Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle

Music marketed to jam fans can seem interchangeable, but a wider variety of acts fit under the genre's umbrella than most outsiders realize. Take Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle, a band that touches upon a lot more than the two club styles referenced in its name. As implied by Dillon's eclectic...

By Michael Roberts

February 15, 2007

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Music marketed to jam fans can seem interchangeable, but a wider variety of acts fit under the genre's umbrella than most outsiders realize. Take Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle, a band that touches upon a lot more than the two club styles referenced in its name. As implied by Dillon's eclectic list of credits (over the years, he's played with the likes of Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, Critters Buggin, Sex Mob and the Polyphonic Spree), this vibraphonist and percussionist is creatively restless -- and Battery Milk, the group's latest CD (just released on the Hyena Records imprint) follows his lead. Over the course of the disc, Dillon and company touch on instrumental funk ("GoGo's Theme," the opening track), crime jazz ("Robbing the Bank"), groove-oriented art rock ("Your Mother Was My Teacher") and even twisted lounge music ("Lopsided Mellon Ball") without succumbing to stereotypes. So prepare yourselves, jammers -- because a journey to the Go-Go Jungle is a real adventure.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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