Micron 7 Trained In Classics But Prefers Heavy-Funk Jazz -- Band Is Part Of Growing Rhythm-And-Blues Scene

Who are the members of Micron 7?

Zeke Keeble, drums

Reggie Watts, keyboards, vocals

Om Fletcher, lead vocals

Kevin Hudson, bass; Mike Lewis, guitar.

Don't call Micron 7 funk, but feel free to shake out your favorite R&B dance steps to the band's chunky sound anyway.

"I'm kind of caught between the purity of the sound versus the fun of performance," says Keeble, percussionist for the band and one of its founding members.

He disregards the funk label because he thinks Micron 7's sound encompasses many influences, but he still enjoys playing flat-out groovy music. Considering how the band formed, it's a wonder it isn't a serious classical group playing recitals.

The members of Micron 7 met at Cornish College of the Arts, except for vocalist Fletcher. All have impressive musical training. Watts studied classical piano and violin in his youth, Keeble and Lewis played jazz at Cornish, and Fletcher began singing gospel music in church and graduated to classical voice studies in Italy.

A common love of funk

When the band gets together the expertise shows, both in slick execution and solid musicianship. But funk was one of the original common denominators.

"We knew everyone was into funk music; Om and Kevin had a strong background in it," says Watts.

"But what was important to me was our collective strong jazz background, and the ability of each member to create and put projects together," adds Keeble. "I think what we're doing is fresh - I like our music because it's interesting to play and challenging, but also accessible."

Judging by the audience response to gigs, he's right. Though one can talk forever about the grunge and fuzzy guitar bands around Seattle, a new scene of groove-oriented, rhythm-and-blues bands is standing out like white, platform boots against a backdrop of glowing, amber mood rings.

When Micron 7 opened last month for Ziggy Marley at Summer Nights at the Pier, the audience seemed to love the band's danceable heavy-funk jazz, and gigs haven't been difficult to secure lately.

"We actually don't like to play more than twice a month or so," says Keeble. "We don't want to saturate the market, but we also need time to write new songs so our stuff is always fresh. It's starting to reach the point now where we can pick our shows carefully."

A warehouse show?

"I`ve got these great ideas for shows it would be fun to do, too," says Watts. "Like get a big warehouse and give each person who buys a ticket to the warehouse show an access card with a magnetic strip. Then they could use the access card, through some funky little electronic door opener, to get into the warehouse and see this big multimedia show. It would be great to make shows all-around artistic performances."

Micron 7 is planning to go into the recording studio next month, possibly to do a vinyl single. Until then, the members are satisfied with the pace of their success.

"We're not too worried about a timetable" for generating major label interest and someday becoming recording stars, Watts says. "But it's definitely a goal. One of the main reasons behind this band is to get a job!"

Where to catch Micron 7: Saturday at the Petrich Marine Dock, 1118 E. "D" St., Tacoma; and Aug. 25, at Moe's, 925 E. Pike St..

Are you in a local band? If you'd like to be considered for Sound Check, send a cover letter telling us about your band and your upcoming gigs, the name and daytime phone number of your manager or contact person, a tape and a photo to Sound Check, c/o Marisa Lencioni, Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.