best jam bands playing now

Railroad Earth and Keller are sick. Lotus is amazing, saw them my first time at Bearcreek a month ago, they were ridiculously good. STS9 is awesome too.

And Widespread is awesome too. Great list.

I still say Cheese are the kings of the jam scene though.

Taubab is very sick, just missed a chance to see them. Work sucks.

 

it happens. i haven't been able to make it to a lot of shows in the past 2 years because i'm on state probation. but that ends in a month, and i'll be hittin' the road again.

 

Madahoochi
string cheese
homegrown (think their from st. louis??)
messy jiverson (st. louis band)
ekoostik hookah
JGB ( stu and jimmy are from st. louis also in the schwag
moe.
sts9

Papa smiley and the brain bananas. (st. louis band)

check em out myspace.com/papasmiley p.s. the recording on the myspace is somewhat poor quality, just a mic from the crowd..
a new recording of papa smiley at schwagstock is coming soon. Used a friends equipment and recorded them myself.
will also be making cd's with said recording

 

I don't like getting caught up in comparisons when it comes to the jam band thing. There are so many very talented bands out there. And I mean really talented. I've seen so many and have loved them all.

But what I have really fell in love with is Umphrey's McGee. They're hard to be discussed in the jam perspective because it seems they go beyond most Jam styles. Moe. is a personal favorite of mine and they bring some progressive aspects but I really really LOVE the progressive aspect of Umphrey's McGee. They completely capture my mind and take it away in space because it has such variation in vibe. Certain Jam bands have their own particular stylistic vibe but Umphrey's will throw it all around. There is no doubt they are all top notch musicians, to the extreme.

This summer I have been really impressed by Umphrey's mostly at 2 shows.

Caught moe. once and it was a real enjoyable experience.

Railroad Earth at Grassroots festival was totally my thing. Godda dig their vibe and the bluegrass breakdowns blasted in improvisational form. Total package for Roots/Jam head fanatic.

Phish I dove into a little deeper and caught them once this tour, and it was a mind blowing show. Love Phish, they are true pioneers of this genre.

Hmm Grateful Dead music seems to be its own thing for me, but I'll shoot anyways.
Caught Furthur twice and they put on a mean show. Only complaint is sometimes Bobby is too low and irrelevant in a jam. Which brings me to Dark Star Orchestra. EXTREMELY IMPRESSED! Especially with new guitarist from Zen Tricksters. Just amazing!

Checked out and got familiar with the Ithaca, NY band Jimkata. Who are utterly impressive musicians offerings a style drifting between what many of us agree to be Umphrey's progressive Influence, Phish's melodic improvisation, and the Disco Biscuits trancefusion style.

 

I did see Ekoostik Hookah this summer, and they really caught me with a hardrock style that was mean. I dig them.

And I should mention the Ithaca, NY band Donna the Buffalo. They bring a very special vibe, almost like it's own Deadlike incarnation. It has become a part of my growing up in this region and possibly the band I've seen the most at around 20 times. They are beyond a shitty local amateur band and have a large following across the country.

 

Hey guys, i need to find a kickass show to take my brother to for his 18th birthday. its November, 19th..

Anywhere in the country for that weekend. thanks!!

 

try the show finder at jambase.com

 

grate idea!! thnx

 

Umphereys. Got to see them at the Great American Music Hall when Phil Lesh came out and jam with them. STS9, The Disco Biscuits, saw both open for String Cheese at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. New Monsoon, saw them with Steve Kimock on guitar at the now defunct 12 Galaxies in SF and at Power to the Peaceful in Golden gate park. String Cheese, saw them for free at Power to the Peaceful. moe. saw them on a bill with Govt. Mule. I also saw Mule's 1000th show when the surviving members of the Dead came out and jammed during the second set. Allmans of course. I've been checking out a little bit of Ohmphrey which is 3 of the guys form Umpherey's with Chris Poland (original lead guitarist for Megadeth) and Robertino Pagliari from Ohm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPfod_zHkHY"]YouTube- What's the Word, Thunderbird? - OHMphrey (part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPNldqY8YfE&feature=related"]YouTube- What's the Word, Thunderbird? - OHMphrey (part 2)

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

I heard STS9 at the Nateva Festival and I was impressed.

 

SCI isn't very active, but I think they are the top top talented jam band to have ever hit.

Umphrey's is my personal favorite though.

 

Furthur
MMW
Toubab Krewe
SCI... definetly active, I've seen them 3 times this year. Can't be afraid to travel
Hot Buttered Rum
Yonder Mountain String Band
Umphrey's is a good time... not the best band out there though

 

SCI played together at a couple different eoto shows not to long ago... just keep your ears open

 

cant wait for the hampton halloween shows... cheese on halloween? yes please

 

Right on man

 

Phish & Furthur (of course), Allman Brothers, Umph, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but Widespread Panic is back with a vengeance(albeit a Jimmy Herring fueled one)

 

The Gibb Droll Band...... check them out :sunny:

 

tk for the win!

 

The Werks
Papadosio

 

moe.
definately fresh in my mind, put on a great show.
pgroove
The stems