Out of Favor Boys

Kalamazoo Blues Bands Take Center Stage
Friday, Feb. 10, 2006

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It's not often that local bands, used to playing at smoky bars and cozy taverns -- get to strut their stuff at major venues. But the State Theatre, through most of the Budweiser/WRKR Blues Series and other blues concerts, has a tradition of using area blues bands to open its shows.

``It feels great,'' said Tony Sproul of the Kalamazoo-based blues act the Out of Favor Boys. The band had its first time in the spotlight last March as an opener for James Harman. ``We're so used to playing nice and small bars. The intimacy that we get at bars -- I probably will admit that I enjoy that more. But to be on a big stage where you have so much space to move around and spread out -- it's really energizing.''

Also, the knowledge that the same stage has seen such greats as Buddy Guy, BB King and Ray Charles is ``definitely a big adrenaline rush, too,'' Sproul said.

Larry Perkins, of Red Rooster, has been on the State's stage many times, starting back in the '90s. He's been impressed with the graciousness of the venue's staff members. ``They really treat opening acts really well. They make you feel like a star down there. You get your own dressing rooms; they'll throw some beer on ice for you. It's really pleasant,'' he said. ``It's really exciting. It makes you feel like a pro for the day.

``But we're working class-guys with families and homes. (It's) not like we're on the road all the time or on the Billboard Top 100 all the time but, for a night, you get to rub elbows with some of the bigger names in the business. You got the spotlights on you; you got a real nice, big (public-address system). And the audience -- the blues audience in Kalamazoo -- has always been really big and appreciative,'' Perkins said.

Here's a shout-out to some of the hard-working blues acts in the Kalamazoo-area that will be taking the stage at the State in the coming months:

Out of Favor Boys

When? Tonight, opening for the Deanna Bogart Band.

Who's who? Tony Sproul (sax); Danny Oullette (guitar); Joel Krauss (guitar); John Ford (keyboard); Tim Brouhard (bass); and Kevin Darcy (drums). The Kalamazoo band was started five years ago by Sproul and Oullette, former members of the Crossroads Blues Band.

What shade of blues? ``Our style is definitely leaning towards the modern end of the blues,'' Sproul said, ``with older blues styles mixed with funk and soul.''

How experienced? This will be their second time on a big stage, so it's still ``a fresh and new experience,'' Sproul said. They had a chance to jam with Louisiana's Tab Benoit at Wonderful's when he was in town a few years ago. ``(Tab) really loves the music. He played drums, then guitar'' with the Boys.