Ultraviolet Hippopotamus blends strong songs and tight licks with improvisation and spur of the moment tactics that convey their sense of humor while keeping their fans dancing for the entire set. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus’ original music ranges in inspiration from Americana and bluegrass themes to cream flavored soda pop. Their original sound is found where their progressive aspirations meet their audience’s thirst for funk; you can ask them when they stop dancing! In addition to their originals, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus enjoys reinterpreting the country rock styling of artists like The Allman Brothers Band or The Grateful Dead, as well as chasing down the latest trance, dance, and psychedelic electronica grooves, or warming up cold Michigan winters with a Bob Marley cover. The members of Ultraviolet Hippopotamus also regularly lend their talents to raise money for such causes as AIDS research, food drives, voter turn-out, public school fine-arts programs, United Way, cancer research, and more.
So if you are looking for a very talented, energetic music minded band, if you are in the mood as a venue owner to not only pack the place, but also have a great time, UV Hippo is the answer. If you are a perpon looking for an escape I would recommend these guys. “I’ve been thinking about that strange name, after hearing them, I realize ultraviolet isn’t a color it’s a wavelength. As for the hippopotamus … ENJOY THE RIDE”
— Bill Beckwith 100.9 FM Big Rapids, MI
When thinking of an Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, you may picture a glowing purple hippo, too bright to look at. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, the sad reality is that this mystical creature doesn’t really exist. However, we are lucky to have the next best thing. It’s the jam band from Big Rapids named after this supernatural creature. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus definitely lives up to the magic of that non-existent, glowing animal. Featuring five multi-talented musicians, with Brian Samuels on bass guitar and mandolin; … Joe Phillion on drums; Sam Guidry on guitar and bass guitar; … the band highlights many different sounds with each performance.
Guidry describes the style of UV Hippo as somewhat psychedelic. “We don’t even know what we’re going to play some nights until we play it; but when it happens, and we go, ‘whoa, that was cool’…and it could be funk, it could be rocking in that part, it could be, you know, like “bluegrassy”. You never know. It’s always a new experience.” A live Ultraviolet Hippopotamus show includes both covers and original material the band write collectively. “We cover Pink Floyd, Umphrey’s McGee and Paul Simon [among others] because we like those songs…and other songs, like “Godzilla”, by Blue Oyster Cult isn’t a huge influence, but [Godzilla is] a cool song, and people like it. We like to play sort of a musical joke every once in a while, “says Guidry.
As far as original material goes: “Someone comes up with the main idea, and we all sort of ‘hippopotamize’ it”, says Samuels. Whatever ‘hippopotomizing’ may involve, we may never know for sure. But I can tell you it works well. Experiencing Ultraviolet Hippopotamus live is a unique event. The energy the band creates on stage has a gravitational pull that lures you in and keeps you there until the end of the set. Guidry says, “I think we try to make for an experience. Not just a band playing songs, but a show with an idea that was thought out. It’s kind of like creating a painting…we use different strokes at different times to create different feelings inside the crowd. We like to take it up and we like to take it down, so at the end of it, you kind of feel like you’ve been on a trip or something”.
Upcoming plans include recording a studio project, due out in July. The band also hopes to set a date for a live recording. Both projects will ensure that the magic of the Ultraviolet Hippopotamus lives on.
— Taylor Olds, The Revue
Songs for the Reaper is an alighting trip from the very beginning, an experience of soulful blues, bluegrass and rocking jam band music from North Coast, Big Rapids, MI. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus (UV Hippo) deliver their self arranged, produced and recorded effort, guest-starring musicians from Greensky Bluegrass, Rootstand and Lonesome Jane. Check out unavailing instrumental bliss with “Dusty’s Trumpet”, experience an absence of time and space throughout “E.M.D. (Electromolecular Displacement)”, and don’t forget to turn into “The Woods” for a ‘lil surprise around each and every corner of this 10 minute grave robbing jam! UV Hippo’s “Songs for the Reaper” will someday be a classic among fans and friends if it isn’t already.
— Joe Parsaca, WYCE Reviewer
Rain might have called the Wunhurth Music Festival early but it could not stop the Ultraviolet Hippopotamus in their first trip to Muncie. Although they did not get their festival slot, the Hippopotamus still had their fun at Doc’s Music Hall in downtown Muncie. Even though the crowd was small, the anticipation was high. Before their set fans were saying “I’ve been waiting to be hippopotamized for a while now.” After seeing the Hippo guys a few times, hearing people say things like that brings a smile to my face. A set opening with “Bob the Wonder Cat” set the tone for the night and got the crowd on their feet. Segueing from “Bob” was a new tune titled “That One Jam” that begins with a pounding bass line that lead the crowd’s feet to do the same. By the time “That One Jam” was underway the dance floor was filled with new found fans. The Hippopotamus even had the Star Wars fans up and grooving with the “Imperial Death March”. “We’re Ultraviolet Hippopotamus from Grand Rapids Michigan, thanks for coming out even though the festival was called early” said bassist Brian Samuels, “We really appreciate it.” Band to fan interaction was a key element in the success of the first Hippopotamus show in Muncie. An hour and a half simply was not enough for the crowd, “Come on this can’t be your last song” said a fan as he raised his Heineken. The Hippopotamus was able to squeeze another song into their set by the name of “Georgie”. Everyone was on their feet dancing as hard as they could because they did not want the music to stop there. As the band was exiting the stage they were informed they were able to play another set. “We were just informed we have time for more, do you guys want to hear another set?” asked Samuels. Of course the crowd asked for more, they could not get enough. After a fifteen minute beer break the Hippopotamus took the stage for their second set, opening with a new song called “The Game.” During the breakdown of the “Ying Yang Jam” Samuels called out “Come on Amanda you know you want to.” Amanda - a Muncie local without any prior contact with the band, jumped on stage and began improvising Iyrics along with the tune. She took control of the microphone lyrically and physically, working it like Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith. The set closed with a trio of fan favorites including “Songs for the Reaper,” a tune about how important music is in life, “E.M.D.” and ‘”Weleome to the Machine.” The Hippopotamus turned “Welcome to the Machine” into a crazy dance party driven by keyboardist Dave Sanders. “Thank you so much, again We’re Ultraviolet Hippopotamus and we will be back in three weeks for the Umphrey’s McGee after-party” said Samuels. Hippopotamized was definitely the word to explain the night; they did what they do best, played a sold show and gained fans. Their first appearanee in Muncie might have been to a small crowd in an on-the-spot setting, but upon their return they may be in for a surprise. The future is bright for Ultraviolet Hippopotamus.
— Tyler Henry, FMMUSIC LIVE!