Jam Central Station 11.14.09: Galactic
Posted by Jeff Modzelewski on 11.14.2009
For the past 15 years, Galactic has brought their own version of New Orleans funk to jam band fans across the country
Welcome back this week for Jam Central Station. It's been a good week here in Columbus for me. Lining up a couple of concerts, and I'm making an unexpected trip home this weekend. That's a good thing, though. More on all that in The Encore. Time to get on with the show!
One of the things that I enjoy most about the jam band community is the diversity. The diversity in the music, and the diversity in the people that follow the music. Unlike many other genres, where the bands all branch off from the same root, the jam band "genre," such as it is, is composed of all sorts of musical styles. Rock and hip-hop, R&B and funk, rap and jazz all blend together. Some bands focus primarily on one area in particular, while others mix genres to form something wholly unique. One band that fuses a variety of elements into their own unique sound is Galactic.
Galactic got their start when a pair of childhood friends, Jeff Raines and Robert Mercurio, moved from the Washington D.C. area to New Orleans to attend school. They began exploring the local music scene and soon met up with a variety of established New Orleans musicians. Their choice of colleges had originally been based more in their desire to be in New Orleans than the particular schools at they would attend, and they quickly formed the octet Galactic Prophylactic with some of the other musicians they met.
As the band was getting started, Raines and Mercurio befriended Theryl deClouet, a funk singer that had spent years in the New Orleans music scene. "The Houseman," as deClouet was known, was a regular on the New Orleans funk scene and had fronted numerous groups throughout the years. He became friends with the band, who were cutting their teeth as an instrumental act. Within a few months, the band had shortened their name to Galactic and paired down their membership. Their friendship with deClouet caused the band to consider whether or not their instrumental funk style could be used to back a prolific vocalist. They began working with deClouet, and the lineup for Galactic was solidified.
The band quickly rose up in the ranks of New Orleans funk, and began recording in 1994. They toured throughout Louisiana and the South, and released their first album in 1996. Coolin' Off was released on Frog City Records, a label initially founded specifically to release the Galactic album. The album was successful as far as funk albums go, and the band began touring nationally. They would often open for larger acts while playing their own headlining gigs in small clubs. Galactic's energy paired with deClouet's soulful voice provided a unique experience that drew fans into their music. They followed up with 1998's Crazyhorse Mongoose, an album that led to even more success among funk and jazz fans.
Early in their career, the band was intentional about building relationships with other musicians. They shared the stage with a variety of different acts, including New Orleans legends like The Meters, notable jam band members like Jon Fishman and Warren Haynes, and contemporaries such as Medeski, Martin, and Wood. They toured with a variety of acts in the late 90's. They spent time on the road with 90's alternative bands like Live and Counting Crowes, as well as touring with up-and-coming jam bands like Widespread Panic and Ben Harper. This eclectic group of touring partners helped Galactic build a diverse fanbase that wasn't just tied into their jazz and funk roots.
2000 saw the band release another studio album, Late for the Future. The album didn't have quite the success that Crazyhorse Mongoose did, but the band wasn't too concerned with album sales. For Galactic, studio albums were a way to capture the "Galactic groove," and providing material to play live. The band continued touring the country, and released their first live album, We Love 'Em Tonight: Live at Tipitina's in 2001. The album was recorded at a New Orleans club, allowing Galactic to pay tribute to the city that helped them get their start.
The band changed their approach to songwriting with 2003's Ruckus. The band brought in noted hip-hop producer Dan "The Automator" for the album. The band focused on shorter, more well thought out songs for the album, and the focus showed. The band sounded more focused and put together than they ever had before in studio, and the album was a major success for the band. They played Bonnaroo in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and continued to draw diverse crowds.
In 2004, the band was struck with a major blow. Theryl deClout, vocalist and mentor for the band, decided that he could no longer tour due to health issues. The band had a difficult decision to make about whether or not to continue, and if they could replace deClout. Instead of looking for a replacement, the band went back to their roots and continued on as an instrumental group. This ambitious decision didn't curtail their success. They played Bonnaroo in 2005, and again with a number of guests in 2007.
2007 also saw the band release their first album without deClout. The band brought in a different vocalists for each track on From the Corner to the Block. Many of these vocalists had also joined the band for their Bonnaroo performance that year. The album was well received both by fans and critics. They toured throughout 2007 and most of 2008 with guest MC's, and since then they've played primarily as an instrumental group. The band will be releasing their next album, Ya-Ka-May, in February 2010. The album again features a wide range of guests, though the guests are significantly less rap and hip-hop focused than the list on From the Corner to the Block. Despite another change in direction, the new album will undoubtedly still be Galactic.
Phish announces NYE Miami stint
In a not-so-shocking announcement, Phish has confirmed that they are planning a four-night New Years Eve run in Miami this year. The band will be at Miami's American Airlines Arena December 28-31, including a 3-set New Years Eve performance. This will also be the 10-year anniversary of the legendary Big Cypress show.
The best job ever for a Deadhead
University Library of the University of California, Santa Cruz is searching for an archivist for it's expansive Grateful Dead collection. According to the job description, the university is looking for "an enterprising, creative, and service-oriented archivist to join the staff of Special Collections & Archives (SC&A) as Archivist for the Grateful Dead Archive." The qualifications are pretty specific, but maintaining this collection would be a dream job for any Deadhead.
DelFest Announces Lineup
The third-annual DelFest is set for May 27-30 of next year, and the first round of artists are already confirmed. The Del McCoury band will be hosting and playing all three days. Along with the hosts, other performers already on the bill include Yonder Mountain String Band, The Avett Brothers, Keller Williams and Friends featuring Jeff Austin and Keith Moseley, Railroad Earth, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, and Greensky Bluegrass. Good to see some of the summer festivals getting their lineups in early!
Grubb leaving Railroad Earth
Bassist Johnny Grubb will be leaving Railroad Earth at the end of the year. He wrote in his blog that he had been planning to leave the band at the end of 2010 to follow his heart and work with computers, but that the band's new record deal forced him to move up that decision. No word on a replacement, and Grubb will be performing on the band's scheduled dates through the rest of the year.
DMB goes 3-D in theaters
Cinedgm, a film production company, filmed a number of festivals and performances earlier this year for a 3-D theatrical release. The film, Larger Than Life…In 3-D includes performances from the Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper and Relentless 7, and Gogol Bordello. The film will be shown at digital theatres nationwide December 11-17, although specific theaters haven't been announced yet.
Yonder Mountain announces Cabin Fever Tour
Yonder Mountain String Band have announced the dates for their annual "Cabin Fever" tour. The trek will kick off in Arkansas before crossing the country and ending up in Oklahoma. The dates for the tour are:
January 26 Fayetteville AR George's Majestic Lounge
January 28 New Orleans LA House of Blues
January 29 Atlanta GA The Tabernacle
January 30 Nashville TN War Memorial Auditorium
January 31 Birmingham AL Workplay Soundstage
February 3 Wednesday Asheville NC Orange Peel
February 4 Asheville NC Orange Peel
February 5 Charleston SC The Music Farm
February 6 Saturday Knoxville TN Tennessee Theater
February 10 Orlando FL The Social
February 11 Jacksonville FL Freebird Live
February 12 Fort Lauderdale FL Revolution
February 13 Ybor City FL Ritz Theatre
February 14 Mobile AL Soul Kitchen
February 17 Louisville KY Headliners
February 18 Columbus OH Promowest Pavilion
February 19 St. Louis MO The Pageant
February 20 St. Louis MO The Pageant
February 21 Tulsa OK Cain's Ballroom
North Mississippi All-Stars to tour in 2010
After taking most of 2009 off to work on other projects, the North Mississippi All-Stars will be back in 2010 for a full tour. No dates are currently set past February, but it wouldn't surprise me to see them on the summer festival circuit this year. Confirmed dates are:
January 27 Crystal Bay, NV Crystal Bay Club
January 28 Santa Cruz, CA Rio Theatre
January 29 San Francisco, CA The Independent
February 4 Fayetteville, AR George's Majestic Lounge
February 5 Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
February 6 Chicago, IL Cubby Bear
February 18 Oxford, MS The Lyric
February 19 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
February 20 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
February 21 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theatre
February 24 State College, PA State Theatre
February 25 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live
February 26 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
February 27 Falls Church, VA State Theatre
February 28 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Neil Young streams Dreamin' Man
Neil Young's latest archival release, Dreamin' Man is set to be released on December 8. However, Young is streaming the title track already. Dreamin' Man presents the 10 tracks that were originally supposed to make up Harvest Moon, and was recorded on his solo acoustic album that preceeded Harvest Moon's release.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals tap Mark Batson
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have been planning a Spring 2010 release for their new album, but recently the band switched producers, bringing in hip-hop producer Mark Batson to help with the album. Batson also worked with the Dave Matthews Band on their Stand Up release. The band was previously working with T-Bone Burnett on the album, and it's unclear if they've scrapped those sessions or if those sessions will be added to the work that they do with Batson. Batson will get at least some songwriting credits on the album, according to Potter. I don't know if they didn't listen to Stand Up or if they just think that they can work better with Batson than DMB did, but I'm pretty worried about what this change in producers will mean.
Backyard Tire Fire readies new album
Backyard Tire Fire is preparing to release their next album, The Places We Lived on February 16. The band enlisted Steve Berlin of Los Lobos to produce the album. Berlin also guests on every track. Backyard Tire Fire is out on tour now, and will be touring to support the album.
John Popper Project to play free show
The John Popper Project will be regrouping for a free Thanksgiving performance. The band will actually play Thanksgiving weekend, on November 28, at Aspen Mountain in Colorado. The band consists of Popper and Blues Traveler bassist Tad Kinchia, along with Marcus Bleeker of Mosaic and DJ Logic.
Galactic to tour in January
Galactic announced a handful of shows in Florida in January. The band will play three Florida shows after returning from their stint on this year's Jam Cruise. The band will also play a free show to coincide with the Olympics on February 25 in Whistler, British Columbia.
Lotus and Big Gigantic swap remixes
Lotus and Big Gigantic will swap remix efforts on a pair of tracks. Jesse Miller from Lotus is remixing Big Gigantic's "Thinking Out Loud" while Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic will remix "Simian" from Lotus. Both tracks are available at the Lotus website.
As I said, I'm heading back to Cleveland this weekend. I'm going to be seeing the legendary Studbulls Disco Biscuit tomorrow night. No affiliation to what most people recognize as The Disco Biscuits. A pretty out-there band that broke up a few years back and are coming back on the Cleveland scene. Anyways, here's a little taste.
I also found out that a pair of my all-time favorite bands are playing their yearly shows. Unified Culture and State of Conviction will be playing late in December. State of Conviction will be opening for Chimaira at the House of Blues in Cleveland on December 27, and Unified will be at Peabody's on the 29th. Unified Culture's To Know What's Up…You Have To Be Down is one of my all-time favorite albums. If you're in Cleveland, I'd strongly recommend checking out both shows, but especially the Unified show.
Hopefully I'll be throwing in more Unified videos in the near future. Absolutely one of my favorite bands of all time. Anyways, hope you all are having a good weekend, and I'll be back next week! Until then, Jam On!
