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The Vegabonds dished out a line-up of covers and originals that kept the SkyBar crowd dancing Wednesday night until last call ended the guitar-induced boogie-trance that the six-man Auburn band had put over the crowd.
Their name, the band said, was a fusion of the word vagabond, meaning wanderer, with the star Vega, the brightest star in the Lyra constellation. It suggests their state of wandering towards a musical pinnacle, the band said.
Bryan Harris, drummer, Paul Bruens and Alex Cannon formed the original core of the band. After Facebook brought Jamie Hallen, to the band’s attention, the rest fell into place. Richard Forehand joined up as another guitarist and Daniel Allen became the group’s lead vocalalist.
The band opened loud and strong with an original, Dizzy Love Blues. The bluesy wail of Alex Cannon on lead guitar combined with the thumping bass accompaniment of Paul Bruens made you wonder why you hadn’t heard the song before.
Lead singer Daniel Allen, with looks like Heath Ledger with a pair of sunglasses and a voice reminiscent of Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, thrashed around the stage, not hesitant to get the crowd involved. Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” prompted a collaborative audience sing-along, as did a stellar performance of The Black Crowes’s “Hard to Handle.”
The Vegabonds wandered from genre to genre, bouncing from the psychedelic pop of MGMT with “Kids” and “Electric Feel” to the jamband Widespread Panic with their “Climb to Safety.” The band made several Kings of Leon covers such as “Fans” and “Use Somebody,” with the energy and vocal incoherence of the original cuts.
Jamie Hallen, sitting stoically at his keyboards, made The Vegabond’s funky progressive version of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” truly theirs.
From Bill Withers to Creedence Clearwater Revival to jamming originals like “We’d Escape” and “Dear Revolution,” The Vegabonds put on an eclectic show that is worth a look.
For more on the band, visit myspace.com/vegabonds. - Austin Nelson
Discography
The Vegabonds released one EP since their start, entitled "Magnolia Sessions", which was recorded LIVE in Birmingham, AL with producer Nick Jones. Magnolia Sessions has received airplay in different parts of Alabama. The band is looking forward to the release of their new album, Dear Revolution.
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Bio
The Vegabonds formed in Auburn, AL during February of 2009, a combination of two bands and two new comers, and haven't stopped playing since. They also immediately started working on their first album. A mix of different musical interests laid the groundwork for the first album entitled, Dear Revolution. The Vegabonds are booked to record at Southstreet Studios in Nashville, TN during the fall of 2009 and the bands LP is set to be released in May 2010. The band is based upon soulful lyrics, groovy rhythm, and funky jam sessions, allowing each member to bring their own personal flavor to a show each night. Influenced mostly by The Black Crowes, Gov't Mule, Kings of Leon, and Led Zeppelin, The Vegabonds feel like they are a different sound than heard before. They pride themselves in putting their own twist to every cover song they play, making each song sound like you just heard it for the first time, again. This has proven to be the bands biggest asset according to crowds, because it appeals to any age or generation. The Vegabonds are trying their hand at their own musical revolution.
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