Greensky Bluegrass rock hometown “Handguns” CD Release party

GSBG-35

GSBG-34

GSBG-33

GSBG-32

GSBG-31

GSBG-30

GSBG-29

GSBG-28

GSBG-27

GSBG-26

GSBG-25

GSBG-24

GSBG-23

GSBG-22

GSBG-21

GSBG-20

GSBG-19

GSBG-18

GSBG-17

GSBG-16

GSBG-15

GSBG-14

GSBG-13

GSBG-12

GSBG-11

GSBG-10

GSBG-9

GSBG-8

GSBG-7

GSBG-6

GSBG-5

GSBG-4

GSBG-3

GSBG-2

GSBG-1

GSBG-1-2

End Galleria

Event: Greensky Bluegrass “Handguns” CD Release Party
Venue: Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Audio: bt.etree.org / archive.org / stream (will be updated when they hit, check back!)
Videos: Youtube / other

The self-produced, fourth studio album “Handguns” by Greensky Bluegrass hit yesterday and the band came out to show a full crowd at Bell’s Brewery what they’d been working on. Fans had been given a free “EP” download of five songs to get them started, but let us be the first to tell you that the true gems you’ll need to purchase!

Greensky brings a diverse and beautiful crowd, and it wasn’t long before the first notes of “Cold Feet” (Track 3 on the new album and also included in the free EP) caused a ruckus of dancing.

A performance of “Get No Better” was only surpassed as local female vocalist Rachel Davis joined GSBG for “Lose My Way” – and nailed it. (wearing 5-inch stiletto heels!). Next up was the new “I’ll Probably Kill You” with Terrence Massey completely destroying the horn section. Then came a crowd-favorite “Kerosene” and some wonderful vocal harmony in “Old Barns”.

Drew Howard then came up on stage, took off his boot, and sat in on Pedal Steel for the title track “Handguns” and stayed on to close out the first set as they band launched into the Marley Cover, “Stop the Train.”

After setbreak, Greensky Bluegrass pressed a button, and instantly transformed their band from a Bluegrass great into a psychadelic experiment of sound with “Bring Out Your Dead”. Producer and sound engineer Glenn Brown started making unearthly sounds on his synth, and Anders echoed the whale-like noises on his Dobro as Paul’s voice was contorted into unearthly voices. You’ve GOT to check out the video when it’s posted! If there is a song that will define this band as game-changers, check out “Bring Out Your Dead.” Paul’s wife told me that he sort of lost it during the studio recording, and there may be some noises in the recording that are him crashing around in his solo booth.

“Send Me Your Address From Heaven” brought the high-speed plucking into its finest moments of the evening, followed by Track 1 off the new album, “Don’t Lie” a ballad rendered true by the earnest performance. “It was supposed to be an easy ride / but somebody lied / don’t lie.” – NICE.

Next up was what’s sure to become an absoute favorite, “Jaywalking”. The band ended the evening with an 18-minute “When Doves Cry” closer, in which Glenn, Terrence, Rachel, and Drew played and sang their hearts out (Best vocals: Bruzo’s self-reverb). Check back soon for a video.

We’re certainly going to be seeing more of Greensky in the next year. Expect a full festival circuit next summer, and some back story on the new album in an upcoming interview.

Greensky Bluegrass Plays next:
10/5 – The Loft, Lansing, Michigan
10/7 – The Loading Dock, Traverse City, Michigan
10/14 – Washington, DC
10/15 – YMSB Harvest Music Festival, Ozark, AR
10/27 – Belly Up, Aspen, Colorado
10/28 – Hodi’s Half-note, Ft. Collins, CO

and a ton more dates here.