At some point during its five year run, The Wire evolved from a lowly rated & unwanted show about the City of Baltimore, to arguably one of the greatest shows
Soulive @ Brooklyn Bowl – Friday, March 5, 2010
Words – Carla Danca
Photos – Jeremy Gordon
No one out there that can deny the energy that Eric Krasno and Alan and Neal Evans have as the trio Soulive, but when you add in a rotating casts of special guests, a giant disco ball, all night bowling and fried chicken you end up with so much more.
Many have spoken about how Pete Shapiro’s Brooklyn Bowl complex has changed the way people go to shows. With the Blue Ribbon kitchen cooking up tasty food till after the show is done, the only thing that you need to worry about is if you should go for the white or the dark meat. Bowlive on Friday night exemplified exactly how well this concept can work, a total carnival for the senses, creating an adult playground at its finest.
Scanning the crowd, there was interesting mix of people, young and old, hippie and hipster but everyone was in it together when Soulive started up a set that included their originals and some jaw dropping covers. As the first notes of the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby and I Want You (She’s So Heavy) rang out, everyone was looking around in disbelief. But before most people even realized, they were part of it, singing along and acting as one as Krasno broke out into the biggest smile.
READ ON for more from Carla & Jeremy’s fantastic photos…
With summer festival announcements starting to role in, it’s no surprise that Camp Bisco is again scheduled to be held at Indian Lookout Country Club (ILCC). The biker haven has
Words by Carla Danca
Photos by Jeremy Gordon
After an amazing year on the road the Disco Biscuits returned to New York City’s Nokia Theater for the 2nd year for their New Year’s Holiday Run. Memories of the chaos and cold from last year couldn’t keep people away as the show was again sold out much in advance. With a light wet snow falling outside, the theater staff was much better prepared to greet the masses of fans going into the show, and the smooth entry process allowed everyone to get inside before the first notes of M.E.P.H.I.S rang out. The night started early. Though the curfew at the Nokia was extended for the NYE festivities, tDB went on without an opener and hit the stage promptly at 9:30 much to my surprise.
The past year has been a big one for the Disco Biscuits. From creating their own festival at Red Rocks, to their big sets at Rothbury and High Sierra Music Festival, to a new video on mtvU, the signing with Red Light Management, and the constant teasing of the long awaited album Planet Anthem. The quartet has been in high gear with no signs of stopping. While the entire holiday run is getting rave reviews (especially 12/30/09), this NYE show was one for the records.
Overall just a great collection of shows from start to finish that showed off how tight and together these guys have become.
READ ON to read more about tDB’s New Year’s run and Jeremy’s photos.
Words: Carla Danca
Images: Jeremy Gordon
As many friends were finalizing their plans for the Phish run this week, I headed over to Terminal 5 in NYC on Friday night to see the lovely Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. While Phish has become the polarizing force in the jamband scene this year, either as re-energizing the crazed fanbase or overwhelming a few bands at the bottom – and everyone’s wallet in between – GPN has moved in a different direction altogether.
While you see GPN at many of the summer festivals (including playing at Bonnaroo with Phish headlining) it would be hard to say that they are still part of the “jam” music scene any longer. Grace Potter has made the successful crossover from the festival/ hippie scene into main stream music and TV (with songs used on One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy) and more importantly she did it without losing any of the talent that originally propelled her.
After an opening acts from Sean Bones and Brett Dennen, the stage went dark for a dramatic entrance by first the Nocturnals and then spotlight appearing, Grace came out last beating on her tambourine in a sexy green sequined dress. Staples like Mastermind and Apologies from This is Somewhere started the night off setting the tune for a high energy set by GPN. READ ON for more from Jeremy and Carla…
On an evening when the attention of an entire city – and most of the Northeast – was turned to a small baseball game in the Bronx, jamband veterans Blues Traveler returned home to The Filmore New York at Irving Plaza for the first time in over a year. For over two hours, the band treated the packed house to classic covers, special guests, and their own hit singles.
Mixing Sublime’s, What I’ve Got and Cheap Trick’s, I Want You to Want Me, with Hook, The Mountains Win Again, and of course everyone’s favorite, Run-Around, John Popper invited old friends Jamie McLean to the stage for Mulling It Over (just weeks after his sit in at Sullivan Hall with former Spin Doctors lead Chris Barron) and the lovely Falu to join in on The Path.
With the evening winding down and news of the World Series victory spreading through the crowd, John and bassist Tad Kinchla (in an appropriately attired in a Yankee cap) began the encore with a Led Zepplin tease into a “Let’s Go Yankees” chant, before finishing up with Forever Owed and But Anyway and releasing the delirious crowd into the crisp night.
Set: How You Remember It> What’s For Breakfast, Girl Inside My Head> Slow Change, What I Got> Mulling It Over*, You, Me & Everything> NY Prophesies, The Mountains Win Again, The Beacons> I Want You To Want Me, Carolina Blues, Look Around, The Path**, Just For Me, Nail> Hook, Dropping Some NYC> Crash Burn> Dropping Some NYC, Run-Around
Encore: Forever Owed, But Anyway
* with Jamie McLean on guitar
** with Falu on vocals
READ ON for more of Jeremy’s Traveler photos…
For the second year in a row, Philadelphia’s Lotus kicked off their tour at one of city’s most intimate venues, the Mercury Lounge. Embarking on a 35+ date run, the band remarked on their love for New York City’s music fans, but had no love for the tenuous parking situation in the Big Apple.
[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]
For many in the sold out house it was their first chance to catch the band with Mike Greenfield on drums – who is filling in while regular drummer Steve Clemens is out on paternity leave – and the results were impressive. Mixing in old classics and new material from their next album, fans and band members alike, danced, joked (Let Chuck Sing!) and sweated until the early hours. Highlights from Saturday night included hot versions of Suitcases, Tip of the Tongue, Wax and an excellent Hammerstrike to finish the evening off.
Next up for Lotus is a two-night stand beginning on October 02 at Aces Lounge in Austin, TX; before the Philadelphia quintet moves on to the west coast with friends Break Science. For those unable to make it to New York City this weekend, Lotus will be returning on November 28th at Terminal 5 with special guests RJD2 and the Junior Boys
READ ON for the setlists and more of Jeremy’s photos…
Sunday morning is always a mellow day for Gathering of the Vibes. With the four day weekend coming to a close and the festival rolling into its last hours of music, many are busy packing up camp and getting ready for the trip home. Some are exchanging emails with their camping neighbors, while others are getting the number from a cute girl they danced with through till the morning sun. However, this year’s headliner Crosby Stills and Nash helped to draw many new attendees to the site for Sunday only. A deal that was even further sweetened by the Sunday only VIP option allowing you to show up and get down, no camping supplies needed.
[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]
The morning started off with the World Peace Prayer and the Harlem Gospel Choir, similar to last year’s Sunday lineup. The sweet soothing sounds gently nudged the sleeping masses awake. At the GOTV, even church on Sunday involves singing and getting down.
Next up was a different sort of religion as John Brown’s Body came out strong with their reggae sounds. It somehow seems like sunny Sunday mornings are made for listening to reggae. The boys from Boston get you on your feet and moving with out exaggerating the previous night’s head-ache.
READ ON for the rest of Jeremy and Carla’s recap of day four…
Saturday finally brought a day of gorgeous summertime weather worthy of the incredible lineup. With a slew of hay laid down on the fields to soak up the extra moisture and keep the mud at bay, the music never stops at Gathering of the Vibes, but it sure is a lot nicer enjoying it in the sunshine.
[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]
The day began with a surprise announcement that State Radio wouldn’t be able to make it for their 5:30 PM slot so all of the morning bands were given a little bit of extra time which seems to put smiles on fan’s faces.
The Ryan Montbleau Band, a festival favorite from Boston – who never disappoint with their blend of silly, soulful songs that can’t help but put a smile on your face – took full advantage of the precious extra minutes. Their setlist included favorites off 2007’s Patience on Friday album including Eggs plus 75 and Sunny as well as Dead favorite Unbroken Chain. Even the wet field couldn’t stop all the pretty girls from hooping along.
READ ON for more from Jeremy and Carla on the Vibes…
Day Two of the Gathering of the Vibes began with sunny skies ominous signs lay ahead. King for a Day kicked off the main stage, a local CT band that has played Vibes for four years now, their set included a lovely Jack-a-Roe. It’s great to see so many area bands taking to the stage here at Vibes – showing and promoting the area’s live music scene.
[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]
Strangefolk hit the stage next and guitarist Jon Trafton’s wife Jennifer came to the stage and sat in on backing vocals for a song. The shout out of the day, however went to Chuck Garvey of moe. who saved Jon’s broken amp and possibly the show.
JJ Grey and Mofro haven’t been to a GOTV in many years since the festival moved from its upstate NY location, but that wasn’t lost on the audience when he started on the classic blues standard I Got My Mojo Workin’. Like they say Vibes is about re-connecting with old friends and turning to your neighbor to make new friends so it’s only fitting that his southern hospitality fits right on in.
Wavy Gravy, a gentleman that has been on the scene for longer than most attendees yet still finds ways to let his clown spirit shine, took to the stage and guided fans through a fun journey as the official MC for the event.
READ ON for more on the Vibes from Carla and Jeremy…
