*The Upful LIFE Podcast* 097 welcomes veteran drummer/percussionist JOHN SPEICE, prominently based in the Austin scene. Best known for Grammy-winning Latin ensemble Grupo Fantasma & its psychedelic-funk offshoot Brownout, including their beloved Black Sabbath-inspired side trip Brown Sabbath. Throughout his career, Speice has been core to a diverse array of bands like Money Chicha, Hairy Apes BMX, and Caramelo Haze, also collaborating with Black Pumas, Daniel Johnston, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Trio Asesino, Jon Muq, among many others.
In addition to giving us the lowdown on the Apes reunion, we get the scoop on a half-dozen of his super-dope bands. John breaks down a bit of basic history & the musical/cultural impact of classic & contemporary cumbia/chicha styles. He reflects on how they've been interpreted/expounded upon since breaking through stateside some years ago. A friend for a dozen years, this pod conversation is many moons in the making.
JOHNNY WOODSTOCK is a radio personality/programmer & music enthusiast/historian who hails from Jerzadelphia, currently located in Dallas, formerly based outta NOLA. We trace similar roots coming of age in the Philly-area Dead/Phish scenes dating back over 30 years ago. When I was a teenage Deadhead, Johnny Woodstock dubbed me many of my first Dead tapes; years later I listened to his WWOZ show more nights than I can count. Find out what’s in a nickname, & the colorful story of a pretty great guy.
Ep.097 wraps with a heartfilling, tear-jerking purge from the grate SCOTT T., ruminating on the essence and energy that defined Cowboy Bobby Weir, the mysterious & mystical Spirit of the Suwannee, & the unquestionable, transformational power of a song.
*The Upful Life Podcast* 097 heads to Texas by way of New Orleans.
Listen wherever most pods are casted!
***LlNK lN Bl0***
@moneychicha@brownoutband@grupofantasma@caramelo_haze@woodstockjohnny@scottman___t
AUSTIN!! Come celebrate Fat Tuesday with us tomorrow at C-Boys! We have an all star line up of characters that is sure to be a good time. Put on your best purple, green and gold and get down to @cboysheartnsoul for an early show! We play 6-8. Holla!!
~Upful Life 2025: Favorite Records & More!~
Money Chicha - 'Onda Esotérica'
"Austin flamethrowers Money Chicha clap back with authority on their third full-length LP, Onda Esotérica. The album serves as a subterranean transmission from the mystical heart of the Andes, filtered through the grit and grease of an oppressively hot Texas garage. Money Chicha expands upon their signature psychedelic cumbia amazónica style here, barreling assertively into a neon-lit jungle of exotic sounds and ceremonial ritual. Tracked at New Orleans’ Marigny Studios and mastered for vinyl via Madrid’s Vampisoul Records, the production drips with vintage Farfisa/Electrovox organ and reverb-drenched guitar pyrotechnics.
Salute the ensemble: drummer John Speice IV, guitarist Beto Martinez, bassist Greg Gonzalez, keyboardist Peter Stopschinski, and conguero Matthew Holmes; these dudes truly dialed this record in proper. Speice remains an ageless wonder and an indefatigable monster on the timbales and trap kit. He powers the Money Chicha ship with a breakneck polyrhythmic intensity that gives absolutely no quarter. Highlights include the first single "Ojos Rojos", “Toe Jam,” a haunting interpolation of “Cumbia Arabe”.” Rest assured, these blazing new joints seamlessly translate to a live setting. During Jazz Fest 2025 in NOLA, I caught a torrid Money Chicha session at a searing Saturn Bar deep into the Bywater night. Arguably the dopest dance party of the year, and the natives were restless…"
~ Upful Life 2025: Favorite Records & More! ~
9th annual compendium of reviews, recommendations, & playlists.
***LlNK lN Bl0***
@moneychicha@jms4
Hairy Apes Butt Moving Experience in New Orleans on Dec 10,2025. We will continue this week with @brianroyhaas on Keys, @jjjungle_ on Bass and @jms4 on Drums. 12-17- Dan’s Silverleaf- Denton, Tx 12-18- Thelma’s Peach-Tulsa ,Ok 12-19- The Bottleneck - Lawrence ,Ks 12-20- Pop’s Blue Moon - St.Louis , Mo
🔥 NEXT THURSDAY | DECEMBER 11
Hairy Apes BMX ft. Mike Dillon + Thunderado 📍 The Continental Club – Houston
This Thursday night is about to get loud, funky, and delightfully unhinged.
Hairy Apes BMX—featuring Mike Dillon—roll into the Continental Club with their legendary butt-moving experience. Rock, jazz, Latin, hip-hop, punk… all thrown into a blender and set to “dance or else.” These musical icons have shared stages with Les Claypool, Rickie Lee Jones, Korn, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and more.
The band coagulated in 1998 with. Mike Dillon, Zac Baird and JJ Jungle who were in Texas Funk Punk band Billy Goat. They teamed up with drummer John Speice and the quartet embarked on their mission to make booties move.
HABMX toured the United States Extensively from 1998 till 2006. Baird left the they Band and was Replaced by E Clark Wyatt. The Record “Out Demons” was produced by Ex Pearl Jam Drummer David Abruzzese
Opening the night is Thunderado who is the band and producing team of Hunter Perrin and Paul Beebe serving up their signature Texas stew of classic rock, country, surf, and whatever else feels right in the moment!
🎶 SCHEDULE
8:00pm – Continental Club Opens
8:30pm – Thunderado
9:30pm – Hairy Apes BMX
🎟 TICKETS
$15 Advance GA*
$20 Day of Show
$30 Seated Section*
*+ $3 surcharge
Seated section is first come, first seated.
🚨 21+ to enter unless accompanied by a parent
🎫 Advance tickets are available and recommended
📍 The Continental Club
3700 Main Street
Houston, TX
Get weird, Dance, remember why Thursday nights matter.
The collective memory machine sent this back through today. Back then Money Chicha was largely covers. Our NEW album is mastered artworked and awaiting pressing! 15 years with these foos Matthew Holmes Beto Martinez Greg Gonzalez Music #chicha #moneychicha #colombia #Peru #atx
Brass Brothers ft. Kirk Joseph, Steven Bernstein & Jonathan Freilich - My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It
Monday, April 28, 2025
New Orleans, LA @ private party in the Marigny
Steven Bernstein - slide trumpet @stevenbernsteinmusic
Kirk Joseph - sousaphone @sousafunk2017
Jonathan Freilich - electric guitar @moroller
John Speice IV - drums @jms4
#StevenBernstein #KirkJoseph #BrassBrothers #JonathanFreilich #JohnSpeice #NOLAJazzFest2025 #NewOrleans #slidetrumpet #sousaphone #MyBucketsGotAHoleInIt
