One of the finest pushbacks of Trump’s presidency is the San Diego collaboration of Pinback and Cattle Decapitation.
The duo, Anal Trump (Pinback’s Rob Crow and Cattle Decapitation’s Travis Ryan) have announced a new album to be released on Election Day, November 6th 2018.
The recent release, That Makes Me Smart!, is a 3 minute, 30 song mash of grind-core beauty. The band members are named as Rob Trump and Travis Trump, with songs titled “Grab em by the pussy,” “Ted Nugent is Cool,” and “Trump Tower Has the Best Taco Bowls.”
The new album, The First 100 Days (via Joyful Noise,) features music from EP’s as well as 30 new tracks.All proceeds from the duo’s EPs have been donated to ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and RAINN.
Check out a the album below as well as their Bandcamp, where all purchases will go to the Organizations listed above.
It’s Alive! It’s Aliiiiive! (insert maniacal laughter here). Now in it’s sixth year, Suwannee Hulaween is a monster of a festival. Inside, Creatures of the Galaxy run rampant at five stages, especially in Spirit Lake. Silver Wrapper & Purple Hat Productions are the guilty parties responsible creating this Beast of the Southeast and setting it loose to roam free under the Spanish moss of the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. Hulaween features live music from incredible acts such as Odesza, Jamiroquai, Janelle Monae, Tipper, Vulfpeck, Turkuaz, and of course The String Cheese Incident.
Hulaween is much more than the music. Spirit Lake is larger than ever, and the art inside is out of this world. Escape the “real world” with me for four days of music, costumes, and adventure. Let’s go!
TUESDAY (yes, Tuesday), I arrive to camp during a mid-afternoon thunderstorm. My friends are already there, holding down a spot and even offer me a hot dog upon arrival. I love this place; it’s Utopian society. Caring and sharing with their brothers and sisters and strangers alike, people go from complete strangers to best friends in a matter of hours. I set up my tent and easy-up porch. Complete with a swanky shelving unit, my spot is ready for the weather of the weekend.
WEDNESDAY, we battle boredom by setting up our friends tents. I purposefully get my friends to bring me their tents in the week prior to the festival so that I can set them all up and essentially grab land. This helps in holding a spot, but also helps in city planning — we now have a main sitting area, as well as a parking lot, and residential section. Honestly, this is the best camp we have ever made. It’s a total group effort, with everyone contributing one way or another. The place is buzzing with excitement as Spirit Lake begins to come alive and vendors open their doors. There is a problem though — our neighbors. They have set up a surround sound system up in the trees, and are heavily drinking while playing their music, simply too loud. We ask them several times to turn it down and their response is to actually play it louder! Before I have a chance to react, my friend has his huge flashlight out and begins to strobe their camp from our fire. The war is on. Luckily, they immediately come over to concede as they can see that we mean business. I am happy to report that the two camps get along really well after that. 😎
THURSDAY, I wake up early to get a good breakfast and make sure I’m ready for the day. Today is a whole lot of good music. Some would argue it is the best all weekend. Funk You is the first band for me this Hulaween. Their dance driven grooves and sparkling vocals make them a must see set. This six piece from Augusta, GA has this costumed crowd moving and shaking at full tilt, just ten minutes in. Will Foster (keys) is especially impressive as I get down between Gumby and a bunch of pirates. They cover Prince’s “1999” and I couldn’t be any happier right now. I’m up on cloud 9 and I’m not getting off until Monday!
I’m up on cloud 9 and I’m not getting off until Monday!”
Ghost Light is up next in the amphitheater. This four piece features the guitarist from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Tom Hamilton. He is constantly in the spotlight with lengthy solos, one after another. He is so aggressive at every turn, forcing his band to adapt as he launches them through the changes. Hamilton revs up the band with shorter and shorter riffs. They rocket upwards through the clouds and just when we’re ready for the drop back to earth, we break through into outer space. The band quiets down and Holly Bowling’s twinkling piano notes dot the stars around us.
Slowly, we float back down to earth and land at the Marco Benevento set. He plays a few tracks from his newest album, Invisible Baby. The heavy tri-tones and trance like vibe has the crowd swaying back and forth. During the musical journey we touch on the jazz standard, “The Girl from Ipanema,” as well as covering the song “Pepper,” by the Butthole Surfers. After some camp time, I make my way back up to Spirit Lake for Corey Wong, the lead guitarist for Vulfpeck. He and his band are fast and funky. He spends a bunch of time on the mic explaining what they just did musically. He goes way to fast and it feels like he’s trolling the crowd to a degree. He talks over the band, presses Benny Bloom, the talented trumpeter for Lettuce to come up on stage only a moment before playing. Despite the tongue-in-cheek obnoxiousness, the music is excellent. Then, he encourages the crowd to go out this weekend and “Tang the Hump.” Suddenly a nice guy, he is empowering us to take on our problems. Wong goes from annoying to inspirational in just a few moments. He has Bloom and Vulfpeck vocalist Antwan Stanley sit-in again before ending a great set.
In 2018, The Infamous Stringdusters have already won a Grammy for their album, Laws of Gravity. This band is super impressive, even after my bluegrass standards were raised by the killer performances from last weekend’s Suwannee Roots Revival (REVIEW HERE). They work their way through a magical setlist with “Dancing in the Streets” into “Waste” by Phish. Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) takes things up a notch and the crowd can’t help but to be clicking their heels and swinging about from each other’s elbows. They stick to the theme of the weekend with a cover of “2001” but it’s so twangy you can hardly make it out. Andy Hall is super impressive on the dobro as the clouds from the oncoming storm draw closer and closer.
From here I am convinced to go and see Sound Tribe Sector Nine. It’s their second set of the day and they open with “Click Lang Echo.” Party people and rage sticks are everywhere. It’s sensory overload with hoops and lights in every direction. They land in “Rent” where they feature their amazing bassist, Alana Rocklin. She shines bright, plucking and slapping, in what is easy the most colorful set of the day so far. The rain from the storm starts to slowly fall and we go from Creatures of the Galaxy to monsters of the mist. “World Go ‘Round” is the closer for the set and we head to the amphitheater for tonight’s headliner: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead.
My friends show their excitement as we get an “Estimated Prophet” right off the bat. In addition, they cover the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” “Tennessee Jed” is just too long and I have to escape as they head back into the chorus for a third go around. I break free from the crowd and walk in the rain to the Patch Stage to get my glitch funk on with The Floozies. They have a huge crowd and it’s difficult to even get a spot with a view. I get my fill of this funk quickly as it is very difficult to find a spot worth standing in.
Back at JRAD, Hamilton (guitar) and Benevento (keys) are out of control. Trying their best to be more outlandish than the other, they stretch the Grateful Dead tunes to their breaking points. Later that evening, we enjoy a crunchy set of Lettuce at the Amp. Their funk is enough to keep me from my bed which has been calling my all the way from camp. I’m definitely not too tired to “Move On Up” with Nigel Hall on vocals. My friends and I snack on the sweet tunes and starbursts I brought to the set. Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff is impressive with his guitar work and the band creeps into the Halloween movie theme song, but with way more bass. Long gone are the days that I miss Krasno when I see this band, Smirnoff is a beast. What a set! I want to go and rest, but Ajeva, who I missed earlier in the day is playing at my friends campsite and I steal over there for a few great songs. We stand around and swap stories, then it’s off to bed!
THURSDAY
Sets seen: 11
Miles walked: 7.1 miles
FRIDAY we begin with group meals and a bunch of great music! First up are The Wood Brothers in the Meadow. Their sound lands somewhere between folk and Americana. They play for a crowd brave enough to stand in the sun in this post-monsoon Hula. The humidity is high and that makes things especially hot and heavy for Too Many Zoos. This brass house trio from NYC has the crowd all the way up! Man, this party poppin’! Leo Pellegrino (baritone saxophone) holds down the baselines and Matt “Doe” Muirhead (trumpet, sax) dances like a crazy person. I can still feel the bass in my chest as we hoof it back to eat.
I’m so tired, but with a huge smile on my face. This is what its all about! After a short break at camp, we are on our way back out to the Meadow for Medeski, Martin, and Wood. This normally weird three piece is today, distinctly dancy. John Medeski (keys) is the leader of the pack, takes the crowd for a spin on the dance floors with his uptempo, funky songs. These guys are the perfect vibe for this breezy afternoon.
We transition from jazz funk in the meadow to Break Science Live Band in the Amp. Essentially, this is Lettuce but instead of Nigel Hall on keys, we have producer and keyboardist Borahm Lee. He provides “a funky, funky style and a funky swag” for the band to groove on. They take it down to a slow, reggae sound while the rain drizzles upon us. Scott Flynn (trumpet) from Odesza joins the mix on stage. He and Adam Deitch (drums) go back and forth, having what seems like a musical conversation. These guys know how to get down. I can’t wait for tomorrow afternoon’s Lettuce set.
The Malah are up next and they are awesome. We make our way to the coolest stage, The Campground Stage. Its a smaller trailer stage, but they have positioned it just on the waters edge inside of Spirit Lake. It’s decorated with art that both moves and lights up. On stage, the guys dress up like Coneheads for their special set. Celebrating 15 years with this band on these hallowed grounds is a dream come true as they play their only appearance of the year. They have a saxophonist join them on stage for sultry sounds on top of their jazzy groove. Next, we catch a few songs of Trampled by Turtles before heading over to the band of the weekend: The String Cheese Incident. They are such a delight and you can feel the love in the air. The sun is setting and the people are out to play.
Dancing barefoot in the grass music fans of all ages gather for the first of seven SCI sets this weekend. The open with “Texas” and follow it with Jason Hann’s (percussion) new tune “Manga.” They are joined next on stage by alternative country music artist Rayland Baxter for “Gone Crooked,” and “Hey Larocco.” We finish the set with “Let’s go Outside” and dance our way to the Patch Stage for Bustle In Your Hedgerow: Joe Russo’s (drums) take on Led Zeppelin. They are great, and I love how close I can get to the stage for such a big sound. Scott Metzger is a beast on guitar and does Page justice.
On our way back to camp for a pit stop, we pass a giant light up lotus flower in Spirit Lake. It’s gorgeous and huge, but most of all its a musical instrument. They are playing a giant light up Tesla flower. I don’t even know how to think anymore.
I don’t even know how to think anymore.
The String Cheese Incident reconvene to play a few of their huge songs: “Joyful Sound,” and “Rivertrance” in the next set. Bill Nershi (guitar, vocals) gets the crowd to holler at the rising moon and in the next song he sits down with his legs crossed. The music is slow and trance-like allowing us to all center our Cheese. We pass by STS9 and can see their gorgeous lights from afar. Heavy and fast baselines combined with fluffy keys make for an uplifting but driving sound. We end up at Rezz where an LED goggle-wearing woman rages the Amphitheater. Her rude bass and distorted glitch noises are pretty damn cool. She wins me over later in the set with a “Killing in the Name” cover by Rage Against the Machine. From there I try my best to stay upright at Odesza but I just can’t do it. Luckily I can hear most of the show from my air mattress where I am happy spend the rest of the night.
FRIDAY Sets seen: 12 Miles walked: 11 miles.
SATURDAY. Rise and shine! Saturday is here! I know its going to be a good day because I wake up to breakfast in bed. Yum! French toast, eggs, and bacon is the perfect start to this gorgeous day! I’m ready and get out of camp as quick as possible to catch Orlando’s Leisure Chief. Theses guys dominate funk/jazz scene and are where its at for all you high class ragers. They play Derek Engstrom’s (drums) “Seven O’clock” as I walk towards The Patch Stage and KNOWER.
HOLY SHIT! KNOWER knows how to rage! Indie-punk jazz with killer vocals on top. This band is fast paced, intricate and ruuuude. Normally a duo, today they have 2 sets of keys, a seated bassist (Sam Wilts), and OG’s Louis Cole (drums), and Genevieve Artadi (vocals). Cole stops in the middle of one of their songs to stand and chuck his drum stick at a crash symbol set up 20 feet behind him on stage (see above in the back right corner). He misses with the first attempt, but hits home with the second try. These guys are great! My friends were all in my ear yesterday about the Lizzo set that “changed their lives.” And now I know how they feel, standing here covered in goosebumps as I discover a new artist at this endless adventure of a festival.
Lettuce in the Meadow is great! I’m surrounded by dozens of my smiling friends. The boys of Boston are cooking up some great daytime funk and Adam Smirnoff is again slicing and dicing on guitar. It’s his birthday too! (HBD!) Now, the band slows down for some dirty funk trap that builds and builds until finally we are throwing our towels up to the beginnings of “Madison Square.” I don’t know everything they played after that, but it was a hell of a set. Better than last night if you ask me. How can you not love this band?!
A camp sandwich later and I’m back at the Amphitheater to catch the end of a chill Stephen Marley set. He and his band stay seated the whole time as they navigate old Bob tunes and sprinkle in some of Stephen’s bigger hits. I need something laid back before we bounce for the third SCI set of the weekend. On my way across the field, I walk past a giant multicolored parachute with 50 people inside. Who knows what kind of shenanigans are going on inside of that exclusive Hulaween club. Just then, a member of Trump’s Space Force dances by me, I’m dead. This band is always a great time. They are just so light and fluffy: rainbows, bubbles and butterflies seem to be present at all of their sets. They hand off the solo better than any band I know, and they just always seem to have just enough edge to keep everyone interested.
We sneak off to Roosevelt Collier Band where he’s holding the note hard on the slide guitar. Driving bass and his constantly wiggling note has a throng of trick-or-treaters dancing with delight. An hour goes quickly and we are right back in the Meadow for SCI’s big theme set of the weekend: Women of the Galaxy. Each song will feature a guest female vocalist. They start simmering with The Rolling Stone’s “Gimme Shelter,” featuring Lisa Fischer. Dancers wearing fire emerge on the stage as well as ribbon dancers who are soon taken high above the stage only to come tumbling down. Next Jennifer Hartswick tributes Aretha Franklin with both her voice and trumpet for “Rock Steady” as inflatable Ouija board picks bubble over the crowd. Later, Fischer slays again with her rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
With hearts for pupils I gaze lovingly towards the stage. This band and this set are ah MAZE ing. Just when I think it can’t get any better, Ann Wilson of Heart comes on stage to help the band out with a Cream tune, “Politician.” They rev things up with “Barracuda” and finish strong with “Get Up, Stand Up” with all the vocalists on stage. The Women of the Galaxy exit and the band takes things up to warp speed in the Space Jam encore. They start with “Rollover” but are soon in a Close Encounters jam. They weave their way through an epic space medley of Star Wars and Star Trek a while 6 foot tall aliens probe the crowd. A giant space ship is now hovering to the left of the stage and all hell has broken lose. Go ahead and watch it again, and again, and again…
Set Three
Gimme Shelter2, Rock Steady3, Proud Mary4, Killing Me Softly With His Song5, Respect6, Valerie7, Heartbreaker8, Politician9, Baracuda10, Get Up Stand Up11
Encore
Rollover> Close Encounters Jam > Star Wars Title Jam > Cantina Jam > Imperial March > Star Trek Next Generation Jam > Original Star Trek Jam > 2001 > Rollover
Notes 1 w/ Rhonda & Tony on vocals, 2 Rolling Stones cover, Lisa Fischer on vocals, 3 Aretha Franklin cover, Jen Hartswick on vocals and trumpet, 4 Tina Turner cover, Rhonda Thomas on vocals, 5 Roberta Flack cover, Lisa Fischer on vocals, 6 Aretha Franklin cover, Rhonda Thomas on vocals, 7 Amy Winehouse cover, Rhonda Thomas on vocals, 8 Pat Benatar cover, Jen Hartswick on vocals and trumpet, 9 Cream cover, Ann Wilson on vocals, 10 Heart cover, Ann Wilson on vocals, 11 Bob Marley, cover featuring everyone
We aren’t finished yet! The crowd splits with half going with me to Vulfpeck at the Patch and the majority to the Amphitheater for Dave Tipper. Vulfpeck is great, playing fan favorites, “Funky Duck” and “1612” with singer Antwan Stanley. I steal away from the funk to go and try to check out Tipper, but I can’t even get close. The place is packed to the gills with folks looking to get their freak on. This guy has a different approach to music that really defies explanation. It’s weird and its good. Go see it.
We are forced to wait a bit for the biggest act of the weekend. They are more that worth the wait as Jamiroquai dominates the stage. His vibrant coat and wicked cool light up headdress keep him warm on this more than brisk evening. His set has huge hits including “Little L,” “Cosmic Girl,” and “Space Cowboy.” The guys will play just 5 US dates this year and we’re here!
Words cannot explain the happiness I feel as all the Napoleon Dynamites in the crowd have their time to shine when “Canned Heat” comes on. Pure. Bliss. This is why we are here!! Nothing can touch this party. Two hours blaze by and the show comes to an end with Jay Kay (vocals) thanking the crowd for a wonderful night. “Thank you psychedelic Statue of Liberty” someone calls out from behind me.
My life is complete.
SATURDAY Sets caught: 12 Miles walked: 11.4
SUNDAY is for the strong. We pass almost no one on our way to the first music of the day. It’s plain to see that the whole festival stayed up late last night. The place is a ghost town (pardon my pun). We pass Rebirth Brass Band just in time for them to cover “Waterfalls” by TLC. It’s so fitting because three of my best friends were “Crazy, Sexy, & Cool” last night for Halloween! I’d like to stay for another song but I’m really on my way out to see Yonder Mountain String Band in the Meadow. I have been invited to sit under the trees with a couple of cute girls and we take this time to enjoy the shade and professional pickin’. YMSB weaves through a bunch of old songs including “No Rain,” by Blind Melon and Pure Prairie League’s “Amie.” Their biggest cover of the set was a sick version of Edgar Winter Band’s “Frankenstein.” These guys can really cause you fall in love with bluegrass.
“You guys are still here?” Nershi (guitar, vocals) calls from the main stage as SCI assembles for the 6th time this weekend. Hats, sunglasses, and parasols are the fashion of the afternoon as the band battles the beautiful sunshiny day. It’s the softer side of Cheese with Kyle Hollingsworth (keys) serenading us with an accordion. I have a great time rubbing elbows with friends and eating great vendor food. It’s so surreal to be in this place with all these awesome people. I love having fun myself, but to see others ring their own bell is the true definition of joy. I know some people need this little bit of freedom more than others and it just fills my heart to see so many happy people, all in one place.
During Cheese set break I have a little fun with Galactic and their big hit “Heart of Steel.” I can’t stay long because the seventh Cheese set is on soon. Last year, it was easily my favorite of the weekend. This year they don’t disappoint with covers of “Superstition,” with Nick Cassarino of Nth Power as well as a predictable “Naive Melody” by the Talking Heads. I am so satisfied with the Cheese sets this year. The Revivalists are next and I need something slow. These guys have the feelings turned all the way up and the crowd sways and sings along. They are looking sharp: all in matching 80’s track suits all in different colors. David Shaw (vocals) is super smooth as he leads the crowd in a call back or two. They send the crowd out happy with a cover of Beastie Boys, “Sabotage.”
Turkuaz is up next. The power-funk nine piece from Brooklyn, NY that takes no prisoners. Balancing male-female harmonies, strutting guitars, wild horn arrangements, and interminable grooves, this spirit takes shape in the color donned by each respective member on stage nightly via larger-than-life performances. THESE GUYS BRING THE FUNK! They do their best to keep things spooky with their song selection, mostly coming from their newest album: Life in the City. They normally each dress up in one solid color for the evening, but something is off here tonight. They are all just a single color still, but have all switched and it’s amazing. With the color switch comes new attitude from the way their are dressed. Sammi, who is usually pink, is now all black with short straight black hair. You can tell they’re having fun on stage and it radiates outward to us!
I’m surrounded by friends and smiling faces as we tear up the rug for the last set of the weekend. The guy next to me insists that I have my hands above my head at all times, and he’s right. Kuaz finishes out strong with a cover of Hot Chocolates‘ “Everyone’s a Winner.” This song will be stuck in my head for a week as I pull out all the stops and use up every last one of my dance moves. The music ends and I’m exhausted. Luckily for me I have cool friends who cook me spaghetti back at camp. This gives me the fuel I need to go out into the darkness one last time looking for live music. I succeed in finding Guavatron hiding in the mist. This is one of my favorite local Jamtronica bands and I’m glad I stumbled upon them, even if its late night and at a small campsite. I highly recommend checking them out when you get the chance. Finally I go to bed, just as the sun begins to rise.
SUNDAY Sets caught: 9 Miles walked: 11.6
We did it! We made it through 4 days 6 days of camping and live music! I’m tired, and my feet hurt. I’m sunburnt, and trending towards the wook flu. BUT I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything in the world!
THE 2018 HULA MONSTER HAS BEEN CAUGHT!
HULAWEEN 2018 Total Sets: 44 Total Miles Walked: 41
Transkam is Trip-music. The three-piece consists of Yana (Drummer of “Numbs”), Tune (Guitarist of “Alan Smithee’s MAD Universe”), formed in November 2013. Yukiyo (Bassist of “TACOBONDS”) joined the band in 2014.
Their first album titled, BLUESHADE OF THE OMEGASOUND was released on Zot Records in June 2016. After coming off a great tour in the US 2016, they are coming back for a 1 week tour in Florida this November.
Transkam is putting emphasis on Riff and Rhythm.
Shows I Go To: We’re stoked to have Transkam as a part of 11Eleven Fest! You toured the US back in 2016, what were some of your favorite places to play?
Tune: I liked playing in Baltimore at The Crown because the audience was very nice. Yana: I liked the Funhouse in PA bin Japan we have very well equipped venues and this was a bar and the set up was interesting to work with. Yuki: A House Show in New Brunswick because the bands we played with were good and playing a house show is very American and there’s no house shows in Japan.
SIGT: Concept is HxCx / minimal / ’90V / Junk / Industrial / Krautrock.’ I love this description! How do you incorporate all of these concepts while creating?
Transkam: They are all different genres but we think they are all the same so, its very natural to write songs for us including the all genres.”
SIGT: How much of your live performance is improvisation, if any?
Transkam: As far as bass and drums, its structured, but guitar has room from improvisation.
SIGT: You’ve been creating music since 2013, what’s been the biggest lesson/growing experience over the past five years for you as a band?
Transkam: Playing overseas has been the biggest growing experiences for us because of performing in a different environment and to a different audience. Also, it is very different from Japan. So we had to adjust to the different culture when it comes to event production and sound.
Since we’ve been together 5 years, it has not just been one experience, but, we know what our capacities are as a band. So, we know at what capacity our sound can be performed at, so it pushed us.”
SIGT: What are your favorite drinks to have while playing a show?
Tune: I like to drink beer Yana: I like to drink Beer. I like Japanese beer “Hoppy!” Yuki: I like to drink Whiskey on ice.
SIGT: If you could have any three artists, dead or alive, play at your Funeral, who would they be?
Tune:Loren Conners / Keith Kennith aka Goldmund / Eric Satie , Yana: Ryuichi Kawamura / Tama / CCB , Yuki: Natsumen / Jeff Buckley / Bach Support member Tsuttisan: Tm network / Yusa Mimori / Hard Floor
INTRODUCING: Transkams’ “Domo Arigato” Rare Japanese Sake
The Japanese rhythmic rock trio just dropped their new EP, EP 2! Transkam have honed their sound into an insanely tight machine on this EP, giving us their signature, almost industrial sound, but, with even more meticulous innovation.
Steam their new music on Bandcamp, and get ready to rip live with them in just a little over a week! ?
Jonathan Davis of Korn is bringing “The Black Labyrinth Tour” w/ The Birthday Massacre & Julien K at The Orhpeum in Tampa, FL Saturday, November 4th!! Shout out to No Clubs for always keeping it Metal!! ?????????? WIN TIX BELOW!!!! HOW TO WIN TICKETS: HOW TO WIN TICKETS: HOW TO [&hellip
With such sunny and gleaming hits as “Came In Close” off their debut album, My Mind Makes Noises, you would expect the indie pop band from the UK to look more Madonna, (whom they draw inspiration from,) rather than Elvira’s gaggle of spawn. Heather Baron-Gracie, Ciara Doran, Hugo Silvani, and Charlie Wood of Pale
Sebastian Bach is coming to the White Buffalo Saloon in Tampa with Monte Pittman and One Bad Son!!! Kick off November with the Hair-Metal God himself! The former frontman of SkidRow – now solo artist – is on the road thrashing those luscious locks to all who dare watch. With a set sure to send [&hellip
Allen Stone is coming to The Ritz Ybor with Nick Waterhouse Saturday, November 3rd!! I repeat, Allen Stone is coming to town. Let’s do this. Last time I saw the incredible soul performer was on a Sunday afternoon in a blazing hot field at Okeechobee last year. He was wearing overalls and his long blond [&hellip
(Sandy) Alex G is coming to The Social in Orlando with Half Waif on Monday, November 12th! Alexander Giannascoli – better known as singer-songwriter (Sandy) Alex G – is bringing his intimate, rustic sound to the people of Orlando. His songs are often built around softly layered vocals and guitars, taking a rather breathy approach
Orlando, you are in for a treat! Yelle is coming to The Social on Tuesday, October 30th! The French electro-pop trio was founded in 2005 by singer Julie Budet and Jean-François Perrier when they decided it was time to start a band. Their first single was released in 2006 under the title “Je Veux Te [&hellip
Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan’s modern art-rock supergroup, A Perfect Circle are returning to Orlando on Tuesday, October 30th at the CFE Arena (UCF)! They’ll be bringing their mature, avant-garde sound to Central Florida in support of their just released 4th studio album, Eat the Elephant. The band performed on Jimmy
Pickin’ is the name of the game this weekend. Patrons of all ages gather at the Spirit for a slow but enjoyable weekend of folk, country, and bluegrass at the Suwannee Roots Revival. The music this weekend has a “duck on a pond” feeling about it. That is to say that it looks slow and docile to the passerby, but just under the surface the songs are swimming and churning with small solos and instrumental highlights. Bluegrass is big on the affect, not the effects.
So on Thursday I frantically pack all of my camping stuff after getting off work late. The goal is to get to the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park by sundown so I can see really well while driving, but also so I can set up camp before going to enjoy the music tonight! I did the best I could, but still arrive to the park a little after sundown. No worries, I’ll set up my tent and bed when I’m ready to sleep tonight. I notice right away that the plots of land for camp are huge! This isn’t a camp, its a homestead! I hug all of my friends and we laugh and smile our way down to the first music of the weekend: Peter Rowan. Peter Rowan is a grammy award winning singer songwriter who’s career spans 5 decades. He’s worked with big name acts including the one and only Jerry Garcia. We walk up to the beautiful amphitheater stage to find a very laid back vibe. People are mostly in chairs, and those chairs go all the way from the sounds booth to the front railing, 20 wide. I am delighted as we approach to find he’s playing the song I fancied the most while researching him, “Midnight Moonlight.” Rowan is rocking camo pants with his band, the Free Mexican Airforce. He takes time to tell a funny story about he and his friends taking peyote in Mexico and accidentally setting up camp on the road because they were so high. A little bit of his patented indian yodeling later and we were off to our friends campsite for an awesome meal! (Thanks Tami and Charles, Adam, and Shelly.)
We finish eating and make it down to the porch stage for John Stickley Trio. I am unfamiliar with their sound but Hunter Deacon’s solid work on the drums and Lyndsay Pruett’s amazing fiddle made me a believer in just one set. John Stickley is a beast on the guitar too! They’re ability to navigate progressive songs that require a ton of changes and looping made it sound like there were a bunch of players on stage. We return to the amphitheater stage for one of the main acts of the weekend, Oteil Burbridge and Friends. Oteil is a bass player who has been in two of the biggest bands of all time, Allman Brothers Band, and The Grateful Dead. He is flanked on stage by some seriously talented friends. On one side he has guitarist John Kadlecik (Futher, DSO), on the other he has guitarist Scott Metzger (JRAD), percussionist Weedie Braimah (Toubab Krewe, Nth Power), drummer John Kimocks and an outstanding vocalist in Alfreda Gerald. These guys are goooooooood. They tackle really big songs like Jerry Garcia Band’s “Tangled up in Blue” that Metzger absolutely slays on. But Kadlecik won’t be outdone and he rips a huge solo right afterwards. It kinda feels like Metzger is boosting Kadlecik upward with his solo, much like someone who double-jumps their friend on a trampoline. They follow that with a slow cover of Otis Rush’s “I’m Tore Up.” Afterwards they get into a funky groove where everyone was simmering and stewing in the pocket so that Braimah could pepper in some of that delicious djembe seasoning. The crowd is moving and shaking all over! They finish up strong with covers of Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart,” and James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Wow! I am so impressed with Gerald’s vocals, man can she wail!!
The final set of the evening is Grass is Dead. We travel across the dark meadow to a tent with peaks like a circus. As we approach I can see lights dancing off the walls and can hear the bass thumping. Mist dances in the moonlight as we near the music. Billy Gilmore (banjo) and Steve Pruett (mandolin) lead a fast paced and exciting 5 piece through the expansive library of the Dead. These guys are pretty damn good. This set takes us into the late hours of the night. Walking from here to there to find the next jam session, laughing all the way.
The next day we wake up on the lake and the weather is gorgeous. This is exactly why I am here! I can’t help but be energized by the stellar weather and use my new found energy to make it over to our friends spot where breakfast burritos are cooking. Fueled up and ready to go, our first stop for music takes us to the music hall where Brett Bass is leading his band. Bass was the lead in Grandpa’s Cough Medicine when it was still a group. These guys remind me of Johnny Cash just a little in the way he wears his guitar and all black, and of course, the sound as well. At this point I am made aware of how much I stand out compared to the crowd. I’m wearing coral shorts, a white print collared shirt and drinking a kiwi-strawberry La Croix while my musical neighbor has on a camo shirt tucked into his blue jeans and a trucker hat with a hook on the bill. We might not look the same, but the great thing about music is it brings together people from all backgrounds to do just one thing: boogie! From here we make our way past the Lonely Heartstring Band. These guys have awesome harmonies and I wish I would have stayed longer to appreciate more of their smooth approach to bluegrass. After a quick stop back at camp, we catch the tail end of the Lee Boys in the amphitheater and they are great! Their upbeat southern slide and thumping bass drum is a welcome change from the low and slow of the daytime acts.
We walk away from Lee Boys, exploring all that Roots Revival has to offer. During our travels we made our way to the music tent in the meadow. Here we are surprised to find a large group of people ballroom dancing. I couldn’t tell you the song or the dance, but it’s sweet. People of all ages enjoying an afternoon waltz, it brings a smile to my face. It is just one more example of how people have come to this festival to get their “slow” on. And I mean really slow. The conversations at camp aren’t necessarily about the music, it’s more people planning to take a shower in 20 min, or spending 45 minutes to “get ready” to go across the campsite to the picnic table for supper. Rest and relaxation are number one and two for this very mature and laid back crowd. Although I’m used to a bit more hustle and bustle at the Spirit, (HULAWEEN) I could get used to slowing down to a breakneck crawl. The Seldom Scene is up next. They are an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. I am serenaded by their smooth slow harmonies and warm, folksy feel. They take things slow, but finally do work things into a lather with the song “Appalachian Rain,” where Ron Stewart cleans up with the banjo.
Keller Williams and The Hillbenders are going to do Tom Petty! They start playing before coming out on stage, and when they do, they are in a little train, almost like a conga line. They all take a moment to settle into position, all while playing of course, and when they are in their spot, they all signal they are ready and step up to the microphone simultaneously sing the chorus. They don’t stop playing as they transition from one song to another. It really feels like an extended jam session where they stumble upon Petty tunes along the way. Their fluidity is evident as each member continuously checks in with Keller and he tweaks and adjusts their sound with a look or a gesture. The vibe from the band is obviously excited. They are pumped to be headlining with Keller in such a beautiful setting. I can’t tell you how many nods with pursed lips I saw on stage, but it was a lot! We transition and find ourselves “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” Jim Rhea takes the lead on guitar with a nice solo. Like note for note what I was thnking. Does that ever happen to you? Where the artist takes the song exactly where you think it should, almost like you’re behind the wheel? Well it happened here during Rhea’s effortless and patient solo, and it just felt right. The setlist included all of Petty’s biggest hits, “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” just to name a few. I can tell people are satisfied leaving this set. People are hugging and high-fiving their friends.
John Stickley Trio finishes the night strong with dark jams that remind me of Radiohead. Pruett on the fiddle is once again astounding. Stickley takes a moment to fix a broken string and they are right back at it, finishing the set with a medley that includes “Nevermind,” by Nirvana and “Friend of the Devil,” by the Graeful Dead teases. They encore with Lyndsay’s father Steve Pruett and Billy Gilmore from Grass is Dead.
So after the music, we pit stop at camp and meet back up with all of our friends. We trade stories around the fire as more and more people gather. Then the musicians start coming around. More and more team up and pretty soon we have a 5 piece band around our fire, stand up bass and all (shoutout to Free Range Strange). I wake up in the morning to find the same people sitting around in a circle exhausting their libraries of music, having the time of their lives mixing it up with friends, new and old! This morning is another beautiful day in paradise. We move to our friends camp where breakfast is already making stomachs grumble. Today, I have decided to dress at the opposite end of the spectrum from yesterday. So I rock some cut off jean shorts, a Metallica shirt and a black hat with a mullet built in. This hair matches my beard perfectly and I get looks all day where people are trying to figure out if I’m in a costume, or if I’m a local who’s a big fan of “Enter Sandman.” Either way, I am thoroughly entertained by the perplexed faces from friends and strangers alike.
The first music we arrive to is Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. This five piece band includes David Lynch (harmonica, accordion, spoons, vocals), Collin Mettelka (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Russell Pedersen (banjo, fiddle, vocals), Adam Greuel (guitar, dobro, vocals), and Samual Odin (bass) and all of the members sing. This is kind of their thing, as they move through the song, the band members rotate in and out to get near the microphone to sing their part. These guys are close, as evident by the 5 min very complicated A capella song they sang that even included the guys simultaneous opening a beer into the mic. I am surprised to hear them covering “Naive Melody,” by The Talking Heads with an accordion! After H&HG we make our way to the big tent to hear the last song again for the Lee Boys. This time they are covering Grateful Dead’s “Love Light.” Totally made the trip out to the meadow worth it, even if we only got one song.
Today we spend a ton of time at camp, playing and laughing with our friends. We cook meals for each other and enjoy fellowship right next to the lake as the sun sets. The golden hour in the Spirit of Suwannee is unlike any other. The colors jump from the trees and the contrast between light and dark play tricks on your vision. Tonight someone has taken a bunch of time to light up the trees along the walk way with small lanterns and glow sticks. The vibe is awesome, as people get ready for the chilly evening hours.
We make our way to Samantha Fish next. She and her band are super impressive. Upbeat blues and soul makes me think of Ami Winehouse and then they sound like Sharon Jones, and even remind me of rockers, The Main Squeeze. They give Oteil and Keller a run for their money when it comes to best set of the weekend. If they come to your town, you have been informed: be there!
Leftover Salmon is the final band for the evening and they are so good. Smooth pickin’ with an island sound this bluegrass/calypso band has me sitting on the beach with a drink in my hand. Big bonfire and friends playing fooball on the beach in the fading light from the day everything is just perfect. This band simply gets work done. No down time in between songs or lengthy explanations, no they guys are here to boogie! As I look around I can see that everyone is moving back and forth, groovin with the music. Lyndsay Pruett and John Stickley join them on stage for a cover of Guns & Roses’ “Sweet Child O Mine.” I’m not the only one having a good time, the guitarist for Leftover Vince Herman shakes his head so hard to the beat that he looses his hat!
The night ends with the same schedule as yesterday: check back in a camp and collect friends, and then venture out into the night to find small groups of musicians who team up for just moments at a time and create wonderful pops of delicious bluegrass goodness. A few times you can hear artists and fans alike paying tribute to the recently deceased multi-instrumentalist from Railroad Earth, Andy Goessling.
We finish the night as the sun is coming up. Luckily the our group knows how to cook, and we ate and slept, slept and ate the morning and early afternoon away. Lazily laying lakeside soaking up the majesty of the Spirit. Cheesy grits and eggs behind us we set out for music. Today we get another helping of Grass is Dead. They have us dancing with a nice upbeat version of “Sugaree.” Rev. Mosier, a legendary banjo player who has shared the stage with Col. Bruce and Phish, also shares the stage with Grass is Dead today. Together they play a John Hartford love song celebrating the life of RRE’s Goessling. Leftover Salmon is the last music of the weekend for me and they don’t disappoint. They cover a few songs in the midst of they non-stop jamming, including “Freedom,” by George Michael and also “Sweet Home Alabama,” with the lyrics changed to Margaritaville. Later they touch on “Can’t You See…” “what Jimmy Buffet’s been doing to me?!” by The Marshall Tucker Band.
All and all it has been a wonderful time back at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. It was my first time attending Suwannee Roots Revival and I can honestly say they have made a believer out of me. Taking a weekend to enjoy going slow and loving on some sweet, bluegrass music. I will most definitely be returning to this big time hoedown! Or is it a hootenanny?
Live Review by Spencer Storch
Photos by Carmelo Conte
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