#theroadmansblog

[theroadmanblog]

Blog 3 (JUNE LAKE)

 Wow, what a show! The T-bar Social Club came to life last night! Once again The Higgs proved they’re the fastest growing Jam Band on the West Coast. This skilled group of pioneering musicians delivered the jam to a full house of HiGGS fans. They played two sets of high octane HiGGS bliss and we were ready to receive it.

The night’s events started with a smoking version of “A Rose Will Fall Pt. 1”. John Lovero completely immersed himself into this masterpiece; Taking the music, early on, to a level that set the pace and tone for the rest of the show. Rose was followed by a fun and rolling version of “Albuquerque”. A staple song that captured the subtle playfulness this band can achieve. They then melted back into “A Rose will Fall Pt. 2”. The band delivered it with the precision and the energy it deserved. It’s a personal favorite of mine and I always look forward to it.

 Then the band broke into the flowing and flowering “Easy Plateau”. This Ryan Adams cover was so smooth it seemed to unfold like gentile silk and filled the room with its mellow subtle and surrealistic jam. Then followed up by a straight forward smoking, “Meet My Baby”. It’s country feel and down home groove is always a crowd favorite. The stage was shared during this segment of the show by members of The Dusty Green Bones Band. Sitting in and adding an acoustic guitar and banjo; it was fantastic! Bringing a whole new color and dimension to this HiGGS classic.

Jesse August Jennings then took full control of the stage and room. The HiGGS masterful keyboardist took us all by surprise with his call to “Rule the World” in “Rational Culture”. Jennings filled the room with his gigantic charm, personality and talents. He took us to the next level of the groove with his uplifting multi-keyboard tones and organ work. He is a fucking wizard on the electric bones and can amaze without fail.

Next, bassist David Barsky followed with his newest song “Mangrove Isle” which is an adventurous song with a Caribbean feel that takes the listener on an extended trip to paradise. Delivering the music in the Barsky banter I’ve come to love and appreciate. Stepping into new territory, The HiGGS music finds it foot and entwines our ears in its melodic feel with a true Jam Band essence. Mangrove came through strong and delivering yet another GREAT Barsky original. He is a gem in a sea of broken glass where bass playing is concerned. He brings a lot to the table where the infectious groove of The Higgs comes into play. His funk playing is a big driving force that sets the pace of this band with the drumming excellence of veteran drummer Garret Morris, together they are an earthquake! Thumping and punching their way into a whole new universe of the Jam grooves.

The first set ended with a new song addition into the ever growing HiGGS catalog that was bitter-sweet. The HiGGS rendition of the late Neal Casals “Sweeten the Distance”. It was my first time hearing this song. Neal was a musical force and I’m looking forward to its growth and addition to their sets.

Set 2. (The power set)

Set two delivered! Driving the attending audience and myself into a complete ethereal frenzy.  We all seemed to be feeling it, excitement was running thick in the air from the superb first set of Jams. We were like children awaiting Christmas morning to open a new gift, anticipating what was next.  

The band, started the second set off strong, drawing the audience back off the street. Back under the influence of the HiGGS bright clear crying sounds and groove shaking Drums and Bass. Inviting back the full house once again onto the dance floor at T-Bar Social Club.  With the groovy cover song and jam, “Electric Avenue” (Eddy Grant). It’s a fun tune to get things up and moving; it’s so, so funky!

Next! A Lovero original, “Through the Shore”. It was well received and I hope to hear it many times at these upcoming shows in October; along the East Coast run. I have a feeling it will stay in their song rotation for some time, it’s that good!

I asked Jesse after the show in private meeting to describe how he felt about his magical time on stage. This is what he told me. “It felt as if the crowd was so excited, electrifying us from all angles, it was awesome!” He also told me about the incredible vibe he felt due to the audiences reacting. Telling me, “playing is like a high without substances”.

It seemed to me the whole band was connecting having the most awesome time playing. No doubt they all were feeling the night’s electric energy.

Moving on, the next awesome tune these highly skilled musicians turned out. “Progressing/Regressing” (A new favorite of mine).  It was expertly written by David Barsky. Where my taste is concerned, I believe it’s a hit song. Words can’t express how much respect I have for David’s fantastic bass playing. I’m left speechless he’s so good! His song writing skills are equal to his greatness on bass; thus, his Yin-Yang is balanced!      

I wanna brag about a great friend I consider a giant on the drum kit, Garrett Morris. The energy and discipline of this fantastic drummer astounds me. He’s a true timekeeper, with the touch of velvet and thunder. Watching him play brings a grin to my sometimes totally un-intentional sour face. LOL! Don’t let my concerned stiff face stand in the way of you introducing yourself. Help me cure my seriousness! I swear I don’t bite.

Next in the set came the song. “The Wonder Why?” This song melted faces and brought a grand musical conclusion to the nights second set. The crowd was craving for more and more certainly came.

After several minutes of fan frenzy, The HiGGS made their way back to the lighted stage. The roar from the excited crowd chanting “encore” was epic!

 The band then debut a wonderful new tune “Call on You” written by David Barsky. I just can’t get enough of your originals. Please guys if you’re reading this, keep them coming because I’m addicted to your style.                                    

I LOVE THE HiGGS!

After a long jam the band officially ended the nights encore with Al Greens “Take me to the River”; something we all needed, to cool our heads. Because our minds were blown into orbit!

This show was SO GREAT!

Thank you June Lake!

Thank you The T-Bar staff!

Thanks to the Jam fans that attended.

 Be back to blog soon.

[theroadmanblog]

HiGGS GAINING MOMENTUM

Hi, Trippin’ Higgs Peeps!

 Hope you are all having a great time loving and doing what you do! I’m out here doing what I do and I’m loving it! On the wide open road astride the white horse Lydia for another run of brain electrified memorable performances with my friends and great band The HiGGS. Off to adult Disneyland and beyond!

 My day started mellow. I was well organized (or so I thought), well planned and up on time. I loaded a bowl, or actually it was the car I loaded first! LOL! Then after a responsible bit of time, I left on my 3 day odyssey into HiGGSPACE!

 FUCK! I forgot my phone! My wallet was in my front pocket and it felt like my phone. I normally carry my wallet in my hippy bag. I should have checked it and I’m to blame for the “duh” moment. It was a classic 420 moment. Now the drive back to my Anza abode would have me off to a late start! I got up early and got my shit in order and left to meet Garrett completely on time! How did I do this, I’m going to be late? Damn it! (I may have an idea, cough-cough) LOL!

 After much bull-fuckery I made it to The HiGGS Lydia launching port and regrettably being 1 hour late. Sucks running late! Makes you have to re-arrange plans! I didn’t get to munch my lunch grubs and now I’m hungry! There was no time for it. So I didn’t get to eat! So I was grumble-hunger faced for hours. Thankfully I did eat breakfast at home.

 To my surprise a gift from our good spirits! Lydia’s A/C’s repaired! YAY! But it’s a bittersweet victory, figures as the summer is coming to an end that it gets fixed. We suffered through the Time Keeper Tour this summer using a portable fan (don’t mess with the fan) our source of comfort; and fart relief. Ain't that a bitch, but it’s working now! Now the band is so glad to have some cold air! (Especially Jesse) Nice to see the band taking care of the road-ship they all rely on. This HiGGS life isn’t cheap!

 Big things happening in the HiGGS UNIVERSE.

 Along the everlasting asphalt road, traveling to the destination, I have learned that the band has moved up another notch. They now have a road manager who will be handling road planning, travel details and such. I also learned that The Higgs plan on mixing their new double live album in the studio this coming October; so expect some great new jams recorded and released soon.  I’m really super excited! What interesting times it will be. Me being a super fan fly on the wall, it will be fascinating getting to see the mixing process myself. Never have I been in a professional studio session, either playing or observing; it should prove most interesting. I’ll try to snap some photos if I can and hopefully you can experience it all right along with the band and myself.

 Hours driving have passed quickly listening to John and Jesse talk. Their tales and stories are fucking hilarious; I could listen to these two carry on about so much shit forever. They are a fun duo to listen to interact with and their style of wisdom and entertainment is priceless and endless. Several hours will go by in a flash without much boredom. It really makes the time seamless, we arrive in no time to Dream Land, Las Vegas, Nevada.

 The Sand Dollar Lounge.

 We arrive after sunset and the streets are not overly crowded, after all it’s a Thursday evening and it’s early. The weather is seasonably nice yet the gamblers are all in the belly of the beast; testing their pockets fate. Milling around giving money to the gambling addicted dependency of this town. Where are all the lounge lizards? Gambling! This is a town of bright neon lights, sin and of course beautiful women, it’s monumental but lacks soul. Like vampires these drunken risk takers stroll the casinos nightly. I seriously wonder about this swaggering town and the endless action that runs far into the rising mornings sun lit busted beams; money dreams that never end. Like a round-a-bout (look honey Big Ben/Parliament) it’s psychotic and the mind just keeps being fed artificially with stimulation and insane temptation. I can’t easily understand it. It’s more than I could ever conceive rationally; this desire to dwell in a snake-pit like Vegas. It’s confusing to the senses and the amounts of scratch and broken dreams that are being exchanged and played out is just mind-blowing.

 But, it is a Mecca for the music and entertainment industry! So, The HiGGS venture into the lair of the beast, into the flashing electric hyper-drive of our nation. To deliver yet another mind blowing performance.

 Arriving at the venue the band gets into action and starts the set up for the night’s events. Billy Sunday who arrived earlier in the day was already there setting up his hi-tech light rig, flashers, fog machine and his usual self. Lighting is so critical to The HiGGS awesome experience; according to the members of the HiGGS. With or without professional stage lighting this band is excellent in my opinion. Adding the art of painting air into artful music color around them is something I do really enjoy. But I stand firm! It’s the music that brings me overwhelming joy, it’s the true reason I’m a supporter of this band. Their music means everything to me. Billy’s lights are totally SICK though.

 The Sand Dollar show was great as expected, with lots and lots of great music even though attendance was lower than expected. Not that the venue was empty, but it wasn’t packed. But even so, many of the fans of this band were in the lounge expecting to be amazed. Also, several people who approached me were not aware that The HiGGS were coming to town? The venue failed to advertise it. The venue seemed to drop the ball slightly lacking promotion of the night’s music. Still as the night progressed the house attendance did increase. The music that evening was packed with surprises! Those that attended received a great entertaining show. John, Jesse, Garrett and David delivered the goods! Attendance never wavers the efforts of this band of musicians. It’s about the brew they create on stage and becoming one with melody and harmony. There was a definite tribal dance party happening on the floor. The jams were the shit and I really enjoyed myself.

 The show was 3 sets and went Late Night!

 Conversations between the musicians playing was in full swing completing the round table of brotherhood and love these musicians have deeply for each other and the music they create together.

 Excellent sets!

 Set 1

 The Wonder Why

 Get up and dance

 Rhyme or Reason

 Late Night

 Set 2

 Albuquerque

 Time Keeper

 Icy walls of fate

 Don’t Do It*

 *Marvin Gaye

 Set 3

 Progressing/regressing

 Space traveler

 Take me to the river+

 Call in you

 Bike song

 +Al Green

   I didn’t get to sleep till about 4 am, neither did The HiGGS!

 Save that for the next blog, funny stuff!

 Next! Off to The Hut, Phoenix, Arizona.