Throw for Zoe #2 took the Uptown by storm in downtown Kansas City last night, with the Schwag headlining a full night of old-school rock and jam bands playing bluegrass roots, psychedelic metal and everything inbetween. A full-fledged miniature music festival was contained inside the cavernous venue, including shakedown street vendors, hula hoop dancers, a visuals and light show as well as the Uptown's own bar. An acoustic jam band took stage in a second, smaller room to the side of the main stage, allowing for constant music between main-stage sets, satisfying music addicts.
To start off the night Kan Eyed played a variety of styles and sounds within the opening set, ranging from blues to psychedelic metal, reminiscent of the classic rock styles of Led Zeppelin. This Kansas City original group is one of the most legitimate old-school jam bands around, with veteran gutiarists, drummer and singer pooling their experience into one epic show of musical passion. They warmed up a crowd that was slowly filling the large dance floor and tables set out in the spacious Uptown, starting about 7 p.m.
Between the opener and the second band on the main stage, Stone Sugar Shakedown filled up a small side-room with their collcetion of acoustic stringed instruments and brass pieces. The jam band rocked out for the audience as folks gathered by the bar in the neighboring room. The standup bass backing up two guitars and a violin combined beautifully with the various brass instruments brought out by Ryan "Greenbean" Bouma, including a trombone, saxophone and flute. Set to the beats of hand drums and other percussion, the band brought out a few dancers and got a good amount of cheers from a grateful audience for their funky dance tunes until the main stage act drew the crowd away.
Moonlight Drive, a Doors tribute band played exhilerating covers of Doors classics for a fuller crowd than Kan Eyed saw half an hour before. The band's front man singer wore leather pants and a Jim Morrison hairdo to boot, but his voice was truly a spot-on recreation of Morrison's growling, howling vocals. The band's acid rock style was also impressive in its recreation of The Doors seemingly inimitable sound. Adding to the band's wild, psychedelic energy was a visual screen behind the stage and hula-hoop spinning dancing girls leading the crowd to shake and dance to the Doors covers. Jimmy Tebeau of The Schwag joined the band on stage for a few songs, rocking out on bass guitar to the Doors long, intricate jams. Their lengthy set left a full crowd on the dance floor cheering for more.
Thankfully Stone Sugar Shakedown took up their jams again in the side room while The Schwag set up for the concert's climactic finale. Exploring shakedown street, musc lovers and festival regulars could shop for everything from hemp necklaces to rainbow-tinted goggles. The Uptown's bar was left relatively empty after drinkers discovered the outrageous drink prices - $6 for a small cup of beer, $12 for a large. But thankfully the show's other attractions kept folks happy until The Schwag took the stage.
The Grateful Dead tribute band, The Schwag regularly make the short trek from their homebase in St. Louis to perform in Lawrence and Kansas City, but there was a special energy in last nights performance. The band is trying to raise funds to save Camp Zoe, the campsite in southern Missouri where The Schwag used to host several music festivals each year. Schwagstock is on hold since the IRS siezed the Zoe bank account that pays for the land. If fans of the festivals and the band want to enjoy the natural beauty and fantastic music festivals at Camp Zoe, they have to support the band during Throw for Zoe and other fundraising shows.
For this second Throw for Zoe, The Schwag played an incredibly long and passionate set of Grateful Dead songs including fan favorites like Sugaree and Tennessee Jed. The band was joined by a saxophonist who added jazz to their jams. The sax was replaced with a flute for some songs, which drew out some dancing girls to hop up on the front of the stage for a time. Hula hoop girls and visuals were a constant part of the background through this two-hour set. The professional dancers could barely keep up with the band's fierce energy as the set raged on and on. The crowd brought limitless love onto the dance floor, cheering and clapping throughout songs when they weren't dancing their pants off.
The Schwag performed with zest for their devoted fans, including multiple solos by the guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and of course, Jimmy on the bass. The band finished the power-house show with Going Down the Road Feeling Bad and Not Fade Away, but the tireless audience needed an encore, so the Schwag came back for two final songs, Sisters & Brothers and Bertha, which the crowd received with roaring approval. Finally the show ended and it was still only half-past midnight. An early night by Lawrence standards, but considering the length and strength of the show, it was a satisfying night.
The Schwag will undoubtedly be back in Kansas City and Lawrence before long, so don't miss another chance to enjoy this exemplary tribute to the Grateful Dead!
Now for Previews:
Tuesday, Mardi Gras will be celebrated all of Lawrence and Kansas City. With choices abound, music lovers can take their pick of what kind of show they want to prepare for lent at:
For some jazzy funk, Fuzz Natsy will play with the MGDs at the Crosstown Station in Kansas city starting at 7 p.m. for $7.
Appropriate drinking music might be found with the bluegrass jamboree of Mountain Sprout at Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club starting at 8 p.m. for just $6.
If you're in the mood for some indie rock, Lawrence's own Rooftop Vigilantes are back at their old stomping grounds tuesday night to play at the Replay Lounge with Bare Wires and Silje Nes starting at 10 p.m.
Take your pick, drink responsibly and earn yourself a bead necklace Tuesday night!
Then Thursday, March 10th, Electric Theory will be at te Jazzhaus with Slippy LaRue and Goodness Gracious! For just $3, this electronic dance show is a WIN. Be there!
Also, anyone as impressed as this reviewer should know that Kan Eyed will be playing the 4/20 show at It's A Beautiful Day in downtown Kansas City!
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