The Disco Biscuits takeover Fillmore Philly with special guests Aqueous, Swift Technique and Tom Hamilton's American Babies Feb. 2-4
by Alex Buschiazzo
We are just about two weeks away from a home town throw-down like no other: The Disco Biscuits return to Philadelphia and will be joined by Buffalo's jam princes, Aqueous, on the 2nd, by Philly's finest funk troupe Swift Technique on Friday the 3rd, and finally by Tom Hamilton's American Babies on the final night. The Disco Biscuits have a deep-rooted background in the Philadelphia area and seem to make a habit of delivering stellar runs when they play here. Bassist Marc Brownstein and keyboard wiz Aron Magner are both residents and family men hailing from just outside Philly. Marc and Aron are both key components to the band Electron, with guitarist Tom Hamilton and drummer Mike Greenfield, who play often in the Philly area and at festivals during the summer. Shredder Jon "Barber" Gutwillig will be on guitar as usual with the Biscuits, a man who really defines the term 'shredding' when he plays, honing a masterful and improvisational skillset on the frets, it is always a treat to watch Barber play. Allen Aucoin is most certainly a force to be reckoned with on the toms. Drummers all around the jam scene seem to often make note of his precision drumming and we always find his playing entertaining.
On the first night of the run, Buffalo's Aqueous will join in to support at the Fillmore with Mike Gantzer on guitar/vocals, David Loss on guitar/keys/vocals, Evan McPhaden on bass and with Rob Houk on drums. The jam-heavy groove-rock act recently released their 2016 album, Best In Show and have visited the Philly area several times, playing at the Ardmore Music Hall and at Milkboy Philly, a band we never miss. You can tell right off the bat these trained musicians know their stuff, in and out of scales and complex jams yet give a simple overall feel of musicality and harmony. These young lads have stepped up their game the past few years, touring constantly, playing larger shows & festivals, and are most certainly an act we'll be seeing again soon and this summer at festivals.
Swift Technique has been a solid funk influence in the community the past three years and have really started to shine on the music scene in Philadelphia. Uber charismatic vocalists Nik Greeley and Chelsea ViaCava lead a powerhouse group of funketeers, housing an enthusiastic brass section including Greg Rosen on Trumpet, Ian Gray on Trombone, Brian Blaker on Tenor Sax, funky bassman Jake Leschinsky, Andy Bree on guitar, that cool cat Jay Davidson on keys, and Johnny Perry taking no mess on the skins. We're always excited to hop out and see our funky Philly friends play in the area, but this time around we are more than thrilled that they'll be joining The Disco Biscuits the second night at the Fillmore. After the Fillmore, Swift marches on to perform at Brooklyn Bowl on February 8th, the Rock n Roll Hotel in Washington DC on the 10th, and the famous Nectar's of Burlington, VT on March 11th. Keep an eye out for more dates and for new recordings from this group in 2017!
On the final night of the run, The Disco Biscuits will be joined by Tom Hamilton's American Babies, an act local to Philly and led by guitarist Tom Hamilton. The Philly-born Hamilton is known also for extensive work with his original band in Philly, Brothers Past(2000-2014), but more known currently with Joe Russo's Almost Dead, and with friends and band-mates Marc Brownstein & Aron Magner with Electron, accompanied by another philly native, Mike Greenfield of Lotus on drums. Hamilton has also played with the band led by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, Billy and The Kids. American Babies recently released their album An Epic Battle Between Light and Dark and have further scheduled dates after the Fillmore at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ on the 9th, The Acoustic in Bridgeport, CT, the Alchemy in Providence, RI, and a final stop in Chicago at Dunn Dunn Fest on February 16th. We look forward to the three days of funk, grooves & jams at the Fillmore with four of our favorite acts out there today and we hope to see you there. Stay with us for updates and coverage from the shows!
On the first night of the run, Buffalo's Aqueous will join in to support at the Fillmore with Mike Gantzer on guitar/vocals, David Loss on guitar/keys/vocals, Evan McPhaden on bass and with Rob Houk on drums. The jam-heavy groove-rock act recently released their 2016 album, Best In Show and have visited the Philly area several times, playing at the Ardmore Music Hall and at Milkboy Philly, a band we never miss. You can tell right off the bat these trained musicians know their stuff, in and out of scales and complex jams yet give a simple overall feel of musicality and harmony. These young lads have stepped up their game the past few years, touring constantly, playing larger shows & festivals, and are most certainly an act we'll be seeing again soon and this summer at festivals.
Swift Technique has been a solid funk influence in the community the past three years and have really started to shine on the music scene in Philadelphia. Uber charismatic vocalists Nik Greeley and Chelsea ViaCava lead a powerhouse group of funketeers, housing an enthusiastic brass section including Greg Rosen on Trumpet, Ian Gray on Trombone, Brian Blaker on Tenor Sax, funky bassman Jake Leschinsky, Andy Bree on guitar, that cool cat Jay Davidson on keys, and Johnny Perry taking no mess on the skins. We're always excited to hop out and see our funky Philly friends play in the area, but this time around we are more than thrilled that they'll be joining The Disco Biscuits the second night at the Fillmore. After the Fillmore, Swift marches on to perform at Brooklyn Bowl on February 8th, the Rock n Roll Hotel in Washington DC on the 10th, and the famous Nectar's of Burlington, VT on March 11th. Keep an eye out for more dates and for new recordings from this group in 2017!
On the final night of the run, The Disco Biscuits will be joined by Tom Hamilton's American Babies, an act local to Philly and led by guitarist Tom Hamilton. The Philly-born Hamilton is known also for extensive work with his original band in Philly, Brothers Past(2000-2014), but more known currently with Joe Russo's Almost Dead, and with friends and band-mates Marc Brownstein & Aron Magner with Electron, accompanied by another philly native, Mike Greenfield of Lotus on drums. Hamilton has also played with the band led by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, Billy and The Kids. American Babies recently released their album An Epic Battle Between Light and Dark and have further scheduled dates after the Fillmore at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ on the 9th, The Acoustic in Bridgeport, CT, the Alchemy in Providence, RI, and a final stop in Chicago at Dunn Dunn Fest on February 16th. We look forward to the three days of funk, grooves & jams at the Fillmore with four of our favorite acts out there today and we hope to see you there. Stay with us for updates and coverage from the shows!
3-day passes are sold out but single-day tickets are still available:
Thursday: http://concerts.livenation.com/event/0200516ABDA53D5A
Friday: http://concerts.livenation.com/event/0200516ABDA93D6A
Saturday: http://concerts.livenation.com/event/0200516ABDAE3D70
