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Browsing Posts in Music News & Reviews

The “Year of the Quack” Tour Kicks Off in Santa Monica, CA January 21st

January 11, 2012 No comments

The Chinese calendar calls 2012 the year of the Dragon.  The Mayans claim it’s the end of the world.  Southern California jam-rock band, Quactus has adopted 2012 as “The Year of the Quack” and will kick off this years show schedule at TRiP bar in Santa Monica, CA on January 21st with Shaky Feelin’ and Curtis.  Returning to Quactus in 2012 is original keyboard player Mike Russeck and taking a permanent position on percussion is Keith Erickson.  The addition of two additional members is rounding out the sound of the band and giving them a fuller and certainly louder sound.

Quactus @ Saint Rock  Photo by Courney Goebel

Quactus ended the 2011 with a blow-out party that kicked up the sand in Hermosa Beach, CA on December 2nd with Electronica legends, Particle at Saint Rocke.  If that show was any precursor to what is to come, then I look forward to a quack-tastic 2012.

Quactus dates upcoming:

January 21, 2012- Quactus/Shaky Feelin’/Curtis- TRiP Bar, Santa Monica, CA

January 28, 2012- Quactus/Moksha- Phoenix, AZ- The Compound Grill

January 29, 2012- Quactus- Prescott, AZ- The Patio at Coyote Joe’s

February 17, 2012- Quactus/The Maykers/Shaky Feelin’- Santa Barbara, CA, Whiskey Richards

February 23, 2012- Quactus- Santa Monica, CA- Basement Tavern

More Dates to be announced soon…

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Music News & Reviews, News, Quactus none

Album Review, Keller Williams “Bass”

December 14, 2011 No comments

KW Bass

Keller Williams, the musical gecko, has once again changed colors with his latest release this week, BASS.  On his current musical offering, Keller steps back behind the bass guitar on the whole album showing off more of his prolific talents as a music man.  With an overtone of the whimsical and lighthearted Keller you’re used to mixed with a funk-a-delicious delicacy served up Keller style.  If you like funky, reggae, jazzy, psychedelic, weird and funny…you’ll LOVE this album.

Bass is the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious.  Formed in late 2010, in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, the group features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums

We got our hands on a copy of BASS and sat down with knife and fork to devour the main course bite by bite.

First up, “The Sun and the Moon’s Vangenda,” comes out of the gate with a light airy lilt as if to ease you into this new sound from Keller and his back up band, Kdubalicious.  “Sun and Moon” will lift you up with a breezy piano line while keeping you rooted with Keller’s bass.  Even the jam gives you the feeling that while the breeze may have picked up but you are safely drifting along on a Keller cloud.

Next track, “2 b u” will take you down to the islands, mon, with a reggae jazz funk.  Pushing you a bit further into the land of Williams with an occasional bass punch-line.

“Hey Ho Jorge” slips you even more into the Keller Williams rabbit hole as you chase his 70′s funk bass lines and heavy wah guitar.  The “I eat the funk” hook will resonate in your brain as you slow bounce along.

“I am Elvis” takes you on a musical journey into Keller’s mind as he orates on the wild thoughts going through his mind as the music evokes a Jimmy Buffett beach music feel.  All the while reminding you that you’re still in Keller’s world…we’re just along for the ride.

Track 5, “Hollywood Freaks,” makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of an old Black Exploitation film with heavy snare pops, a funky bass line and the thought that at any moment Shaft might come out shooting up the place  or a 70′s porn star might start doing something that is def. not suitable for a younger audience.  Obviously musically trying to show the dirtier side of Hollywood, Keller does so wonderfully.

“Thinking” will bend your brain sideways with a reggae beat as Keller takes you on a distorted musical observation of what could only be the perspective of someone slightly “altered” in the audience.

“High” is a love song on top but beneath is a varied bass line that shows of some of Keller’s tasty base lines with tempo changes and true funked out mini-jams.

“Buena” keeps you in that slow funk zone.

“Super Hot” gives you what you expect from Keller…funny lyrics ala “Freaker By The Speaker.”  The, can’t help but sing along, hook, “for every hot girl in the front row, there’s a super insecure dude standing behind her…” reminds you why you love Keller…he’s a funny guy!

“Hobo Jungle” keeps you on the familiar Keller train with regular stops at funny station and bouncing beat junction all peppered with a jazz high hat and occasional funk bass.  An excellent blend of the Keller we know and love with the funked up KDubalicious sound.  “I won’t tell you honey, what your mama does for money…”  Classic!

Capping it all off is “Positive.”  Dipping way down into the reggae bag…and we’re not just talking musically (irie, mon), “Positive” lands you safely back down on terra firma a little weirder than when you left and probably feeling a much higher than when you pressed play on track one.  BASS is best served chilled with a side of greens and a glass of something islandy!

Look for Keller on tour in 2012 in any of his various incarnations, including his newest collaboration – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams – which debuted this fall at Magnolia Fest, Voodoo Music Festival, and others. Brought together by equal parts mutual admiration and the desire to change the musical landscape while staying true to their roots, The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams are a perfect – albeit unexpected – fit. The two have a lot in common after all: their high energy, ever-evolving live shows, their individual playing prowess, and their strong and unique song writing skills. It’s a perfect marriage of instrumental virtuosos, memorable songwriting, infectious musical camaraderie, and undeniable energy. And with both acts known to bring epic and spontaneous live collaborations to theaters and festivals across America – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams take this collaborative spirit one step further, bringing something fresh and unexpected to the live stage. The first 2012 dates are announced today – a spring run in the mountains of Colorado (April 12, 13 and 14) – with more dates to be announced in the coming months.

Visit kellerwilliams.net for information and tickets.

The current list of confirmed dates is as follows:
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC KIDS Matinee
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC with Kdubalicious
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA KIDS Matinee
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA with The Pimps of Joytime and Kdubalicious
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA KIDS Matinee
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA with The Pimps of Joytime and Kdubalicious
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC Keller and the Keels and Kdubalicious
Monday, January 9 – Thursday, January 12 Jam Cruise 10 Fort Lauderdale FL Keller and The Keels
Friday, January 13 The Abbey Bar at ABC Harrisburg PA
Saturday, January 14 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale PA
Tuesday, January 17 New York Guitar Festival New York NY
Thursday, January 19 Harlow’s Sacramento CA
Friday, January 20 Arcata Theatre Arcata CA
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA KIDS Matinee
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, January 22 Mystic Theatre Petaluma CA
Wednesday, February 1 SLO Brewing Co San Luis Obispo CA
Thursday, February 2 Coach House San Juan Capistrano CA
Friday, February 3 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA
Saturday, February 4 Club Nokia @ LA Live Los Angeles CA with moe.
Friday, February 17 Ziggy’s Winston Salem NC
Saturday, February 18 Orange Peel Asheville NC
Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 Jam in the ‘Dam, The Melkweg Amsterdam NL
Friday, April 6 Belly Up Aspen Aspen CO
Thursday, April 12 Aggie Theatre Fort Collins CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Friday, April 13 Boulder Theater Boulder CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams with Head for the Hills supporting
Saturday, April 14 Ogden Theatre Denver CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Sunday, April 15 McDowell Mountain Music Festival Phoenix AZ The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Tuesday, July 3 Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua Washburn WI The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams

Look for Keller Williams’ complete list of fall tour dates at kellerwilliams.net.

kellerwilliams.net
www.facebook.com/kellerwilliams
twitter.com/#!/KellerMusician

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Mickey Hart Band at Belly Up Tavern Featured Special Guests Bill Walton and Widespread Panic’sDave Schools

December 6, 2011 No comments

Mickey Hart w/ Bill Walton

Mickey Hart and Bill Walton

What could be better than catching the Mickey Hart Band at an intimate venue with a capacity of 600 people? How about adding to the bill some impressive guests like NBA Hall of Famer and Sports Commentator, Bill Walton and Widespread Panic’s “bass mountain” Dave Schools. Thus was the case on a chilly Southern California night in Solana Beach, CA at the Belly Up Tavern and the San Diego adjacent crowd was delivered a gift wrapped early Christmas present in the form of an incredible night of music from Mickey and company.

Dave Schools

Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools

Dave Schools, regular rhythm man for Southern Rockin’ Widespread Panic was billed as a special guest and it was expected that Walton would be in the building given his home is in San Diego and he and Hart are close friends. In fact, Walton has one of the original “beams” in his rec room at home. But seeing Walton take an active participation in the evenings music from the get go was a nice addition to the evening’s musical journey.

Mickey Hart Band

Mickey Hart Band at Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA

From note one of Aiko Aiko, the first song of the night, Walton’s 7′ plus frame found it’s way up on stage behind Hart’s beast of a drum rig. Walton pounded out the beats on a variety of drums with Hart before making his way over to the other side of the stage to keep the rhythm with Schools. This would set the tone for an evening of reappearances of Walton on The Other One, Fire on the Mountain and the encore, Not Fade Away.

Mickey Hart’s new band features vocalists Crystal Monee Hall and Tim Hockenberry, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Ian “Inx” Herman, guitarist Gawain Matthews, percussionist Sikuru Adepoju, and keyboardist Ben Yonas. Combine Hall’s soulful and powerful vocals with a less percussion heavy backing band from MHB’s previous incarnations and the new ensemble delivers a delightful mix of the rhythmic sounds we all love from Hart mixed with shredding guitar licks from Matthews for a cornucopia of excellent new sounds. Schools’ addition to the band is nothing but a delight for the non-Dead jam fan delivering the hard driving bass lines he’s known for with WSP.

Belly Up Tavern

There’s something about a big sound in a little venue. I’d rather see a show in a venue like the Belly Up than a large arena or amphitheater. The intimacy of the space puts the audience right in the thick of it and honestly, whether you were front row or standing at the back bar getting a cocktail, you always had the best seat in the house…because just being there was the best seat. As they say in Monster Truck racing, “We’ll sell you the seat, but you’ll only need the edge.” In the case of MHB at the Belly Up, you couldn’t sit down if you wanted to as the feet couldn’t help but dance to the beat of the rhythm machine that is Mickey Hart.

Set 1
Aiko Aiko (w/ Bill Walton)
Let There Be Light
Djinn Djinn
Starlight
The Other One (w/ Bill Walton)
Peaceful Time
Time Never Ends

Set 2
Jam
Slow Jo Rain
Cut The Deck
Brokedown Palace
Supersonic
Who Stole The Show?
Fire on the Mountain (w/ Bill Walton)

Encore
Not Fade Away (w/ Bill Walton)

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Grateful Dead, Music News & Reviews, Widespread Panic none

SCI, Railroad Earth, Bruce Hornsby, Widespread Panic on Jerry Jams for Rex Foundation II

December 2, 2011 No comments

Compilation of Live Recordings of Jerry Garcia Music by Stellar Musicians
Including Railroad Earth, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Widespread Panic,
The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee and Others
To Benefit the Rex Foundation
Selected Compilation Available
Beginning Tuesday, November 29, 2011

For Digital Download at nugs.net and iTunes
And on disc only at nugs.net

On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, the Rex Foundation releases for download the 11 Track Jerry Jams for Rex II. Stellar musicians, including Railroad Earth, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident and STS9 have contributed the recordings of their notable live performances of Jerry Garcia songs to support the work of the Rex Foundation, the charitable non-profit organization started by Jerry Garcia and the Grateful dead. This new compilation, available in a variety of formats, as shown below, is the second unique Jerry Jams for Rex musical collection brought to life by Brad Serling of www.nugs.net to honor the musical and community legacy of Jerry Garcia. The gifted artists in the order they appear on the album are: STS9, Railroad Earth, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Widespread Panic, New Monsoon with Steve Kimock and Tim Carbone, Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, The String Cheese Incident, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Dark Star Orchestra, and ALO. The ALO track is a bonus track available by download only, not on the CD. All proceeds are a contribution to Rex.

Jerry Jams for Rex II is possible because of the sterling contributions of music, resources and know-how of the participating artists and people involved in the initiative. The Rex Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the generosity of spirit and action of the people involved in creating Jerry Jams for Rex II, as well as to all the people who purchase the compilation. Together, we honor Jerry Garcia and demonstrate the positive power of music and community spirit.

The compilation is available as of November 29th in the following formats:
· MP3, FLAC, and Apple Lossless downloads via www.nugs.net
· iTunes download
· CD only available at www.nugs.net

TRACK DETAILS
1.    STS9 – Shakedown Street
(6/3/2011 – Ozark, AR)
2.    Railroad Earth – The Wheel
(12/31/2010 – Denver, CO)
3.    Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Brown-Eyed Women
(5/26/2011 – San Francisco, CA)
4.    Widespread Panic – Fire On The Mountain
(2/10/2011 – Athens, GA)
5.    New Monsoon with Steve Kimock and Tim Carbone – Mission In The Rain
(5/13/2006 – San Francisco, CA)
6.    Umphrey’s McGee – Crazy Fingers
(9/01/2008 – Boulder, CO)
7.    Yonder Mountain String Band – Althea
(7/23/2011 – North Plains, OR)
8.    The String Cheese Incident – Deal
(8/06/2004 – Terra Alta, WV)
9.    Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers – Standing on the Moon>Halcyon Days
(11/09/2009 – Richmond, VA)
10.    Dark Star Orchestra – St. Stephen
(5/09/2011 – Burlington, VT)
11.    ALO – They Love Each Other *
(5/28/2006 – Santa Rosa, CA)

* Bonus download only track, not on the CD

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Grateful Dead, Music News & Reviews, String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, Widespread Panic none

KELLER WILLIAMS TOUR AND NEW ALBUM RELEASE ON DECEMBER 13

November 19, 2011 No comments

LOOK FOR KELLER WILLIAMS ON TOUR NOW

Keller Williams

On December 13, 2011, Keller Williams delivers Bass, his 17th album. Starting with 1994’s Freek, Keller has done solo albums, live albums, one with The String Cheese Incident, another with Bob Weir, Michael Franti, Bela Fleck and a bunch of other personal heroes, a bluegrass covers album with Keller & The Keels, a children’s album, a remix album, and more. Here Keller shows off, you guessed it, his bass skills with his first record that finds the multi-instrumentalist only on bass guitar.
Bass is also the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious. Formed in late 2010, in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, the group features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums. Though Keller’s music, both what he listens to and what he puts out, may always be changing and evolving, there’s always one constant: his unique, playful songwriting. Bass is no different in that regard. This may be reggae music – with heavy doses of dub, funk, jazz and even bits of pop and psychedelia – but at the core, it’s a Keller Williams record, his warm voice and equally inviting attitude driving the positive vibrations.

Since Keller Williams first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, he has helped define the term independent artist. Looking at the diversity of his fall plans, you can certainly ascertain why. Look for Keller on tour through the end of the year in several of his various incarnations, including his newest collaboration – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams – which debuted this fall at Magnolia Fest, Voodoo Music Festival, and others. Also recently announced, a New Year’s run: beginning December 28 at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. Then on December 29 and 30 the show rolls to The National in Richmond, VA and Norfolk’s NorVa respectively, with Keller Williams on stage for one set solo and one set with his project Kdubalicious, plus very special guests The Pimps of Joytime. For New Year’s Eve, Keller & The Keels ring in 2012 at Brooklyn Performing Arts Center in Wilmington North Carolina. All four venues will also host a Keller Plays for Kids matinee performance earlier that day. Visit kellerwilliams.net for information and tickets.

The current list of confirmed dates is as follows:

Wednesday, November 30 – Thursday, December 1 The Abbey Theatre Durango CO
Friday, December 2 El Rey Theatre Albuquerque NM
Saturday, December 3 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff AZ
Sunday, December 4 Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas NV
Thursday, December 8 Infinity Hall Norfolk CT
Friday, December 9 Pearl Street Northampton MA
Saturday, December 10 Historic Blairstown Theatre Blairstown NJ
Sunday, December 11 Sellersville Theater Sellersville PA
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC KIDS Show
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA KIDS show
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA with The Pimps of Joytime
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA KIDS show
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA with The Pimps of Joytime
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC KIDS show
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC Keller and the Keels
Monday, January 9 – Saturday, January 14 Jam Cruise 10 Fort Lauderdale FL Keller and The Keels
Friday, January 13 The Abbey Bar at ABC Harrisburg PA
Saturday, January 14 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale PA
Tuesday, January 17 New York Guitar Festival New York NY
Thursday, January 19 Harlow’s Sacramento CA
Friday, January 20 Arcata Theatre Arcata CA
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA Keller Williams Plays for KIDS Matinee
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, January 22 Mystic Theatre Petaluma CA
Thursday, February 2 Coach House San Juan Capistrano CA
Friday, February 3 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA
Saturday, February 4 Club Nokia @ LA Live Los Angeles CA
Friday, February 17 Ziggy’s Winston Salem NC
Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 Jam in the ‘Dam, The Melkweg Amsterdam NL

Look for Keller Williams’ complete list of fall tour dates at kellerwilliams.net.

kellerwilliams.net
www.facebook.com/kellerwilliams
twitter.com/#!/KellerMusician

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Mickey Hart Band to Perform at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA on December 5th

November 16, 2011 No comments

The Mickey Hart Band will perform at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA on December 5th.  Hart is donating 100% of the ticketing fees from tickets sold on MickeyHart.net to Music Therapy.   In August, Hart’s new band debuted to packed houses in New York and San Francisco.  The line up for Hart’s new band features vocalists Crystal Monee Hall and Tim Hockenberry, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Ian “Inx” Herman,  guitarist Gawain Matthews, percussionist Sikuru Adepoju, and keyboardist Ben Yonas.  The show will feature brand new material as well as selections of his greatest hits and Grateful Dead songs.

Hart is currently in the studio recording his new album to be released in the Spring of 2012.  Hart recently sat down with Andrew Greene of Rolling Stone to describe the album:

“For the last two or three years I’ve been sampling light waves from the cosmos, starting 13.7 billion years ago with the Big Bang,” he says. “The signals come from radio telescopes around the world and I work closely with NASA to take the light waves and bring it into our limited spectrum of hearing. Then I add a little spice to them with some reverb and some delay. It makes for a hot little stew.”

Hart last released the Global Drum Project with Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo in 2007, which took home the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album.  Hart previously won a Grammy for Best World Music Album with Planet Drum in 1991, which also hit #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart, remaining there for 26 weeks.

On October 11, 2011, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released the ‘Mickey Hart Collection’ to preserve and further the Grateful Dead percussionist’s endeavor to cross borders and expand musical horizons.  Smithsonian Folkways will make many of Mickey Hart’s music projects available digitally (stream and download) for the first time while keeping physical versions in print as on-demand CDs.The Mickey Hart Collection begins with 25 albums drawn from ‘The World,’ a series Hart curated that incorporated his solo projects, other artists’ productions, and re-releases of out-of-print titles. Six of the twenty-five albums form the “Endangered Music Project,” a collaboration between Mickey Hart and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, which presents recordings from musical traditions at risk.Mickey Hart is currently offering 10 free downloads from his Smithsonian Collection on his site at MickeyHart.net/download.

Show Details

Date: 12/05/11
Time: 8:00pm
Where: Belly Up Tavern
143 South Cedros Avenue
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Tickets: $25-$27
Ages: 21+

 

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Review of Furthur Madison Square Garden 11/10/11

November 15, 2011 No comments

One Man Gathers…
Furthur @ Madison Square Gardens
11.10.2011

Furthur MSG
The tie-dyed lights of the Empire State Building towered over the Midtown crowd of finger out-stretched devotees and travelers interspersed with undercover hippies, paddy wagons and New York’s Finest, indicating that something just like a Grateful Dead show was happening at Madison Square Garden this particular Thursday night.

This year that something is called Furthur. Bob Weir and Phil Lesh’s latest kick at the can has been touring for more than 24 months and has played more than 150 shows in that span. John Kadlecik (late of Dark Star Orchestra) takes the helm as the lead guitarist (not-so derisively known as Fake Jerry to some) and the band is rounded out by the exceptional keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Octopus rhythm machine, New York’s own, Joe Russo (Benevento/Russo Duo).  Inside the same walls that housed fundamental runs in Grateful Dead lore, including an emotional Fall 1990 stand that many believe was a late high-water mark for the band, expectations were high.

Furthur MSG Setlist

Sugar Magnolia kicked things off and set the tone for an expected light-hearted romp through the songbook. While the opening strains were muddied, the sound goblins picked it up early and by the time we were ringing that bluebell everything was crisp. The positive vibrations continued as Phil steered the train through that archetypical Scarlet Begonias bass line. Here, Kadlecik took over vocals and delivered the words, in unison with the crowd, with confidence. The band was tight, too tight perhaps, as they ran through the familiar anthem with minimal diversions. The cheerful sing-along vibe continued through Bobby’s take on Ramble on Rose. The much anticipated, “Just like New York City” line was flubbed, but isn’t that part of the charm?

Teresa Williams

The first couple of Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams were then introduced, continuing a tradition of MSG guests that includes Mick Taylor, David Murray and Warren Haynes.

Larry Campbell

The pair added a welcomed bit of country honk to Tennessee Jed and Uncle John’s Band with Williams’ genuine twang and Campbell’s violin. After the guests’ exit, the band veered into Eyes of the World with Chimenti grabbing the spotlight, always playing within the rhythm’s parameters, adding flourish on his grand piano in measured servings. They did it right, allowing the song room to breathe life into the crowd who were by then counting their good fortune that all things Grateful Dead didn’t end in the Summer of 1995. The groove subsided more or less into the melancholy of So Many Roads. A searching ballad that felt a bit crow-barred into the set. The end of the beginning was Box of Rain. Some of the more literal amongst us wondered if the overcast skies outside had finally opened up, while most just enjoyed Hunter’s evocative words sung in that idiosyncratic drone.

While setlist junkies might surmise that the first set was actually “very second set”, with a long Eyes and Uncle John’s not to mention a Scarlet Begonias, the first chords of the Shakedown Street second set opener reminded all that the tried and true structure of a Dead show still has gravity. Simply put, the second set is for jamming.  The groove was in place as the band began to live up to their nom de plume and take songs to places they haven’t yet been. Veering into uncharted territory, there was nothing in the extended Shakedown Jam that sounded anything remotely like “a Grateful Dead cover band,” the most scathing epitaph hurled at any new iteration of the band.

Phil Lesh

With Phil calling the shots, everyone got their licks in; Bobby piercing with jagged a-symmetrical rhythms while Kadlecik plied his trade inside the always becoming soundscape. The rhythmic framework firmly established by Lesh and Russo gave the others sturdy footing upon which to two-step.  Things were getting heavy by the time Bobby summoned Cowboy Neal and plowed The Other One’s post-psychedelic ground only to uncover that more-than-a-song St. Stephen.

After a complete stop came Unbroken Chain. A lovely piece that, made all the better by a finely structured jam smack dab in the middle, bled into The Wheel. Another soft-anthem that brings the listener face-to-face with the Dead’s core appeal, Hunter’s poetically furnished fatalism – if the thunder don’t get you, the lightening will – welded to an uplifting swirl of musical invention.

The crowd now at full boil was then left to simmer by Weir’s take on the second late period Hunter/Garcia ballad of the evening, The Days Between. While the band did its best to aurally match the dark intensity of the lyrics, Weir’s delivery lacked and the once engaged crowd devolved into chattiness. Sensing the need for a shot of adrenaline, Williams was soon back on stage leading the blues standard Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. While sufficiently raucous, the diversion from the canon did perplex. Safe familiarity returned with Fire on the Mountain, as if closing the Scarlet loop from the first set, followed by a Sunshine Daydream that was, let’s face it, a sweetly inevitable conclusion. The Attics of My Life encore was soulful and reverential, greatly assisted by the duo of backup singers along with Campbell and Williams.

The lights broke the spell. The crowd slowly remembered that they were, in fact, in the middle of a basketball arena. Elated and rejuvenated nonetheless, everyone melted back into the night. Of course, no show can be perfect. Any performance worth a damn has moments of confusion and just plain weirdness. It has never been about absolute perfection; it’s always been and still remains a work in progress, just like us.

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Furthur, Grateful Dead, Music News & Reviews none

Hot Buttered Rum and Greensky Bluegrass Kicked Up the New Grass In Hermosa Beach at Saint Rocke

November 13, 2011 No comments

Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Rum at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, CA
Normally when someone says “Bluegrass” the picture of guys on a porch with a variety of instruments crafted from household items like a washtub bass, a cigar box guitar, spoons and the like comes to mind.  Mountain music that kicks up your heels and gets you slappin’ your knee.  But the world of jambands has taken bluegrass to the next level with a progressive jam inspired journey of new grass.  Wednesday night, 11-09-11, in Hermosa Beach, CA, two bands that define two rather different parts of the jam grass spectrum came together at Saint Rocke on PCH and got the beach crowd kickin’ up their heels.

Hot Buttered Rum is the more traditional end of the bluegrass spectrum save one clearly non-bluegrass member…the drummer.  Reviving and rockin’ the old knee slapping, foot stompin’ bluegrass style interwoven with some long extended rock grass jams, Hot Buttered Rum hooked the audience early and kept them all through their set which included a bluegrass version of U2′s “Streets Have No Name.”  They primed the pump for what would come later and send the crowd and the music to the complete opposite end of the bluegrass musical spectrum, Greensky Bluegrass.

Greensky Bluegrass
Greensky Bluegrass at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, CA
This was my first time seeing the fast rising stars of the jam-grass scene, Greensky Bluegrass.  I was informed that it’s pronounced Green Sky Blue Grass…I get the joke now.  Nice play on words, guys!  Greensky takes the bluegrass roots and feeds it a strong hit of psychedelic jamminess.  Busting the barriers of the genre clear out off the musical page and pushing their music and audience into a whirling dervish of string heavy psychedelic jams.  In addition to a great selection of original faire, Greensky busted out a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “West LA Fade Away.”  Perfect for the LA Southbay crowd.

All Jam Greensky Hot Buttered

Greensky and Hot Buttered All Jam

Later in the night, both bands took to the stage for a collective all hands on deck jam session that got the smoke rolling off the strings and the dust off the dance floor.

Both Greensky Bluegrass and Hot Buttered Rum are on tour with Hot Buttered Rum through November 19th.

http://greenskybluegrass.com

http://www.hotbutteredrum.net/

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Lotus Bringing The New Face of Electro-Jamband Music

November 7, 2011 No comments

Lotus
Jamband music is a constantly evolving amorphous blob filled with progressive guitar licks, out of pocket drum beats, pushing the musical envelope beyond the 3:40 radio friendly lyrical hook.  One band that is taking their cues from the evolution of the genre is East Coast based Electro-Jam band, LOTUS.  Delivering a high energy musical journey rooted in pushing their musical style into the upper stratosphere.

 

I first discovered LOTUS at the last Rothbury Music Festival in Rothbury, MI in 2009.  It was my first night of the festival and the first band I saw.  I instantly was blown away by the progressive electro-jam sounds I heard coming from this band on stage.  They teleported my soul to places it had never journeyed mixed with an electrifying light show that seemingly integrated the sound engineer as a veritable extra member of the band.  Since that first sip of the Lotus kool-aid, I’ve been intrigued by their on going evolution into something great and an artist to keep your eye on.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing real musicians with real instruments pushing their musical talents to drive the music.  Combine that with an all about abandon of traditional constraints and you’ve got magic.  Lotus’s new self-titled album moves in a decidedly more electronic direction than their previous two releases – Hammerstrike (2008) and Oil on Glass/Feather on Wood (2009). Analog synthesizers, manipulated sounds, dub effects and heavy bass are complemented by horn and string arrangements in addition to Lotus’s standard guitar/bass/drums instrumentation. Grooves move from slinky funk and gritty half-time on the first half of the album to the beautiful and expansive closing track Orchids. While short pieces of vocals are used throughout, the only song to feature singing is The Surf. The track may be the closest thing to an indie-pop song the band has released, but the melodic guitar hooks and ecstatic synth parts are pure Lotus.

Lotus is currently touring in support of their new album, “Lotus” and will make multiple stops on the West Coast this month before returning back to the East Coast.

LOTUS TOUR DATES:

Nov. 9- The Top Hat- Missoula, MT
Nov. 10- The Neptune Theatre- Seattle, WA
Nov. 11- Crystal Ballroom- Portland, OR
Nov. 12- The Independent- San Francisco, CA
Nov. 13- The Independent- San Francisco, CA
Nov. 16- The Catalyst- Santa Cruz, CA
Nov. 17- El Rey Theatre- Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 18- The Belly Up- Solana Beach, CA
Nov. 19- The Compound Grill- Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 25- Rams Head- Baltimore, MD
Nov. 26- Rams Head- Baltimore, MD

December 31- Festival Pier- Philadelphia, PA

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Jeremy Buck & The Bang Blew Up the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano

November 6, 2011 No comments

Jeremy Buck & The Bang

National touring act and Southern California’s own, Jeremy Buck & The Bang, took an unfamiliar time slot on Saturday night at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. They played at 8pm for 40 minutes. This band who has toured extensively throughout the US including Alaska and who has shared the stage with artists such as Blues Traveler, found themselves kicking off a showcase night at popular Orange County venue, The Coach House.

First off, the Coach House seems it was plucked off the movie set of a German Oktoberfest film. Set up with long tables indicative of the hofbrau houses, the venue sports a large room with great lights and sound. Definitely a great place to perform. But 40 minutes at 8pm on a Saturday night is a rough slot for any band…any band that isn’t Jeremy Buck & The Bang.

Not put off by this “low man on the totem pole” slot or the fact that the band that followed them was a collection of local kids. And by kids, I mean ages ranging from 13-16 years old. Jeremy and crew took the stage just after 8pm and turned the Coach House crowd upside down.  By the time they played the last note, if the room wasn’t already filled with JB&B fans, they were now as nearly half the house rose to their feet to applaud their appreciation for the show.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Jeremy Buck and The Bang and this was my first show seeing them with recent band addition, Ryan Kreiger, behind the drum kit.  Jamband fans may be familiar with Kreiger from his time with Los Angeles’s own Big Organ Trio.  Kreiger brings a jammy rock sound to the drum kit slipping beyond the pocket and finding rock grooves that take the JB&B music into fantastic new directions.

Jeremy Buck is the consummate performer delivering to his audience a complete show that goes beyond the music they’re playing.  Originally a singing drummer, Buck has now stepped out from behind the drum kit taking his well deserved place as front man and ring leader of his own personal circus.  Lead guitarist, Chris Hanna, Buck’s “Edge”, delivers the lead licks that keep your juices flowing and drive you out of your seat to dance.  Not what many would call a “jamband” but certainly, these guys can JAM!

Buck and company play a regular rotation around the beach cites of Hermosa, Redondo and Manhattan Beach but they tell me that they’ve got plans to spend some more time playing some shows in Orange County.  Keep you kaleidoscope eyes peeled for more JB&B shows behind the Orange Curtain in 2012.  You’ll want to catch these guys next time they come around.

Also, check out their recent CD release “You Are A Star” available for download on iTunes or via their website, “www.jeremybuck.com”.

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