First and foremost, we had a great time at the Brooklyn Bowl last Saturday night (Feb 8, 2020). The venue is at the top of my favorite NYC music venues, and “a run, don’t walk” activity for those that have not fully experienced it.


Small sidebar, before I get to the show… if you put your drink on top of the speaker by the exit door, it will fall off with the vibrations and spill on your back or in this the floor.

The band was Spafford (website) and they sold out a three-show weekend run.  Kudos to them!!  


As it was my first time seeing the popular jam band from Arizona, I spent the weeks leading up to the show watching (on YouTube) and listening (in the car via Apple Music) to their music.  Most of it I liked and some of my favorite songs reminded me of a modern day Samples.  I played a few tunes for the girlfriend (not a jam band fan), and she liked enough of it to green light the venture with some friends of ours we were meeting in Williamsburg.

Unfortunetly, I didn’t like the show.  It was way too noodle-y for me.  It was all the worst parts of an Umphrey’s McGee show. The hardcore Spafford fans twirling next to us (in my usual stage right corner between the side door and stage), admitted it was unusual for the band to abandon singing for most of their first set and that they may have shot their load the night before.  The night before, they opened with a groovy cover of Shakedown Street (click here for story at Jambands.com).


The band certainly caught a few terrific jams, but after seeing the all instrumental Lettuce show last month (click here for that story)… I had my fill. Sometimes when I don’t have a great show, it’s because my vibe is off for one reason or another… but not this night. I was in a soft, furry happy place.


As always, it’s only one show and I’m sure I would like them more on another night, but not this night.


Onward and upward.


Keep flapping rancheleros.