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Opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd last month is only a small portion of the
story. This band is able to turn on a dime, and delights in doing so
frequently. If they've seemed quiet in the jam scene this year, it's
because they have been busy exploring other territories. In one short
year, their style has come full circle. Shifting from a period of
concise songwriting and shorter sets to what some might recognize as a
return to their Wetlands approach, they have proved consistent in their
aim to deliver powerful and artistic rock and roll. The bottom line is,
RANA plans to finish their landmark year in style - headlining CBGB's on
New Years Eve for the second consecutive year.
After performing at Austin's famed South by Southwest in March, the band
met up with former REM drummer Bill Berry in Athens, GA to record new
tracks. With Berry as producer and Athens' cornerstone engineer John
Keane (REM, Widespread Panic) behind the console, RANA pumped out an
album's worth of music in two weekends down south. Upon hearing these new
'demo' tracks, the office of Howard Dean called on RANA to play a rally
for the Democratic Presidential hopeful at Irving Plaza. All the while
touring the country with their unique eclectic rock style (think Ween
meets Camper Van Beethoven with echoes of Talking Heads), RANA continued
to build a loyal following of rock and jam fans alike. They have shared
the stage with the likes of Chris Robinson, Umphrey's McGee, Ween, Gov't
Mule, and Steve Garvey of the Buzzcocks. Their post Ween/Widespread
Panic show at Tobacco Road on November 1 had as many Ween fans as
Widespread Panic fans; the sold out crowd had RANA in common. They
included several tracks from this show on the recent live release
Subject to Change. The band received a surprise phone call to open for
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Hammerstein Ballroom last month. "We were asleep when
the first call came... but there we were, five hours later, playing to the
rowdiest rock crowd there is – opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd."
RANA will cap off this amazing year with their second annual New Years
Eve at CBGB concert. Moonraker will join them on the bill. Tickets are
available online at Ticketweb or RANArock.com.
Tad Babbitt
JamBase | New York
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