‘Bout My Money - Outformation

09.15.2006 - Rocks Off Boat Cruise, New York, NY

So, Southern Heat had to make a super-hard decision this New Year’s Eve. Options in Charleston, SC were as follows: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Bloodkin, and Outformation. Being a rooted Panic fan, first thought was to catch Outformation on the 30th, and Bloodkin on the 31st. Love you Jason, but hate the Music Farm. 

So, off I go to see Outformation the first night and I was really blown away by how these guys are developing. outformation are what’s great about Southern Rock, and keeping it alive. It kind of felt like Mike Houser playing with the Marshall Tucker Band. Back woods, whiskey drinking with a lingering lead and just enough psychedelia to keep jambanders interested, and a great tight knit fanbase of good people. It felt like I was surrounded by family like the old days with Phish and Panic.

Sam Holt is the real deal, but often outshadows the tremendous play of keyboardist C.R. Gruver(who by the way may lay down the nastiest West LA Fadeaway this listener has ever heard, outside of Jerry’s speedball years). Seriously, this guy is talent and is a nice guy taboot.

Sorry for the lame video…but look out for their new DVD “…Been a While.” to be released soon.

Get out there and support ‘em on the road. They’re playing about 150 dates a year, and I’ll bet they’re coming to a bar room near you. 

Amazing Grace > Glory - Umphrey’s McGee (feat.  Chicago Mass Choir)
12.31.2008 - Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL

A truly amazing (no pun intended) HD clip from Umphrey’s NYE run, featuring the Chicago Mass Choir joining the band on stage for a soulful rendition of the classic hymn interlaced with Glory.

This was the first NYE show I’ve missed of theirs in five years, and it looks like it may have been the best.  The band is always known for their New Years surprises, which often feature backing horns, laser light shows, silly covers (Dick In a Box), and even sillier opening bands (i.e. Mini Kiss).  This year, they went the classier route, inviting Buddy Guy, Joshua Redman, Koko Taylor, Stanley Jordan, and Jeff Coffin to join them throughout the three night run, and capping it off with this inspiring collaboration that proved a beautiful way to bring in the new year.

View in High Definition

Up All Night - Widespread Panic
12.31.07
Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA

In all my year’s of seeing live music, I only caught one major NYE performance. Two year’s ago my fiance and I made the trek down to Atlanta for two days of sports and music. First, we caught the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl. Then followed it up the next day with a solid Widespread Panic NYE show. I don’t think I could have asked for a better New Year’s combo. Well, I guess the Hokies could have actually won a bowl game for once but sometimes that is too much to ask for.

Here’s a little nugget from that night.

Go Hokies…Beat Cinci!

The Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings

Festival Imperial - Alajeula, Costa Rica

With my recent return from vacation to Costa Rica, we are taking you to the deep, deep South for Southern Heat. We are not necessarily featuring a southern band, but rather bringing a perspective on Central American influences as I saw them first hand last week.

The Costa Rican’s are an extremely proud people with a variety of influences in their music from the island vibes of the Carribean, to the latin influences of all their neighbors to the native influences of previous inhabitants to the Rock and pop influences of the US and Europe. On my visit we heard all types of interesting music and you couldn’t go to a restaurant, bar or street corner without seeing some type of live performer.

When the festival routes are planned in the coming months, why not look into doing something really unique? Festival Imperial is a festival that takes place in April in Alajuela (outside of San Jose) with some interesting acts making up a pretty solid lineup of worldwide touring acts and local favorites. Duran Duran, Incubus, The Smashing Pumpkins, Enrique Iglesias, etc…

Here are The Smashing Pumpkins playing to an extremely energetic Costa Rican audience.

PURA VIDA!