“Oregonisms” infecting the northwest
Local band Volifonix brings the funk across Oregon

By Matt Weaver · The Mainstream
Published February 8, 2011

The music industry has been trying harder to chain audiences to the same old, flat sounds for years. That’s why local band Volifonix, whose name means “sound of free will,” is so liberating.

Volifonix, who hail from Eugene, call themselves an “experimental funk flavored milkshake.” They are mainly a funk-rock fusion, but they incorporate many techniques in their music.

“We are a very open minded group, and we do not have preconceptions about any musical style or influence. We never shoot down an idea,” confirmed McClain in an e-mail interview. When a band is open to try anything, they always have the opportunity to discover a fresh and exciting sound.

Instead of getting my energy from a can of Rockstar, I get mine from this band. Their live performance technique incorporates back-to-back songs that get the audience up and dancing. Even their band “uniforms” get crazy. Yes, Volifonix has been known on occasion to dress as Super Mario characters or super heroes featuring Godzilla.

The band has roots in Douglas County. Volifonix started in the Oakland and Sutherlin area when founding brothers Trevor (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) and Blake Forbess (drums and vocals) met bassist Elijah Medina jamming outside of Sutherlin High in 2005. Lead guitarist Joe McClain met Trevor in the spring of 2006 to complete their original band, The Great Escape. In 2007 the group officially changed its name to Volifonix. The band was completed when saxophonist Tomo Tsurumi joined in 2009.

The band is fairly well known throughout Oregon. Three members studied music at the University of Oregon. Their first big break came in 2008 when Volifonix beat 32 bands in Last Band Standing and earned a tour van, a golden guitar, $1000 in gift cards and a three song recording deal through Top Secret Records. They also won Best Rock Band of 2009 through Eugene Weekly.

Volifonix is no stranger to big-name shows. “We have played with Everclear and remaining members of the bands Steppenwolf and Yes,” McClain explained.

Volifonix has released one full-length album, Oregonisms, thus far. Guitar and bass drive the tracks in an album which remains surprisingly light. Each song is written well, and the album showcases the bands experimentation. “Different Version” and “Finally Learned” sprout from their jazz roots while “Hard to Feel” reveals classic rock beginnings. The instrumentation is fun, and the bridges and solos showcase Medina’s slap bass stylings and McClain’s creative riffs.

The biggest problem with their album is the recording quality. It’s not terrible, but it leaves a little fuzziness that can be heard. The only other notable “problem” is that their lyrics aren’t the deepest, but when a band puts out music that makes you want to dance, that’s barely an issue.

Overall the album is great. It can be purchased through iTunes, cdbaby.com, amazon.com, or at a live Volifonix show.

Volifonix is currently in the studio working on their second full-length album. “We have a lot of work ahead of us,” McClain said, but then continued, “look out for new music in the near future because it’s coming.”

Volifonix is working on scheduling Roseburg shows in the future, but the closest Volifonix show in the next month will be at Sam Bonds Garage in Eugene on February 24th. If you feel like getting a groove on, go check them out. You can keep updated on their progress through their Facebook page.