HERE ARE SOME OF THE BANDS THAT WILL BE ROCKING PHANPHEST 4.0! Averaging over 200 gigs per year for the past few years, Ryan Montbleau Band has generated the kind of buzz that only surrounds a talented artist on the verge. Emerging onto the national music scene from his home base of Boston, Ryan Montbleau has been described as something of a Martin Sexton by way of Van Morrison and Stevie Wonder. Yet Ryan Montbleau Band’s music is diffi cult to pigeon-hole or neatly categorize. It is original yet familiar—a fresh sound full of fi rmly-rooted ingredients, including Americana, folk, blues, ragtime and ’70’s R&B and soul. Whereas the band’s intriguing instrumentation and arrangements (not to mention top notch chops) help to create this unique sound, all is fi rmly anchored by Montbleau’s water-tight lyrics and unmistakable voice. Having begun his career playing Boston’s coffee shops and folk venues as a solo artist with an infectious, percussive, fi ngerpicking guitar style, the charismatic Ryan Montbleau has evolved into the front man for the eclectic ensemble that bears his name. Make no mistake—this is a band in every sense of the word and is powered by the dynamics of Matt Giannaros (acoustic upright bass, electric bass, vocals), Laurence Scudder (viola), Jason Cohen (piano, organ, clavinet, Rhodes, Moog) and James Cohen (drums). This combination of art and personality creates that magical bond between performer and audience that Ryan Montbleau Band is fortunate to have in these cynical times. Sustaining the band through the years as they toured incessantly, virtually living on the road, they have already established a large, passionate following throughout the country. - Website | Myspace  With the release of their second studio album The I’s Mind in the fall of 2006, New York City’s U-Melt continues its progression of becoming the band it wants to be--a band without boundaries. While creating a cohesive album which perfectly flows from one song to the next, The I’s Mind showcases U-Melt's ability to distance themselves from traditional labels, revealing a unique sound by combining intense and captivating compositions with soulful lyrics, virtuosic chops, and infectious dance grooves that will keep your feet moving and your mind floating. In just three summers on the road, U-Melt has already performed at some of the country’s premier festivals, including appearances at Gathering of the Vibes, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Summer Camp, Snoe.down Winter Music Festival, as well as a multi-set performance at this year’s moe.down. Based on mesmerizing playing and word of mouth, U-Melt has quickly earned a reputation for creating high energy dance parties and epic late-night performances. From an already legendary overnight set at Strangefolk’s 9th Annual Garden of Eden Festival (in which no member of the band left the stage for more than 7 hours), to brilliantly covering the Pink Floyd album Wish You Were Here in its entirety during their all night performance at the Stonehenge Music Festival, U-Melt always has something special planned for their fans, and has built a strong following among festival goers. In fact, U-Melts reputation helped them beat out thousands of bands in an on-line Voting Booth contest for their performance slot at this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival, providing the band the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of live music fans in a brand new market. In February of 2006, U-Melt was honored by Jambands.com with their coveted New Groove of the Month award. In his feature on the band, Jambands.com and Relix Magazine writer Mike Greenhaus declares, "Since first linking up in 2003, U-Melt has blossomed into one of the jam-scene's hardest working acts, barnstorming high-profile festivals...and performing upwards of 300 shows in just under three years. Commanding a clear understanding of the jamband blueprint, U-Melt's varied live show is a throwback to the improvisational bands of yore, stocked with zany covers and high energy segues." U-Melts music has also been praised by the likes of Richard Gehr of the Village Voice, Jambase.com, Glide Magazine, State of Mind Music Magazine, KyndMusic.com, Earvolution.com and The Independent, just to name a few. Recently, U-Melt was asked by Relix Magazine and the other Jammys producers to perform a special late-night show at New York City’s B.B. Kings Blues Club as part of the Official Jammys After Party, providing U-Melt with a chance to bring their late-night dance party to a room full of hometown fans, Jammys performers, and new faces. U-Melt has had the good fortune of having many incredible musicians join them on stage during their shows, including Al Schnier, Rob Derhak, Chuck Garvey and Vinnie Amico of moe.; Jake Cinninger of Umphrey’s McGee; Jon Trafton, Russ Lawton, Erik Glocker, Luke Patchen Montgomery and Don Scott of Strangefolk; Rob Somerville of Deep Banana Blackout; Ed Palermo; Gordon Stone; and members of Perpetual Groove, Brothers Past, Max Creek and The Bridge. U-Melt is Adam Bendy (Bass), Zac Lasher (Keyboards, Synthesizers & Vocals), George Miller (Drums & Vocals), and Rob Salzer (Guitar & Vocals). - Website | Myspace  Recently referred to as one of the Jam Scene's "Best Kept Secrets" by Relix magazine, Juggling Suns have been abducting fans from New Jersey to Japan since 1997. Their roots lie in the diverse musical styles of old school psychedelia, jazz, bluegrass, funk, trance, dance and pure rock n roll, and those roots have fueled their legendary on-stage improvisation. The Suns have played to packed audiences in Japan and all over the United States, appeared in the Julia Roberts movie Runaway Bride, performed personally for the NBAs Bill Walton, and won consecutive awards for Best Jam Band at NJs Asbury Music Awards (2002- 2003).The Suns blend their well-crafted original music, with their own take on covers from Sesame Street songs to Bill Withers to create a one of a kind setlist experience at every show. With their last national tour, the Suns played to exuberant fans from Las Vegas, to Utah, Arizona, all the way to Colorado in support of their most recent 4th live album.The Suns have held their own as one of the east coasts favorite live acts- going on 10 years strong since its conception in 1995. Juggling Suns consists of Solar Circus alumni Mark Diomede alongside Gus Vigo who was one one of the founding members of Juggling Suns along with Diomede, was formerly from New Jersey band World Within. Tim Morris, originally Diomede's acoustic side project partner, came on board to take over rhythm guitar skills in 2003. Andrew Lenaghan and Paul Gaita make up the driving bass and drums, blistering in their ability to make people move both in body and spirit. Their original songs have been covered by the Disco Biscuits and Keller Williams, and the Suns have hosted numerous guest musicians up on stage beside them, including Buddy Cage, Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead), Martin Fierro (Legion of Mary) and Jon Gutwillig (The Disco Biscuits). Guitarist Mark Diomede, who has been on the road as a musician since 1989, received the Asbury Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Diomede has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Herring, Santana, moe., Mickey Hart and Bob Weir. 2006 Has brought a new life into Juggling Suns. Rediscovered and newly signed by Aeria Records, Juggling Suns has released their 7th (and live) CD Tranzmutation with rave reviews- which was received with stellar reviews and regular Sirius radio airplay. 2007 has proved to be a rebirth of Juggling Suns with the addition of Gaita on bass guitar. A new album is in the works and expanded horizons of musical adventure are just around the corner. get abducted. - Website | Myspace  Natural Breakdown plays a unique brand of spiritually infused music that moves the body and touches the soul. Blending harmonies and melodies with complex rhythms in styles ranging from funk, rock, jazz and bluegrass, Natural Breakdown fuses philosophies and rhythms from East and West, with powerful songs and deep lyrics to create a truly unique musical experience. Natural Breakdown is all about vibe. People come and we get them off. They dance, laugh, sing, and most importantly, they come back again and again. Their goal is to raise consciousness through sound and word. To bring crowds to intense peaks, through a winding river of sound. Like Nature breaks down rock over thousands of years, and how everything can be broken down to its base component, light: Natural Breakdown is a hopeful outlook and a call for change. We believe that the world is in need of some serious healing, and a strong vehicle for this shift is music. We want to break down the barriers between people and bridge the gap between performers/audience, to uncover that core experience of unity and oneness. We strive to bring people together for a unique and uplifting musical healing experience and hopefully spread the seeds of a brighter future in this time of great change. - Website | Myspace 
Turtle Soup's original blend of jam rock, funk, and dance music is no longer New Jersey's best kept secret, thanks to winning Top Jam Band and Top Groove Band at the 2007 Asbury Music Awards. Not only are they excellent songwriters, but dazzling musicians as well. Fun, catchy hooks, complex arrangements and sweet grooves fuel their improvisations. The frenzy of their enthusiastic and rapidly growing fan base adds to the excitement of a Soup show. Turtle Soup has been tearing up the Northeast, having played with Blues Traveler, Jimmy Vivino, Paul Rodgers, Marshall Tucker Band, Foghat, Little Feat, Dark Star Orchestra, Juggling Suns, RAQ, and The Breakfast. - Myspace  Codename formed in 2002. 4 years later they are about to release their second album and continue their northeast play from DC to upstate NY. Compositionally, Codename's songs are a fusion of tightly composed, high-energy progressive-rock arrangements, complimented by jazzy harmonies and funked out dance grooves. Their show is a true experience. The soulful connection is apparent between Adam Nash (keys/piano), Jon Joffe (guitar), Greg Halbkram (bass), and Sal Galati (drums/percussion), as their chemistry both on and off the stage combines unique energy, vision, and sense of adventure that all goes into the jazz-infused blast of funk rock that is Codename. Among their influences are The Grateful Dead and Phish, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and Medeski Martin & Wood, Pink Floyd, Yes, Soulive and The Allman Brothers. - Website | Myspace  Since their 2004 debut, Karmic Juggernaut has been packing crowds into the legendary Stone Pony. With all 4 members of the band under the age of 21, crowds have been blown away not only by their natural ability to write and play music, but the diversity in the types of music in which they play. The K-Juggs have been tearing up the jam scene of NJ as an opening act and have thrown their own outdoor music festival for two years running. Any fan of live music would be pleased to see and hear this band. The drummer is currently attending the Hartford School of Music, and one of the guitarists will be attending The Berklee Shool of Music in the fall. Karmic Juggernaut is currently recording their Debut LP and plan to play throughout NJ and NYC in the coming summer. These guys have an extremely bright future as they continue to develop their sound and fanbase. They've opened for such acts as Juggling Suns, RAQ, Perpetual Groove and U-Melt, impressing anybody who catches them. - Website | Myspace  Incendiary guitars, full, rounded harmonies, thumping grooves, spectacular songcraft, and an unearthly ability to turn anyone on; The Indobox is clearing a path for the next generation of Rock, with a big nod to those before them. Hailing from Boston, MA with its roots in Northeast PA, this band is quickly reaching across the East coast, captivating listeners, growing fans, and starting dance-parties everywhere they go, bringing something we call DanceRock... something between Pink Floyd and Smashing Pumpkins mixed with more contemporary dance beats. Without exception, every Indobox show inevitably turns into a wild dance party. Even first-timers are driven to hooting and hollering amidst the rollicking performance and frantic dancing. Guitarists Mike Carter and Joe Zarick honed their song-craft together for years before the band took shape in Boston in '05. The Indobox has developed a hefty repertoire of nearly 50 finely tuned originals. And in a short period of time, The Indobox has established their presence in the Northeast through more than 200 gigs in 15 states from Georgia to Maine, extensive promotion and a heavy online presence. The Indobox has also recently been featured at the last 2 Camp Bisco festivals, as well as at the Gathering Of The Vibes festival. And in October '07, The Indobox saw it's first sell-out show, with 400 attendants in Wilkes Barre, PA! Still being a totally grassroots Do-It-Yourself organization, and on the heels of the '07 release of the first Live Album, The Indobox will record a new, 2nd Studio release in 2008, to be independently released later in '08. Spring tour will feature dozens of dates (and overnight drives) and the summer is shaping up with some great festivals too! In the coming year, The Indobox is motivated to continue to recruit more new "Boxheads", bringing DanceRock to new cities and ears every month. - Website | Myspace "Digital Frontier is a unique symbiosis of musical talent. Their sound is improvisational, psy-trance-ish and deliciously danceable." -Beatportal.com Venturing into the realm of sonic sound and wave manipulation, the quartet delivers a non-stop energetic performance of tranced out madness that both shocks the senses and keeps bodies in motion until the final note is struck! First performing in Vermont in April 2006, Digital Frontier has expanded its sound, producing tight compositions and digitally dance fueled beats. Built around a rhythm section that has been playing/performing together for over a decade, the drum and bass combo of Sol Montoya and Zach Catarelli truly fuels the fire behind DigiFront's high energy reputation. Adding to the "Organic Vibrations" Jesse Stocker weaves digitized flute over, under and through the ambient planes of Matt Smilkstein's keys, synth-FX, and sci-fi vocal samples. There's something special that sets a Digifront performance apart from the pack. Whether it be the lights that regularly target burning bright beams directly onto your retinas, the live art, flower, and stuffed animal arrangements being done on stage, or the ever-growing fan-base that seamlessly whisks first timers into a fun-filled dance party that routinely stretches until the early morning hours. The fact of the matter is that there is a unique love-affair existing between Digital Frontier and its fan-base. The relationship continuously keeps DigiFront pushing the limits of a live concert experience while keeping venues stretching up and down the East Coast consistently packed. - Myspace  Phan Phest 3.0 Battle of the Bands winner. Previously known as The Grapes of Vaudevillian Fantasy (formed in CT. 1998), these veterans of the music scene have come full circle back to their organic roots. With their eclectic, soulful grooves, insightful lyrics and memorable melodies, The Grapes are always willing to dip into more than one musical style. By doing what comes naturally, they have managed to create an energetic live show that undeniably forces their audience to rise to their feet and become an active part of the spectacle. This relationship between the band and the fans has made The Grapes a fan favorite. - Myspace  Guitar slinging since the age of eleven, Keith Kenny was first turned on to music from jamming on two chords with his Dad. These first jam sessions molded Keith's approach to playing guitar and songwriting which is highly influenced by improvisation and feel. Keith's first passion for music was discovered in classic heavy metal albums. Influences like Pantera, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Iron Maiden, branded his style of playing to be fast and aggressive at a young age. As his musical tastes expanded, influences like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Michael Hedges, CSNY, and Jimi Hendrix, changed his style of playing to be more bluesy and percussive. In his own compositions, Keith continues to seek a style of music that challenges categorization and focuses on expression. While still in High School, Keith released a single entitled "Nothing More Than You” which led him to perform at venues like the Legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, and NYC’s infamous CBGB’s. In 2003 he released a Six-Song Solo Acoustic EP entitled “Good Times Ain’t Free”, followed in 2005 by his 5 song EP “Keith Kenny”, which has led him to opening for national acts such as Leon Russell, Keller Williams, Badfish, and being played and interviewed on NY/NJ radio stations state wide. Whether performing in front of live audiences or recording his own music, Keith's reason for playing music is to capture that feeling of those first jam sessions with his Dad. Keith has just finished recording his first full-length album entitled "Limit is the Sky" which is set to be released in June 2008. - Website | Myspace  Trip, an american-born anarchist, left home young and restless hitch-hiking across the United States, squatting deserts, beaches, high-rise rooftops, and tending fields of cannabis, eventually finding himself in California, living in a tree for months without coming down to save a two thousand year old redwood. The Department of Homeland Security has labeled him an "Eco-Terrorist", one who uses threats of violence both against people and property by property damage and intimidation committed in the name of environmentalism. But back on the East Coast, he is surrounded by travelers. The chosen few who tuned in, turned on, and traveled as far as they could with nothing but their burning passion. His music is a conduit of that community. A reflection of their spiraling word play, and feverish lifestyles. It's compose while hitch hiking, bombing graffiti, and hosting potlucks. Delicious as Hell borrows Hip Hop's abrupt honesty intermingled with his own spirit driven chanting. It reflects every corner of an emerging people and their patented mischief. His music spins a message of hope in the face of our dying cultural identity, and unites the movers and shakers under one melodic cause. Each song delivers a glimpse into the life of a hitch-hiker from meditating on rooftops, to hustling psychedelics and music, from the woods to the concrete jungle. Delicious as Hell is the beginning of an arising youth culture that blows smoke at the American dream. A movement that follows organic lifestyle, humility, and copious amounts of marijuana. Where more and more kids are being inspired to tune in, turn on, and travel the world. Trip represents his people, their cause, and aspiration. Listen to him, go outside, and do something about it. - Myspace  Dakini is a four-piece original band from Hegins, PA. They create a flowing musical experience that is truly unlike anything else. With influences from all genres of music, Dakini is rock 'n' roll with a driving energy that can satisfy any and all who come to experience a show. Together for eight years with three full-length studio albums, one live album & hundreds of bootleg recordings, Dakini has established themselves as one of Pennsylvania's most original, exciting, diverse and ever-changing improvisational bands. Electric sets are most dominant at a Dakini show, but they are very much at home acoustically, playing an variety of stringed and percussive instruments. Each member brings different songs, emotions, energies & grooves to the mix. Rock 'n' roll to country, bluegrass to funk, jazz numbers to swirling, trickling movements & chaotic space & trance. A night of Dakini is a passage through various musical styles, eras, generations & unknown aspects of musical expression. Dakini has performed alongside numerous local & national groups including The Jerry Garcia Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern (of the Allman Brothers Band), Derek Trucks Band, Jazz Mandolin Project, Bernie Worrel (former keyboardist for George Clinton), Ulu, Zen Tricksters, Max Creek, Sister Carol (Grammy-nominated Reggae artist), The Dude of Life (Phish lyricist), The Breakfast, The Recipe, George Wesley, U-Melt, Brother's Past, Soulive, The Slip, Benevento/Russo Duo, Kaki King, Raq & many others. Dakini plays clubs, festivals and countless celebrations throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding states. Dakini hosts their own music festival (Dakinifest) and travels with their own sound system, light show, van & dedicated crew to ensure each and every performance. Dakini is a family of artists, fans & friends that encourage all forms of creative artistic expression. Dakini will continue to expand their musical adventure to help heal, energize & enlighten with music and the power of sound. - Website | Myspace  We don't do songs, we do your ears. - Myspace 
Described as "the real deal" by Hittin' The Note Magazine, One-Eyed Jack's exhilarating music and monstrous live performances have been captivating audiences for more than 10 years. Formed by guitarist Gary Gallagher in the early 90's after being heavily influenced by the psychedelic sound and style of the Grateful Dead & The Allman Brothers. With the arrival of guitarist & vocalist Joe Boris came powerful songwriting with heartfelt, soulful lyrics described as "Dylanesque" by Relix Magazine. Composing songs which touch both on the spiritual and the surreal while visually telling the story of America. The dual guitar work of both Boris & Gallagher is signature to the sound of One-Eyed Jack. After being inspired by the Phish explosion, bassist & vocalist Adam Riley brought more than just thundering bass lines to the mix, but newer songs with fantasy style lyrics & colorful jams. Both Boris & Riley remain as the band's two main composers. The thundering power of Alzie the drummer has been driving the rhythm of the band for nearly 10 years. Keyboardist & vocalist Squigs takes the jams into a new dimension of space & texture while rocking out audiences with good cover tunes. Vocalist Rosie Lazroe's dynamic singing energy & exotic voice beautify the songs of One-Eyed Jack with earth, wind & fire. Percussionst Bob Ramos's island sound & jungle rhythm complete the mix. - Website | Myspace 
Matt Reynolds has been playing sitar since the age of 16. His primary instrument is the guitar. George Harrison and Brian Jones lead to Listening to Ravi Shankar who were all early influences on the sitar. He later discovered the amazing playing of Vilayat Khan and Krishna Bhatt. Matt studied the sitar teachings of Ashwin Batish and has also taken one on one lessons with Krishna Bhatt. Matt is a self taught Ethnomusicologist specializing in stringed instruments from around the world. He believes that music is the common thread that connects all cultures of the human race. Along with sitar and guitar, Matt also plays the Zheng (Vietnam), the Berimbau (Brazil), Saraswati Veena (Southern India) and the Tampura (India). The guitar piece on this page was played with a 12 string electric Vox Mark XII (Italy) with a Boss DD5 Delay. Performing with his friend Qamber Jaffery (Pakistan) on tablas, he has played several festivals and coffee houses. Qamber Jaffery studied the Tabla teachings of Munir khan. He was born in Pakistan and later moved to Kuwait. And was actually there when Sadaam Huessain invaded. After spending several years in Canada, he moved to New Jersey where he met Matt. He met Matt at a gas station when he spotted a sitar in the back seat of his car. Qamber Jaffery's main influences are Classical Indian/Pak artists like Zakir Huessain, and Mehdi Hassan. Jaffery has a pure passion for his music and brings raw enthusiasm whenever he performs.    Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed |
