By JILL AUGER
Utah’s premiere 10-piece big band, The Moxie Tonic Medicine Show, will bring its talents and instruments to the Wrapsody Saturday night.
Corey Fox, manager of Wrapsody, said, “Wrapsody is always happy to showcase Moxie Tonic while they are still small enough to play here. It won’t be long before they outgrow this size of venue. They are definitely the most entertaining show around.”
The performance of The Moxie Tonic Medicine Show is different than most shows at the Wrapsody. Moxie Tonic’s Fraudeville Revue and Variety Show is a throwback to vaudeville theatrics. With stilt-walkers, fire-breathers, jugglers and a barbershop quartet, this show has something to entertain almost anyone. On-stage activities, such as healing and hair growth, create the theme of the medicine show and give the performance flair.
“We want to put the show back in show biz,” Moxie Tonic vocalist Scott Van Wagenen said.
Moxie Tonic’s music is labeled as swing, but is more involved than the basic swing music played. Elements such as cowbells and any other music-makers add a special touch. The variety show accompanying the performance also sets this band apart.
“Having a variety show within the band performance is a big undertaking, but it’s coming together. We want to show that we can do more than just stand and play instruments,” Van Wagenen said.
A few of the members of Moxie Tonic were once part of the well-known Utah ska band Stretch Armstrong. The members formed Moxie Tonic as a new way to go — a new, creative direction.
When Van Wagenen and others started the band, the goal was to make music more challenging by adding the variety show.
Members of this “big band” include Scott Van Wagenen, vocals; Mike South, guitar; J.J. Oldroyd, bass; Mark Fagg, drums; Caleb Chapman, tenor sax; Dan Nelson, alto sax; Mark Nuttell, baritone; Steve Ricks, trombone; Darren Whitaker, trumpet; and Nate Robinson, banjo and auxiliary percussion.
Since the band began less than a year ago, Moxie Tonic has released an EP and performed with such acts as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Hepcat and the Aquabats.
Moxie Tonic also received heavy airplay on local station X96. The song, “Dr. Terwilliger, DMT” was the No. 1 song on X96’s show “Now Hear This.”
Other accomplishments of Moxie Tonic include the band’s recent signing with Guapo Recording Company for a three-record contract. The band will be recording its first full-length album soon.
