DENVER, COLO. (5/20/08) -- Swallow Hill is pleased to present Colorado's premier funk band, U.S. Pipe, as they take the Daniels Hall stage for a special unplugged performance on Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. In addition, U.S. Pipe leader and Swallow Hill faculty member Chris "Citrus" Sauthoff, along with Swallow Hill School Director Michael Schenkelberg and other members of the band, will conduct a special interactive Roots of Funk workshop the next day, Saturday, June 14 at noon.

U.S. Pipe's unique blend of funk, hip hop and rock has received acclaim from fans and critics alike. The band's makeup hearkens back to bands like Sly and the Family Stone—a real diverse set of colorful characters whose combined energies make for a live performance unlike any other. Able to play four hours straight without stopping, they've set a standard for the music scene in which they are a part.

U.S. Pipe began in 2005 as Chris "Citrus" Sauthoff, a then-stage manager and guitarist for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (P-Funk), sought out to start his own project within his home state of Colorado. Since those beginnings, U.S. Pipe has performed at many prominent Colorado venues and events, such as Boulder's Fox Theatre, Aspen's Belly Up, Denver's Bluebird Theater, and the Capitol Hill People's Fair. They've toured throughout the Rocky Mountain region, Midwest and Southwest, from Idaho to Oklahoma and New Mexico, winning fans and critics alike regionally.

In 2007, they performed at Diversafest, the Midwest's largest and most comprehensive music festival, alongside celebrated headlining acts The Flaming Lips and Leon Russell. That same year they also opened for George Clinton, who, when asked about Citrus, U.S. Pipe and the future of funk said, "It's getting funky again. Citrus will get some people in here tonight. He's opened for us before and every time we come here, (U.S. Pipe will) probably open for us. He’s funky."

Later that year, the Pipe was recognized by Denver’s #1 alternative weekly, Westword, as one of the top funk bands in their annual Music Showcase. 2008 yielded a second nomination from Westword as well as two opening slots for P-Funk, one at Aspen's Belly Up club and one at the beautiful Mishawaka Amphitheatre in the Poudre Canyon. They're currently finishing their full-length release, United Sound Pipe.

This performance will be unlike any other previous U.S. Pipe show. An acoustic funk hootenanny, of sorts, there will be special guests from the extended Swallow Hill community to explore the roots of funk. Early funk songs with gospel, country and R&B influences will be performed, as well as U.S. Pipe's original material.