Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

New Releases:

Conspirator - Unlocked - Live from the Georgia Theatre CD - The Disco Biscuits Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner's alter-ego CONSPIRATOR will be rocking their way onto your stereo, the dance floor and your hearts.

You thought this was just the Year of the Dragon but barring the Mayan prediction coming true for 2012, this should be Conspirator's year as well. With the recent addition of virtuoso guitarist Chris Michetti and a rotating cast of some of the country's best drummers - Darren Shearer (the New Deal), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), KJ Sawka (Pendulum) and Adam Deitch (Break Science, Pretty Lights) - Conspirator has reached another level. As a full band, the music is hitting new highs and killing in the live show.

Get ready for Unlocked: Live From The Georgia Theatre on CD and digitally this April plus a host of tour dates blowing through the country. The album - recorded 10.06.2011 at the historic Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA - is a collection of live electronic rock bliss, delving, twisting and diving effortlessly between house, dub-step, drum and bass, and electro.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad - In These Times CD - The album contains 12 tracks mixed by Atlanta-based producer Billy Hume (Nas, STS9, Ludacris, Josh Ritter), and dubbed by the band's long-time engineer Joel Scanlon. Guests appearances on the album include Hawaii's The Green and John Brown's Body's horn section. In These Times comes as the follow-up to the group's lyrically-driven roots Americana album, Country, which came out earlier this year.

"I think it would be fair to say that this is the album that long-time Panda fans have been waiting for," says drummer Chris O'Brian.

Trampled By Turtles - Stars & Sattelites CD - Trampled By Turtles has been building momentum on the road since the 2010 releaseof their last record, Palomino. They ve sold out 95% of the shows played in 2011 as well as playing the main stage at divergent festivals such as Coachella and Telluride. Melding rock, punk, and indie influences, TBT is breathing new life into a traditional music form. The momentum of this band combined with their diverse appeal and the gorgeous new album, Stars and Satellites, is sure to make 2012 the year of Trampled By Turtles.

Ohmphrey - Posthaste CD - OHMphrey, a jamband supergroup, which features three members of the prog rock/veteran jam band Umphrey's McGee (keyboardist Joel Cummins, guitarist Jake Cinninger and drummer Kris Myers), and OHM guitarist (former Megadeth guitarist), Chris Poland and bassist Robertino Pagliari (a.k.a. "Pag").

OHMphrey's latest effort, the unforgettable, and soon-to-be-classic, Posthaste, finds these five extraordinary artists creating instrumental music with a unified voice - once again. The album's seven original instrumental compositions, and two bonus live tracks ("Firestarter" and "20/20") recorded at Winston's in San Diego in 2009, never meander. Simply put, Posthaste contains some of the most thought-provoking, elastic and heavy jam band music this side of A Live One, Space Wrangler, and Under the Table and Dreaming.

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls CD - In October 2011, the Shakes gave a performance at the CMJ Festival in New York City that earned a glowing review from the New York Times. Jon Pareles described the band as "a thunderbolt dressed in bluejeans," with music that's "aching when it's slow and growling and whooping when it's fast." NPR named them one of the best bands of 2011, while MTV called them one of the top bands to look for in 2012.

Now, with expectations at fever pitch, the Alabama Shakes have delivered Boys & Girls. Overwhelmed by the response they've already received, there is one perception of the band that they want to challenge. "A lot of people think we're a soul revival act," says Cockrell. "That's an honor to me, classic R&B is my favorite kind of music, but everybody has their own influences. Brittany is way more into rock and roll--she likes things pretty amped up most of the time."

Wet Willie - Live Miles of Smiles CD - Recorded in Woodstock, Georgia back in August of 2011, this CD is full of high-octane music that captures the essence of a band still drippin' wet with talent and passion! Like the Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie is best experienced in a live setting and on a hot, sweltering night in Georgia they left it all on the stage in an unbelievable performance. Recorded by original Capricorn engineer, Jim Hawkins, and mixed by Bert Elliot and Ovie Sparks, this CD jumps right out of the speakers from the opening vamp and carries you through all of the greatest hits of a band that knows how to leave you with a smile on your face!

Coming Soon:

Warren Haynes Band - Live At The Moody Theater (2CD/DVD)A stunning 3-disc 1DVD/2CD package capturing the band's blazing performance in Austin, TX on 11.03.2011. The 2.5-hour show, shot in HD and recorded in 5.1 audio, features several cuts from Haynes' GRAMMY-nominated, Billboard Top 20 solo release 'Man In Motion' as well as Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic," Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic," Sam Cooke's classic "A Change Is Gonna Come," Warren's live staple "Soulshine" and more. Guests include the Groove Line horns and 2012 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Ian McLagan of The Faces. The Warren Haynes Band features a hand-picked band including R&B kingpins Ron Johnson on bass, Terence Higgins on drums, Nigel Hall on keyboards, Ron Holloway on saxophone and Alecia Chakour on vocals.

Everyone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions CD - Now, for the first time, Everyone Orchestra has taken the conducted improvisation concept mastered in their legendary live shows into the studio on Brooklyn Sessions. Conductor Matt Butler invited past collaborators--musical friends like drummer Jon Fishman (Phish), keyboardist/pianist Marco Benevento, Al Schnier (moe.), Jen Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), guitarist Steve Kimock, saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), vocalist/percussionist Jans Ingber (The Motet), mandolinist Jamie Masefield (Jazz Mandolin Project) and bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), to join him for several days of exploration and co-creation. The results range from hard-hitting grooves that take unexpected twists and turns ("Boots"), to sweet and expansive ("Pensive"), all with a spirit that is both liberated and focused.

Last Week:

Jatoba - Death, Fire & Picnic Tables CD - This debut album from Vermont's hottest groove-grass band is a smorgasbord of genres. Featuring the best of acoustic and electric music, these 10 tracks deliver ripping guitar leads and gritty vocal harmonies over punchy rhythmic improvisation, beat-boxing, and high-energy bluegrass tempos.

Jatoba is a Vermont-based acoustic trio with a distinctly unique sound. Their music consists of quick, high-energy bluegrass tempos, thumping rockabilly bass lines, and soaring three-part vocal harmonies, as well as punchy rhythmic improvisation, effects-driven guitar solos, beat-boxing, and even the occasional sitar interlude. The band delivers a live show which encompasses all of these aspects, as well as improvisatory jams, seamless flow, and effective crowd interaction. A rebellious response to typical jam grass, Jatoba has something that listeners of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy.

Jatoba - bumper sticker

Upcoming Events:

*April 19-21 - Wanee Festival - Live Oak, FL

April 20-22 - Early Bird Festival - Garretsville, OH

May 17-20 - Orange Blossum Jamboree - Brooksville, FL

May 18-19 - Happiness & Harmony - New Castle, VA

May 25-28 - Amberland - LaFayette, GA

May 31-June 3 - Wakarusa - Ozark, AR

* Look for the HGMN Booth at these events!

Video of the Week:

Conspirator - Velvet Red live at the Fox Theatre Boulder CO

Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
Lee Crumpton

New Releases:

Jatoba - Death, Fire & Picnic Tables CD - This debut album from Vermont's hottest groove-grass band is a smorgasbord of genres. Featuring the best of acoustic and electric music, these 10 tracks deliver ripping guitar leads and gritty vocal harmonies over punchy rhythmic improvisation, beat-boxing, and high-energy bluegrass tempos.

Jatoba is a Vermont-based acoustic trio with a distinctly unique sound. Their music consists of quick, high-energy bluegrass tempos, thumping rockabilly bass lines, and soaring three-part vocal harmonies, as well as punchy rhythmic improvisation, effects-driven guitar solos, beat-boxing, and even the occasional sitar interlude. The band delivers a live show which encompasses all of these aspects, as well as improvisatory jams, seamless flow, and effective crowd interaction. A rebellious response to typical jam grass, Jatoba has something that listeners of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy.

Jatoba - bumper sticker

Coming Soon:

Conspirator - Unlocked - Live from the Georgia Theatre CD - The Disco Biscuits Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner's alter-ego CONSPIRATOR will be rocking their way onto your stereo, the dance floor and your hearts.

You thought this was just the Year of the Dragon but barring the Mayan prediction coming true for 2012, this should be Conspirator's year as well. With the recent addition of virtuoso guitarist Chris Michetti and a rotating cast of some of the country's best drummers - Darren Shearer (the New Deal), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), KJ Sawka (Pendulum) and Adam Deitch (Break Science, Pretty Lights) - Conspirator has reached another level. As a full band, the music is hitting new highs and killing in the live show.

Get ready for Unlocked: Live From The Georgia Theatre on CD and digitally this April plus a host of tour dates blowing through the country. The album - recorded 10.06.2011 at the historic Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA - is a collection of live electronic rock bliss, delving, twisting and diving effortlessly between house, dub-step, drum and bass, and electro.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad - In These Times CD - The album contains 12 tracks mixed by Atlanta-based producer Billy Hume (Nas, STS9, Ludacris, Josh Ritter), and dubbed by the band's long-time engineer Joel Scanlon. Guests appearances on the album include Hawaii's The Green and John Brown's Body's horn section. In These Times comes as the follow-up to the group's lyrically-driven roots Americana album, Country, which came out earlier this year.

"I think it would be fair to say that this is the album that long-time Panda fans have been waiting for," says drummer Chris O'Brian.

Trampled By Turtles - Stars & Sattelites CD - Trampled By Turtles has been building momentum on the road since the 2010 releaseof their last record, Palomino. They ve sold out 95% of the shows played in 2011 as well as playing the main stage at divergent festivals such as Coachella and Telluride. Melding rock, punk, and indie influences, TBT is breathing new life into a traditional music form. The momentum of this band combined with their diverse appeal and the gorgeous new album, Stars and Satellites, is sure to make 2012 the year of Trampled By Turtles.

Ohmphrey - Posthaste CD - OHMphrey, a jamband supergroup, which features three members of the prog rock/veteran jam band Umphrey's McGee (keyboardist Joel Cummins, guitarist Jake Cinninger and drummer Kris Myers), and OHM guitarist (former Megadeth guitarist), Chris Poland and bassist Robertino Pagliari (a.k.a. "Pag").

OHMphrey's latest effort, the unforgettable, and soon-to-be-classic, Posthaste, finds these five extraordinary artists creating instrumental music with a unified voice - once again. The album's seven original instrumental compositions, and two bonus live tracks ("Firestarter" and "20/20") recorded at Winston's in San Diego in 2009, never meander. Simply put, Posthaste contains some of the most thought-provoking, elastic and heavy jam band music this side of A Live One, Space Wrangler, and Under the Table and Dreaming.

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls CD - In October 2011, the Shakes gave a performance at the CMJ Festival in New York City that earned a glowing review from the New York Times. Jon Pareles described the band as "a thunderbolt dressed in bluejeans," with music that's "aching when it's slow and growling and whooping when it's fast." NPR named them one of the best bands of 2011, while MTV called them one of the top bands to look for in 2012.

Now, with expectations at fever pitch, the Alabama Shakes have delivered Boys & Girls. Overwhelmed by the response they've already received, there is one perception of the band that they want to challenge. "A lot of people think we're a soul revival act," says Cockrell. "That's an honor to me, classic R&B is my favorite kind of music, but everybody has their own influences. Brittany is way more into rock and roll--she likes things pretty amped up most of the time."

Last Week:

Papa Grows Funk - Needle in the Groove CD - With the release of Needle in the Groove, the fifth CD by New Orleans' booty-shaking funk band, Papa Grows Funk, the band has elevated its inimitable groove to new funk heights. Co-produced by New Orleans' musical legends, Allen Toussaint and Tom Drummond, the CD keeps PGF's hot jazz lineage alive while funkifying towards the future. The song, "Do You Want It," captures the essence of classic '70s funk and is destined to be a hit.

Snarky Puppy - GroudUP CD - Snarky Puppy's 5th album was recorded and filmed live in-studio in HD in front of a 40-person audience. "It was, by far, the craziest thing we've ever done. We literally built a studio in a Brooklyn warehouse- in 3 days. Then we brought in 20 musician sand played 6 sets over 3 nights for 40 audience members each set... and it turned out better than I ever could have hoped." (Michael League) We saw this band perform last year at Bear Creek and have been enfatuated ever since. - HGMN

Upcoming Events:

*April 19-21 - Wanee Festival - Live Oak, FL

April 20-22 - Early Bird Festival - Garretsville, OH

* Look for the HGMN Booth at these events!

Video of the Week:

The Mantras - Man You Rawk! 3/3/12 Charlottewith w/ Kofi Burbridge-Flute. Dopapod members Rob Compa-Guitar, Neal Evans-Percussion and Eli Winderman-Keys. Tim Palmieri from Kung Fu-Guitar

Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
Lee Crumpton

New Releases:

SOJA - Strength To Survive CD - Highly-anticipated 2012 release produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, O.A.R). SOJA is an international touring machine having rocked theaters in more than 15 countries around the world. In the past year and a half alone, they've played more than 360 dates, on large headline dates in addition to tours opening for acts like O.A.R,, Dave Matthews Band and Matisyahu.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad- Country CD - With this release, the quintet has charted new territory and put together a lyrically-driven roots Americana album. Combining acoustic instrumentation including slide guitar, banjo, harmonica, upright piano, percussion, and bass, the album showcases songs as they were first created: on the road, riding in the van, and jamming backstage. The production of Country taps into that spontaneous rhythm, allowing the music to wash over listeners like a conversation between old friends.

Coming Soon:

TBA

Last Week:

moe. - What Happened to the La Las - After twenty years together and nine studio albums, one might think moe. had pretty much done it all. Yet the famously independent-minded jam band is reaching for new ground on its latest project, What Happened To The LA LAs.

To begin with, moe. has signed with Sugar Hill Records, the band's first label sojourn in nearly a decade. The group also chose to work with an outside producer for the first time since 1998's Tin Cans & Car Tires, with John Travis (Kid Rock, Social Distortion, No Doubt) getting the call.

What Happened To The LA LAs features 10 tracks of compact melodies, each textured by moe.'s signature rock riffs and flourishes, and backed by a roller coaster ride of pulsing drums. It's that pure moe. sound which the band's ardent fans -- affectionately dubbed moe.rons -- have come to love over the band's decades of industrious touring.

Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. - Area 52 CD+DVD - Area 52 contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalogue re-arranged and re-configured for a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of Havana's finest young players, collectively known as C.U.B.A. This two-disc set includes a 30-minute 'making-of' documentary on DVD.

With career sales in excess of 1.2 million albums, blockbuster movie scores, sell out world tours that span London to Los Angeles, Paris to Tokyo and Dublin to Sydney, and not forgetting the love and respect of fellow musicians like Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Al Di Meola and L Shankar, Rodrigo y Gabriela have worked hard to reach Area 52.

Graham Whorley - Permission to Think CD - Graham Whorley is poised to make an indelible mark on the national scene and expand his Lowcountry roots with this new 14-track album. Permission to Think challenges us to consider ways that break down walls, perceptions, and illusions that stop us from reaching our true potential. Throughout, Whorley speaks from experience and carries us along for an unforgettable musical ride ranging from the soul searching title track, "Permission to Think" to the experimental and lively, "UFO." Whorley spent the last two years crafting the album in Virginia with longtime friend and engineer, Roger Reynolds on the mixing board, who recently joined Whorley to set up shop in Charleston. Graham took on the daunting prospect of composing all of the music, writing all the lyrics and playing all of the instruments on this new project. The result of Whorley's hard work is a fresh, enticing notion of universal themes and timeless songs that beg to be heard again and again.

Upcoming Events:

March 22-25 - Suwannee Springfest - Live Oak, FL

Video of the Week:

SOJA - Let You Go lyrics video

Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
Lee Crumpton

New Releases:

moe. - What Happened to the La Las - After twenty years together and nine studio albums, one might think moe. had pretty much done it all. Yet the famously independent-minded jam band is reaching for new ground on its latest project, What Happened To The LA LAs.

To begin with, moe. has signed with Sugar Hill Records, the band's first label sojourn in nearly a decade. The group also chose to work with an outside producer for the first time since 1998's Tin Cans & Car Tires, with John Travis (Kid Rock, Social Distortion, No Doubt) getting the call.

What Happened To The LA LAs features 10 tracks of compact melodies, each textured by moe.'s signature rock riffs and flourishes, and backed by a roller coaster ride of pulsing drums. It's that pure moe. sound which the band's ardent fans -- affectionately dubbed moe.rons -- have come to love over the band's decades of industrious touring.

Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. - Area 52 CD+DVD - Area 52 contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalogue re-arranged and re-configured for a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of Havana's finest young players, collectively known as C.U.B.A. This two-disc set includes a 30-minute 'making-of' documentary on DVD.

With career sales in excess of 1.2 million albums, blockbuster movie scores, sell out world tours that span London to Los Angeles, Paris to Tokyo and Dublin to Sydney, and not forgetting the love and respect of fellow musicians like Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Al Di Meola and L Shankar, Rodrigo y Gabriela have worked hard to reach Area 52.

Graham Whorley - Permission to Think CD - Graham Whorley is poised to make an indelible mark on the national scene and expand his Lowcountry roots with this new 14-track album. Permission to Think challenges us to consider ways that break down walls, perceptions, and illusions that stop us from reaching our true potential. Throughout, Whorley speaks from experience and carries us along for an unforgettable musical ride ranging from the soul searching title track, "Permission to Think" to the experimental and lively, "UFO." Whorley spent the last two years crafting the album in Virginia with longtime friend and engineer, Roger Reynolds on the mixing board, who recently joined Whorley to set up shop in Charleston. Graham took on the daunting prospect of composing all of the music, writing all the lyrics and playing all of the instruments on this new project. The result of Whorley's hard work is a fresh, enticing notion of universal themes and timeless songs that beg to be heard again and again.

Coming Soon:

SOJA - Strength To Survive CD - Highly-anticipated 2012 release produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, O.A.R). SOJA is an international touring machine having rocked theaters in more than 15 countries around the world. In the past year and a half alone, they've played more than 360 dates, on large headline dates in addition to tours opening for acts like O.A.R,, Dave Matthews Band and Matisyahu.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad- Country CD - With this release, the quintet has charted new territory and put together a lyrically-driven roots Americana album. Combining acoustic instrumentation including slide guitar, banjo, harmonica, upright piano, percussion, and bass, the album showcases songs as they were first created: on the road, riding in the van, and jamming backstage. The production of Country taps into that spontaneous rhythm, allowing the music to wash over listeners like a conversation between old friends.

Last Week:

The Ragbirds - Travellin' Machine CD - After a highly successful 2011 The Ragbirds are kicking off a new year with the release of their 4th studio effort. In this exciting mew album the band has seamlessly blended a wide palette of musical genres into a fresh and cohesive 10-track package that is full of life and energy. It's rare to stumble upon a band that brings as much joy and creative flare to their music as the Ragbirds. Led by the energetic front woman, Erin Zindle, the band tastefully unites multi-cultural rhythms with a roots rock flavor that is as captivating and flirty, as it is smart. A bright and diverse addition to any music collection, the album provides charming, danceable songs that can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages.

Ten Toes Up - Sleeping Lion CD - For the third studio album, Ten Toes Up enlisted the help of South Carolina's Danielle Howle to occupy the producer's chair. Sleeping Lion puts forth an edgier sound than the previous efforts, but the groove stays present, and the influences remain diverse. Lyrics, and arrangements, are more polished here, which was illustrated by the amount of airplay that was generated by singles "Carolina Mess," "Set Me on Fire," and "This Fortune is Easy." WYAV 104.1 DJ, Scott Mann, says "Sleeping Lion is exactly what a great rock album should be. It's diverse, it sounds great loud, and the songs are played with skill!" The Surge Magazine's Paul Grimshaw says " The band embodies the Carolina sound- a mix of Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, and Allman Brothers Band- but, ultimately, all Ten Toes Up!"

Greensky Bluegass - Handguns CD - Greensky Bluegrass' 4th studio release, recorded in Jan. 2011, at Glenn Brown Productions in Lansing, MI. Using vintage analog gear, this record was captured on the same mixing console that produced, "Free Bird", and dozens of other mega-hits in Muscle Shoals, AL.

The Green - Ways & Means CD - Ways & Means is the amazing follow-up to the Green's award-winning debut album. Produced by the band itself, it features 14 songs demonstrating the full-range of this talented band's skills. From dancehall ("Decisions") to lovers rock ("She Was The Best") to classic roots ("Keep On") to unclassifiable genre-busting styles ("Good Vibration"), this album covers a lot of musical ground and is destined to be in the conversation for Reggae Album of the Year.

Jake Clayton's Barnyard Stomp T Shirt