It’s appropriate that Politicks has a song in its repertoire called “Rise,” because the local five-member band’s big plans for the new year include the release of a nationally promoted album, 2 Coffees, 1 Juice. Politicks also wrote and recorded the theme song for a major motion picture, “The Perfect Game,” due out sometime this year, and the band is set to play for the first time at the 9:30 Club on Jan. 18, which bassist Brad Moore calls “the absolute best place to hear music.”

Listeners of Politicks have been treated to the band’s bouncy, mirthful rhythm that’s reminiscent of Jamoriquai, Sublime and Stevie Wonder. The band follows the lead of singer Matthew Green, blessed with golden pipes and a stage presence that makes you think he kicked some ass as a choirboy when he was a child.

Green supplies the energy and guitarists Mike Trella and Brian “Elkin” Chafin, drummer Brendan McCourt and bassist Moore supply the fuel. Those who question the originality of the D.C. music scene need to hear this band’s soulful blend of hip-hop (influences include Digital Underground and Biz Markie), R&B, folk and ska. All five members contribute to the songwriting process; something which you hear other bands say all the time, but these guys really mean it.

“We’ve got five songwriters in the band, so covers have never been a priority for us,” states Moore. “They’re more of a necessity to keep the audience’s attention. The occasional one is fun. We particularly like playing old hip-hop songs and taking a few musical liberties with the arrangements.”

“Rise,” “Two Coffees One Juice,” “Seven Scenes” (acoustic), “Mindfuck,” and “Wipe the Day,” are a few original songs that represent the bands eclectic sound. An example of it getting creative with a cover song is its medley of “Crazy,” which includes renditions of Gnarls Barkley, Seal and Beyonce.

Politicks formed in 2001 at Radford University, where Moore, Trella and Green attended school. The name of the band initially was “Politics of Ecstasy,” which Moore discovered when he randomly grabbed Timothy Leary’s Politics of Ecstasy off a bookshelf when he realized he needed a band name before a gig. “That band eventually fizzled out,” Moore explains. “When we relocated back to Northern Virginia, we shortened the name to Politicks as we were a little tired of the drug connotation. Plus, it was simpler, catchier and could stand for a number of different things.”

The band comes off a busy 2006 where it played with the likes of Al Green, The Roots, Lauryn Hill and India.Arie. The guys also signed a contract with Los Angeles-based acclaimed producer and guitarist Stacy Heydon.
Politicks has played locally at the State Theater in Falls Church, T.T. Reynolds in Fairfax, Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Ragtime in Arlington, Ned Devine’s in Sterling and LOVE in the District. The band also toured with local hero Raheem DeVaughn during the Heineken RedStar Soul tour.

Samples of Politicks music and more information on the band can be found at its Web site, www.politicksband.com.