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Before a rather mind opening experience I had a few months ago at the Roseland
Ballroom I have to admit that moe. was not a
band I was too excited to see again but, after, I wanted to give those
guys another listen and see if it was just me. After this past
Saturday, I can say that it most definitely was. And the guys have keys
now, added about four shows before that gig which will probably be more
of a fixture on tour as I was told by one of the band's technical crew
who said that the guys are grooving on it. No doubt, it spreads them
out more and nicely balances the beautifully raunchy rips that the front
three provide.
Crammed on the floor for one of the last shows that Roseland will host
it wasn't only the energy of the crowd that was palpable but the insane
jams coming from Al Schnier, Rob Derhak and Churck Garvey; the strongest
string unit I've ever seen. There's hard rock all over their work,
patchworked nicely with more bluesy stuff which is strung together
nicely with old fashioned rock n roll. If that was it, a pounding would
be coming your way, but their bluegrass and country harmonies hold them
from going into full Metallica or Van Halen mode. For those collectors
out there, hunt yourself down a copy of their first set with killer
works of art like Rebubula and a jam leading into and througout
the closer, Recreational Chemistry, which is one of those
performances that are so intense, so right on that it will leave you
absolutely numb. Personally I was a bit pensive, considering how ironic
it would be to dine out with these guys and see them order from the
"lite" portion of a menu because all of the steakhouses in the land
couldn't serve you up anything as meaty as moe. can.
Opening set two with St. Augustine, moe. ran the
table more toward the pop scale with a lighter feel leading into
Gone with country lines and a spacy aura of yearning brought out
by the keyboardist who was also let out much more for the rest of the
night. There was a jaunty pace in the first half of the set with some
ballad type lyrics as in Hi & Lo which provided a dose of noodle
with more rockabilly in it. Further on, the work of Vinnie Amico on
drums and Jim Loughlin on a percussion set, which evokes the image and
energy of Sheila E., continued to whip up the underbelly supporting the
three front men whose power is undeniably reminiscent of football
lineman who could conceivably move the Earth. In the middle of the
closer, Meat, Vinnie & Jim had the spotlight for themselves for a
bit which provided a nice sense of balance before they employed their
new toy, rocking out a cover of the Allman
Brother's classic, One Way Out which is sure to send you off
hoppin' to the late night happening of your choice.
It's easy to understand why moe. is one of
the most popular bands on the scene, acquiring a following like other
growing acts like the String Cheese
Incident and The Disco
Biscuits and you'll have plenty of opportunity to dig on the ride.
Thursday night, they can be found at the Vogue Theater
in Indianapolis and then onward through the rest of tour which ends with
two nights at D.C.'s 9:30 Club on
December 8th and 9th. And don't forget one of the most anticipated NYE
shows on the east coast; The Flyers Skate
Zone in Atlantic City where I a lot of my own loved ones will be.
Howie Greenberg
JamBase NYC Correspondent
Kitty Malone Sat on a Mule
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