Hidden Track Staff

The Disco Biscuits’ five-show run at the Nokia Theater in New York City kicked off with a heady mix of new tunes, old classics and the debut of a cover of P-Funk’s Standing On The Verge of Getting It On complete with bassist Marc Brownstein in pimp gear. Let’s take a look at the setlists from Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s shows, some videos as well as a few pictures from Jeremy Gordon and a recording of Saturday night’s show…

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

12/26/08 Nokia Theatre, New York, NY
Dub War NYC opened
Set I: Floodlights¹> Shem-Rah Boo¹> Little Betty Boop²> Svenghali³> Kitchen Mitts, Save The Robots
Set II: M80, Munchkin Invasion> Liquid Handcuffs> Story Of The World
Encore: The Autumn Breeze⁴

¹ unfinished
² middle section only
³ ending only
⁴ 1st time played

[All Setlists via PT-Bisco]

READ ON for Saturday and Sunday’s setlists as well as videos and a stream…

We recently came across a brilliant blog post from an American Jam Fan current living in Beijing comparing that city to the lot scene at a Dead / Phish concert. We asked Sasha of Movin’ On Up, to the (Far) East Side if we could share it with our readers and he kindly obliged…

“1 For $3, 2 For $5”

Riding the 656 bus from WuDaoKou across the city to Wang Jing, cramped in what is easily the most uncomfortable seat on the bus (seriously, epic fail here – the row of seats in front of mine had excessive leg room, while I had zero – T.I.C.), I gazed out the window at the sun, attempting to peek through the haze of pollution that dominates the Beijing sky, shining down on a gargantuan statue of Mao. There are a lot of statues of Mao in China. I mean, A LOT of fucking statues. He is everywhere. I’m actually pretty sure that Mao invented the statue. He invented everything. Al Gore did not invent the internet; he simply stumbled upon some old notes of the Chairman’s that he never had time to attend to.

Today is a rare day for me in Beijing. Today, I wish I was somewhere else. Of course, there are the occasional longings for home (notably the family, friends, food, beers, and bands that I associate with home), but since the moment I arrived here back in August, I have not had a severe longing to be elsewhere on this lovely planet Earth. However, today, there happens to be something special going on in another location – Jamaica, mon. Today, a couple of bands, along with 800 crazy people who enjoy their music, are kicking off the sequel to the best music festival ever (I’m sure Woodstock was cool and all, but I will take Caribbean Holidaze any day). Sadly, due to my proximity to the location of said festival, my lack of vacation days, and my lack of student loans to pay for the trip (again), I am sitting this one out.

READ ON for a comparison of life in Communist China and a Phish festival…

We’d like to welcome back Cock Jenkins to review Bonerama’s performance at Funk Fest III at The Parish in Austin, Texas…

In the self-proclaimed music capitol of the world there seems to be no shortage of musicians performing and interacting together in Austin, Texas. But when one music capitol of the world is invaded by musicians from another music capitol of the world (say, New Orleans for example), it’s safe to bet you’ll see some firepower. Or more aptly, funkpower as was displayed over the weekend at FunkFest III at the Parish on 6th Street in downtown Austin. Two nights of hard-hitting raw funk that leaned heavy on the grooves of today’s Austin and New Orleans best in funk brass and jam music including Stanton Moore Trio, The Greyhounds ftr Topaz, Flyjack and T-Bird & The Breaks. Headlining FunkFest III Saturday night was New Orleans’ new brand of horn heavy sounds, Bonerama who by all accounts either have a lot of trombones in the band or spend too much time online.

READ ON for more from Bonerama in Austin…

Written by Jack Spilberg
Photos by Hollye Schumacher and Eric Shunk

T’was the night before Thanksgiving in San Francisco, and things were stirring at the Independent Theater. Hometown hero Lyrics Born and his incredible live band were in town to throw down their signature, super-funky set. Fans were able to get up-close and personal at the intimate and cozy venue.

As anyone who has experienced a Lyrics Born concert can testify, you are guaranteed a great time at his shows. Whether you are old or young, whether you love or hate rap, funk or rock- super emcee Lyrics Born’s stage presence, and ability to get the crowd into his act, always make for a good time.

LB’s six-man funk band rolled through their set medley-style. Crowd-pleasing staples like I Changed My Mind, I Like It I Love It and Callin’ Out were all delivered flawlessly. An added bonus for the night, Lyric’s backup singer and wife Joyo Velarde stepped up to perform a song from her upcoming debut solo album. READ ON for more from Lyrics Born @ The Independent…

We’ve always been fans of the music and art blog, so we’re excited to welcome the site’s creator, Alex Borsody, to tell us about his experience at the 2008 Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival in Live Oak…

“When I pulled up to the campground [for the 2008 Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival] it seemed like every person I saw, whether a fan or musician, was someone I knew, that’s when a festival turns out to be more like a family reunion.” This paraphrased quote was spoken by Florida native JJ Grey of Mofro, and it sums up the general sentiment at the event. Nestled in the woods of the Spirit of Suwannee Music Resort in Live Oak, Florida, the harvest moon hung high over head as the spell of the season of the witch spread throughout the campground, like the spirit of music itself.

Being a bass player I have particular respect for funk. The creative rhythms created throughout the weekend played with negative space and the length of notes, creating catchy and danceable grooves, a rare and mysterious talent in music. One of the things separating an incredible player from the virtuoso is the ability to memorize and recall different patterns and melodies on cue. The skilled funk guitarists, organ players and drummers were equally exceptional. Some of the world’s best funk bands were in full effect this weekend, including the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lettuce, Soulive, Papa Mali, Cadillac Jones and Dumpstaphunk. That many elite funk bands in one place is truly an uncommon occurrence. The soulful music complemented the crisp, fall air, awakening primordial emotions and creating a sentimental and celebratory environment for this harvest festival.

Those who arrived for the Thursday pre-show, got to catch live electronic music by Telepath, one of the only two electronica sets of the weekend, also a face melting, power drumming, climactic jam by Perpetual Groove. The Motet played with Kyle Hollingsworth, the keyboardist for the String Cheese Incident, foreshadowing the many collaborations to come.

READ ON for more of Alex’s Bear Creek Festival review…