Reviews > Concert > Rusted Root
A Night for the Ages
Rusted Root rocks the Electric Factory with a little help from their friends
   It is not very often that some of your favorite bands get together for a good cause. That is just what happened Friday night as Rusted Root got together for a benefit for one of their own and one of the nicest guys in music, Chris Slemmer. With no official Rusted Root tour going on right now (dates have since been announced), it was a special treat for all the members to put aside solo projects to get together for this special night.

   Antigone Rising was the first band to hit the stage and all I can say about these girls is they rock. Led by the killer guitar work of Cathy Henderson and rhythm guitar of sister Kristen Henderson and the vocals of Cassidy, Antigone Rising is a promising up and coming band. If you get a chance, check out their latest release, Say It! An-TIG-uh-nee and especially “Storybook Romance” which was one of the highlights of the set, along with set closer, the classic Queen song, “Fat Bottom Girls.”

   Next up was Jersey boys, Quick Step John whom I had the pleasure of interviewing before the show started, which you can listen to here. While these guys may be young and a little green, they have that ability to turn it on when they hit the stage. The energy that they put forth is unreal and really brings the crowd into their set. Bringing a little Philly flavor to their set in the form of an “Eye of the Tiger” tease, QSJ had the crowd really eating out of its hand…and that was before moe. guitarist Al Schnier hit the stage to join in the jams. If you get a chance, check these guys out sooner rather than later, you will not regret it. Al came back to the stage next for a little moe.-down with his side band, Al and the TransAmericans. With more of a country-flair, these guys tore up the stage.

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   Finally around 11.30 Rusted Root hit the stage and played like this was mid-tour for them. “Cat Turned Blue” – with its “Watchtower” interlude opened the set before the band launched into “Artificial Winter.” With just two songs, the ever-growing crowd was singing and dancing with delight. Sticking with mostly older songs, the band ripped through the set, made even stronger by the return of a percussion player. The chimes in “Heaven” were enough to send chills down your spine. Highlights of the set included a killer version of “Cruel Sun,” “Hands are Law,” and a song that gets better and better every time I hear it live, “Weave.” I also would be remised if I did not mention one of my new favorite songs that seems to be being played a lot, an oldie but goody, “Food and Creative Love.” A little after 1 a.m., the band concluded their set with “Exctasy” and retreated off the stage.

   At this point, 93.3 WMMR’s Pierre Robert came to the stage to announce a very special part of the night. The Dead were playing across the river and Camden, NJ and after leaving the stage around Midnight quickly got into the van and came over to also pay tribute to Chris. As the crew wheeled their gear on, the excitement was growing into a fever pitch, especially when it was brought to plain sight the gear labeled, “B. Weir,” and “P. Lesh.” 15 minutes later, Rusted Root came back to the stage with some friends; Al from Moe came back out, as did Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Rob Barraco, Jimmy Herring, and Bill Kreutzmann. I have been to a ton of concerts but the energy at that point was more than anything I have ever been a part of. With everyone ready to go, they launched into the Beatle’s classic, “Come Together,” which Michael Glabicki was trying to read the words to and still stay in line with the others. Nobody really cared about the words though as the crowd was much louder than even Glabicki. Taking turns, everyone on stage busted a solo with the most impressive being turned in by Jimmy Herring. What followed was a really amazing version of the Bob Dylan classic “All Along the Watchtower,” with vocals shared by Glabicki, Weir, and Lesh. Once again everyone seemed to take turns with solos. Still without saying much and keeping the energy flowing, Weir and Lesh led a rousing version of “Franklin’s Tower” with everyone on backup vocals.

   Just as soon as they came in, they were gone. With a flurry the show was over and the Dead were in the van and off into the night. Words will not do justice the amount of energy that filled the Electric Factory on this night. It was amazing to see the Dead in such a small venue and to see them with Rusted Root was even more amazing. Hopefully it is a sign of many things to come with the bands touring and playing together. Do not miss your chance when either The Dead or Rusted Root comes to your town.

Scott Hamilton
EMPYRE Lounge

Agree or Disagree??? Let me know what you think, email me at hamilton@empyrelounge.com

 
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