July 2, 2008

Formerly (and still certainly, though no longer nominally) Psychedelic, the Breakfast has taken the long, winding, and, perhaps, ultimately more rewarding path to becoming a jamband stalwart.

[Photo by Jess Reis]

Formed in 1998, the Connecticut quartet didn’t ascend to the loosely grouped, national-level echelon of contemporary outfits like Umphrey’s McGee, Tea Leaf Green, the Benevento/Russo Duo, and other peers. But to these ears, guitarist/vocalist Tim Palmieri and Co. have long been what you might call a classic jamband’s jamband: organically evolved without gimmicks, ridiculously talented, creatively unstilted, committed to a really professional show—and also respected, far and wide, by many of the scene’s best-known musicians and insiders. Yes, one of those bands that even your most jaded scene-head pals will still see with regularity even as he or she’s abandoned other, showier bands.

This year the Breakfast has finally achieved re-entry following a two year period of transition. First, there was the departure of longtime keyboardist Jordan Giangreco in 2006, which prompted the band to tour as a trio for a short time before recruiting Matt Oestreicher. Then, in December 2007, bassist Ron Spears exited, prompting the January 2008 debut of Northeast jam veteran Chris DeAngelis.

As we learned from a recent catch-up with Palmieri, there’s a lot more good Breakfast to come…

HIDDEN TRACK: If I’m not mistaken, 2008 is your 10-year anniversary, right?

TIM PALMIERI: Indeed it is.

HT: Do you have anything special planned?

TP: Well, we always do a Halloween run and pick a special theme. We’ve talked about a theme that I can’t yet divulge to you, but we will announce it.

READ ON for more of Chad’s Q & A with Tim from The Breakfast…

After attacking the crappy music played at stadiums and arenas last week, I figured this would be a good time to talk about some music that brings joy instead of cringes. So as you crank up the BBQ and break out the Roman Candles for the Fourth of July, here are five albums that are bound to make you smile:

1. Juno Soundtrack

I defy anyone to listen to the Moldy Peaches’ Anyone Else But You (which is also covered by the stars of the movie – Michael Cera and Ellen Page) or Barry Louis Polisar’s All I Want is You and not feel good. Throw in classic rock gems such as Velvet Underground’s I’m Sticking With You, the Kinks rocking Well Respected Man and Mott the Hoople’s cover of All the Young Dudes and you’re bound to be smiling. Good movie taboot. READ ON for more of Luke’s list of smile-inducing albums…

If the remaining members of the Dave Matthews Band believe in the theory that “bad things happen in threes,” they should be extra careful during the rest of their Summer