Jamming

Whenever I’m asked to classify music I end up delving into a specific genre and just listening for hours at a time. I analyze and search for similarities, tracking influences and influences’ influences until my ears hurt. Although classification can trap bands in certain genres, it can also help the listener learn about musical history and the true interconnectedness of all music.


I was recently asked to explain the jam band genre, the first bands that came to mind were the Grateful Dead and Phish, but as I listened, searched, and read about jam bands I realized how many different kinds of music have influenced jam bands. Jazz, reggae, ska, rock, blues, country, pop, bluegrass, metal, funk, gospel, and psychedelic, are all types of music that have influenced jam bands, directly and/or indirectly. The world seems a little bit more balanced when such diverse art forms can be celebrated together. Here are some jam bands worth listening to and their influences:


Moe. lists such obvious influences as the Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Velvet Underground on their Myspace. They also list the Clash, Stereolab, Van Halen, and Kiss which are a bit less obvious. On “Captain America” I can hear Parliament and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the bassline. “Okayalright” has a southern rock feel reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, and, more recently, the Black Crowes. “Threw it All Away” sounds like some weird Zappa concoction, but it also sounds like the Specials and even the Police. I’ve never been a huge fan of Moe., but when I listen to their music with my head, they impress and surprise the music snob within.


Umphrey's Mcgee is another jam band that’s garnering well-deserved praise and attention on the scene. They’ve taken the art of improvisation and soloing to a new level on their latest album “Safety in Numbers.” Only four of the twelve catchy songs below four minutes, but they’re so fun that they capture your ears for the entirety of the song. It’s important to note that soloing didn’t originate in rock music, in fact, early rock ‘n’ roll was short and fast (Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, etc.) Soloing actually became popular in jazz music, where all musicians in a trio or quartet received a solo during a song to show of their musical prowess. Umphrey’s Mcgee and all jam bands owe their allegiance to pioneering bebop jazz musicians like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker, who stressed skillful playing over danceability. Umphrey’s Mcgee are working hard to create thought-provoking music that has rich instrumentals and lyrics, and they’re doing a beautiful job.


The Slip are chameleons of music; jamming live and grooving on their CDs, but never really assuming the shape of any genre. They pull together the sounds of jazz, popular music with jangly Beatlesesque grooves, and put out music that’s both psychedelic and mainstream (well, maybe not Black Eyed Peas mainstream, but mainstream enough to be heard on Grey’s Anatomy.) These guys create a musical entity that will effect bands of the future, and is effecting bands as we speak. They deserve your respect just for making music that’s undeniably worth your time.