U.S. Pipe RIP

Just spoke with U.S. Pipe founder Chris "Citrus" Sauthoff and  he confirms that the band has indeed called it a day. The catalyst, he says, is tension between the members that had been simmering since Christmas before reaching a boiling point this week. Although the outfit managed to hold it together for the

CD release show at the Bluebird this past February, since then, things have gone south, with members not showing up to practice.

Sauthoff says he still owns the U.S. Pipe name and might try to reform the band in future, but for now, he plans to work other musicians, including local trumpeter Rick Gardener, who's performed with George Clinton, Sauthoff's mentor and former boss. Fortunately, there isn't any hard feelings between the Pipe's members. "It's time to funk on," Citus concludes.