What comes to mind when you hear the term inspirational go-go? Various images could come to mind, from new-age humming to an old school church band, but they would both be nothing like Outdabox X’perience.
Outdabox X’perience was started in 2013 by gospel go-go pioneer Jermaine Pendeleton -aka- TCB Tony and his best friend, the late James “J.P” Corley. After many years of only playing at church, they decided to form another band, but it started off as neo-soul/gospel/jazz fusion.
“I drew the logo of a box with an arrow coming out of it,” Tony recalled. “I told (J.P) I wanted to name the band Outdabox because I wanted to take God outside of the four walls.”
J.P. insisted that wherever they went, they gave their audience an experience, so “X’perience” was added to the band’s name and they began to incorporate go-go to their sound in 2018. Tony says that they’re not just a go-go band; that they can fit in with any genre of music. Listening to their CD, that is evident. The first song “Abstract” comes in with a smooth groove, leading up to a tight pocket, “Push” brings funky percussion from the start, “One” has one the nastiest guitar solos I’ve heard in a go-go recording in a while and “Redemption” has a banging bassline and strong vocals. They also have two covers of inspirational songs with their own flavor added, Kirk Franklin’s “We Win” and “Be Optimistic” originally by Sounds of Blackness.
For gospel go-go fans, you will recognize some of the band members from former bands Ten Commandments, Young Disciples, Pslams 150, Resurrection Band, Posse 4 Christ, and Psalms 100.
Going through some changes over the years, losing members J.P. (2nd mic) and Terrel “Rell” Gardner (keyboards) when they passed away, and a few other members to what Tony jokingly referred to as ‘the draft,’ the current line up is: Jermaine Pendleton “TCB Tony” (lead mic), Tamika Gaskins “Baby Girl” (vocals), Ernest “E” Gaskins(keys/vocals/keytar), Andre Roberts “Dre” (keys), John Sothern “J’Soth” (bass/key bass/vocoder), Jeffrey Benson “Unkle Jeff” (lead/rhythm guitar), Thomas Pino “Pino” (percussion), James Mitchell “Holy Stuff” (congas), Tyrone Batts “Ty”(drums.)
While Outdabox considers themselves a ministry first and a band second, the sentiment that every member I spoke with agreed on is that they are a family. They don’t just do music, they pray together, check on each other’s well-being and hold each other accountable. The love they have for each other is heard in their music, as they all blend synchronously with no one competing for the spotlight.
As Holy Stuff said, “I’m a fan of my own band. I really love the creativity and the talent… but (also) the type of men and women in this band. Their character.”
They decided to call themselves an inspirational band instead of a gospel band so they could reach a larger audience. As Tony explained, “a lot of people have been burned by the church and we want to give them something to be encouraged with. We’re trying to reach the people that might not ever walk in a church except to go to a wedding or a funeral.”
He said that since the release of the CD, the band members have been getting messages from fans, telling them how the CD has encouraged or touched them.
The band previously put out a few singles but wanted to do a live full length recording. The concept originally was planned as a live DVD, recorded at No Limit Staging. While waiting on the production to be completed, it was decided to make a CD as well, mixed by engineer Andy Parker.
You can also hear their music in rotation on Praise 104.1 and WHUR during EZ Street’s show. Outdabox X’perience will be participating in a gun violence prevention rally on June 28 at Eastover Shopping Center from 5:30- 7:30 (with TOB) and on July 9th at McPherson Square. Their CD can be purchased via DM on their Instagram page and more information is also available on their website www.outdaboxxperienceband.com.
