Virtual Crate Digging In The nugs.net App – Volume 2: Duane Trucks Edition

Welcome to the second edition of Virtual Crate Digging in the nugs.net app, where JamBase’s editorial staff goes digging through the archives of the 10,000+ shows available for streaming via the newly launched mobile application.

Late last year, nugs.net launched their first subscription streaming service. For $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year, subscribers can gain unlimited access to the nugs.net app’s catalog of live sets (and studio albums) from artists such as Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes, the Disco Biscuits, Gov’t Mule and moe.. Non-subscribers may access a rotating selection of “Featured Shows” & nugs.net radio completely Free. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Earlier this month drummer Duane Trucks joined Widespread Panic as a full-time member. While Duane was behind the kit for every Panic performance between October of 2014 and this past New Year’s Eve, the band’s founding drummer Todd Nance returned to his spot for this year’s Panic En La Playa. In a surprise move, Widespread Panic announced Trucks would be the band’s drummer moving forward just ahead of kicking off Winter Tour on February 9 in Athens, Georgia. For this edition of Virtual Crate Digging we look at Duane Trucks’ first-ever show with Widespread Panic as well as his return performance in Athens both of which are available for streaming.

Widespread Panic – North Charleston Coliseum – Charleston, South Carolina

Duane Trucks hit the ground running at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, South Carolina on October 3, 2014 when he played his first show on drums for Widespread Panic. He displayed a much different style than Nance and while at points he missed a few cues, Trucks powered a handful of impressive jams over the course of the show. Widespread Panic went with an extremely old school setlist for Duane’s first show as the performance is chock full of classics such as “Diner,” “Space Wrangler,” “Driving Song,” “Rebirtha” and “Love Tractor.” There were a few choice covers thrown in for good measure including the Talking Heads’ “Heaven” and “Life During Wartime” as well as ZZ Top’s “Waitin’ For The Bus” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” After listening it’s no wonder Panic fans were so excited for the start of what turned out to be the first Duane Trucks era.

Widespread Panic – The Classic Center – Athens, Georgia

In contrasting the first show of Duane Trucks’ current era with the first show of his initial run with Widespread Panic, you can hear how much more comfortable the drummer is with the band’s material. The Georgia rockers weren’t limited to classics at their recent Winter Tour opener on February 9 at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia as the show featured a handful of songs from the group’s 2015 studio album Street Dogs which can also be streamed via the nugs.net app. Standout moments include an expansive “Rebirtha,” a particularly cool jam out of “Space Wrangler” and a spot-on take on the Talking Heads’ “Papa Legba.”