It felt like summer in NOLA’s Rock Bar on an otherwise quiet and cold Tuesday evening in Urbana, as rock band CBDB filled the room with the warm notes of bass guitars, drums and the saxophone. 

Formed in 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, CBDB is a progressive rock band composed of members Cy Simonton, Kris Gottlieb, Glen Dillard, Blake Gallant and Chris Potocik.

They are the self-proclaimed creators of “Joyfunk,” a somewhat confusing genre name that actually fits their music quite well when you hear it. 

Currently embarking on their U.S. tour, the band stopped in Urbana Tuesday night before moving on to Peoria, Chicago and further north into the Midwest. 

CBDB has garnered a steady and loyal fanbase over the years, a few of whom were at Tuesday night’s show.

One had driven almost four hours from far northern Illinois to see the band. Another, visiting the area from Alabama, said he had seen them at a show a couple of years before and decided to stop by another one when he heard they were performing. 

Jumping right into their set, the band started with “How Long…,” the soft and melodic single from their 2012 debut album “Phone.Keys.Wallet.”

The song was a great introduction to CBDB’s music for those who may not have heard it before. It represented that signature “Joyfunk” mixed with a classic rock sound. 

“Where are we? Urbana, right?” frontman Simonton joked as he introduced the band.

 “I think I want to stay here,” Simonton said. “Urbana. It’s got a nice ring to it.” 

An enthusiastic man at the bar responded, “We won’t stop you!” followed by laughs from the band and cheers from the rest of the crowd. 

After a few songs, Simonton asked the crowd for any they wanted to hear. 

A couple sitting close to the stage yelled “Slow Foxes!” This request for one of their most popular songs was met with immediate applause from the rest of the CBDB fans in the bar, which got even louder as the opening notes played. 

Even the bar attendees who weren’t familiar with their music were swaying and singing along as the song went on.

CBDB lived up to their progressive rock moniker, adding depth to a more traditional style with the inclusion of the saxophone, keyboard and their signature funk riffs. 

The band’s personality matched the atmosphere of NOLA’s, and the crowd in turn matched their energy.  

In each of their songs, the band was constantly including variations of the original recording. 

A saxophone solo, an additional bridge or a quick but smooth transition into a new song all created a different experience than simply listening through headphones or even seeing them at another venue. 

During a break in the set about halfway through, some of the band members came off the stage to talk to fans, a couple of whom bonded over CBDB’s past shows that they had also seen. 

The band shouted out one fan in particular who had bought them drinks, dedicating their next song to the fan Brooke.   

For the rest of the set, they went on to perform songs that showcased their wide range. Some were softer, relying on the sax and keyboard, while others, like “Opelika Yella,” were heavy on the guitar and drums.

Regardless of the song, the band managed to keep everyone in the crowd excited, as more people came closer to the stage as the set went on.

This show was part of the Summer Camp Saturdays series — concerts happening every Saturday at NOLA’s Rock Bar at 119 W. Main St. as a way to promote the Summer Camp Music Festival in May. This series lasts until the end of May.

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