Schulz Brothers

Schulz Brothers Band Review at Nakashima of Japan in Green Bay, Wisconsin

By TJ
June 5, 2009
Ok, so can someone tell me why a Japanese restaurant is hosting most of the area's hottest talent? Thursdays are mellow at Nakashima of Japan and tonight the talent was served up by The Schulz Brothers! Nakashima's of Japan is probably one of the most unique venues I have ever been to. If you only knew how many ninjas and samurais I had to dodge just to report on the show! Don't believe me? Grab a bite to eat down there and see for yourself. It is Joe and Jason Nakashima of Japan that have masterminded this almost makeshift anti-stage that has been hosting awesome bands at ground level! Tonight it was, the Schulz Brothers, an acoustic duo from Green Bay, that has completely left me scratching my head. I mean that In a good way (no lice). While Bill and Riki mingle in their own projects they find time to put together a laid back set as an acoustic duo.

Riki and Bill often take turns performing solo throughout the set and then play together mostly with Riki on lead guitar and Bill on vocals and rhythm. The thing that blows me away about this duo, besides their obvious talent is the way that they take some very eclectic tunes from some very familiar artists and make their own versions of the songs. In fact you have to have a very keen ear to even realize what songs they are playing. That element alone keeps the evening and songs fresh, while showing an element of creativity. Most songs they play are at about a walking tempo and are tunes that are vocally strong. Bill's amazing singing voice pays close attention to tone and volume and he can go from loud to a whisper in just a matter of words. Bill has great vocal control and an excellent sense of rhythm and song structure. Riki, when playing solo, embraces the singer songwriter approach and has a pretty good match of tone to his guitar. When Riki is teamed up with Bill he jams out on lead using every inch of the fret board. Playing songs like: Jimi Hendrix's "Wind cries Mary," Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," and Bob Marley's "No woman no cry." My favorite song of the evening was Bill's solo on his remake of Beck's song "Asshole," very, very, very cool! Riki Schulz plays a Cole Clark hand made Australian acoustic guitar that has unexpectedly really good bottom end tone. Riki sells them down at Dick's Music store on Military Ave. Bill Plays on a Larrivee 13 year old Canadian Acoustic. Together they give off the most beautiful and unique tone! You can catch Riki Schulz and Bill Schulz in a number of variations, they both have original solo recording projects and Riki plays with his full band that puts his brother Bill behind the drums. They are playing all over this town so they are not a hard act to catch. I highly recommend them if your in the mood for some great laid back intimate acoustic singer songwriter action. I will put a few extra pics on the GreenBayNightLife facebook page later today!

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