
Twilight Alive Thursday, August 9
The electric-Americana group Great American Taxi
is one of those brilliant, rare gems on the club
and festival circuit- a fun, danceable jamband
with great original songs. Since parting ways with
legendary jamgrass pioneers Leftover Salmon, Taxi
driver Vince Herman has been writing and collecting
new classics to add to his vast catalogue of southern
swamp-rock, underground country, and Guthrie-tinged
political satire culled from over 20 years of traveling
the North American continent. Guitarist and songwriter
Jefferson Hamer writes new rock and indie-country
songs that recall the 6 and 12-string psychedelic
twang of the Byrds and Gram Parsons.
Founder and keyboardist Chad Staehly contributes
literate, melodic tunes in the vintage country
rock tradition. With additional vocals and a powerful
big-room feel provided by drummer Jake Coffin and
bassist Brian Schey, Great American Taxi has enough
top-shelf material to keep even the most devoted,
traveling fans wondering what could possibly come
next.
While it's impossible to predict- the band has
welcomed Little Feat, YMSB's Jeff Austin, and even
Coolio onstage as special guests, and has played
impromptu covers of songs by the Black Eyed Peas,
Frank Zappa, and the Beach Boys- fans are turning
out in rapidly-increasing numbers to hear Taxi
play their signature songs.
No other ensemble performing today moves so effortlessly
across the roots-rock spectrum. Through it all,
they keep the audience dancing and occasionally,
laughing along and that is why, in little over
one year together, Great American Taxi has emerged
as one of the most impressive live acts in the
jam-rock field.
|