Codename

It all began as after school get-togethers at drummer Sal Galati's home in Cherry Hill, NJ. An empty house, a one-bedroom music studio, and all the energy in the world to absolutely rip their instruments apart. Codename formed in 2002. 4 years later they are about to release their second album and continue their northeast play from DC to upstate NY. Codename's songs are a fusion of tightly composed, high-energy progressive-rock arrangements, complimented by jazzy harmonies and funked out danc...

It all began as after school get-togethers at drummer Sal Galati's home in Cherry Hill, NJ. An empty house, a one-bedroom music studio, and all the energy in the world to absolutely rip their instruments apart. Codename formed in 2002. 4 years later they are about to release their second album and continue their northeast play from DC to upstate NY. Codename's songs are a fusion of tightly composed, high-energy progressive-rock arrangements, complimented by jazzy harmonies and funked out dance grooves. Their show is a true experience. The soulful connection is apparent between Adam Nash (keys/piano), Jon Joffe (guitar), Greg Halbkram (bass), and Sal Galati (drums/percussion), as their chemistry both on and off the stage combines unique energy, vision, and sense of adventure that all goes into the jazz-infused blast of funk rock that is Codename. Among their influences are The Grateful Dead and Phish, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and Medeski Martin & Wood, Pink Floyd, Yes, Soulive and The Allman Brothers.For anyone who has seen or heard them play, the feeling of complete and utter satisfaction is very familiar. Joffe’s intense guitar playing ranges in styles across the board. “When I played guitar for the first time, it took complete control over me, as if it had grown roots into my hands and soul. Blues and rock'n'roll were my first passions. The influences of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Joe Perry, and Jimi Hendrix (to name a few) crept into my head, and inevitably my style as I was learning to play. High school brought new things to the table that changed what I sought in music. I need music that is soul-wrenching and can leave a person feeling satisfied to the core (which my influences had done so well). This mindset brought me to the jam world. The jam world brought me to jazz. Having studied intensively for 2 years in anticipation of auditions for jazz programs at universities and conservatories in 2003, my style of playing developed accordingly. Jazz has become a major influence on my music. Grant Green, Miles Davis, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and George Benson are among my favorites. My goal as a musician, and as a member of Codename, has become to share an enlightening live experience with people. There is no feeling like being in the audience at a show when pure emotion is pouring off the stage, the energy so intense you can see it, and everyone is smiling. As a performer, I strive to provide that experience for everyone at a Codename show.”The soulful styles of both Adam Nash and Greg Halbkram fuel the band with great energy. Nash combines unique tones and harmonies through his dual keys (one organ, one synth), often breaking into his own tale. Halbkram's intricate, locomotive bass play rivals this year's contest for regional funk master. When asked how they initially got involved in music, the two offer great insight into their past and how they arrived at where they are today.“I (Nash) grew up writing movies, and this is probably the single biggest influence on my music. Teaching myself piano, I learned to play and write songs to serve as soundtracks for the films I intended to make. This took me where I never thought I'd end up - playing my "soundtracks" with a touring band. Hearing me play one day, a friend invited me along to a jam session - it was my first time playing the keys in a band setting. That day changed everything, and I never looked back. They dug it, and I was invited into the band which, after some initial switching around, eventually became Codename.""I became obsessed with the keys, and feeling that my musical training was somewhat behind the other amazing musicians I was playing with, I started studying my ass off - jazz, classical, funk, rock, blues, anything and everything. Over these few years, I became a true keys player, but I have tried to never let go of what made me start playing in the first place. So when I write music, I try to use everything I've studied about screenwriting, incorporating lessons learned and my influences into my songs and improv - a sense of dramatic build-up, characters, themes, and stories. The result is somewhere between John Williams and Jazz is Dead. "Halbkram follows up, “I’ve been involved with music since an early age. I started out in grade school playing the trombone and trumpet and played until 7th grade. Then, one day on the bus ride home from school, this random kid comes up to me and asks if I want to play bass in his band. I told him it was a no-go because I didn’t play bass. His simple and succinct response was, “Well, learn how!” One week later, I was in possession of my first bass. I took formal lessons at first, but most of my knowledge came from listening to and playing along with my favorite bands and idols such as Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and P-Nut from 311. Attaining my goal of learning (by ear) some of their works boosted my repertoire of technical abilities, but I still barely had any theory training under my belt, which I wouldn’t end up acquiring for years to come. Presently, the music I listen to is everything; country to jazz, metal to classical. You can currently find Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, Talking Heads, Michel Camillo and Allman Brothers in my CD player, though this list can change at any moment. Oh yeah, and Codename.""As I went through high school, I was in and out of bands, achieving more musical freedom and more individual musical diversity as I went on, which led me to playing more creative music. Still, something was missing from my soul. A piece of the puzzle was somewhere to be found and fortunately for me, I found what I was looking for. Codename is the culmination of my musical journey thus far, where all of the different paths I’ve taken have collided into a massive highway with no lanes. Here I wander freely exploring all the road has to offer. I can be melodic, groove-oriented, basic, technical, reserved, all over the place, loud, silent or everything at once. Up on stage with Joffe, Sal and Nash, I feel nothing but content and peace. Our souls speak to each other and our listeners through the power of sound. To you, it may just be music, but for me, I’ve found my native tongue. "The backbeat of Codename lies in the lair of Sal Galati, who's drumming is like clockwork. As the music swims throughout key signatures and varies in pattern, Galati's timing remains impeccable, his rhythmic mind unleashing a pleasant havoc upon his drum set. "As a child I was always into rhythm, drumming on whatever was at my hands. It wasn't until fourth grade that I was able to join the school band. Since then I have been fascinated with percussion and I am constantly exploring new styles of music."Their music is, in a single word, vibrant. From bars to clubs to mid-sized venues to colleges to house parties, Codename has maintained an impressive touring regimen over the last two and a half years, performing everywhere from the Theater of Living Arts, NXNW, World Cafe, the Fire, and the North Star Bar in their hometown of Philadelphia, PA to the Knitting Factory, the Lion's Den, and Coda in New York City, as well as Castaways in Ithaca, NY and the Sonar Lounge in Baltimore, MD. They attract music goers of all ages and tastes and continue to grow and develop as a single cohesive unit. Throughout their touring, Codename's had the privilege of sharing the stage with some very incredible artists such as Lotus, Strangefolk, Juggling Suns, U-Melt, Sam Kininger, The Brakes, Grace Potter, Yonder Mountain String Band, and MJ Project. Currently producing a new album to be released late Fall, Codename has several upcoming dates in the Tri-State area, including this Friday opening for the Juggling Suns in Belmar, NJ and Thanksgiving Eve's show with Lotus in Philadelphia, PA.