Still Breezin’ at three

The Breeze Kings — formed on a week’s notice in October 1997 to claim an available Thursday night gig at the Northside Tavern — played more than 160 gigs last year and are on a similar pace in 2000. The band has opened for Bo Diddley, Steve Miller and Leon Russell, to name a few. This weekend, the Breeze Kings celebrate their third anniversary with performances at the Blue Sky Tavern in McDonough, one of the first clubs that booked the band.The blues quartet’s success is due in great measure to its choice of material, including tasty but lesser-known classics by Magic Sam, Lazy Lester, Howlin’ Wolf and others, explains bandleader/vocalist Carlos Capote. “We try to focus on songs that are not already done by every other band in town,” he says, “songs with a strong groove, a really identifiable feel to them, whether fast paced or slow paced.”
In addition, the band takes time to learn the subtle distinctions between, say, a Jimmy Reed shuffle and a Jimmy Rogers shuffle that other bands might overlook. “You can lose that [difference] if you don’t value it and try to achieve it. We try to bring out what’s different from song to song,” Capote adds.
Looking ahead, the band — which also includes guitarist Jim Ransone, bassist Dave Roth and drummer Joe Caprara — hopes to focus on writing more original material and continuing to push for out-of-town gigs. “We love the great blues community that’s here in Atlanta, but you can’t keep playing in your own neighborhood,” Capote says. “You’ve got to get out there if you want to be known.” --
The Breeze Kings perform Oct. 13 and 14 at the Blue Sky Tavern in McDonough. Call 770-914-7787 for more information.