Stumblefly
LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT
by Tracy Dietlin
June 3, 2010

The band Stumblefly is comprised of Eli Jeffers (vocals & guitar), Scott Campbell (bass), Dustin Campbell (guitar) and Bill Harris (drums). The Cabazon band originally started out in 1998 as The Estranged, but decided to change the name about a year ago because they didn’t feel it represented their newer music. “We felt Estranged had become a little too dark,” expressed Campbell. “We wanted something more positive. We chose the name because first you stumble and then you fly.”

Their music is a fusion of reggae, funk and soul with hard rock riffs, which makes it
difficult to put a label on Stumblefly’s music or stick them into just one genre. “We incorporate all of our influences into our music and don’t want to be pigeon-holed.,” insists Campbell. “At our live shows we like to get people up dancing and having a good time. We’ll start off with a Herbie Hancock song, do a couple original hard rock songs and then do a Stevie Wonder or Gap Band cover.”

The band has been recording new material for their second CD, at a studio in Costa Mesa. They say that the 20 new songs are more hard rock driven. Which is why they are looking forward to laying down a few of the tracks at Arthur Seay’s (HOBP) studio in Indio. They expect the project to be completed by late summer and then will set up show dates throughout So.Cal.

Campbell says that they opened for Skid Row last summer at Angels Roadhouse but say that the highlight of their career was opening for Fishbone. “Rocky George, the original guitarist for Suicidal Tendencies who now plays with Fishbone came up to us after the show and said we sounded great. That was it for us.”

Stumblefly will perform at The Red Barn Friday night. They take the stage at 10:30 and will have two opening bands TBA starting at 9:00. Check them out at www.myspace.com/stumblefly.