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| By: Kevin Kenly Photography |
“Greensky Bluegrass any night of the week”
The Top Hat Lounge
2-21-12
The year 2012 though only two full months in has been something for the record books for Missoula, MT when it comes to music. The live shows being brought here have grown to tremendous heights only setting the bar higher and higher for making Missoula an even bigger musical hub. One genre or style of music that has been in pure domination of these first two months is bluegrass with acts such as Infamous String Dusters, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Head for the Hills, and acts such as Leftover Salmon on the way, and one bluegrass band, Greensky Bluegrass, proved this past Tuesday (2-21-12) that it may stand taller and higher than all of them.
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| By: Kevin Kenly Photography |
Greensky Bluegrass from Kalamazoo, MI made a stop in Missoula, MT on their way to the West Coast for a few shows as well as Wintergrass Bluegrass in Bellevue, WA to end their Winter Tour 2012. They opened the show in traditional bluegrass fashion starting it with a cover of “Jesus on the Mainline”. It seemed like the perfect warm up song as all five members Dave Bruzza (Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals), Anders Beck (Dobro, Lap Steel), Mike Devol (Upright Bass), Mike Bont (Banjo), and Paul Hoffman (Mandolin/Lead Vocals) each took a turn throughout the song jamming on their instruments all getting into the string plucking zone. They then broke into a 2008 original classic called “Old Barn”, where Paul Hoffman shines on the mandolin as well as with his clean smooth country vocals that easily separate Greensky from all other bluegrass bands, giving them a vocal edge above the rest. Along with the edge in vocals Greensky is also more of a mellow jam it out type bluegrass band, something that reminds you of the older jam bands such as The Band or The Allman Brothers. “Don’t Lie” a song off the new album Handguns EP proved this entirely in one great long bluegrass journey. Not only were the lyrics perfect and catchy you also got to see each member nod to one another when they were done doing there solo magic, and the imaginary musical baton was passed through jester from member to member as they all ripped through the song in what was a one person at a time Jazz style effort. Greensky which is known for its different covers that attract all kinds of different fans then busted into Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”, being nothing shy of a crowd sing along favorite. The show was now in full effect and Anders Beck took advantage of it by using effects on his dobro to create trippy mind expanding intros to songs as well as just shredding like he was all by himself time traveling through music, while Dave Bruzza also started sharing the vocal leads with Paul Hoffman on a couple original songs. The cover madness was then brought back with a funky great bluegrass intro, rolled into a bluegrass stomp mad house, and then just like that they were into Prince’s “When Doves Cry”. Midway through the unexpected cover Dave broke his A string on his acoustic guitar, which personally I love to see for the reason of watching how the band adapts to the situation. Greensky then instantly turned into a four member band once again feeding off the looks they gave each other, laughing at the situation, and improve jamming until Dave had his string ready to go and in an instant came back into the jam right on cue transitioning right back into “When Doves Cry”. Two more originals were played to finish out the first set ending the set with the new song “Bring Out Your Dead”, where Mike Devol seemed to crank up the upright bass along with more dobro effects almost feeling like you were in the movie theatre watching a great action scene with the surround sound all around you, blowing you back with how heavy it was.
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| By: Kevin Kenly Photography |
Set two started after an all Live Phish over the in-house stereo intermission, which really got the crowd motivated to party. Greensky came back out on stage with the biggest change being Dave had now added a winter beanie to his attire, making you wonder if he even knew it was still on his head. Once again they started the set off in traditional fashion creating the foot-stomping rowdy vibe that bluegrass is known for. “Jaywalking”, another song of off Handguns EP, was then broking into and they once again showed you that their style in the bluegrass industry is keeping it mellow, letting you hear every instrument, vocal harmonies that cannot be beat, and their bluegrass is all about relaxing, chilling out, and going for a magic carpet ride. The cover songs were then taken to the next level when they broke into The Grateful Deads “China Cat--->Rider”. This turned into pure madness in The Top Hat as everyone instantly caught on to what was going on, and Greensky indivually one by one proved they are the best at what they do on the instruments they play giving it a pure jam rock feeling. After about a fourteen minute cover the crowd was on fire, and all Greensky members were giving the yeah we just melted your face look to the crowd. Another great song from their new album called “No Idea” was offered to the crowd as well as another old school bluegrass song where Anders Beck and Mike Bont had and instrument face-off with the dobro and banjo going back and forth battling for who can use their musical weapon better. A break in the songs then led to Paul Hoffman telling the crowd about skiing in Montana the past weekend and how Anders seemed to scream like a little girl while hitting the slopes, as well a few jokes that Greensky likes to call Greensky Comedy Hour. Paul then took lead with the band and played a song he wrote called “Demons”, which lyrically talked about how people have demons and they take them everywhere with them but it will all be ok cause that is the way it has been for years and we all seem to make it just fine. It was coming to the closing of the night and Greensky wanted to end it with a bang playing another rowdy fast paced song where they played the hardest, smoothest, and fastest they had all night, hoping to wear the crowd down and send them on their way. After walking off stage to end set two, the crowd went into its usual up roar wanting one more song as the house lights were turned on in The Top Hat. Luckily for all of us Greensky got back on stage got approved to play one more to finish the night, gave the shout out to Pastor Tim, and went back into it one last time leaving an impression for all-time and wishing the crowd a great night.
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| By: Kevin Kenly Photography |
The two set show was a different show for the Missoula crowd. Their light man and on stage production man had hurt his back earlier that day and was unable to run the lights as well as the fog machines to the full Greensky Bluegrass effects. Known for having a great on stage production it was wonderful being able to just see five guys all in normal worn out t-shirts stand across the front of the stage and just play music. Greensky is perfect at just that, playing music, they leave so many open areas for each member to explore throughout every song truly just wanting to jam and have a good down to earth time. Well played Greensky Bluegrass, well played.
Newest CD: Handguns EP
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BIG THANKS TO : Greensky Bluegrass (www.greenskybluegrass.com), Stonefly Productions (www.stonefly-productions.com), The Top Hat Lounge (www.tophatmissoula.com) , Kevin Kenly Photography (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Kenly-Photography/316666751709264)
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