Words: Carla Danca
Images: Jeremy Gordon

It’s summer time and most bands are hitting up outdoor sheds and festivals, but the Disco Biscuits have always done things a little different. Just a few weeks before the start of Camp Bisco VIII, the boys did a quick “dirty beach” run, up the coast of Delaware and into Atlantic City for a 2 night run at the House of Blues.While Bisco kidz always seem to be the butt of jokes in the scene, AC didn’t even flinch at the invasion of the raging flat brims.

Brothers Past kicked off both nights at the HOB, at least for those of us who were able to pull away from the casino floor. As someone who has really enjoyed BP before, I was a little disappointed with the room sound’s effect on the experience; the sound mix was really heavy on the bass and a bit muddy near the front of the stage.

The HOB has a large floor downstairs that is almost entirely covered by a seated area. Fortunately, night 2 is already posted on the LMA and the recording sounds great! It is a lot clearer than it sounded at the show, and you can actually hear the vocals. My highlights were the cover of Radiohead’s National Anthem and their own Simple Gift of Man to close the set. I think that these guys have so much potential, as they are definitely breaking out of the jam band and livetronic mold.

READ ON for more of Carla’s words and Jeremy’s photos…

As everyone filed out of the HOB during the change over, I noticed that the Heavy Pets were still going strong downstairs on the lower level. Not only were they playing to a full room, but people were spilling out onto the casino floor! Though I only heard a song or two, I am definitely excited to catch these guys again. The sound was solid – a little less untz and a bit more rock than the show upstairs- but very enjoyable.

Lotus was next to the stage, and I was probably most impressed with their ability to build into their jams while hitting some intense peaks, and still circle around and fall back into the groove. The sound was better and so were the lights, so I think that the issue with BP set was resolved. This set really had me moving, especially when near the end of the set the lights went real low and the crowd erupted in the almost pitch black room. The sound was just flowing right over the crowd and enveloping everyone into the same rhythm.

Lately it seems that Bisco has been getting a lot of mixed reviews. The fans seem to be split into those who are longing for the sounds of the past and those who love the band’s new direction. After years of playing together and more than one lineup change, this can only be expected.  While I can understand wanting to hear the sound that got you hooked way back when, it’s great to hear a band actually progressing. With the new album still forthcoming, the “new” songs are finally starting to jam out more, and because of the new blood at shows it seems that the “old” favorites are new again to much of the audience.

From watching the guys on stage this weekend, it’s easy to see that either way they are having a lot of fun and really enjoying themselves, which generally leads to a better show for everyone. Both nights of Bisco reminded fans why they love to see this band. From the crazy jams on night 1 during CWB > Ladies, to a sample of Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger layered into the mix near the end of set 1 on night 2, you can say a lot of things about Bisco, but they do know how to get down and keep the crowd moving. The entire set on Friday was fun and shiny– not so much the deep, dark griminess they are known for. But it’s summer and we were in Atlantic City, and sometimes you just want to have a good time!

Jeremy Gordon

Jeremy Gordon is a photographer, registered architect, and current Jersey City resident. Beginning in a small bar in Teaneck, he started photographing local bands and eventually built up to such legendary artists as, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Etta James, Furthur, Phish, and Snoop Dogg. Jeremy has stated that live music photography at its best, is about capturing the split second of sweat and emotions shared between an artist and their audience and that the honor of standing in front of the creators of Rock and Roll and 20,000 of their loyal fans is one of the greatest thrills in the world. Jeremy can be contacted at gordonjer@gmail.com

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