Emmitt-Nershi Band | 10.22 | S.F.

Words by: Justin Gillett

Emmitt-Nershi Band & Assembly of Dust:: 10.22.09 :: The Independent :: San Francisco, CA

Bill Nershi & Drew Emmitt by Bubba Jackson

Helmed by two of the biggest names of the jam scene, the Emmitt-Nershi Band has managed to carve an impressive reputation for itself over the past three years as a premier alt-grass outfit with a defined sound and consistent touring schedule. The band’s no nonsense shows feature Drew Emmitt (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Bill Nershi (guitar, vocals), Tyler Grant (bass), and Andy Thorn (banjo) playing a swath of folksy Americana bluegrass that harkens back to simpler times when people didn’t need electricity to play, hear, or dance to music.

With Emmitt and Nershi being pivotal entities in two of the largest bands to emerge from the ’90s jam haze (Emmitt with Leftover Salmon and Nershi with The String Cheese Incident), one might assume that an Emmitt-Nershi Band show could be a breeding ground for musical wankery and self-indulgent solos. But the straightforward approach to making music that was on display during the band’s show at The Independent was a departure from the noodle-happy, slightly farcical shows of String Cheese and Leftover Salmon. With Emmitt-Nershi Band, both musicians seem perfectly at home playing humble tunes at intimate venues where the music can speak for itself.

Opening up the show was Assembly of Dust. While the New York-based foursome has been gaining momentum on their native soil, their sound has not quite led the group to a dedicated following on the West Coast. Even though the band has been performing since 2002, they still seem slightly unsure of themselves and not as confident as they should be. Not to say that the band isn’t good or talented – lead guitarist Adam Terrell had some amazing solos and Reid Genauer is one heck of a songwriter – but one gets the sense that this band may sadly never amount to their full potential. AoD’s songs are at times a bit too organized around a predictable pop format, and there really is no special quality or commanding stage presence that raises this band above other talented acts out there.

Emmitt & Nershi by Polly Gray

When all four members of Emmitt-Nershi Band came out to play a few songs with Assembly of Dust, though, it definitely made the set more interesting, both audibly and visually. As the eight musicians onstage traded solos, it was Nershi and Emmitt who were focal points, not members of Assembly of Dust. Nershi was in complete control of the stage as he took an acoustic guitar run, and the same could be said for Emmitt when he tore into the mandolin.

After a short set break, the four members of Emmitt-Nershi Band reemerged and lurched into an extremely soulful set that highlighted each musician’s strength as a performer. During the band’s first few songs, Emmitt’s haunting, backwoods-y croon stuck out as a driving force that the band frequently fell back on for support. While vocal duties were shared between all the musicians, it was Emmitt, in particular, who sang without restraint and almost led him to act as the leader of the group. When Nershi sang it was pleasing but it lacked a serious resonance that Emmitt’s forthright vocals possessed.

As the set progressed, Grant’s distinctive bass playing managed to add layers of originality to the band’s sound. Using an electric hollow body bass as if it were an upright, Grant propelled and motivated the rootsy bluegrass sound the other three musicians were intent on creating. Having won the National Flatpicking Championship in 2008, it could seem an odd choice to select Grant to play bass in this band, but it works and his understanding of what should be played on the bass is clearly a good fit for this outfit.

Fans of String Cheese were pleased as the band cranked out bluegrass versions of “Texas” and “Restless Wind.” These songs, while clearly more attuned to how Nershi originally envisioned them, lacked any prevalent backbone. This could be said about the first half of the band’s set as a whole; there wasn’t a consistent beat that almost seems necessary for any band to structure itself on. Picking up on this lack of forceful rhythm, almost clairvoyantly, Nershi invited Andy Herrick, the drummer from Assembly of Dust, out to finish up the remainder of the set. The percussion infusion was exactly what was needed to make the music more dynamic and danceable.

Emmitt-Nershi Band by Polly Gray

Having just released a new album, New Country Blues (released September 29 on SCI Fidelity Records), much of what the band played was understandably off the fresh studio LP. These songs seemed to epitomize Emmitt-Nershi Band. They’re uncompromising and rarely predictable. When playing tracks off New Country Blues, Nershi sported a huge smile that could be seen through his thick, white beard. Other members were also visibly giddy, and this communal glee helped articulate the music and make it more amiable.

For the encore all the members of Assembly of Dust were invited back for a rendering of the traditional “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad.” Almost everyone was sharing a microphone, which helped heighten the mutual musical creation and add to the overall cooperation between the artists. Solos were passed around and every musician – especially Emmitt, who was playing a fiddle – stepped up to the plate and delivered a strong finale.

Emmitt-Nershi Band tour dates available here.

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