Wednesday night is usually dead downtown, but the Bottleneck was alive last night when they brought in one of the nation's best jam bands around, Great American Taxi! The honky-tonk bluegrass jams of these veteran minstrels have sounds reminiscent of Charlie Daniels, Wilco and other roots bands, but last night's set was most similar to the Grateful Dead in all the best ways.
The crowd was slow showing up for a show that was pegged to start at 8 p.m. according to Lawrence.com. Opener That Damn Sasquatch was not on until about 10, with a meager crowd of local fans and Great American Taxi followers scattered around the bar. Despite the small audience, That Damn Sasquatch put on a vigorous opening set that warmed up the listeners for the energy yet to come. That Damn Sasquatch is a progressive bluegrass troupe with syncronized harmony that is a pleasure on the ears. The band even played some covers including Alice in Chain's "Down in a Hole" to the crowd's delight. Listeners went on and off the dance floor but the band played a full set that left the Bottleneck eager and ready for the headliner.
Great American Taxi picked up the energy That Damn Sasquatch had built up and sped off with it. Their fast-paced, upbeat blues and country jams immediately drew a crowd onto the dance floor. The rambling guitar and mandolin backed up by a rockin' bass filled the air with intricate, flowing jams, driven to a dancing speed by fast, but subtle drums that came brought the crowd to swinging frenzies and calmed them down again. Keys added to the jam quality, bringing out a sound comparable to some of the Grateful Dead jams of yore. Even half-way through their set, Great American Taxi was not seeing the big crowds they often receive and always deserve, but still, a collection of loyal bluegrass folks and music lovers spread out on the dance floor and enjoyed the banquet of jams all for themselves.
Party people chatted in the back when they were not dancing up front, where a crowd of music loving ladies twirled and skipped to the fast and heavy country rock. Front man Vince Herman gave the crowd a lot of love and sang loud and proud for the cheering fans. For a small audience, Great American Taxi still gave their all and finished each song receiving a roar of applause from the bar. With any luck the band will be come back around town again soon and perhaps play on a weekened, when the audience they deserve will come out.
Now for Previews:
Friday is booked with fantastic shows both in Lawrence and Kansas City;
Billy the Squirrel is playing with Dirtfoot at the Bottleneck, which will undoubtedly be the biggest party in town.
But just down the street the Brody Buster Band will be playing at the Jazzhaus.
Meanwhile Cornmeal, White Water Ramble and High Water String Band will be playing at the Crosstown Station.
And last, but certainly not least, The Schwag are playing at the Uptown Theater for Throw for Zoe, a benefit concert to win back Camp Zoe, where The Schwag used to host multiple music festivals every year. The show is just $12!
Saturday the Beaumont Club is getting a heavy dose of industrial goth rock: Genitorturers are playing with Hanzel und Gretyl and Troglodyte and Serated. This hardcore, studded-black-leather concert will be just $15. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. This is a rare treat for Kansas, so don't miss the show!
If you like That Damn Sasquatch, don't worry, you haven't miss your chance to catch them, the band will be playing at Fatso's on March 17th!
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