Glam rock is a fashion that has died over the years. It was one of those horrendous '80s fads that coincided with flat-top haircuts and acid-washed jeans. For those reasons alone, glam rock's early demise has been a positive one.
This of course doesn't mean there are no glam rock holdovers with those dolled-up rap-rock artists thinking they can swagger across the stage in flamboyant red caps and flashy Adidas pants. What the glam rock boys are missing is that it ain't about the look--it's about the sound.
So when bassist Dave Schools of Widespread Panic took stage on Tuesday night at the Electric Factory, moving his pear-shaped form, a black T-shirt clinging to the bubble that is supposedly a belly, every audience member knew what Panic was about.
Probably the least glamorous, potentially even the top 10 of least attractive bands, WP has made a name for itself as a group that plays good music. Opening the night with John Bell's rough and ragged southern drawl pealing over the lyrics to "Travelin' Light," WP set the stage for an intense night of mesmerizing rock, southern style, laced with a touch of blues and general down-south goodness.
Travelling through classics such as "Chilly Water" to newer material like "All Time Low" and "'til the Medicine Takes," WP covered the gamut of its 19-year career. Including a 10-minute bongo-drum solo by Sunny Ortiz, the second set alone stretched out for nearly two hours, making for an intense night of good music and fashionless musicians.
