by Dylan Schaeffer
We’re a week away, folks! The Mad Tea Party Jam kicks off Thursday the 19th in Hedgesville, West Virginia and will feature some of the nation’s finest Jam Bands. As per tradition, I offer to you a bit of a musical preview. If you haven’t already checked out part 1 down below, be sure to do so!
For those of you not familiar with some of these acts, looking to dig a bit deeper into the jam scene and trying to decide whether the Mad Tea Party Jam is worth the ticket price, look no further.
Keep in mind, this is a very intimate festival experience. If you dig any of these bands, there’s chance you’ll be able to share your gratitude with them face to face! The band schedule for the weekend is at the bottom of the page!
Dopapod – Picture in Picture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBoLEF8any0
Let’s take it back really quick to my first Dopapod show – I had heard of the band previously and had heard nothing but praise for their music. About a year ago or so, Papadosio rolled through Pittsburgh to play at The Rex. Never being one to miss Papadosio in the ‘Burgh, I found it to be the prime opportunity to hear Dopapod for the first time. Within mere minutes of their arrival in front of my eyeballs, my ears were graced with some of the thickest, juiciest grooves that had every smacked my synapses. I will forever have one single memory burned into my brain from this show; halfway through their song Trapper Keeper, I looked around and realized just how insane the entire moment was. You could see the light shining in every band members’ eyes that understood the sheer glory coming from their fingertips, with the same light shining in the eyes of every audience member.
From that moment on, I was hooked.
Trapper Keeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95FfXupGqlQ
Turkuaz – Feelin’ Alright (Joe Cocker cover) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ5OYeHV4Kg
Keeping on with the trend of incredible funky flow is Turkuaz. If you recall, I did a little concert preview for these guys a few months back for when they came to Pittsburgh. I’m honestly still kicking myself over the unfortunate events that led to me missing that show. These folks have a serious command of the grooves they pump out, to the point where you’d be insane not to be moving to these tunes.
Turkuaz – Monkey Fingers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrPlic5OS3Y
Seriously, do yourself a favor and watch that video if you have a single iota of sense. It’s almost too much soul to handle.
Consider the Source – Up To, But Not To Exceed Woah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS3reqhnBDY
Here you are, nice and funkified from Dopapod and Turkuaz… I think it’s time I take you to the cosmos. Consider the Source is a 3-piece band from New York City who play, as I can best describe it, psychedelic progressive heavy jazz-rock. Their music centers around odd time signatures and eastern scales which culminate perfectly in a spacey, almost spiritual aural journey. Continuing the Dopapod trend, I had actually seen these guys open for Papadosio at the Rex on a separate occasion, having not even heard their name before. Within minutes of their set, I knew that these guys had something incredibly special. They definitely attract a niche audience, but absolutely no one with even a semi-musically-trained ear can deny that these guys have some insane chops.
Do Not Shink Me, Gypsy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4a_cIOrLeQ
As a bass enthusiast, I must recommend those of you with musical ADD to check out the ridiculous bass solo in this video starting around the 8 minute mark.
KR-3 – Jailbird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhZ1EZsr1ig&feature=kp
KR-3 is a very classic-style jam band with an incredibly contemporary sound. They sport an incredibly mature sound, with subtle hints of indie and 90’s alternative influence. I’ll let the music speak for itself, here.
KR-3 – Departure Song
Tauk – The Spot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkYbiPWIK2c
Pink Floyd meets Frank Zappa meets Umphrey’s McGee… Of course, this is an oversimplification. These guys definitely jam to the beat of their own drummer. Tauk is one of those up-and-comers that I predict will be truly blowing up in the next several years.
Tauk – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Beatles Cover)
As if you needed any more convincing, here they are being absolutely flawless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifn4mUae95A
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong ft. John Kadlecik – Slipknot! > Help on the Way > Sand > Help on the Way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRw-X4aD50w
When looking for some Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (or PPPP, as I’ve decided to start calling them) to show you folks, I couldn’t resist this video. Sure, it’s not a professional camera quality video, the crowd is super small, you can’t even see the musicians, and it’s not even their original music… But sweet, baby Jesus! It’s John Kadlecik from Furthur sitting in with these guys, playing a Dead tune sandwiching a Phish tune. Maybe I’m showing my fanboyism just a bit too much here, but I personally think that’s one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen around the Youtubes.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Melting Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxgs1nxbdQ
If you checked out the Mad Tea Party recap video in part one of my preview, you may remember this song. The band really shows off its funky side here!
Full Schedule:
Thursday
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=721652461225135&set=gm.649048575191443&type=1&theater
Friday
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=721652497891798&set=gm.649048575191443&type=1&theater
Saturday
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=721652517891796&set=gm.649048575191443&type=1&theater
Well folks, that’s all I have to offer for now. Keep in mind that you can still get presales here: http://www.missiontix.com/page/group?p=24620%2C24621
Save $15 off the gate price!
BONUS ROUND:
Costume Contest themes and prizes have been announced! You’d got one week, folks!
http://www.themadteapartyjam.com/festivities/costume-themes/
412nite blogface 