted the controversial and confrontational group, Pudding in a Cloud, a band that took on issues of sex, drug use, vandalism, larceny, and racial diversity as inferred by its name.  Nils lived in Boulder, CO for ten years where he attended the University of Colorado while studying the world and music.  His travels during this time led him to the corners of the world.  He experienced the affluence of Europe and California, and the destitution of the Mexican slums.  His trip to Negril, Jamaica held the strongest influence on his musical future.  The people of Jamaica seemed to overcome their poverty with a combination of music and spirituality.  Nils adopted this point of view. The antics of Puerto Rico and the power and beauty of Hawaii and Peru have recently influenced his understanding of the world and music.  For five years, Nils incessantly practiced guitar and alto saxophone while living on Cape Cod in MA - Santa Cruz, CA - Boulder, CO - and the Seacoast of NH - respectively.  He has recorded and produced three LP’s, which display his exceptional talents.

Jon Cross is from Worcester, Massachusetts. He grew riding a skateboard, and therefore listened, predictably, to british Oi! punk, classic skater thrash, and victory-records hardcore. His interests in music have since exploded, thanks in large part to the Disco Biscuits. He has a deep-rooted love for music and its diversity. Jon is a fan of acid jazz, dub reggae, downtempo, underground hip hop, classic jazz, afro-beat, and most things in between. And while he loves to listen to Victor Wooten or Les Claypool, he thinks a big part of playing the bass is the simplicity and the control of that low end. He feels that there is much to be appreciated about almost all music, but playing the bass is all about dropping those funk bombs and making booties shake....

Drummer extraordinaire Greg Angus of no relation to the world renowned guitar icon Angus Young but of possible kin to the Guinness world record adjudicators or more likely the members of the master brewing family with the same name in connection to his family lineage of the MacInnes clan.  In any case, he is the solid timekeeper for the Funk-Reggae Party band Boom Lava.  He developed a keen sense of music at an early age with his knowledge of woodwinds and his desire to play the electric bagpipes and the reverse accordion.  Greg realized his desire to play as many instruments at one time could not be attained unless he took up drumming.  He took lessons at Daddy’s Junky Music where he learned rudiments, the art of high-pressure sales, paradiddles, and how to fend off egotistical guitar legend wannabes.  His influences include Danny Carey (Tool), Tre Cool (Green Day), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters and Nirvana), and every drummers pre-requisite Neil Peart (Rush).  Greg’s high-energy style drives the beat and keeps the funk low for Boom Lava of which he is a major asset.

Boom Lava’s hand percussionist and electronic soundman creates the balance and adds to the bands backbeat in the most essential way.  Although Jesse is locally acknowledged for his skills on the hand drums, he is internationally known for touring the African continent as a driver/guide for a vacation company.  He also has been known to get air in the field of motocross, as he professionally competes in the United States circuit.  Jesse’s keen knowledge of deep reggae and funk cuts gives him the awareness that he needs to keep the rhythms of Boom Lava interesting.

Carl Johns’ control of the microphone and the vocal implications that follow are traits of his that are immediately recognized when Boom Lava performs. His professionalism is more than evident, and he displays a high level of inspiration to his audiences. Carl grew up in Alton Bay, NH where he learned sing in the acoustically immoderate venues of garages and basements. He has also lived in at least 10 other states throughout the nation as he attempted to avoid unfavorable authorities and other inimicable figures. His diverse vocal influences compliment Boom Lava’s open-minded approach to music. To name a few: Bob Marley, Billy Joel, Grant Lee Buffalo, John Mayer, Big Audio Dynamite,and Jimmy Cliff.

We are currently looking to include a new member for our band with the intention of rounding off our lineup.  A perfect situation would have us adding a musician who is open minded to all types of music but familiar with the styles we play in: Funk, Reggae, and Hip-Hop.  The ideal candidate would know when to step in and out of the spotlight, and would display a high level of talent along with being reliable and committed.