Technically, as Scotty pointed out to me the other day, today’s band isn’t quite in the Jamband Graveyard. But when the band in question has only played a handful of select dates over the last few years and its members have full time commitments with other bands it’s safe to lump them into this category – though it’s not a fate that we want to wish on any act.
While jambands on the East Coast in the ’90s were more rock based outfits, Colorado’s Leftover Salmon brought something new to the blossoming world of improvisational music. The band members played an eclectic mix of instruments – banjo, mandolin, fiddle along with guitar, bass and drums and played their self-described brand of “Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass” – which included elements of bluegrass, rock, zydeco, folk, klezmer, funk and just about anything else they could think of.
Combining fantastic musicianship with the wry sense of humor from lead singer Vince Herman, you could pretty much expect the unexpected when you caught Leftover Salmon – wacky covers, made-up songs and as well as the head of Mayor McCheese propped up on stage. I’m not sure I’ve seen an act that had more fun than these guys, here they are with the calypso-infused Zombie Jamboree…
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You can pretty much credit LoS for paving the way for like minded acts like String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band. Leftover Salmon will make one of their now rare live appearances on Halloween at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium. Go check ’em out!
More Salmon:
- Euphoria, Carnival Time, Squirrel Heads & Gravy – 12/28/98
- 420 Polka – Wavy Gravy’s Hog Farm Pig Nic 1996
- Reach – La Hood Bluegrass Festival – 8/29/98
Previously On HT’s Jamband Graveyard Week: GSW, The Samples
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