Bafoodus’ debut album five years in the making

Bafoodus is not a run-of-the-mill band name, but neither is the group’s music.

Their creepy, funky, rocking jazz-fusion style has made them one High Country’s most beloved bands, and they haven’t even sold a single CD.

Not yet, anyway.

Bafoodus are regulars on the King Street circuit, played at Music on the Mountaintop and even put on a not-to-be-missed Halloween freak show, which has become an annual event. Clearly, Bafoodus delivered on the live part, but never sent their fans home with the music.

Five years down the road, the debut album is finally here. Bafoodus celebrates the release of their new self-titled CD with a party at Boone Saloon in downtown Boone Sept. 15.

Guitarist Andy Page admits the album is long overdue and is happy it is finally here.

“It’s been long process to get the CD completed the way we had envisioned it from the start,” he said. “We came out with some great sounding tracks that we are really proud of. We can’t wait for everyone to hear the CD and see what they think. ”

Bafoodus recorded the album last year at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, spending up to 18 hours a day in the studio over four days. The band had the album mixed and mastered earlier this year and, thanks to generous fans who donated money via the fundraising website, Kickstarter, was able to have it duplicated this summer.

“Bafoodus,” with 15 original songs and clocking in at 71 minutes, will be available at the release party for a discounted price of $10. Page said the band plans to play as many of the album’s songs as they can at the party, in addition songs they’ve written since recording the album.

In addition to the Boone Saloon performance, Bafoodus plans to play several shows over the next few months to support the new album. Page said now that the band has an album, they plan to spread their music to others outside of the High Country.

“We’ve never played outside of Boone, because we all have a lot going on, but we’re trying to change that with this CD,” he said. “We just want more people to hear the music, and this is the right way to do that.”

Page assures Bafoodus fans will not have to wait nearly as long for another album. He hopes the band can sell enough of copies of “Bafoodus” to get them back in the studio soon.

“Every step of the way has been a learning experience, so next time around we’ll know how to do it faster,” Page said. “We already have a second album worth of material ready to record.”

Bafoodus is Andy Page on guitar, Scott Haynes on vocals and bass, Mike Runyon on keys and Brad Plesz and Ryan Lassiter on percussion.

Doors for the CD release party open at 9:30 p.m. Flying Field opens the show at 10 p.m. and will be followed by Bafoodus. Cover charge is $5 at the door, and only ages 21 and up are admitted. The new Bafoodus album will be available for purchase for a discounted price of $10.

The Boone Saloon is located at 489 W. King St. in downtown Boone. For more information, call (828) 264-1811 or visit http://www.boonesaloon.com.

To hear Bafoodus, visit http://www.myspace.com/bafoodus.