Widespread Panic Review

Widespread Panic is the type of band that creates an intimate atmosphere on stage and in its audience, turning each performance into an eventful celebration for fans and performers alike. From their initial takeoff onstage until their departure there’s always an enthusiastic reception waiting.

Schools is easily one of the most recognizable members of the band, thanks to his long jungle beard, metalhead-length hair and sturdy black tee and jeans ensemble.

The Story

Widespread Panic started out with one goal in 1986 – earning enough money to keep their refrigerator stocked with food. Over time however, they developed into something far larger; despite no hit songs or major label support they have found success through careful touring and an internet presence that keeps growing stronger every year.

Today’s Athens, Georgia sextet has barely had time to catch its breath since their debut performance last fall. Guitarist John Bell’s expressive howl and bass player Dave Schools’ leviathan tone are instantly recognisable; keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann and guitarist Jimmy Herring have broadened the group’s soundscape further.

As soon as founding drummer Todd Nance parted ways in 2014 to join another project, Duane Trucks from Jacksonville quickly emerged as an obvious choice to step into his shoes as drummer for Hard Working Americans side project and tours; his contribution only expanded the band‘s signature blend of funk, blues and jam-rock sound even further.

The Sound

Widespread Panic are tight musicians, yet have difficulty translating their electric live shows to studio recordings. Even on their best live album, Ball, Widespread Panic struggle to bring life and energy into songs and jams on record – an issue shared among bands who attempt to capture live sound via record; particularly difficult is jambands. Front of house engineer Brett Orrison mixes Widespread Panic using a DiGiCo console with Waves MultiRack and SoundGrid technology for mixing purposes.

The Band’s Style

Athens is known for producing iconic acts like R.E.M, Pylon and Vic Chesnutt; so it comes as no surprise that Athens residents embraced an intuitive, feeling-based approach to improvisational music like Space Wrangler when they made their debut in 1988 with Space Wrangler.

The smooth sound of this group owes much to founding guitarist Michael Houser; however, after Houser left, their post-Houser lineup has developed its own distinct musical signature under lead guitarist Jimmy Herring.

The band‘s unique ability of weaving songs seamlessly between improvised jams creates an incredibly captivating show, which has propelled them into one of Pollstar’s highest grossing live acts. Fans, known as Spreadheads, regularly attend their shows – often selling out arenas such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver – often selling out arenas like this one as well. Recently they’ve also found new revenue sources by offering authorized recordings of each performance for $11 each.

The Members

Widespread Panic has established itself despite never appearing on mainstream radio, signing to no major record label, or selling many albums traditionally. Instead, Widespread Panic have gained fans through touring relentlessly; Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison Colorado has seen regular performances by them which hold the venue record for sold out shows.

Singer/guitarist John Bell and bassist Dave Schools first joined forces as college classmates in the mid-1980s; soon thereafter they added keyboardist JoJo Hermann, percussionist Domingo Ortiz, and drummer Todd Nance to their lineup. Following Mike Houser’s death in 2002, Jimmy Herring replaced him as lead guitarist of their band.

Widespread Panic draws inspiration from its members’ various musical influences to produce its wide soundscape. From the dark multi-layered grooves of “Saint Ex” to boogie blues in “Jaded Tourist,” Widespread Panic offers something for every music enthusiast. Additionally, Widespread Panic has collaborated with other artists as well as creating original material regularly.