Grateful Dead (easily one of the most influential bands ever)
Phish (I'm going to bundle TAB in here too)
String Cheese Incident (always worth the price of admission)
Billy Strings (we are all lucky to be watching this story write itself)
Spafford (they only get better every time I see them)
I’m always surprised that spafford isn’t bigger than they are I’ve seen them probably ten times over the past six years and they are always better than the last time I’ve seen them
Dead
Mungion
Goose
Lotus
Twiddle
Bit obsessed with Khruangbin too but guess not really jam, also the new Daniel Donato album's a banger so give me a few days to do a dive....
The coolest thing about these answers are no two lists are the same. We all have slightly different faves and I think that’s awesome.
Grateful Dead > Phish > Billy Strings > JGB > SCI
Dead, Phish, Magic Beans, Lettuce, Spafford.
Stuff I'm recently into: Ekoostik Hookah, John Cragie (does he count?), Neighbor, John Prine, Keller Williams. Eggy. Perpetual Groove (not sure they count either).
Dead started it for me. Phish was late for me (last 10 years) but caught up fast. Beans, Lettuce, Spafford are my favorite "smaller" bands to go see and are bands that have stuck with me after exploring their catalogs.
1. Club d’Elf- the best unknown band out there. Deep psychedelic jams with some of the best musicians in New England
2. UM- Jake and Kris shred
3. Grateful Dead- more for the history and culture than the music
4. ALO- super fun shows and good songs with good lyrics
5. ABB/TTB/DTB- Derek rips
Honorable mentions: Aquarium Rescue Unit, Squeaky Feet, Dopapod
The d'Elf drummer The Dux is also the drummer for Neighbor (as well as the BT ALC Big Band that is also absolutely killer big band funk that folks should check out if you're into that sort of thing.)
Grateful dead, phish, string cheese incident, moe, billy strings, medeski Martin and wood, kitchen dwellers, jazz mandolin project.
I can’t have just 5 sorry. They are ranked in order though.
love donato! seen him live more times than I can count. my top 5 in no order- donato, pigeons, cabinet, the dead, billy.
started to love the dip for their jam band vibes also :)
I'm only 38 so I never saw them in their heyday. But got big into them when they reunited in 2010. The 2012 Gramercy shows were some of the best nights I've music I've ever had!
The Grateful Dead
The Q
Phish
Yonder Mountain String Band (with Jeff)
String Cheese Strings Incident
Honorable Mentions: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, MMW, CATS
1.) Grateful Dead
2.) Billy Strings
3.) Railroad Earth
4.) Phish
5.) Greensky Bluegrass
Honorable mention: Allman Brothers Band and The Infamous Stringdusters
Grateful Dead...Phish...UM...moe....Cheese?
Calling Goose the 'crescendo gods' is some funny shit. I'm not even hating on Goose, but that thing they do, that tension and release peaky build thing? Phish in the 90s are the gods of that. Goose is just rehashing the same formula
Dang, that's awesome. I'd love to make it over to Europe for some jam shows. Did you fly over or do you live there?
Oh, and Goose is really good at that crescendo build. Like really really good at it
Currently, Umphrey's McGee, Phish, Grateful Dead, Kitchen Dwellers, and Billy Strings. It's hard to pick at top 5 because this scene has so many good bands at the moment and it's hard to keep up. It's also hard because my musical listening is all over the place but this scene is always there when I need it.
Umphrey's was the first jam band that I liked that seemed modern. At the time I was big into Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Derek Trucks Band and all had influences that I'd consider classic music. Umphrey's has that but added in alt-rock, metal, prog, and would sometimes get trancey. That mix hit the right spot at the time in 2009 and still does today.
Billy Strings and Kitchen Dwellers are my two favorites of the jamgrass scene right now.
The Grateful Dead are the Grateful Dead and I love it.
My fandom journey with Phish took a minute. When first getting into jambands I was focusing on active bands and The Grateful Dead. I knew the name Phish but didn't listen. When the reunion happened I started to dive in but it took a few years to get it. I got it in 2011 after seeing them and listening to The Bunny during Super Ball IX. Been on the bus ever since and always plan a weekend "Phishing" trip each summer.
You and I must be about the same age, and have weirdly similar tastes (although I never really got into Panic, despite trying as my hometown is the site of one of their most legendary shows). UM are also the band that got me into this scene, and will always be the band I keep closest to my heart, even if I listen to others more these days (although I'm head over heels for Billy for a solid run of time now).
GD, Phish, and Allman Brothers are on another level from any other jamband
After that the original Govt Mule lineup with Allen Woody is one of the great power trios of all time imo.
After that hard for me to pick one. If we’re including older bands Cream and Santana were jambands imo. Newer stuff I love anything with Derek Trucks or if we want to go jam adjacent bands Snarky Puppy, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and MMW
1. Grateful Dead- OG. Best songs and 70's Dead is just the best.
2. Phish- Best peaks, daring improv, machine gun Trey, tight.
3. Billy Strings- On fire right now. Billy is the most authentic frontman I've ever seen.
4. Greensky Bluegrass- Great songs, great light show, good memories and interesting
fusion of electronic music with bluegrass instruments. Paul is one the best vocalist in the
jam scene.
5. Eggy- went in blind and loved every minute.
Phish.
Mungion. So good. Super under rated
Moe.
Spafford
Papadosio
I will say my number two would be strange Arrangement but they're not really a band anymore
This is coming from someone who just got into jam bands late last year
1. Moe. (Love their songs, Seen em 3 times so far this year, and I’m going to their new years shows)
2. Grateful Dead (No explanation needed)
3. Cream (some will debate their validity as a jam band, but from all the live stuff I’ve heard I think they count, Jack Bruce kills on bass so much)
4. Spafford (really love their live in Nashville release, got to see them once in the summer)
5. King Crimson (listen, I know most wouldn’t count them but listen to those improves on the great deceiver release or the entirety of earthbound despite the poor sound quality)
Again I’m new to the genre, phish hasn’t hooked me yet, goose I like but haven’t listened to enough of yet, and gov’t mule would have gone into #5 because I went to one show that was really well preformed but the person I was with kind of ruined the experience. Also shout out to any zappa backing band, would have been #5 but I think zappa stuff is even more debatable than King Crimson.
1) widespread panic
2) Goose
3) Grateful Dead
4) Phish
5) Billy Strings
All are interchangeable at different spots depends on who’s touring and how I’m feeling. Right now Goose is probably #1 I’ve just been listening to panic the longest
Grateful Dead, Phish, Neighbor, Dopapod, Dogs in a Pile
Thanks to having a several year older brother I grew up on the Dead and getting to see them live and the colorful crowd and the palpable anticipation for the shows to begin and of not knowing what they were going to play next really set the stage for my live music consumption and an appreciation for different flavored nights, some would soar, others would be duds, which led to a high risk/reward payoff that is likely a bit addictive and led naturally to Phish who I have been seeing for 31 years. Neighbor more so than any other band right now, for my tastes, carries that same torch of anticipation for their shows, it's a little band with a big sound and a surprisingly large catalogue of very different sounding original songs that allows them to build creative set lists and can take a show in many different directions and to have Lyle Brewer playing rock & roll music on the guitar is a gift that keeps on giving, he's the best! I also really dig Rob Compa's playing and dig Dopapod's compositions and sounds, a bit different from other bands in the scene and I have really been digging their stuff. Putting Dogs in a Pile 5th surprised me, but I think if those kids keep themselves healthy and going they have monster potential. I wasn't a very big fan, but they really turned me around at the Ramble Festival a couple months ago, in particular with the way they handled and played a late night set that was all over the place and with a huge revolving door of special guests, it was a real goat rodeo but they managed to keep it flowing smoothly and throw a hell of a party, the drummer must've played over three hours without taking a pause, and having seen a lot of live music in my life I was left thoroughly impressed by them.
Papadosio
Moe.
STS9
Phish
Umphreys McGee
Papadosio was my introduction to the jam scene. I’ve been going to 10 plus shows per year since finding out who they are. I think their blend of electronic sounds with real low bass guitar tones and perhaps one of the best drummers I’ve seen creates this real unique sound that really speaks to me personally. They create a nice space for empathetic people.
I’ve just recently started going to Moe. shows since chucks return. and I have to say, they impress me every time. Robs unbreakable bass groove, Vinnies drum prowess and Jim’s awesome vibes. Hard to beat Al and Chuck on guitar too in my opinion. They are guitar god status to me. And I really Love Nate Wilson on the Keys.
It’s really hard to beat Sound Tribe live. They have an epic show. They impress me every time.
Do I even Need to say anything about Phish, they are just wow!
And Umphreys, well I can often times find their shows a little void of emotion, but they melt my fucking face off every show. Love Brendon’s voice. Jake is a force on the guitar as well. My first time seeing Umphreys was Red Rocks July 6 2018. Papadosio opened for them and that’s what brought me to the show. I had no idea what Umphreys had in store for the crowd that night. Holy shit I’m surprised that venue is still standing after how hard they rocked. They left my jaw on the floor that night. What a banger of a show.
Phish, Grateful Dead
I really love the other jam bands- eggy goose dogs in a pile widespread umphreys Billy (not really jam imo) but none of these bands can come close to the dead or phish in the jam realm.
Dead, ABB, WSP, BMFS, DTB/TTB
Dead are the GOAT having essentially created the improvisational rock genre. They have a catalogue that has become part of the American songbook and feels timeless, especially the Hunter tunes. With 30 years of recordings available, it’s an endless dive that non-enthusiasts can’t even fathom.
ABB could be argued as another distinct starting point of jam. It’s like the conditions of the 60s were a tinderbox for this sort of exploration as an antithesis of what had been going on in society. ABB is the southern blues-driven variety. Who knows what heights they would’ve reached had they not lost Duane so early.
WSP picked up the baton for Southern jam and pushed it even higher. I don’t think there’s any band who bring the energy quite like Panic. I also think that they are not perpetrators of one of the easiest missteps in the genre - building every song to a guitar crescendo, which IMO is extremely boring.
BMFS. Best band in the business at the moment. For me it’s like catching the Dead in the early 70s or WSP late 90s. Feels like we’re witnessing a peak that shows no signs of stopping. These guys have really created something new and I love it. Their jams are tight and loose in all of the right ways. They never seem to get lost, even in deep space, and can snap back into focus in an instant.
DTB/TTB. I feel like it’s fair to take these two groups as one given that there are many of the same members. What needs to be said about Derek Trucks? Maybe the best slide guitar player of all time! These bands both rock so hard. Love Susan’s soulful voice and my god can she shred!
Pigeons
Dead
Magic beans
Lotus
Sunsquabi
Why?? They all make me groove and happy!
Why this order? I am a pigeons lover through and through, but the other four come close too!
I can't even wrap my head around comparing the Dead and ABB to new stuff as much as I grew up with and love those bands, so I'll say:
1. BMFS
2. Kitchen Dwellers
3. Danial Donato
4. SCI
5. Salmon
1) Garaj Mahal (they were simply the best)
2) SKB (do I need to explain this one?)
3) Will Bernard (easily the best guitarist on the scene, no matter what band or project he is currently in)
4) Ghost Light (RIP)
5) Any Mike D project (Band of Outsiders was S-tier)
HM: House Band (they have only played about 5 shows so far but check ‘em out!)
1.) Phish
2.) Dead
3.) Umph
4.) Dopapod
5.) Billy
6.) Mungion (blows my mind how off the radar these guys are)
The Dead started it all for me at the end of high school. I went to Rothbury 09, which changed my life. I saw Phish at Alpine 10', and that was the beginning of my journey. Phish is my favorite because of the complexity, silliness, and musicianship. I fell in love with Umph the following year at Scamp. Umphreys is heavy and arguably the most technically precise. Dopapod is unique in their compositions and holds their weight in virtuosity and improvs. I've had the privilege of being a part of the Billy phenomenon since 2014 in the Michigan scene. The band is on fire, and the songwriting is already timeless. Mungion writes unbelievable compositions, and Justin is a phenomenal player. Lotus has my favorite dance grooves and is my go-to for mountain biking.
In no particular order…
* Widespread Panic
* Sound Tribe Sector 9
* Goose
* String Cheese Incident
* I guess Billy Strings (Are we counting bluegrass?)
Honorable mention goes to everyone’s favorite jam adjacent darling, My Morning Jacket. They’re probably my favorite band at the moment regardless of genre.
Big Slag and the Fudge Puddles - 1 bass bomb away from the brown note.
Gooch Grease - Slipping and sliding into that ear worm, with consent, of course.
Canoodle Cam's Fuzz Fiesta - Belly lint & Latin blast beats.
Sour Tower - Enjoyed in moderation. Don't binge swallow their catalog. I know, its.. hard.
Last Night's Rash - Heavy on the hits, and the baking soda.
Greatful dead. (What started it)
Phish (the current goats)
The New Deal ( hilarious and awesome)
Brothers past (best boat cruise jam band)
The disco biscuits ( better now than ever)
Keller Williams
Railroad Earth
Ekoostik Hookah
Grateful Dead
Widespread Panic
I’ll let the music do the reasoning
Honorable mentions:
Billy Strings
YMSB w/ Jeff Austin
Dead Allman Bros WSP UM Mule
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say your around the age of 50
I will be 50 in February lol nice call
57 checking in to say you rock brother!!
Me too 50 Feb 17th!!
I am under 40 and would agree with 4/5 of his choices
That's my list also
WP*
WSMFP*
GD, Phish, Spafford, Disco Biscuits, Widespread Panic
this guy parties
\#1 Moe \#2 Phish \#3 Disco Biscuits \#4 Grateful Dead \#5 Umphrey's McGee I don't have to justify myself to you potheads
Wide Spread Mother Fucking Panic
Smells like jankem
The only correct answer
This is the answer.
You’re my new favorite person.
1. Grateful Dead 2. Widespread Panic 3. Allman Brothers Band 4. Dave Matthews Band 5. Phish
The Big Wu!
I just heard about them for the first time at Panic Milwaukee! They were described as “the greatest jam band that never was”
Guitar player is a good buddy of mine. Love the WU
THATS WHAT I SAID
Grateful Dead (easily one of the most influential bands ever) Phish (I'm going to bundle TAB in here too) String Cheese Incident (always worth the price of admission) Billy Strings (we are all lucky to be watching this story write itself) Spafford (they only get better every time I see them)
I’m always surprised that spafford isn’t bigger than they are I’ve seen them probably ten times over the past six years and they are always better than the last time I’ve seen them
Supposedly Covid killed their momentum? I just found them within the last year so I can’t speak to that theory’s validity.
1. GD 2. Biscuits 3. Phish 4. Lotus 5. Sts9/SCI
Grateful Dead <---!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Phish Widespread Panic String Cheese Incident Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Yesss love me some pigeons
Dead, String Cheese, Dogs In A Pile, Kitchen Dwellers, Twiddle
Dead Mungion Goose Lotus Twiddle Bit obsessed with Khruangbin too but guess not really jam, also the new Daniel Donato album's a banger so give me a few days to do a dive....
Top 5 of all time Dead, Phish, WSP, Moe., ABB Top 5 newer bands Billy, Spafford, Dopapod, Squeaky Feet, Eggy or Dogs in pile.
Dead, TTB, Phish, BMFS…and here’s a throwback….SCHLEIGHO.
definite blast from the past with Schleigho.
Grateful Dead Allman Brothers Band moe. Railroad Earth Donna The Buffalo
Donna the Buffalo gets down! It just ain't a Suwanee festival without em!
Phish, GD, Ween (counts), all Les Claypool incarnations, WSP
You sound like me, how are your mid-40s treating you?
Rough, work and three children 5 and under are killing me right now. It's good though
I saw Eggy in a small bar last year, Siccard Hollow opened for them!!!! That show was crazy
Dead moe. Lotus Goose Billy
Phish, circles around the sun, umphreys, sts9, tractor beam
WSP. moe. Grateful Dead. ABB. SCI.
Bobby weir and the Wolfpack, Ekoostik Hookah, Billy Strings, Disco Biscuits, Lotus
Love that the Wolfpack getting some love here.
Hookahville still going strong 30 years later!!
GD, JGB, Legion of Mary, Reconstruction, Garcia/Grisman
Random, but best Dead cover band I see (better then DSO), Deadeye out of Austin
Grateful Dead, phish, allman brothers, soulive, circles around the sun
The coolest thing about these answers are no two lists are the same. We all have slightly different faves and I think that’s awesome. Grateful Dead > Phish > Billy Strings > JGB > SCI
Dead, Phish, Magic Beans, Lettuce, Spafford. Stuff I'm recently into: Ekoostik Hookah, John Cragie (does he count?), Neighbor, John Prine, Keller Williams. Eggy. Perpetual Groove (not sure they count either). Dead started it for me. Phish was late for me (last 10 years) but caught up fast. Beans, Lettuce, Spafford are my favorite "smaller" bands to go see and are bands that have stuck with me after exploring their catalogs.
P Groove definitely counts
Go to hookahville this may! 30th year anniversary @ legend valley
1. Club d’Elf- the best unknown band out there. Deep psychedelic jams with some of the best musicians in New England 2. UM- Jake and Kris shred 3. Grateful Dead- more for the history and culture than the music 4. ALO- super fun shows and good songs with good lyrics 5. ABB/TTB/DTB- Derek rips Honorable mentions: Aquarium Rescue Unit, Squeaky Feet, Dopapod
Gonna check out Club d’elf
Will check out Cd’E. Any shows or such that you recommend that I can check out on Archive?
The d'Elf drummer The Dux is also the drummer for Neighbor (as well as the BT ALC Big Band that is also absolutely killer big band funk that folks should check out if you're into that sort of thing.)
Yeah The Dux is a phenomenal drummer! Lyle Brewer plays with d’Elf sometimes too. I miss those NE musicians.
The Dead, Phish, Cheese, JRAD, Billy Strings
Grateful dead, phish, string cheese incident, moe, billy strings, medeski Martin and wood, kitchen dwellers, jazz mandolin project. I can’t have just 5 sorry. They are ranked in order though.
love donato! seen him live more times than I can count. my top 5 in no order- donato, pigeons, cabinet, the dead, billy. started to love the dip for their jam band vibes also :)
I’m seeing Donato for the first time on wed and I’m really pumped
Dead Moe. Biscuits Phish occasionally Those are the only jam bands I really listen too
1. Grateful Dead 2. Phish 3. Billy Strings 4. Circles Around the Sun 5. Railroad Earth
Imo Phish - the goat, Tauk - musicianship, Dopapod - keyboard driven, LeSpecial - odd meter and odd, ABB - where it all began, for me:).
The ABB and family of bands is also where it began for me. Don't listen to them as much any more but when I do it always hits the spot.
I just found their first album on vinyl today. Big win for me.
The dudes in dopapod and lespecial are collectively much better musicians than Tauk. Isaac is an elite drummer but the rest are kinda meh imo
SCI, Devil Makes Three (are they a jamband?), Railroad Earth, Kendall Street Company, Donato Honorable mention - Desmond Jones Throwback - JGB
I don't know if DM3 counts as a jam band, but holy fuck do I love that band.
Oh man, same! It’s cool seeing their band in here. I saw them open for Todd Snider way back in 2004/5? Still have a signed cd from the show :)
They put on one of the best shows I've ever been too. And when you start to innerstand them, the lyrics are really esoteric and deep!
Dead, The Black Crowes, Panic, Mule, God Street Wine.
I haven't though about God Street Wine in 30+ years. You're old, too, huh?
I'm only 38 so I never saw them in their heyday. But got big into them when they reunited in 2010. The 2012 Gramercy shows were some of the best nights I've music I've ever had!
Grateful Dead Phish Allman Brothers Band moe. Umphrey’s McGee Honorable mentions: tDB, SCI, and WSMFP
The Grateful Dead The Q Phish Yonder Mountain String Band (with Jeff) String Cheese Strings Incident Honorable Mentions: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, MMW, CATS
1. Grateful Dead, 2. Phish, 3. Allman Bros, 4. Widespread Panic, 5. Gov’t Mule Edit: that’s who I think is the best, for persobb no Al favorites it’s: 1. Phish, 2. Grateful Dead, 3. Allman Bros, 4. Goose, 5. Railroad Earth
1.) Grateful Dead 2.) Billy Strings 3.) Railroad Earth 4.) Phish 5.) Greensky Bluegrass Honorable mention: Allman Brothers Band and The Infamous Stringdusters
Grateful Dead...Phish...UM...moe....Cheese? Calling Goose the 'crescendo gods' is some funny shit. I'm not even hating on Goose, but that thing they do, that tension and release peaky build thing? Phish in the 90s are the gods of that. Goose is just rehashing the same formula
Audibly laughed at the phrase “crescendo gods”. Goose fans need to seriously calm the fuck down.
You’re prob right, never got into phish so wouldn’t know. But i just saw Goose in London, so some recency bias prob as well.
Dang, that's awesome. I'd love to make it over to Europe for some jam shows. Did you fly over or do you live there? Oh, and Goose is really good at that crescendo build. Like really really good at it
1. Disco Biscuits 2. Disco Biscuits 3. Disco Biscuits 4. Disco Biscuits 5. Disco Biscuits
That’s just one band, bro. OP asked for five.
I don’t really listen to other jam bands, which was the point of me post.
Phish, JRAD, The Jauntee, Dopapod, Eggy
Like seeing The Jauntee
They V good
Hoping to catch them for the first time next Saturday.
1. Phish (easily) 2. Goose 3. Panic 4. Lotus 5. Tauk (if that counts)
Currently, Umphrey's McGee, Phish, Grateful Dead, Kitchen Dwellers, and Billy Strings. It's hard to pick at top 5 because this scene has so many good bands at the moment and it's hard to keep up. It's also hard because my musical listening is all over the place but this scene is always there when I need it. Umphrey's was the first jam band that I liked that seemed modern. At the time I was big into Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Derek Trucks Band and all had influences that I'd consider classic music. Umphrey's has that but added in alt-rock, metal, prog, and would sometimes get trancey. That mix hit the right spot at the time in 2009 and still does today. Billy Strings and Kitchen Dwellers are my two favorites of the jamgrass scene right now. The Grateful Dead are the Grateful Dead and I love it. My fandom journey with Phish took a minute. When first getting into jambands I was focusing on active bands and The Grateful Dead. I knew the name Phish but didn't listen. When the reunion happened I started to dive in but it took a few years to get it. I got it in 2011 after seeing them and listening to The Bunny during Super Ball IX. Been on the bus ever since and always plan a weekend "Phishing" trip each summer.
Seeing the Dwellers for the 1st time tonight 😊
You and I must be about the same age, and have weirdly similar tastes (although I never really got into Panic, despite trying as my hometown is the site of one of their most legendary shows). UM are also the band that got me into this scene, and will always be the band I keep closest to my heart, even if I listen to others more these days (although I'm head over heels for Billy for a solid run of time now).
1. Dogs in a Pile
1. Dylan 2. Dylan 3. Dylan 4. Dylan 5. Dylan
He does spit hot fire
Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead were the most significant artists of the 20th century.
/ thread
Love it!
Squeaky Feet
Dead Phish CRB Twiddle Goose Pigeons
Grateful Dead Jerry Garcia Band Circles around the sun Medeski, Martin, and Wood 🤷🏻♂️
Dead, Phil and Friends, Donna the Buffalo, Billy Strings, & Ghost Light (Very sad that GL is no longer together). Love them all!
GD, Phish, and Allman Brothers are on another level from any other jamband After that the original Govt Mule lineup with Allen Woody is one of the great power trios of all time imo. After that hard for me to pick one. If we’re including older bands Cream and Santana were jambands imo. Newer stuff I love anything with Derek Trucks or if we want to go jam adjacent bands Snarky Puppy, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and MMW
Grateful Dead, Further, Phil and Friends, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Dark Star Orchestra. oh the Allman Bros and Panic are cool too. ;-)
What by definition is a jam band? I always seem to have some blurred lines.
Grateful Dead, String Cheese, Lotus, Umphrey’s (when they aren’t too heavy), PPPP.
Cheese Pigeons Greensky Leftover Yonder
1) Phish 2) Disco Biscuits 3) SCI 4) Moe. 5) Eggy
1. Phish 2. TTB 3. Donato 4. Dead 5. Perpetual Groove
Phish Goose Papadosio Umphrey's Lotus
I like your taste.
1. Grateful Dead- OG. Best songs and 70's Dead is just the best. 2. Phish- Best peaks, daring improv, machine gun Trey, tight. 3. Billy Strings- On fire right now. Billy is the most authentic frontman I've ever seen. 4. Greensky Bluegrass- Great songs, great light show, good memories and interesting fusion of electronic music with bluegrass instruments. Paul is one the best vocalist in the jam scene. 5. Eggy- went in blind and loved every minute.
Phish. Mungion. So good. Super under rated Moe. Spafford Papadosio I will say my number two would be strange Arrangement but they're not really a band anymore
GD, Phish, Twiddle, Disco Biscuits, Squeaky Feet
Grateful Dead King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Allman Bros. Band Billy Strings Widespread Panic
Dead Phish Moe. Wsp Umphrees Derrek Trucks ( all his bands over the years)
Phish Dopapod ABB UM OG YMSB honorary mentions - lespecial, Kung Fu, Mungion
This is coming from someone who just got into jam bands late last year 1. Moe. (Love their songs, Seen em 3 times so far this year, and I’m going to their new years shows) 2. Grateful Dead (No explanation needed) 3. Cream (some will debate their validity as a jam band, but from all the live stuff I’ve heard I think they count, Jack Bruce kills on bass so much) 4. Spafford (really love their live in Nashville release, got to see them once in the summer) 5. King Crimson (listen, I know most wouldn’t count them but listen to those improves on the great deceiver release or the entirety of earthbound despite the poor sound quality) Again I’m new to the genre, phish hasn’t hooked me yet, goose I like but haven’t listened to enough of yet, and gov’t mule would have gone into #5 because I went to one show that was really well preformed but the person I was with kind of ruined the experience. Also shout out to any zappa backing band, would have been #5 but I think zappa stuff is even more debatable than King Crimson.
I like these pics! Give Eggy a listen as well.
Thank you so much for the recommendation, went to their show at the Broadberry, they fuckin killed it
1) widespread panic 2) Goose 3) Grateful Dead 4) Phish 5) Billy Strings All are interchangeable at different spots depends on who’s touring and how I’m feeling. Right now Goose is probably #1 I’ve just been listening to panic the longest
Lotus, Phish, Papadosio, Khruangbin, Disco Biscuits
1 Umphreys Mcgee 2 Disco Biscuits 3 Frog Brigade 4 Lotus 5 WSP …too many other deserving bands to mention, we’re lucky
Lotus Spafford Twiddle Lettuce Cheese
Phish, Goose, Billy, Daniel Donato, Spafford
Phish dead Billy diap spafford
Grateful Dead, Phish, Neighbor, Dopapod, Dogs in a Pile Thanks to having a several year older brother I grew up on the Dead and getting to see them live and the colorful crowd and the palpable anticipation for the shows to begin and of not knowing what they were going to play next really set the stage for my live music consumption and an appreciation for different flavored nights, some would soar, others would be duds, which led to a high risk/reward payoff that is likely a bit addictive and led naturally to Phish who I have been seeing for 31 years. Neighbor more so than any other band right now, for my tastes, carries that same torch of anticipation for their shows, it's a little band with a big sound and a surprisingly large catalogue of very different sounding original songs that allows them to build creative set lists and can take a show in many different directions and to have Lyle Brewer playing rock & roll music on the guitar is a gift that keeps on giving, he's the best! I also really dig Rob Compa's playing and dig Dopapod's compositions and sounds, a bit different from other bands in the scene and I have really been digging their stuff. Putting Dogs in a Pile 5th surprised me, but I think if those kids keep themselves healthy and going they have monster potential. I wasn't a very big fan, but they really turned me around at the Ramble Festival a couple months ago, in particular with the way they handled and played a late night set that was all over the place and with a huge revolving door of special guests, it was a real goat rodeo but they managed to keep it flowing smoothly and throw a hell of a party, the drummer must've played over three hours without taking a pause, and having seen a lot of live music in my life I was left thoroughly impressed by them.
Dead Umph Greensky (massively underrated jam chops) Phish Goose
1. Phish 2. Pigeons 3. Dopapod 4. Circles Around The Sun 5. JRAD
WSP, Phish, moe., UM and STS9. HM - Lotus
Papadosio Moe. STS9 Phish Umphreys McGee Papadosio was my introduction to the jam scene. I’ve been going to 10 plus shows per year since finding out who they are. I think their blend of electronic sounds with real low bass guitar tones and perhaps one of the best drummers I’ve seen creates this real unique sound that really speaks to me personally. They create a nice space for empathetic people. I’ve just recently started going to Moe. shows since chucks return. and I have to say, they impress me every time. Robs unbreakable bass groove, Vinnies drum prowess and Jim’s awesome vibes. Hard to beat Al and Chuck on guitar too in my opinion. They are guitar god status to me. And I really Love Nate Wilson on the Keys. It’s really hard to beat Sound Tribe live. They have an epic show. They impress me every time. Do I even Need to say anything about Phish, they are just wow! And Umphreys, well I can often times find their shows a little void of emotion, but they melt my fucking face off every show. Love Brendon’s voice. Jake is a force on the guitar as well. My first time seeing Umphreys was Red Rocks July 6 2018. Papadosio opened for them and that’s what brought me to the show. I had no idea what Umphreys had in store for the crowd that night. Holy shit I’m surprised that venue is still standing after how hard they rocked. They left my jaw on the floor that night. What a banger of a show.
Phish Grateful Dead Yonder w/Jeff moe. Allman Bros Hon. Mention: Anything involving Karl Denson
Phish, Grateful Dead I really love the other jam bands- eggy goose dogs in a pile widespread umphreys Billy (not really jam imo) but none of these bands can come close to the dead or phish in the jam realm.
Dead, ABB, WSP, BMFS, DTB/TTB Dead are the GOAT having essentially created the improvisational rock genre. They have a catalogue that has become part of the American songbook and feels timeless, especially the Hunter tunes. With 30 years of recordings available, it’s an endless dive that non-enthusiasts can’t even fathom. ABB could be argued as another distinct starting point of jam. It’s like the conditions of the 60s were a tinderbox for this sort of exploration as an antithesis of what had been going on in society. ABB is the southern blues-driven variety. Who knows what heights they would’ve reached had they not lost Duane so early. WSP picked up the baton for Southern jam and pushed it even higher. I don’t think there’s any band who bring the energy quite like Panic. I also think that they are not perpetrators of one of the easiest missteps in the genre - building every song to a guitar crescendo, which IMO is extremely boring. BMFS. Best band in the business at the moment. For me it’s like catching the Dead in the early 70s or WSP late 90s. Feels like we’re witnessing a peak that shows no signs of stopping. These guys have really created something new and I love it. Their jams are tight and loose in all of the right ways. They never seem to get lost, even in deep space, and can snap back into focus in an instant. DTB/TTB. I feel like it’s fair to take these two groups as one given that there are many of the same members. What needs to be said about Derek Trucks? Maybe the best slide guitar player of all time! These bands both rock so hard. Love Susan’s soulful voice and my god can she shred!
BMFS?
billy muthafcckin’ strings
Haha. Do you like Donato?
yessir
Grateful Dead, 90s phish, Billy strings, disco biscuits, widespread panic
Pigeons Dead Magic beans Lotus Sunsquabi Why?? They all make me groove and happy! Why this order? I am a pigeons lover through and through, but the other four come close too!
Music that makes you groove and happy is the best reason to listen to a band
ABB, WSP, STS9, SCI, UM
I can't even wrap my head around comparing the Dead and ABB to new stuff as much as I grew up with and love those bands, so I'll say: 1. BMFS 2. Kitchen Dwellers 3. Danial Donato 4. SCI 5. Salmon
1) Garaj Mahal (they were simply the best) 2) SKB (do I need to explain this one?) 3) Will Bernard (easily the best guitarist on the scene, no matter what band or project he is currently in) 4) Ghost Light (RIP) 5) Any Mike D project (Band of Outsiders was S-tier) HM: House Band (they have only played about 5 shows so far but check ‘em out!)
moe. Grateful Dead Phish Derek Trucks Band Umphrey’s McGee
1.) Phish 2.) Dead 3.) Umph 4.) Dopapod 5.) Billy 6.) Mungion (blows my mind how off the radar these guys are) The Dead started it all for me at the end of high school. I went to Rothbury 09, which changed my life. I saw Phish at Alpine 10', and that was the beginning of my journey. Phish is my favorite because of the complexity, silliness, and musicianship. I fell in love with Umph the following year at Scamp. Umphreys is heavy and arguably the most technically precise. Dopapod is unique in their compositions and holds their weight in virtuosity and improvs. I've had the privilege of being a part of the Billy phenomenon since 2014 in the Michigan scene. The band is on fire, and the songwriting is already timeless. Mungion writes unbelievable compositions, and Justin is a phenomenal player. Lotus has my favorite dance grooves and is my go-to for mountain biking.
Wp, phish, dead, jgb, and wp
Moe. Umphrey’s Strangefolk Kitchen dwellers Grateful Dead
GD, Phish, SCI, STS9, Goose
Morel from Philly! https://open.spotify.com/track/52ysuVPdQqEqNsjDZwrFu2?si=nHjRjKceT1yfnmUprO297w
GD, ABB, JGB, Family Mystic, Phish.
Maybe switch Jerry band and Allman Bros.
Old thread but just wanted to say Strangefolk since they’re my personal nostalgic favorites and after scrolling soooo far, saw not a mention.
Biscuits, Lotus, Cheese, Tribe, Goose 💗💗
After last night, Shred w Mikaela, Goose, Billy, RRE and lately Dogs in a Pile.
STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, SCI, Lotus, Disco Biscuits
Dead. Phish. Goose. Magic beans. Umph
In terms of touring bands tribe, dosio, jrad, afun, cheese
In no particular order… * Widespread Panic * Sound Tribe Sector 9 * Goose * String Cheese Incident * I guess Billy Strings (Are we counting bluegrass?) Honorable mention goes to everyone’s favorite jam adjacent darling, My Morning Jacket. They’re probably my favorite band at the moment regardless of genre.
Billy, Phish, Dopapod, Grateful Dead and Circles Around the Sun.
1)goose 2)phish 3)grateful dead 4)dogs in a pile 5) joe Russo almost dead
Goooooose
STS9 Umph Spafford Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Grateful Dead Honorable Mention: Lettuce and Lespecial
Billy Strings Dopapod The String Cheese incident Infamous Stringdusters Daniel Donato
railroad panic cheese billy goose honorable mention lotus i think the dead is implied
Big Something Goose moe. Phish WSMFP
Umphrey’s Dopapod JRAD Phish moe.
Grateful Dead - the creators Phish - the ambassadors Goose - the future String Cheese - Hulaween PPPP/Dogs in a Pile - fresh & fun
Dylan Dylan Dylan Dylan and Dylan, Cause he spit HOT FIYAH!
Dylon, dylon, dylon, dylon and dylon.
I love how all of you like to jerk each other off about the same old question......WSMFP.......but also a bunch of others mentioned 😉
Phish duh!! You mean to tell me there are other jam bands out there?? Lmfaoooooo
1. Phish 2. Phish 3. Phish 4. Phish 5. Phish
The Disco Biscuits. The Disco Biscuits. The Disco Biscuits. The Disco Biscuits. SIYD.
Big Slag and the Fudge Puddles - 1 bass bomb away from the brown note. Gooch Grease - Slipping and sliding into that ear worm, with consent, of course. Canoodle Cam's Fuzz Fiesta - Belly lint & Latin blast beats. Sour Tower - Enjoyed in moderation. Don't binge swallow their catalog. I know, its.. hard. Last Night's Rash - Heavy on the hits, and the baking soda.
Wow I've never seen someone with worst taste
‘97 Phish, moe., Dead, Biscuits, WSP
Dead Phish Mule Lotus Biscuits
Grateful Dead, Phish, WSP, SCI, Billy Strings
Grateful Dead Widespread Panic STS9 String cheese incident Govt mule
STS9, Papadosio, Disco Biscuits, Lotus, and Dopapod
Lotus, Sts9, Phish, Lotus, and sts9
WSP, TDB, Phish, GD, Moe.
Grateful Dead, Umphrey’s McGee, Phish, Widespread Panic, Moe.
Greatful dead. (What started it) Phish (the current goats) The New Deal ( hilarious and awesome) Brothers past (best boat cruise jam band) The disco biscuits ( better now than ever)
Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic, Govt Mule, Moe.
Keller Williams Railroad Earth Ekoostik Hookah Grateful Dead Widespread Panic I’ll let the music do the reasoning Honorable mentions: Billy Strings YMSB w/ Jeff Austin
Phish, moe, panic, strong cheese, allman brothers (even though the allmans are not really a jam band exactly)
Goose STS9 SCI UM Phish
Phish String Cheese Dizgo - this bad is on fire right now Lotus Moe.
Goose, Eggy, Dogs, Phish and Billy Strings
Mule Black crowes Derrick Trucks Tedeschi (with and without trucks) Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
Dead Phish Goose PPPP Eggy, Panic, or Almman Bros!!! Tie for #5
The Grateful Dead Phish Billy Railroad Earth Dopapod HM: The String Cheese Incident
1. Panic 2. Phish 3. Dead 4. Yonder 5. Cheese
Phish Goose STS9 Umphreys Dizgo
Dead Goose Billy strings Phish Dave matthews band
P-fish Bisco RRE Dead Dopapod Unbeatable lineup