Galactic at Brooklyn Bowl, 6/21 and 6/22

Galactic is known for bringing the ultimate in funk to any spot they play around the country. But, when you add some legendary guests with different styles of music, the funk takes on a whole new meaning.

A four-night Brooklyn Bowl run began on 6/21, with Galactic taking the stage with Corey Henry of Rebirth Brass Band on trombone. You would have no idea that Corey Henry played for any other band but Galactic; he fits in seamlessly with them. Also joining them for a few numbers would be Corey Glover of Living Color fame, a passionate vocal force flowed smoothly with the powerful melodies being played around him.

Both of these special guests are performing for the entire run and would have sufficed to make it stellar, but Galactic kicked up a notch by inviting even more notorious guests. On the first night, Chali 2na of Jurrasic 5 joined the band and turned the Bowl into a funked-out hip-hop dance party. In the spirit of their guests, the ensemble took on covers of Jurrasic 5 classics like “What is Success,” “Church,” and “Keep Steppin,” as well as “La Di Da Di” by Slick Rick. Also playing for a few songs was guitarist Scott Metzger, adding a melodious edge to the hip-hop beats. In true Brooklyn style, the beat went on (and on and on).


On the second night (6/22), an entirely new musical beast took the stage- Warren Haynes, best known for his work with Gov’t Mule and Allman Brothers Band. Gone were the rap vocals and hip hop melodies, but the funk remained in full force, only this time infusing the sound with the blues. Haynes graced us with his effortless jams and musings for a few songs, including Rolling Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and an instrumental version of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks." As Haynes left the stage, Galactic reminded us that they were than their guests with a sensational version of "Heart of Steel." Rejoined again by Corey Glover and Corey Henry, they ended the set with a slowed down, rocked out version of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”


In these two nights, Galactic has proven that they are truly a dynamic and skilled band. Both shows were equally musical and whimsical, but were also both very different from each other. Galactic has a very unique sound that is clearly influenced by many different types of music, and they have proved time and again that they can adapt to playing with big name guests. Not only do they maintain their own sound from guest to guest, but they know how to highlight the various stylings of the guests and layering it within their own playing.


There's two more nights left of Galactic at Brooklyn Bowl, tonight 6/23 and 6/24. The 6/24 show is sold out, but there are still some spots available at the door starting at 6pm. Trust me- you do NOT need to be there that early. Get there by 7-7:30 the latest to be safe, but you should be fine around that time. I definitely recommend going if you've never seen Galactic!

2011 Live Music Adventures

My 2011 concert going experience has been pretty spectacular! Since I last posted, I've gotten to see a whole bunch of live music of all sorts, and I've even gotten to see a few bands I've been meaning to see for the first time.

The first show I saw this year was 1/28, Umphrey's McGee at the Best Buy Theatre. This was my first time seeing Umphrey's and they totally exceeded my expectations. Not only did they play some of my favorites (Miss Tinkle's Overture and In The Kitchen) but their jamming was mind-blowing. This is one show I went to that I keep listening to over and over again, especially 'Wappy Sprayberry', 'Bittersweet Haj', and 'In The Kitchen'. Their jamming is just so smooth and sexy. The best way for me to describe this is show is pure baby-making music. I will be seeing them many times in the future, that's for sure. They are one of the most genre bending bands I have ever listened to or seen.

The next show I got to enjoy was Lotus at Mercury Lounge on 2/3. First off, great place to see a show. It's super small and intimate, and I was right in the front row. I wish my Blackberry survived the show, because I got some great pictures there that died along with it. This was also my first time seeing Lotus (though I got see Mike Greenfield, the drummed, play with the Disco Biscuits during their New Years run in NYC, and thought he played very well with them), and this was their tour kick-off and the first of 3 nights in New York City. I'm happy that the one show of the 3 nights I went to was this one, because I think of the 3 night run this is by far the best show. Super high energy and eclectic jamming. They've got a great electronic/jazzy/funky sound that I've never heard from any other band.


Then, I had a really crazy week. 3 shows in 4 days. On 2/22 at Terminal 5, I got see Trey Anastasio play with his band, one set acoustic, one set electric. The acoustic set reminded me of a sort of Phish campfire sing-a-long. Highlights for me included 'Camel Walk' and 'Meatstick'. The show featured some fun covers, including 'Hey Ya!' by OutKast, Clint Eastwood by 'Gorillaz,' and fun 'Sultans of Swing' (Dire Straits)/ 'Empire State of Mind' (Jay-Z and Alicia Keys) encore. Fun show. Though I must say, I'm not really a fan of Terminal 5. Don't like the set-up, don't like the acoustics. I think there are just better places to see shows in NYC, especially for an instrumentally driven artist like Trey, but it's not bad for artists like the next one.


Max Tundra, opener for Girl Talk





On stage for Girl Talk
2 days later on 2/24 I was back at Terminal 5 for Girl Talk. Of all the 3 shows I was seeing that week, I was least excited for this show. Not that I don't love me some Girl Talk, but I was seeing 2 of my favorite artists that week. I got there early to get up front and saw his two openers, Junk Culture and Max Tundra. Both were... well, interesting. Very different sounding, sort of electronic weirdness. I wish I knew the best way to explain either one of them. Google may be your friend in this situation. As for the main act... well, let's just say, yours truly got on stage and stood behind him, the whole time, while he performed. Doesn't really get more AWESOME than that. Such a fun high energy show. Short, but sweet.


Video of Skrillex, via a very nice dude on stage.

The next day, I went on an adventure to see Skrillex. The show was sold out, so I dared to brave Webster Hall by my lonesome. The last time I saw Skrillex, I went to a very full Webster Hall, and enjoyed the music but vowed never to return to the venue again. I HATE WEBSTER HALL. More than any place in the world. Seriously. This trip there only proved it to me further. But Skrillex put on such an awesome show (which I got to witness from the front row and got totally beat up in the process) that in the end, the experience was worth it. He's my favorite electronic artist, and he put an even better show than I remembered. However, I will NEVER EVER EVER go back to Webster Hall. EVER. That place is hell on earth. Only with a decent soundtrack.





The last show to catch you up on- Furthur at the Best Buy Theatre 3/13. Sadly, Owsley 'Bear' Stanley, longtime Grateful Dead sound guy and creator of the infamous Dead Bear, died the same day. The band played several poignant tributes to him throughout the show, and everyone could feel the heavy emotion in them. Warren Haynes of Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule fame joined the band for the second set, and he fit seamlessly in with them. The jamming was very ethereal and spacey, and to me the whole show seemed more like a trippy old school Grateful Dead show than a Furthur show. MVP of the night is drummer Joe Russo, who played with such high energy and seemed to lead the band throughout their jamming. This was my second time seeing Furthur, and I enjoyed the show more than my first.

So that's what I've been up to. Coming up, I'll be seeing two nights of Disco Biscuits on April 14 and 15, EOTO on April 22nd, and then FINALLY, some Phish-y goodness coming up at the end of May. Also coming up- SPRING! Spring produce! I'll be heading over to the Farmer's market to let you know what's starting to pop up for the season next week.

Happy eating/musicing <3