“Never trust a prankster,” a motto of the Acid Test-producing Merry Pranksters back in the 1960s, was apropos on Friday, at Bob Weir’s inaugural Campfire Tour show in San Rafael, California. In support of Weir’s new countrified, ballad-heavy album, “Blue Mountain,” all signs pointed to a live show in which Weir’s new band would mosey on through a series of sparse, slow-paced odes.

On Oct. 6, I got to be witness to a stellar show that highlighted two up and coming “jam bands”. Both TAUK and Earphorik showcased why they should be considered the next in the line of must-see, must-hear live bands that are part of the “jam” scene.

While art will always be a progressive process and reflect the changes of the people in our evolving world, some things are best kept preserved. Music is the perfect example of this. Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion, Post Punk, New Wave, an echo of the culture and climate that influenced these musicians.

On Oct. 4, 2016, I had the opportunity to catch Dark Star Orchestra in concert at the Lafayette Theater in Lafayette, IN. The experience was interesting, to say the very least.

Ashville’s The Get Right Band has released their 3rd LP, Who’s In Charge?, through legendary Echo Mountain Studios (Widespread Panic, Smashing Pumpkins), and has been engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Julian Dreyer (The Avett Brothers), and was mastered by six-time Grammy winner Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Grace Potter, Dr.

STS9 released their 6^th studio album, The Universe Inside, on their homegrown label 1320 Mission Control on September 2, 2016, and it represents their first such release since Ad Explorata was released in 2009.  This would also be the first release for “STS9 2.0” with Alana Rocklin since her taking over the staggering bass responsibilities for STS9 following David “Murph” Murphy’s departure in 2014.  Murph’s departure

On an evening in which summer still ruled in North-Central California, the compelling and charismatic Avett Brothers visibly pleased 5,000 or so souls with their lilting musical storytelling on Sept. 16. The unbridled, rootsy, folk-rock stomp took place at Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s outdoor venue in Lincoln, near Sacramento, California.  

This past Thursday, The Avett Brothers won over the crowd at the Green Music Center of Sonoma State University, where they took the stage to perform over two hours of music. The band showcased songs from their newest album, True Sadness, as well as fan-favorites from earlier albums like The Gleam and I and Love and You.

2016 has been an incredible year for TAUK, the four piece prog-fusion instrumental rockers from Oyster Bay, NY.

To close out the successful year, the boys release a new album on Friday, September 16 called Sir Nebula and kick off a cross-country tour which will see them headlining for the first time on the west coast.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band displayed in Oakland, California, why its stock has vaulted the group toward the top echelon of touring outfits and headlining roles at many-a-music festival. Anchored by a couple of blues-rock stalwarts, each with a consummate musical pedigree, the husband-and-wife team of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks presided over the 12-piece ensemble’s performance on Sept. 8 that was all at once brilliant, exhilarating, wide-ranging, and classy.