Somewhere between authentic dub reggae and California surf-inspired melodic structures, Slightly Stoopid has carved out a successful niche with an independent music model that is clearly more than slightly stupid.
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:
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…
Pearl Jam performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 24th, 2008.
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
The one and only Mike Gordon unveiled his new rock band last night at the Iron Horse in Northampton. According to a report on Jambands.com Mike’s quintet debuted most of
Conde Nast’s Portfolio magazine recently settled many bar room bets when they researched the value of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven. According to Portfolio’s analysis the total value of Stairway
Do you know what makes Music City so great? Well, I couldn’t tell you for sure until last week. That’s right ladies and gentlemen — we finally got Fat Tire in the great state of Tennessee! And on Thursday of last week I enjoyed said beverage while watching one of my favorite acts on tour today — Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. The performance was stellar. The show kicked off with Sway and then quickly moved into one of my favorite tracks on Sirens of the Ditch — Chicago Promenade. “If I die now before I’m old my story will be less than told” are some of the simplest words, yet so meaningful — it gets me everytime.
[All photos by Jennifer Kirk]
The majority of the set was from Sirens of the Ditch. Eventually came Psycho Killer and I don’t know about you, but I love when bands cover the Talking Heads in any way, shape or form. It got the Mercy Lounge dancing that’s for sure. One of the highlights of the evening was a performance of It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue with Isbell on acoustic. Shortly after that Dress Blues was played and the performance left me with goose bumps. No, I’m serious. The song is a great story-telling piece and inspired me so much that I wrote a piece abou a couple of months ago. Overall, the show was a great one and I can’t wait to see Isbell the next time he’s in Music City — who knows maybe I’ll buy him a Fat Tire, or two.
READ ON for more pictures of Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit in Nashville…
In the summer of 1998, I can’t remember exactly when, I went out and bought a copy of Neil Young’s Comes a Time. The album’s words have stayed with me for a long time; it remains one of my favorite Young albums, and I still don’t know what to call it: county, folk, or just great music that is timeless. I don’t mind that I can’t categorize it, because I’ll have it forever, and that’s all that matters to me.
Natalie Walker’s second solo release, With You, continues in the Electronica/Pop realm trying to capitalize on early success of her last albums single “Quicksand” which Sofia Coppola used in a trailer for Marie Antoinette.
