mAyfLOwers 2 :: 05.28.06 :: Los Robles Lodge :: Santa Rosa, CA

Oftentimes, I find myself wanting more in shows.

More bust outs, more songs, more sit-ins, more "oh shit" moments. More is just better. Sometimes, too much is just not enough.

DJ Logic by Josh Miller</ i>

Over Memorial Day weekend, Falcor and Friends, a Bay Area-based production company, put together a celebration worthy of someone who just wants more out of a concert experience. mAyfLOwers 2: Maximum Flair was all that. And the lasers were pretty crazy too.

The concert didn't take place in a typical venue, for this party was a road show. Falcor and Friends had scouted out a different type of location to provide a different kind of experience. Two different hotels in Santa Rosa hosted this year's event, and for those that had booked rooms, a pool party was thrown to get things started early and thank attendees for showing up. With the weather being perfect, the beer being free, and DJ Logic on the turntables, I'm pretty sure the Days Inn had never really seen anything like it. By the time Logic's extended set had ended, the free shuttle was fired up and attendees were taken to the Los Robles Lodge, where Moonshine Still and Animal Liberation Orchestra would play two inspired sets without limitations from a curfew.

Just walking into the reception room at Los Robles Lodge, I knew we were in for some serious business.

mAyfLOwers 2 by Susan Weiand

The room was just dripping with awesomeness. A very clever ambiance team had worked real hard to provide a feast for the eyes, as the room contained many black-light lit flowers, five-foot-tall inflatable flamingos, and the aforementioned red and green lasers, which at times looked as though the Empire and Rebel Forces were going at it in one of the most ridiculous light saber wars ever. By the time Moonshine Still took the stage to open the show, the room was filled with people who took the theme of "Maximum Flair" to the extreme with their costumes. Between the ambiance and the costumes, the room was straight up, for lack of a better word, tripped out.

Maximum Flair by Susan Weiand

The one thing about Moonshine Still that really bugs me is that I never get to see them play. Their trips to the West Coast have been few and far between since I first heard them a few years ago. I was real interested to see how this particular performance would go for them, as it would be their seventh performance with their new drummer, Jon Joiner. If I had to sum up their performance in three words, I would probably say, "They killed it." I was astounded by the tightness of the group, especially since they'd been playing with Joiner for only seven shows. Bands like the Disco Biscuits and Particle took months off to replace a member of the group, whereas Moonshine Still made their switch mid-tour. The best part was that you honestly would never have known.

I had the opportunity to talk to Jon and lead vocalist/guitarist Scott Baston earlier in the evening about the switch mid-tour, and both were ecstatic about the way things were going. "I've been a fan of this band for a long time, and it's so much fun to be playing these songs," Joiner said. "I'm really enjoying the opportunity, and it just feels so good to be stretching the songs out and adding to them."

Scott Baston :: Moonshine Still :: by Josh Miller

"I really feel like I'm playing with a whole new band," Baston added. "I mean, I've been doing Moonshine Still as a project for a decade, but with this current lineup, it's so new and fresh. We've known Jon for so long, and when we needed to find a new drummer, we knew he was going to be perfect. We just wrote our first song together the other day, and the chemistry in the band has a new fire to it."

The chemistry was more than apparent for their two-hour opening set. Bassist Ray Petren was dropping solid bombs over the costumed crowd all night, while guitarist David Shore's scorching licks ignited the room into frenzy. The unquestionable highlight of the set was when DJ Logic joined the band on stage for a jaw- dropping rendition of "Earth People." The sound was huge, and the crowd loved every note that the Macon, Georgia locals were putting out. The heat was on, and by the time Moonshine had finished up, the bar had been set pretty high for ALO.

Zack Gill :: ALO :: by Susan Weiand

Donning crazy attire and excited to broaden the scope of the evening, ALO took the stage and let loose. Opening with one of the darkest versions of "The Gardener" ever, the band seemed less focused than normal on what songs they were going to hit in their set and more focused on simply playing those songs in ways they never had before. "BBQ" followed, and though the first moments were rocky, the band soon segued into a cover of "Machine Gun" by The Commodores, during which the party erupted into a full-on funk fest. Another huge highlight of the first set was the closer, an 18-minute version of Rick James' "Mary Jane," where ALO displayed their prowess as masters of the late-night party. By the time the first set ended, it was nearly two in the morn' and ALO had a whole lot more in store.

One way to think of ALO's music when they get into their zone is that it's like one big game of racquetball. In racquetball, the corners are the more vital and important part of the court. If you can utilize the corners and ultimately rely on them, the ball will return twice as fast as you hit it, because you're hitting two separate walls. If you can keep working the corners, eventually the ball is moving so fast that it becomes unstoppable.

Steve Adams :: ALO :: by Josh Miller

ALO is a band that owns the corners. The funk they drop just absolutely floors you. One is left breathless, like chasing a ball hurtling around the racquetball court. But trust me, it's a good sweat.

Not slowing down at all, ALO launched the second set into pure bliss by busting out an older tune, "#2," and perfectly segueing it into Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons' "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," at which point the crowd littered the room with glow sticks. If the room had some lights in it before, it was shimmering now. Even Moonshine Still's Scott Baston got into the fun, mixing it up with the crowd on the dance floor before joining ALO on stage for a gospel rendition of the Pointer Sisters' "Yes We Can." The night tore along, and the crowd started to disperse as it got later, and later... and later. "Walls of Jericho," "Chily Chile," and a new tune "Time and Heat" made their way out, each met with cheers of approval from the crowd. Guitarist Dan Lebowitz seemed to be so on target, his hand furiously abusing his fret board. As the sun began to rise outside, ALO started the opening notes to the Garcia/Hunter classic "They Love Each Other." At this point, the party had been in swing for a full 13 hours, but the good news was that you only had to walk to your hotel room to crash.

When it was all said and done, mAyfLOwers 2 was a portrait of success. From the pool party to the concert that raged into the morning light, it was apparent that the bands had a blast, the fans were blown away, and smiles were all around as the sun was coming up on the Memorial Day holiday.

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Crowd at The Compound

With Moonshine Still's big blue bus parked just inside the gate, one could feel the giddy festivarian jumblies in their bellies. The view from the gate down the driveway looked just like Shakedown Street. With a half-court basketball game featuring members of both Moonshine Still and Alfred Howard and the K23 Orchestra, one could size up the musicians to see who had more game. If hoops weren't your bag, then Rock Star energy drinks, vodka, and tasty green cookies that left you giggly just may have been. The finishing touch was one nice, unique feature: a hot tub smacked right out in front of the stage.

First band on the bill was The Groove Syndicate from Laguna Beach. One man shy of their full lineup (Randy on the keys was sick), they took the stage fashionably late and delved right into a full set that showcased vocalist Natalie Martin's incredible talent and heavenly voice. David Carano on the axe threw new toys into the mix, playing his guitar through a toy gun that shot Martian themes and spacey solos. Justin Knox was as steady as ever, thumping and smacking all over the drums. Nicki Carano slipped behind the kit and dropped jaws as usual. With her pigtails tucked behind a fishing hat, it was only a matter of time before a buzz began about that damn fine, sexy drummer. That's the best part of The Groove Syndicate: their look, their sound, all of it, makes for a very sexy band. With the sun beating down they set the standard for the soul of the Compound. Great things are in store for this band and it was a privilege to have them play; for any of you out there going to Joshua Tree Music Festival, make a point to see their set.

Al Howard & the K23 Orchestra from www.alhowardk23.com

Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra took the stage right around four o'clock and by 4:02 everyone in the yard was doing the hippy-jig stoner shuffle. Al is a legend in the making, dropping lyrics and poetry that bring light to how real this life is--he's in tune with that special place not many go to. With a serious funk band to match Al's lyrical acrobatics, they keep you dancing and thinking. Without even realizing it, your ass starts to bounce and that's about when your arms get rolling along in compliance with the rest of your body. Layering intense, stomach-rumbling bass, impeccable drumming, burning guitar, and intelligent, inspiring lyrics, Al and crew brought their A game and reminded everyone what the funk is all about. The Compound's energy level was raised to eleven with the K23, and the good times never let up.

Grampa's Grass

Grampa's Grass have been longtime friends of The Compound and this show marked their first time playing with the full band plugged in. There has been an acoustic Grass session now and again, but nothing like this, nothing this rocking. Settling in with a psychedelic jam in the Allman Brothers vein, the Grass busted out a full-on, hard hitting set of all new material from their new studio album (which was released the night before at their show with Leftover Salmon at the Galaxy Theatre). With Lisa Blue tearing it up on vocals, goose bumps spread like wild fire as she swayed through "Honey Child" and booties bounced to her hippity-hop tune. It was her take on "Bobby McGee" that brought the people milling around the other side of The Compound front and center. Even members of Moonshine Still came off the bus to see who was belting out Janis and actually pulling it off. This girl has pipes, and the band has chops to match. With John Malsberger and Brett Davis killing it all day long on guitar and newbie Johnny Berger on drums holding his own next to the sturdy bass work of Tim Kerrigan, the Grass came to play and created a backyard down-home feeling. Aside from being some of the nicest, most genuine folks you'll find in Southern California, they're also fine musicians with a penchant for great songwriting, amazing harmonies, and straight-up rock 'n' roll.

Al Howard with Moonshine Still

OK folks, I'm gonna ask you all to fasten your seat belts for this point in our ride. I knew Moonshine Still rocked, which is why I asked them to headline, but I didn't expect the energy they brought, and by the looks of the crowd after the Still were done, I knew I wasn't alone. Taking the stage around 7:15, MsS floored it into an incredible set that lasted over three hours--with no breaks. Al Howard made another appearance onstage, joining the group for some lyrical bliss during the jam on "C&KB." Coffee and kind buds indeed--between the Rock Star energy drinks, vodka, and dank beer, the whole crowd was nicely oiled and dancing like mad. These good ol' Georgia boys tore down inhibitions, and lo and behold, they managed to get some ladies into the hot tub. God bless 'em! Scott Baston came to play dressed in a shirt that matched The Wild Things artwork and a voice that mowed straight through any skepticism; he owned the stage all night and brought every pair of dancing shoes forward to grace the hay. David Shore took some hellacious solos, fondling his guitar and making the "O face" that put some stank on his sound. The rhythm section of Ray Petren, Will Robinson, and Bill Jarrett kept a backbone groove that rumbled all the way down the street and tested the patience of our neighbors. Trippe Wright was a mad scientist on the keys, creating a time warp that skipped from circus to calypso without any hesitation. Throwing out covers like the very appropriate "Moving Out" by Billy Joel and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magic," they proved this was a very special, intimate setting, and that we were bound together because of this night. Orange County had never had anything like this event, and I do believe it'll be some time before it happens again. MsS rocked it with a very unique, open demeanor that poured over the crowd and won over many new fans.

Moonshine Still

Late night parties got right underway; DJ JP and DJ Rhines were already throwing down in a big way back in the Innerflight Dance House. Blending house, funk, and soul, these guys kept the crowd moving all night and didn't quit until shortly after 5 a.m. A new independent record label and DJ collective, Innerflight held it down in a big way and great things are on the horizon for them. Check out their website for the latest news and info on their next Compound throwdown.

Across the way from the Dance House was an acoustic session made up of Scott and Will from Moonshine Still. Normally behind the kit, Will took to the mandolin instead and with candles burning and projections flowing onto the wall behind them, we were treated to a full set of old material and choice covers. Taking a very unique twist on David Grisman's "Shady Grove," they proved right away that this was a very special musical arrangement that they don't get to do enough. With Lisa Blue and Johnny from Grampa's Grass harmonizing and adding bongos to the mix, this impromptu jam treated a very small crowd to one of the best acoustic hours I've ever heard. Ending with the standout track off their album Moon Over Georgia, Scott and Will picked their way through a truly beautiful rendition of "Blue Mule," flowing back and forth from singing to just jamming, not quite ready to call it a night. Alas, before I knew it, the whole party had come to a close.

All in all, I'm humbled and pleased to have seen this celebration through to the end. The people involved in making this event deserve my heartfelt thanks and deepest respect. The food was amazing and the overall vibe created by each and every person there made it the beautiful party it was. The day's events were captured on over 20 hours of raw footage that will be sifted through for a future DVD release. The sound was crisp and shines through on the recordings. The police never showed up, no one was arrested; there were no drug issues and no one got hurt. It was just boatloads of smiles throughout the day and tons of people dancing and enjoying each other's company. With all of these factors peering back at me when I reflect upon this experience, I must admit, it was a successful event. The OCcompound pulled it off. I look forward to working with all of the bands again in the future and can't wait till next year when we host our second annual OCcompound Festival. For more pictures from the event, visit www.occompound.com.

Words by: Matt Layton
Images by: Chris Layton and Chris Gorney
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