The Disco Biscuits Reunite With Original Drummer Sam Altman In New York

Last night, The Disco Biscuits' summer tour began at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. A special sequence took place at the start of the second set when the band was joined by original drummer Sam “The Professor” Altman.

Sam Altman co-founded the band in 1995 and was a member of the pioneering jamtronica quartet through 2005. Altman left Bisco to pursue a career as a doctor. Allen Aucoin took his place before departing the group last fall. Marlon Lewis is the current Disco Biscuits drummer and moved to an auxiliary percussion set when Altman got behind the kit on Thursday.

Lewis and the classic Disco Biscuits lineup of Altman, bassist Marc Brownstein, guitarist Jon Gutwillig and keyboardist Aron Magner kicked off the second set with “Basis For A Day.” The five musicians patiently and expertly explored several soundscapes over the course of the well-jammed version of the 31-year-old song.

After nearly 20 minutes, Bisco transitioned into the beloved “I-Man.” Sam Altman showed little rust as the band worked through the adventurous sequence. The Disco Biscuits returned to “Basis For A Day” to end “The Professor’s” time on stage. The drummer departed to huge cheers of “Sammy” from the crowd in his current hometown of Huntington.

Earlier in the night, the quartet threw down a seamless, five-song first set consisting of “Caves Of The East,” “Minions,” “Orch Theme,” “Tempest” and “Save The Robots.” Bisco followed Altman’s appearance by performing “Chemical Warfare Brigade” and an “Aceetobee” featuring “Neck Romancer” within. The night ended with an encore of “Postcard” and “Sound One.”

A livestream replay of The Disco Biscuits’ entire tour opener at The Paramount is available for nugs subscribers. The tour continues tonight and tomorrow at Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut. Livestreams of both shows can also be viewed on nugs.

Setlist (via Biscuits Internet Project 3.0)

Set One: Caves of the East > Minions > Orch Theme [1] > Tempest [2] > Save the Robots [3]

Set Two: Basis for a Day [4] [5] [6] > I-Man [1] [5] > Basis for a Day [5] [6], Chemical Warfare Brigade, Aceetobee > Neck Romancer > Aceetobee

Encore: Postcard > Sound One

• [1] unfinished
• [2] last played 8/22/2025 (52 shows)
• [3] ending only
• [4] with ‘Purple Rain’ (Prince) tease
• [5] with Sam Altman on drums
• [6] last played 9/7/2025 (42 shows)