Brooklyn Steel

Gomez at Brooklyn Steel on June 7, 2018 was very entertaining. I am very glad I made it to the show and brought a merry bunch of rock music lovers.


Here is the setlist.

Pictures by Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Gomez @ Brooklyn Steel (6-7-18)

Government Mule at The Capitol Theatre on April 27, 2018 was very entertaining also with a totally different posse and vibe. I am glad I went, and reconnected with some of the ex-Mountain Jam gang.


Here is the setlist.

The two rock shows couldn’t have been more different and tickled unique parts of my brain that only music reaches. You certainly roll the dice with catching live music. It is part of the fun.

Gomez (website) is the band who steamrolled into my world when the Philips Electronics gang (a inside shout to Philly Dave and Sir Terry!) picked them to sing the Beatles “Getting Better” for the new Philips tv commercials. I’ve followed the band every since and have enjoyed watching them evolve and stick to their “sweet spot” – writing and playing songs. I went with some friends that have never seen them also, and they loved it.

Government Mule (website) is the band who has earned the right to be in the elite circle of rock jam bands that picked up where the Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin left off. I’ve followed the band ever since diving deep and long with The Deep End Vol 2 in Camarillo, CA. It features a host of guests and is my favorite Mule album. Mule’s “sweet spot” is three hour rock and roll concerts with long solos and heavy beats. I went with a whole bunch of old friends (30+ yrs) and had a great time, although didn’t love the show.


Gomez has this welcoming blend of different types of song: swampy slide guitar rompers, punchy popish Ben Fold-like ditties, and modern punk (think Green Day plays Clash). Gomez lead man Ben Ottewell has a uniquely powerful voice, and now with his new found muscles and Patterson Hood-like beard (from Drive By Truckers) he looks like a giant at center stage. 


One of my show mates told me he sounded like Eddie Vedder, but different. I just nodded and kept quiet. There is something awkward though about a muscle bound musician. Maybe its just me…

Pictures by Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Gomez @ Brooklyn Steel (6-7-18)

The show kicked it up a few notches when the saxophone joined for “78 Stone Wobble”. I have seen the band before (read here) and was pleasantly surprised that their consistent use of acoustic guitars to fatten their sound. Of course “Blue Moon Rising” was my favorite tune of the night. (Click here to watch this exact clip on You Tube… thanks NYJerky) It kicks arse. They even pulled off a sing along that didn’t make me want to vomit.


For Mule, I’ll leave it at this. Warren and Company is very similar to the Dead and Allmans, who sometimes don’t have that magic.My favorite tune of the night was “Thorazine Shuffle”, it caused a stir throughout the Cap.  All in all, a good time was had by all despite Warren mailing it in a little too much.  Needless to say, I’ll be back. 


Peace… catch up on the front rail!


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