The Brides of Jesus are back! The New Orleans' funk outfit that started their career over a decade ago has just finished another album and is returning to the touring circuit. Throughout the nineties B.O.J developed a unique sound by combining elements of jam rock with the rhythms of New Orleans funk. Swirl the Grateful Dead into the Meters and sprinkle a little James Brown on top for good luck. B.O.J were truly pioneers that helped develop a 'fringe' movement in the early 90's with bands like String Cheese Incident opening for them on tours. Now the band looks to re-stake their claim in a scene they helped create in its infancy. With an all-star N.O cast and over 600 shows under their belt, B.O.J blends instrumental segments with soulful and meaningful lyrics. Simply put, 'This shit is going to funk you up hard-hard-hard,' exclaims drummer Russell Batiste.

The word FUNK wasn't such a beaten, dead-horse. . . in-yo-face FUNK would suffice to describe this album. After returning from a three-year run as the stage manager for the Funky Meters and The Neville Brothers, frontman Bill Iuso has just recorded the quintessential Nawlins roots rock/soul album. With a powerhouse band, Russell Batiste on drums (Funky Meters/Vida Blue), Charlie Dennard on the organ (Moore & More/Quintology), and Nori Naraoka/Marc Pero on bass, SAINTS & SINNERS is more of a clinic than an album. Appearances by Ian and Ivan Neville, Theresa Anderson and Mean Willie Green (drummer for the Neville Brothers) makes this a 'must have' CD. FOR REAL is what put BOJ on the map. Cameos by Fred Wesley (James Brown Horns) and Harold Brown (WAR) add to this break-through concept album that transcends the legacy of the Meters into the forefront of the Jam scene. To support their new release B.O.J toured with Widespread Panic, George Clinton, WAR and The Funky Meters. It was during this relentless touring, that Iuso was pulled to the side by Dave Matthew's himself and told, 'You guys are one of the few opening acts I've ever remembered.' What this band did in the nineties was so unique that it honestly caught most audiences and musicians off guard. The Brides of Jesus Debut CD: WHATS GONNA SET YOU FREE? that was produced by Johnny Sandlin (Widespread Panic & The Allman Brothers), and was released in July of 1995. The disk received rave reviews throughout the music industry and all along the East Coast. Guest appearances by the one, and only Col. Bruce Hampton, David Hood and the Muscle Shoals Horns makes for a highly complex, and diversified jam album. At the time, the concept of blending elements of southern funk into the Jam genre was unheard of, and even surprising.