Soon this area will contain definitively inaccurate information on the band, it's history, and its members. In the meantime, here's an article which appeared in the Bi-Co news in October 1998 -- complete with misprints, errors, and oversights.
Soon this area will contain definitively inaccurate information on the band, it's history, and its members. In the meantime, here's an article which appeared in the Bi-Co news in October 1998 -- complete with misprints, errors, and oversights.
To quote from the mother-ship of funk Parliament, "There's a whole lot of rhythm going round." This phenomenon can be traced to a small group of musicians with an ample supply of groove and one very big goal: '"To pursue the funk domination of the tri-planet system." The tri-planet system is Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore. The band is Hiram. And judging from the looks of things, these funkdafied souls are already well on the way to their goal.
While Hiram's first official "rehearsal" for the new year last Tuesday night in the Haverford DC basement was more of a brainstorming session than a rehearsal, this does not mean that the band was not in the groove. As soon as people got hold of their instruments of funk, they could not keep themselves from the lure of the beat. Fingers plucked at guitar strings, bongo drums were tightened and tested, and a few started breaking it down to their own rhythms right then there. Once current band leader Lisa Wu '99 (Tenor Saxophone player, musical inspirations include Bach and Jodie Rockwell) calmed everyone down, the members began hashing out song possibilities for the upcoming year, covering a huge variety of musical tastes, from Stevie Wonder to Jamiroquai; from Sly and the Family Stone to the Red Rot Chili Peppers. While Tracy Ryles '0l (Female vocalist, gospel and R +B) ardently defended the "funkiness" of Prince and Kabir Green '0l (Male vocalist I guitarist, Billy Cobham) was forced to groove to the music being sampled on the stereo. After the group had milled over the funk rhythms, the uniqueness, and the "groove factor" of each of their possible songs, they had a pretty impressive song list while this reporter has been sworn to secrecy, he can say that Hiram audiences will be able to look forward to a few old favorites, as well as some surprising new numbers, from Hiram this year as they spread the gospel of funk throughout the Main Line.
The history of Hiram has always been a little hazy. Derek Keevil '02 (Baritone saxophone, the California Raisins) knew that it was formed in 1989, although he didn't know much more than that. Wu felt that a few people probably got together and started getting funky. Pedro Urquilla 'Oo (Bass player/"Minister of Public Relafions", George Clinton) has his own (slightly idyllic) version of its history: Hiram was born from a select few who responded to the then-President of Haverford's official mandate that the amount of "funking" on campus should be increased. It was Charlie Bonnell '94, a Hiram alumnae, who shed true light on the subject, explaining that the band was started nine years ago by George Rush '92, a bass player, although the group did not really gain momentum or organization until 1992 when the responsibilities were divided between Bonnell, Bob Hall '93, and Jon Farley '93. While Hiram might not have been formed by an imperial decree, it has evolved into a band known in the community as satisfying the people's need to groove.
Some people Migbt think that for a funk band, the narne "Hiram" does not sound all that funky. They could not be further from the truth. "Hiram", the band explained, refers to Hiram L. Weinstein, a funk mandolin player who was electrocuted in the late '80s because his amplifier was not grounded. Also, Hiram is not the whole title of the band - in fact, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Originally, the group started out with the name "The Hiram L. Weinstein All-Star Memorial Funk Choir with the Subsonic Analogue Horns, featuring the Ivory Tower of Power Rhythm Establishment." In 1991,however, the band decided to take a more "insurrectionist" name, with each major section of the band contributing a different portion of the title, and the result was "The Hiram L Weinstein Memorial Funk Contingent with the Re-Evolutional Horn Junta, featuring the Subterranean, Pan-galactic, Conspiratory Rhythm Movement." Now it becomes a little clearer why their concert posters only read "Hiram".
Over the years, Hiram has become of staple of the rhythm-raving masses of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore. It has a few annual gigs, such as their performance at Swarthmore's Pub Night, although all admit that their crowning moment is when they take the stage at Haverfest.
While Hiram only has the most benevolent of intentions at these functions - as Pete Howe '0l (Guitarist, Jimi Hendrix) explained, "To funk the hell out of campus" - like all true revolutionaries of the people, Hiram is not always on the best of terms with "The Man". For example, at Haverfest 1996, their groove was threatened when they were not included in the over-full line-up of bands. Hiram saw its chance, however, when all the groups were moved inside due to threat of rain. With a clear sky above them, Hiram plugged in right on Founders Green, attracted a huge crowd, "And it was good." Eventually, enraged officers pulled the plug on the operation, but not before Hiram had succeeded in giving the people their fair share of funk. Other questionable activities that the band has participated in include accomplishing what the members admitted were "Two of the greatest college pranks of all time," involving theft of expensive property and high-profile consequences. Unfortunately, the band refused to comment further on this matter. Run-ins with the law have not ceased even to this day for Hiram, for already this year the group has come under the shadow of the authorities, at an ill-fortuned party at Drinker Hall at which Hiram was playing. For the band, this was a shame, for they felt that their performance at parties brings a whole new positive level to the festivities' "Decadence and debauchery". There is little doubt that Hiram will continue to challenge the face of authority wherever it challenges their freedom to give up the funk. Hiram is proud to announce six brand new members to their ranks of funk revolutionaries. These funkdafied few find themselves in Hiram for a variety of reasons. Some, like Jim Soland '02 (Trumpet, Miles Davis) and Eliot Brandow '02 (Drums, Max Roach) were highly impressed by the band at the aforementioned Drinker party, and had to try out, while others like Ben Finane '99 (Keyboards / Bass Baritone, Thelonious Monk) simply wanted to "Keep the funk alive." Arent Speser '02 (Drums, Zakir Huisain) had even grander goals in mind, explaining, "In trying to find my place in the world, the least I can do is spread the gospel, spread the funk." While most are nervous about getting into the groove of the band, Sarah Byrne '99 (Female vocalist, Bjork) commented that she is not nervous at all, and ready and excited to "pulsate with the funk." All of these fresh faces agree with Ian Rottenberg's '02 (Alto Saxophone, Cannonball Hatterly) comment that above all else, he is "Anxious for the stage and bright lights" of the upcoming Hiram concerts.
Older members of Hiram admit that the toiling for the funk has both its ups and downs. As Ari Berenbaum '0l (Trumpet, Peter Howe) admitted, the logistics of the band is difficult with 14 members, each with a very busy schedule, 2 to 3 gigs a semester is an impressive feat. Other downpoints for the band include the fact that as of yet, there are no "groupies or roadies". But as Stephen Myers '99 (Male vocalist, Stevie Wonder) described, seeing the mosh of people packed in front of the stage, screaming out the entire chorus of a song right along with the band make all the trials and tribulations worth it.
Being guerrillas of funk, the exact details for the future are left up in the air for Hirarn. Wu hinted that a CD is a definite possibility, though it is just in the initial stages of planning. Many also hope to return in ten years and see that Hiram still exists, fighting off the authorities, embracing its world-record name, and keeping the groove going. But still the main goal for the future is the same as the goal Hiram has always had: spread the funk. Maybe they will spread it beyond the borders of the community, maybe even a world tour. Who is to say. All that is known, as Berenbaum eloquently declared, is that "The mother ship has landed but we are just beginning to conquer the bi-college community with our groove."
