Rusted Root – Part Two

I didn’t think the Rusted Root experience could get any better… I was wrong.

Night #2 would take place at the House of Blues. An enclosed venue that promised better acoustics and therefore, obviously, a better sounding performance from the band. It also guaranteed a larger crowd, and more fun.

There was an opening act this time. I couldn’t tell you who it was. I didn’t care. I just wanted Rusted Root to get on stage. So while ignoring whoever the starving artist was on the stage, I used the time to have a couple drinks, adding a little something-something to the buzz I already had going on.

I was surrounded by friends. Tom, Katie, Mike, Keele, Maria, Ryan, Rob and more. Everybody was excited to see the Root and you could tell. I was standing in the very center of the floor for the best acoustic situation.

Rusted Root was incredible. They played most of the same songs from the night before, but they changed the way they played all of them and added a few others, changing the entire order of their songs. They closed out with “Send Me On My Way” this time, instead of “Ecstasy.” I actually loved the fact that they left us with “Ecstasy” the first night, but they played “Send Me On My Way” so much better on the second night that it blew everyone away.

The crowd was just as into it at H.O.B. as they were at Jannus Landing. Plenty of dancing and singing along. Once again I got to dance with a pretty lady. And to boost, I got to hangout a little with some of the band. Michael and Liz were very cool, warm and friendly. If I didn’t have to get a couple of drunk people home I would’ve tried to hang out with them more after the show. I could’ve ended up in their tour bus, kickin’ the crap around with them. I also ran in to their current drummer, Preach Freedom, and spoke to him a while about how INSANE he is on those skins!

The performances was so much better. They were clearly more comfortable on the House of Blues stage and clearly had a better time playing. Liz is hypnotizing on that stage. If I had stared at her any harder, he clothes would’ve burst into flames. Michael could’ve been doing back-flips on stage and I would have no idea. I’d be too busy staring at Liz. There’s just something about her. Her steps, side to side as she dances on the stage. Or the cute little things she does with her arms as she sways them side to side. She was just mesmerizing. Her voice was perfect and her instruments were played with a grace I can’t quite word out right. Maybe I’m making a big deal about it but the hug she gave me was the highlight of the night.

This band has quickly shot up my list of favorites. Sitting proud at the top along with acts like Jack Johnson, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Colin Hay, Wyclef Jean and Ray Lamontagne. These guys transcend genres, styles, and classifications. Each album is different and even the band themselves change on a regular basis for a different sound at every performance.

Seriously guys. If you ever get the opportunity; Go see them live. You will not regret it. There’s something in it for everybody. Rusted Root. Learn ‘em, love ‘em. Buy their albums. I recommend you start  with When I Woke. Its one of the most perfect albums ever made. Follow that up with Welcome To My Party, so you can see where the band evolved to. The rest of the albums can go in any order, but leave REMEMBER for last. That may be their absolute coolest and best album. So good, it should be left for last. Put that in your mouth, chew it.

Rusted Root – Part One

Yesterday. Rusted Root. St Petersburg. Jannus Landing.

OH… MY… GOSH…

Okay, so I’ve recently become a huge fan of Rusted Root, thanks to my roommate and his need to infect everyone around him with everything he likes. Thanks to him, I’m jamming Rusted Root, watching Nascar, and having arguments with people over whether or not Adam should’ve won this years American Idol instead of Kris. Thanks Tom… Thanks a lot.

There may be shame in the American Idol thing, and the Nascar thing may be a little concerning at first, (if it is, screw you, Nascar kicks ass!)… But there is absolutely no shame in being a Rusted Root fan. This is a band that has an energy, presence, sound, and talent like no other. Last night I had the wonderful pleasure of watching them perform LIVE at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg, Florida! Tom and I made the drive out there, got some food, and walked into the show.

I’d never been to Jannus Landing so let me just say this: If you’ve never been, and your favorite band comes to play there, GO! DRIVE however long of a drive it is. Go and I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

When you walk up to the gate, you’re standing between two buildings, and you wonder where the hell the venue is. Well, Its basically just an open space surrounded by apartment buildings. You feel like you’re at a festival of some sort. A tent is set up over the stage, some tables to the left of the stage hold beers, liquor, pizza, and the band’s merch. The bathrooms are not really bathrooms so please keep that in mind when you go. I can’t speak for the Ladies’ room but the Men’s room is just a troff to pee in. That’s it. Not even a sink to wash your hands in afterwards. So maybe go easy on the booze.

The atmosphere at this show was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The crowd consisted of every kind of person under the sun. Hippies, Preps, Punks, Country Fans, Really Old, Really Young, Black, White, Latino… you name it, it was there ready to enjoy some Rusted Root.

The apartment buildings surrounding the “venue” gave a few lucky fans the opportunity to simply grab a beer out of their own fridge, walk out onto their own private balcony, and sit down to enjoy the sounds of Rusted Root Live in their own backyard. What I wouldn’t give to live in one of those apartments, with a Jannus Landing Concert Schedule on my fridge. I’d come home from work, see who’s playing tonight, and if I likey, out to the balcony I’d go with a bowl and a pack of smokes. Oh how wonderful that would be…

Finally, Rusted Root hits the stage and immediately starts kicking my ass all over the place. The amount and level of talent on that stage is ridiculous. The crowd, though loud, were all part of the experience. We’re outside so smokers were aloud to smoke. (…and they don’t pat the men down at the gates so “smokers” were aloud to smoke too.)

Suddenly that all too familiar smell is in the air. Everybody’s having a great time. Hippies were dancing everywhere and I felt like I was at a festival with a couple hundred of my closest friends. A beautiful girl in a yellow tank top and short jean shorts came over to me. She was tanned perfectly, with curly brown hair and little square glasses. I’d been staring at her for a while and I think she may have caught me a few times. That didn’t stop her from walking right over to me, grabbing my hand, and proceeding to dance with me for the rest of the night. No names were exchanged but at the end of the show, before everyone left, she gave me a hug, a wonderful kiss on the lips, and a “Thanks for the dances.”

Rusted Root really did kick my ass all night. They played quite a few songs from their newest album, which is not my favorite at all, but they played so much old stuff! They mixed some songs together to create medleys, they changed up the way they play other songs and it all sounded incredible. They played all my favorite songs.

After they got off stage I shook Michael’s (lead singer/song writer) hand and told him it was one of the best performances of any band I’ve ever seen and he seemed to genuinely appreciate the compliment.

Tonight, I get to watch them yet again. This time I have home court advantage. It’ll be at the House of Blues, where I work. That means I’m getting my ass right up front and I’m going to jam all night long. Maybe “Yellow Tank-Top” will show up at this show too.

We’ll talk more Rusted Root tomorrow.