-November 2008
Known for pioneering a genre described as “grunge grass” and adding the banjo to what might otherwise be described as mellow rock, the Avett Brothers might not be the band you’d expect to give the most rousing show. Their studio albums provoke some swaying, escalating to vigorous nodding on the most upbeat songs, but their live show warranted much more movement than that. I was expecting an incredibly beautiful show, but a head-throbbingly energetic one, not so much. From the moment the Avett Brothers walked on stage though, strumming the opening chords of “Paranoia in Bb Major,” two things drew everyone’s attention- the mind-numbingly awesome facial hair, which seemed to possess its own physical laws, and the ridiculous fervor. The infectious energy that spewed out of the band manifested itself in not only the upbeat, nigh- explosive renditions of all the songs played, but also in the physical antics of the band, jumping up and down in an apparent attempt to send Toad’s Place and all its awe-stricken patrons into a sinkhole. I previously would have thought it impossible to leap into the air repeatedly while playing the upright bass, but then again I would have thought having my brains rocked out by a North Carolina band involving banjo and leaning heavily on folk-bluegrass roots almost equally unlikely.
-Selden
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