Drive By Truckers~3-7-2015~Hal and Mal’s
All photography courtesy of Chad Edwards, MCE Photography
All photography courtesy of Chad Edwards, MCE Photography
Written by: Zen Wild
Photography by: Tony Vasquez of Vasquez Photography
Photo Gallery: JJ Grey & Mofro
We enter The Vogue, in Indianapolis, a bit late, but we get there in time to catch the tail end of The London Souls’ set. It’s amazing. I love their sound. Incredible lead vocals, and guitar work by Tash Neal, and tight jams, made tighter by the solid groove coming from Chris St. Hilaire on drums. I love big bands, but the simplicity put forth by hard-rocking bands like this make a person recall what is truly rock and roll. I’d love to catch The London Souls again, seeing their entire set. If you’re a person, who happens to be out there reading this, I’d suggest that you do the same. Get online. Check the tour. They’re probably coming to a town near you, and if not, who doesn’t like a little road trip to hear some good music?
I’d never seen JJ Grey with Mofro before tonight, having only caught him as part of the Southern Soul Assembly’s tour last year, which was great, but I’ve been a longtime fan, and I can’t fully express how excited I am to catch him with his usual band this evening. Their music is, simply put, incredible. There are so many different genres that seem to be a part of their sound. It could be so easy for a person to casually classify them as southern rock, but when you break down the pieces, you find so many influences that come out. Categorization is not so cut and dry. They are filled with blues, rock, soul, funk, country, and gospel. When the music comes pouring out, numerous sounds come to the forefront. As I stated before, their music is incredible.That’s true, even more so, when it’s presented live and in-person. Songs, that were once only four minutes long, become extended jams that might last even a quarter of an hour. It really depends on how the band is feeling about it, and how the crowd is receiving it. I doubt any crowd, in the right mindset, wouldn’t want to see the songs they love extended.
Speaking of the crowd, tonight, The Vogue is packed. It’s always a standing-room-only affair coming here, but this evening, a person could be hard pressed to find a spot to stand that doesn’t make him feel like a sardine in a tin. Along the main-floor bar, the wings, and in front of the stage, rivers of people are standing, or sitting, and swaying to the music. Up above, in the balcony, a small amount of breathing room can be found, but it’s fairly full, as well. I don’t think anyone really minds. They’re all here for the same reason: to watch JJ Grey and Mofro get down! For that, you can pack me in like that sardine in a tin, and I won’t mind a bit.
When the band hits the stage, they get a warm welcome from the stage announcer and a roar of approval from the crowd. JJ Grey speaks for a second, letting the fans know how glad they are to be back in Indianapolis, and before you know it, we’re all immersed in the beautiful music! All the sounds come streaming in, from guitars, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone and organ. A wide array of instruments that reflect the diversity and depth of the music.
Tonight, the band delves into numerous tracks that run the gamut of their catalog, slipping in several tracks off their newest album, Ol’ Glory. Earlier in the day, before coming to the show, I listened to Orange Blossoms, so I’m incredibly pleased to hear a few tracks off that album, including the title track and “Everything Good Is Bad.” Those are two tracks I definitely love off one of my favorite JJ Grey & Mofro albums. “Everything Good Is Bad” happens to be the last song of the set, prior to the encore, and both it and “Brighter Days,” earlier in the set, receive some special extended treatment. They aren’t the only songs to be stretched out, but both of them seem to last and last. No complaints from the audience, myself included. Throughout the night, solos are passed back and forth amongst the band. It’s absolutely brilliant, and a joy to behold! It just makes a person wish the concert could continue to be stretched out, like the songs the band is playing.
Eventually, the show does end, but before they call it a night, the band comes back on stage and graces us with an encore of a few lengthy jams. It’s a great night, and I’m glad that I got the chance to be here. Whenever JJ grey and Mofro come back around, at whatever venue they’re playing, I imagine you’ll probably find me there, too.
Images by Keith Griner, Phierce Photography
All images by Keith Griner, Phierce Photography
Written by: Rosemary A.W. Roberts
A psychedelic other-worldly vibe permeated the Lower Dauphin downtown area of Mobile, AL on Thursday night, just two days after the conclusion of the weeks-long celebration here in the birthplace of Mardi Gras. The Soul Kitchen Music Hall would try to contain the high energy and massive presence of the Flaming Lips as they made their first appearance in the Port City; and based on social media photos of the load-in, it was clear the band brought all their toys for the Mobile show. The evening began with Memphis-based psychedelic rockers Spaceface, a band that brought plenty of energy and a bright exciting light show to the stage. They put forth a full set of great music that was ethereal and dreamy, while still hard rocking. The percussion held solid ground and allowed for fluid exploration amongst the guitars and keys; the intensity of sound and light was perfect to prime the crowd, and the audience seemed to really dig the Spaceface set.
The audience roared in welcome as the Flaming Lips emerged onstage, opening their set with a melodic and intense song that hadn’t been played live since 1996, “Placebo Headwound”. A colorful fringed curtain of lights dangled in front of the band, while a second light curtain was strung at the back of the stage in front of a large collection of corralled silver mylar balloons. Throughout the night, the visually stunning and surprising elements would compliment and contradict the musical journey. During the dark and twisted “The Terror”, at the apex of the song a giant burst of rainbow confetti rained down upon the outstretched hands of the crowd. After a crazed “Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles”, Wayne Coyne brought out a giant inflated sign that said “F**k Yeah, Mobile!” and passed it out into the crowd (I wonder where it went??). In one of the biggest audience participation moments, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (Part I)” had some good karate-chop action, as well as singing along. Following Yoshimi with “In the Morning of the Magicians” was a lovely throwback to the band’s 2002 album, and was well received.
The evening would include a pleasant variety of feeling and pace, with the Lips keeping things interesting all the way through. “Feeling Yourself Disintegrate” featured Steven Drozd’s gorgeous guitar inducing a dreamlike trance, and “Vein of Stars” brought a bittersweet yearning towards joy. Meanwhile “The W.A.N.D.” rocked hard, and “What Is The Light?” brought high energy delight. There was a giant smiling sunshine onstage, a spaceman made an appearance, glittery silver confetti was thrown around, and all the while the musicians crafted a set of whimsical beauty. Wayne Coyne even succeeded in fitting his giant inflated sphere inside the music hall, and within his bubble, he walked over the crowd’s eager hands. The double encore of “Do You Realize?” and “A Spoonful Weighs a Ton” sealed the deal and stretched smiles across the room.
It truly was a full-fledged Flaming Lips concert experience; and whether the fans were wearing street clothes, or alien wigs and space capes, the music delighted them all. Many thanks to the Soul Kitchen for bringing a band of this magnitude and showmanship to downtown Mobile; and many thanks to the Flaming Lips for bringing their vibrant, effervescent, one-of-a-kind musical celebration to Mobile!
Click for Full Photo Gallery of The Flaming Lips
Click for Full Photo Gallery of Spaceface
FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS
When Co-founders Steven Barshov and Dave Glassman came up with this idea, they just might have hit it out of the ballpark. Mobile AeroFest is a multifaceted annual festival to take place at the Mobile Aeroplex on March 20 – 21, 2015. The Festival’s mission is to actively improve the lives of America’s injured warriors thanks to a confluence of talent, vision and technology that has never been seen before in the production of a live event. Additional AeroFest partners include Lakeshore Foundation, ClearGive, DigiPro Media and Arts Alive.
A music festival (with a great lineup) alongside great art and food installments is a common equation; but Mobile AeroFest will have a groundbreaking NEW twist: a MMA title fight arena in which multiple fights will take place. A concept like this has yet to be seen on the music festival circuit and we are glad it is going to start here in our Port City of Mobile, AL. This festival has so many great aspects to it, please visit www.mobileaerofest.com for all the up to date information.
Taken straight from the website mobileaerofest.com here is an excerpt of what to expect:
“We are thrilled to announce the first slate of musical acts that will be featured at the Inaugural AeroFest this March 20th and 21st—this great array of talent will draw festival goers from around the nation and entertain our most special guests- our injured service members,” said Dave Glassman, AeroFest Founder. “Combined with the spectrum of athletic, career development, culinary and art events taking place at AeroFest these musicians will help us make history at the Mobile Aeroplex this Spring.”
Mobile AeroFest today also joined with Titan FC in announcing 14 MMA bouts, including 4 Title bouts, (4th bout TBD) to take place at the Mobile Aeroplex. The fights will be nationally televised on CBS SPORTS to 93 million homes and will be the first nationally televised MMA event in Alabama since the formation of the
Alabama Athletic Commission.
Unprecedented! Four sanctioned MMA title fights on the same card.
The championship fight card includes:
Lightweights: Pat Healy (30-20) vs. Kurt Kinser (8-1)
Heavyweights: John Madsen (8-1) vs. Chase Gormley (11-4)
Featherweights: Desmond Green (14-3) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (13-2)
Bantamweights: Walel Watson (13-7) vs. Brett Johns (10-0)
“Mobile AeroFest is a very special event that will be bringing the Gulf Coast Community together for our nation’s veterans— as such we wanted to put forth our most compelling fight card Titan to date,” said Titan FC COO, Lex McMahon. “The Gulf Coast is MMA Country—and we are confident that the AeroFest Title Fights will have a full house.”
Tickets are on sale now and the cost for a 2 day GA is $45, and the 2 day GA + MMA is $70. You can purchase tickets directly from http://www.mobileaerofest.com/page/Tickets
There will also be HERO games, LA Gumbo Festival, Gary Sinise Foundation Independence Ride, Acceleration Crossfit, Arts Alive, and a chopper giveaway. Did we mention that the weigh in for the MMA fights will take place on the USS Alabama? Be sure to be there.
The musical lineup is just as strong as the rest of this great event, see flyer below.
Read the official press release here.
6 Reasons to attend AURA Festival at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park on March 5-8, 2015
6- Date Change- Anyone that has attended in the past can certainly relate to my excitement that the date has been moved to a much more tropical season. It may not get cold in Florida often, but it tended to only do so during the past Aura’s. This year should be much warmer.
5- BLP- Brotherly Love Productions has impacted the venue with booming success. With their publicity, they have helped in bringing fests such as Hulaween to the park and influencing/aiding most of the others as well. Aura was the catalyst and birth of BLP’s presence at the park and carries that energy as it grows, reflecting and bouncing off of every smile.
4– Kickoff- Aura is the season starter and if you’re like me…it doesn’t make a difference what festival it is; I am just ready to dust off my boogie kicks.
3- Line-up- The line up is supposed to get better every year, but wow. This year is ten fold what it has been in the past and roughly the same ticket price. Bands like Dopapod and Papadosio have been headliners in the past, but the caliber of talent dropped significantly (regarding the descending list of bands on previous flyers) after them. In the past it was more like a lineup of base runners with one cleanup hitter as opposed to now where it is more of a home run derby! Did I forget to mention the Disco Biscuits? Moe.?
2- God Jam- I can’t praise the lineup without pointing out what may be the God jam set of all God jams. Break Science Live! Break Science members/founders, Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee invite most of their Lettuce friends (Eric “Benny” Bloom, Ryan Zoidis, Adam Smirnoff and Jesus Coomes) proving to be quite a tasty God jam set. Even the supporting acts have stepped up their game, bringing acts like The Motet, Dopapod, Heavy Pets, Kung Fu, Consider the Source and more!
1- Electrorganic-my favorite reason; I like to call it “Electrorganic”. See, most electronically themed/inspired festivals focus more on production and less on quality of performers. It is cheaper to hire one popular/great Dj than it is to hire a decent full size band (circumstantially of course). Whereas Aura prides itself on providing that electronic atmosphere but doing so with the best full size, organic acts in the business. Not just all Dj’s. In fact the headliners may have that electronic sound, but play the music organically. Think of it like The Roots are to hip hop. Whether you’re a fan of the music or not, there is a level of respect that must be given in that the pressures of a live performance are still looming. So hats off to Aura for steadily bringing the best of these acts year after year; and a special thank you for putting them all together in one place this year!
There are 6 excellent reasons for you to get off your computer chair, jump in excitement for a second and then lock down your tickets as you still have time to get them at a discounted price (info found at http://www.auramusicfestival.com/).
Writer- Joey Pye of Staged Right
written by Holly Strutzenberg
edited & photos by Roger Patteson
With a venue as historic as The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville TN, Chicago based Umphrey’s Mcgee took the sold out stage with something to prove. With 2,000+ live shows, this progressive rock jam band has never taken their foot off the pedal, always pushing themselves to new and greater limits. With this much history, it is hard not to feel a strong sense of nostalgia just walking through the doors.
The house lights went down and Jefferson Waful’s always breathtaking stage lights came up and the band launched into a dark and mysterious intro with “Catshot”. Umphrey’s tipped their version of a cowboy hat to the Ryman with original hillbilly foot stomper, “Mullet (Over)”, after which Brendan Bayliss (lead vocals, guitar) thanked the crowd “for allowing us to play this room”. Ryan Stasik lays down a funky number on the bass for “Puppet String” and the crowd knows it’s time to get down to business. Fans were treated with a couple rarities smack in the middle of the first set with “Alex’s House” and “Snake Juice”. 
As the band plays the first chords of “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and stops, the anticipation grows and Bayliss looks to the crowd for approval. With bellowing yells from the gut of the Ryman, the band launches into this classic Beatles cover and doesn’t hold back. Jake Cinninger plays this tune with visible passion running through his body as he dances with his guitar. The band keeps the high energy going with a heavy “Eat”. Slowing down a bit, Bayliss straps into his acoustic guitar with a rare “Rocker” and for the first time ever UM segues straight into fully electric “Rocker Pt. 2” with a solid disco jam to finish the first set.
Coming out in the second set with a strong “Believe The Lie”, with many time stops, drummer Kris Myers never misses a beat and this powerful jam set the tone for the set. Brendan recalls walking past the Ryman on his way to a much smaller venue, “12th and Porter”, for Umphrey’s first gig in Nashville and expresses his gratitude for the return to Nashville’s most sacred home for live music. The high energy dance party continues with “Booth Love” and “Nothing too Fancy”. Jake took the mic as the always crowd pleasing sing along “Women Wine and Song” and switched the pace a bit with this country-rock themed song. 
Adding to the list of rarities, this night presented keyboardist Joel Cummings taking the spotlight with “Den” and the dance party resumed. The band throws themselves into a flawless cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” as Brendan sings most of the vocals and Kris screams the peaks with an undistinguishable imitation to Robert Plant as he wails on his set simultaneously. 
The bands strong jazz influences shine through on original, “Intentions Clear”, with a nod to Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and then dives directly into jazz jam. Jake Cinninger lets a little bit of his classical influence shine through with a taste of the traditional “Simple Gifts” in the intro of the powerful original “Glory”. UM finishes this set with an always impressive finish to “Nothing Too Fancy” and got heads banging with strong “Stranglehold” teases. As the band left the stage, the crowd was stomping their feet and roaring for the encore. They would not leave disappointed as the band came back with an “All In Time” plus a “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics including a Kris Myers drum solo closing out the high energy show.
This band never fails to step up to the plate and continues to improve on already impressive improvisational skills and remarkable covers. You can feel the bands passion oozing to the crowd with power stances from bassist Ryan Stasik as he lays down funky bass grooves, Jake Cinninger’s perfectly timed chord progressions, Kris Myers’ relentless audacity on the drums and Brendan Bayliss’ soul with Andy Farag complementing the madness. They produce a unique energy that is hard to achieve and will leave your face feeling sufficiently “melted”.
Umphrey’s is on another impressive, nationwide winter/spring tour highlighting their devotion to bringing incredible music to a venue or festival in a town near you. Check out www.umphreys.com for all tour related info and news concerning the band’s ever evolving effort at creating the best fan experience in the industry.
Set 1: Catshot> Mullet(Over), Educated Guess, Puppet String, Alex’s House, Snake Juice, I Want You(She’s So Heavy), Eat, Rocker, Rocker Part 2
Set 2: Believe the Lie, Booth Love> Nothing Too Fancy> Women Wine and Song> Den> Kashmir, Intentions Clear [1]> Glory[2]>Nothing Too Fancy[3]
Encore: All In Time [4]
[1]with Footprints(Shorter) teases
[2] with Simple Gifts (trad.) teases in intro
[3] with Stranglehold (Ted Nugent) jam
[4] “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics”
written by: Mike Gregory
The Tabernacle will be hosting Lotus for the first time Saturday night for what is sure to be first of many! Heading southbound, Lotus is touring in support of their latest album Gilded Age (2014). The Philly natives have amassed a loyal fanbase from constant touring through the years and 2015 will be no exception. Their tour will take them as far west as California and Seattle before making their way back across America towards summer. Lotus has aligned with some of the hottest acts around to support them on tour as well.
Connecticut funk-jam master ninjas, Kung Fu will be laying the groundwork for Lotus Feb 5-13th while on their own tour of the U.S. through March. Kung Fu has two albums under their belt, with their latest being, Tsar Bomba (2014). The saying goes, “you are only as strong as your weakest link,” however, Kung Fu has none; this band will absolutely leave your head spinning like a like F-5 tornado! Later in their tour, Kung Fu will be supporting Galactic (Feb 20 – Mar 6).
Lotus and Kung Fu is a lethal concoction for your ears and one best experienced live, but you better hurry tickets are vanishing quickly—get yours here http://www.tabernacleatl.com/!
String Cheese Incident just finished a 3 night run at the famous Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL and our very own Keith Griner of Phierce Photography was there with the band covering every angle. Check out some of the images from this event.
I. Outside and Inside, Best Feeling > White Freightliner Blues, Mouna Bowa, Barstool, Way That It Goes, Joyful Sound > Come As You Are
II. Colliding, Miss Brown’s Teahouse, The Pygmy Pony > Black Clouds, Master Blaster (Jammin’) > Impressions > Rollover E: BollyMunster
I. Let’ Go Outside, Far From Home > LA Woman > Round The Wheel, Struggling Angel, Beautiful > Restless Wind > Piece Of Mind
II. Colorado Bluebird Sky, Rivertrance, Sweet Spot, Just One Story, Don’t Say, Search, Texas E: Got My Mojo Working > I Know You Rider
I. Song In My Head, Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance>Dudley’s Kitchen, Can’t Wait Another Day, Until The Music’s Over, Wake Up>It IS What It Is, Valley of the Jig
II. Desert Dawn> Synchronicity>Desert Dawn, Sometimes A River, 45th Of November, Bumpin’ Reel, Looking Glass>Howard E: Sitting’ On Top Of The World, Rosie