The Stranded Local Q&A: The Eclectic Collective

With metal heads and jazz fanatics alike taking a penchant to their sound, Boston's The Eclectic Collective have been quite busy recently. Saturday night was their record release show for their newest effort The Flux.

And on Monday they graced the stage at Fox25 Morning News. You can see their live performance of the song "Ocean Of Tears" on the Fox25 Morning News Web site.

The line-up of eight (yes, eight members!) meld together to form a heavy rock sound meets an aggressive approach to R&B and soul.

The Eclectic Collective’s sound can be attributed to the cultural diversity of the band - - four of the members are first-generation Americans. Drummer Sheel Davé says this “has given us the opportunity to experience different worlds and bring our ‘sides’ together while writing and performing and living every day life.” These different “sides” are showcased on the The Flux, which was inspired by ideas of time travel introduced by the flux capacitor featured in the ‘80’s movie Back To The Future.

“This record is conceptually ‘what makes time travel possible,’” explains Davé. “I would describe it as a heavy rock record that is rooted in old R&B and soul, which is basically going ‘back to the future.’”

Read on to see The Eclectic Collective's guitarist Salim Akram answer the same five questions SIS always asks local bands.

Hailing from Boston, makes us better than all those non-Boston bands because
We have the East Coast Mentality and work ethic. We will outwork you and your band.

Name at least three bands that are still around and touring that you’d love to be on a bill with, and think it fits well
Gym Class Heroes, Gruvis Malt even though they are no longer around (straight up ignored the question but I don’t care), Rage Against the Machine

Your favorite Boston venue to perform in is
The Middle East Downstairs

Are there any genres that influence your music conceptually, rather than sonically? (In that you can’t hear from simply listening to the music, but from getting into the structure or mathematics of the song-writing, etc.)
Recently it has been more classic Soul and Rock music, our structure of songs has been more focused around the simple structure of a solid groove and catchy instrument and vocal melodies.


Your favorite local bar to hit up when not doing the whole band deal is
Usually most of us end up at Our House West in Allston.

[Myspace] http://www.myspace.com/theeclecticcollective