We’re nearing the end of HALLOWEEK 2017, but RVA Mag still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. The annual HALLOBEER is back! The Answer Brewpub, RVA Magazine & Hardywood Park Craft Brewery present this year’s Hallobeer tonight with live music, Andals and other beer specials, a costume contest and more.

To help celebrate the 10th Annual Hallobeer, we have live music performed by our friends Mekong Xpress & The Get Fresh Horns, who will be doing a special Tower of Power set.

Originating in Oakland, California, Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band that has been performing since 1968. They have landed a total of nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with highest-charting songs include “You’re Still a Young Man”, “So Very Hard to Go”, “Soul With a Capital S”, “Soul Vaccination”, “What Is Hip?”, and “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)”.

RVA Mag President John Reinhold recently had the chance to sit down with Mekong Xpress saxophone player JC Kuhl, to get the lowdown for tonight on the Tower of Power set ahead of the festivities. You can check the interview out below:

Reinhold: So Mekong Xpress is doing a Tower of Power set for Halloween. Tell me about why you chose TOP?

Kuhl: As a horn player, it’s s dream scenario to play Tower of Power. So many well-known musicians pass through this band. You might know some from Saturday Night Live like Lenny Picket who was in TOP. Lots of big brass tunes that you really want to play.

Reinhold: So it’s a big influence on you and your playing?

Kuhl:  It’s a dream gig, big influence to me. If you’re lucky, you get to play one song so this Answer gig is a perfect time to just go for it. And it’s not easy. {There are} lots of songs that are technical, and we only have so much time to get them ready. I’m hoping to get around five to six tunes ready for Hallobeer. You know it’s super soulful and inspiring music – and in your face with the horns driving it.

Reinhold: I imagine you brought in some special people to make this happen.

Kuhl: Oh yeah. We have Rob Quallich and Bob Miller on trumpet, John Lilley and Jason Scott on Tenor Sax, and I’m moving over to Baritone Sax for this one. Plus the rest of the fellas in Mekong Xpress, and possibly a guest or two. The guys were into the ideas – so we are going for it.

Here’s a little taste of Mekong Xpress and The Get Fresh Horns to get you in the mood for tonight’s celebration:

Hallobeer’s Tower of Power kicks off at 8 PM at The Answer Brewpub located at 6008 W. Broad St. Music starts at 9:30 pm and the party goes until 1 am so you have plenty of time to get your groove on with the band. And bring your costume “A” game because there will be a costume contest during the band’s break.