Show Review

The three bands most frequently mentioned as the replacement of Phish as the leader of the jamband scene are arguably Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, and moe. But with WSP on their one year “break,” and SCI no longer doing their semi-annual ventures to the Northeast, the only one an East coaster can really check out so far this year is moe. And fortunately, they made three pit stops in my home area, including a fall tour closer in Portland Maine at the State Theater. Actually, Portland has become somewhat of a “home” to moe, as they rehearsed many of their ten or so new tunes before tour at the State.

Being a Saturday night, the crowd had a little extra time to enjoy themselves prior to showtime, and moe. slowly worked its way into gear with six standalone versions of their songs - three of them having debuted in 2004. “Lost Along the Way” was the definite highlight of these opening six, with Al Schnier’s amazing buildup and inevitable crescendo. The contemporary rock anthem, “Recreational Chemistry,” followed and this 30 minute exploratory version, while solid, had me a bit disappointed knowing it would close the set. So as I leaned over to compensate with “That was a warmup set, they’ll bring it all second set,” Rob Derhak kept it going with a powerful bass solo that somehow found its way into the opening for “Akimbo.” The dueling guitars of Schnier and Chuck Garvey brought the smile right back to my face.

Second set did prove did to be a great one, but probably only to those moe.rons that knew the vast moe. catalog through and through. The new song, “The Road,” showed some potential for being a huge future jam standard, “Meat” threw the absolutely jammed pit into a frenzy - with some Metallica and The Clash teases mixed in - and the rarity “Don’t Fuck with Flo” made all the notable old school fans notably happy. As if not enough, a literally string-ripping Buster closed out the hot night.

With their typical high energy and enthusiasm, it appears the chemistry of the players is ever improving and their continual touring delivers unscripted, yet unflubbed versions of the moe. songs we want to hear. As we found out with another band recently, you really do have to rehearse those songs and you’ve certainly got to tour.

Setlist

Set 1: Okayalright > Gone, Understand, Down Boy, Disembodied Head, Lost Along the Way, Recreational Chemistry > Akimbo

Set 2: Y.O.Y. > The Road, The Pit > Meat > Guns of Brixton> Don't Fuck With Flo > Buster

Encore: Conviction Song, Don't Fear the Reaper