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Ken Mottet, Anchorage, Alaska — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:32:28 GMT

"Listening to paint dry." BANG. John Roderick nails it again!!

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Claire, Brookline, MA — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:36:18 GMT

You only saw The Dead twice and you say that you've seen jambands at their "jammiest"? Unfortunately, in the jamband world, you need to have a few more shows under your belt to have credibility and your "resume" should include Phish (pre-2000), moe., Panic, ARU, and others.

Widespread Panic has been the cornerstone of Bonnaroo since the festivals inception. Perhaps you didn't look at the lineups from past Bonnaroos, which seems a bit odd for someone charged with blogging about the event.

Every review I've heard from this year's Bonnaroo has given me the impression that Widespread Panic was the only headliner to do anything impressive with their set. The Police phoned it in and Tool sat back despite a great light show. You started your entry saying you were interested, but I guess you wanted them to "get somewhere" within three minutes like the bands in the mainstream generally do. That's not Panic and that's certainly not Bonnaroo.

By the way, "The Dead" is the name used by the remaining band members since Jerry died. You saw the Grateful Dead in 1988 at the Tacoma Dome and in 1990 at RFK.

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Michael Valentine, Addison, Texas — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:20:47 GMT

Thank you Claire! Who is this guy?

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John, PA — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:24:38 GMT

Please go back to Seattle and take "all" your jam band experience with you!!

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letter from a concerned follower — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:16:04 GMT

For starters, jam bands are good at doing one type of music over and over again in a different form. The average listener doesn't want to hear that crap for more than five minutes tops, yet an entire generation of people think they've had some sort of epiphany when they saw Keller or Widespread or STS at some fucking hippie festival while they were smoking mushrooms.

I think it's bullshit that bands like Widespread Panic (who aren't bad musicians by any means) are allowed to get rich by playing off of the same craptacularity repeatedly and be defended by people who make up in bullying what they lack in originality and thought.

At least John has an opinion. All these people bashing him are just disgruntled former hippies who dropped their weed at an Of Montreal show and have an axe to grind with anything that doesn't attach itself to a third-generation concept of living. I bet you guys think the head of the Merry Pranksters name is Ken Kingsley.

Drop 'em off, J-Rod. They don't deserve to read your column.

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Shawn Slawson, Rehoboth, Del — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:56:51 GMT

someone should have dosed this guy- I bet he would have liked the show a lot better

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Nick Saban....Heart of Dixie — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:36:16 GMT

Claire---"The Dead" have been "The Dead" as long as I can remember, which is probably before you were born. I find your "hippier than thou" attitude and the fact that you googled old shows to verify this guy's integrity to be quite comical.

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Eddison Jones — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:36:26 GMT

John is so right. Jam band fans are so wrong.

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E.J. — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:02:29 GMT

I actually like jam bands. Especially when the volume is at zero.

Here we go, dancing about architecture again....

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Fitz — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:21:26 GMT

E.J. (or more accurately, Zappa) is right, but I feel the need to comment. John Roderick is simply a guy with his own personal opinions on the music he heard at Bonnaroo. Who is anyone to question his "credentials"? Who cares if he saw Phish play that killer Portland 12/8/99 YEM with the Tweezer vocal tease? Would it have enhanced his ability to enjoy the Widespread Panic show? No. Let the guy have his opinions, and if you're going to argue with them, at least do so in a respectful and thoughtful manner.

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Tim Long Island, NY — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:53:44 GMT

I'll tell you, fun is what you make of it. I am pretty anti-jamband but I had fun watching Michael Franti and Sound Tribe. Its all about your attitude going into what you are seeing. Of course the music has to be somewhat alright, but thats my opinion.

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E.J. — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:57:13 GMT

Actually, Fitz, I think what I said is attributed to Elvis Costello.

Zappa said, "Most rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read."

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E.J. — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:01:07 GMT

And to clarify, I agree with John's assessment of the show entirely. I was there myself and something just seems wrong. Not about people having fun, mind you. Something is wrong with playing every song in exactly the same key. That's fine if you're Philip Glass.

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LA, Cheytown, WY — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:19:31 GMT

Its all about your personal preference. I went to the first Bonnaroo and Widespread was one of the bigger acts to play there. I didnt attend the Widespread shows as there was more interesting music to me. That is what makes festivals like this such a good thing, a little bit of something for everyone.

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Claire, Brookline, MA — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:10:35 GMT

My point in posting wasn't just to respond to what was written, but to show MS-NBC that this guy wasn't the best person to have as a blogger at this event. If you read other entries, he took a pretty negative stance about most of the music and he spends a lot of time talking about how people looked and not about what they did.

Bonnaroo is arguably one of the best modern festivals and you wouldn't really know that from reading this blog. They should have gotten a veteran performer to write this blog.

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Coast Bob, Nashville, TN — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:38:52 GMT

Did anyone find my sweatpants?

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Matt Stairs — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:13:24 GMT

haha, from dork's band website.....
"John Roderick writes songs that make you feel like you’ve been talking to someone really interesting in an airport for the last hour and, although you know you’ll never see them again, you just told them your whole life story and a part of you will love them forever."
what the hell does that mean. oh, and read this guy's bio. he sounds like a real fun person. look how many people he's run off from his band.
really, it sounds like this guy doesnt really appreciate much.

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Emo Haircut — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:12:22 GMT

i just listened to John's music from his site. Here is my review.
My ears started to bleed, i started to cry, then i cut my wrists. All in all, it was really good.

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turd - the hood — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:14:01 GMT

My teeth are yellow and my head is going bald. Have you seen my punching bag?

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RNJAMMIN----kazakstan — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:34:30 GMT

I'm all about jambands. I coined the phrase "jamband" Now I don't want credit for it; they just keep giving it to me. My name says it all.....RNJAMMIN!

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fat joe (I WAS THERE!!) cocoa beach fl — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:36:54 GMT

definitely NOT the man for the job...he doesn't even know that its a four day festival...

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Sandy Vagenstein — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:41:43 GMT

widespread panic makes me beat my woman!

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junker..........The city of Compton — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:49:18 GMT

hey john roderick
here's a quote i pulled out of a review of your band's work.

"So, next time you see John Roderick, feel free to blame him for all the smog in Seattle. Because his music makes me want to guzzle gas like a Humvee. And I bet I'm not the only one."

Here's a link to the whole article if anyone's interested.

http://www.megwood.com/archive/johnroderick.html

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TrappedInTime....Team Panic Slut — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:52:21 GMT

if it wasn't for widespread panic my landing strip wouldn't be famous, i love WSP!!!!!!!

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Doctor Maxis — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:35:00 GMT

I think there is a better chance Schools will eat this article then he would like tempeh, get with the program jamstick

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georgejones — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:51:24 GMT

I want my discs sleepymonkey10!

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Tom Concannon Chattanooga,TN — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:45:17 GMT

As a patron I'd like to get a few things off my chest.
Tool should not have headlined it's own night. Without anybody else playing that night we had to take in David Cross who also phoned it in. The Police played a boringly short set just like listening to the radio. Saw Billy Joels offspring, looks like him and sounds like Christie awful. The Marley clan keeps raking in the money with very lame shows. Ben Harper also lame. 3 cheers for feist. John Butler trio.
Martha Waingwrigt music killed all good karma I had stored. painful set for me.

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Carl, NYC — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:06:35 GMT

anybody find my camera?! lost it during the flaming lips. haha. that's my sacrifice to the bonnaroo gods. hopefully some dirty hippie chick is enjoying it now.

anti-jamband here too. jambands are definitely getting less airtime compared to past years. still, i was a little disappointed this year in the line up. but meeting people and "activities" are half the fun so still had an awesome time.

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kendix — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:23:45 GMT

carl, you have jambands to thank for that festival.

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Jen Cinci — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:15:24 GMT

I went to the roo for the 2nd time this year and felt like last year was way better too but I think the biggest argument that I have is that the staff people were total jerks! I mean they were like screaming at people when they could have just asked nicely for whatever they needed. Also, some bald headed, fat baster*d staff guy took my blueberry and my bat! Since when is it wrong to bring a little relaxation to a show in the middle of a farm w/ no po po!? I have to agree about the Police but I thought Tool and The flamming Lips did really well. Just seemed way more commercialized this year.

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Brandi, St. Louis — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:46:05 GMT

I think everyone probably agrees that Bonnaroo has begun to put a different spin on the festival based on the different types of bands/genres that they now book. While it may have started out as a "jamband" festival, it is clearly going in a different direction and has been for at least 2 years. Since they are not just catering to one or two genres of music now, then you will have many different opinions from many different people about their Bonnaroo experience and the performance of the bands. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I've seen Widespread Panic a dozen times. I like some of it, I hate some it. My friends that are die-hard Panic love them but they must not have a problem with every one of their songs sounding exactly the same. I do have a problem with the lack of variety in their music, so myself am not a fan. The hipster kids these days who think they are flower children simply because they have dreads and roll around in the mud at festivals think that if you don't like Panic, then you're lame. That's probably because they don't know what real music and musicianship is -i.e. The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Talking Heads - because they are too young and can't reach back. Those are some of my favorite bands and I'm not even old (30). And just so you know, I have no problem with the kids who prefer to have matted hair - two of my best friends have been growing their dreads for 9 years and it's past their asses. Finally, I really don't think the term "jamband" should only be attached to the Widespread Panics of the music world. Bands have been jamming since the beginning of time people! It's a term that a lot of the kids use to convey the genre of music they enjoy but almost any band could be considered a "jamband".

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Brandi, St. Louis — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:49:06 GMT

...and I agree with you Jen...more commercialized every year.

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Nick WSP fan, lubbock, TX — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:06:34 GMT

Bonnaroo...too many people...WSP, its all about preference, I like the "ride", too many songs end with in 3-4 min. and you just want more! WSP takes you on a trip(no pun intended), and I for one love every min. of it!!! Sober or not!

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marc klink — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:28:40 GMT

And the music industry wonders why sales are down.

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Andy Martin — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:11:01 GMT

You don't smoke mushrooms "letters from a concerned follower". And, anyone who thinks that Keller Williams lyrical and musical genius isn't worth it unless you've "smoked mushrooms" (which makes you the dumbest person in this posting cycle) can burn with my doobie.

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chewie — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 05:23:36 GMT

Seen Widespread many times. Tom Petty was way better at jamming that wsp. Go see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Was one of the tightest bands I've ever seen and they can really jam. Just saw Buddy Guy a few days ago at red rocks. coincidentally WSP played their three days of what I like to call 'the motions'. You want to see some dudes that can freakin' jam. Go see either Buddy Guy or Tom Petty. If you want to buy or get busted for dope, buy a pipe, buy overpriced warm beer, buy pot brownies, get drunk and have a good time watching tone deaf hippies dance in sun dresses, then go to WSP. If you want to hear good music try something else.

Also the guy who said John Roderick got a bad review better read the whole review of his album(sounded like the dude really liked it. Junker took the statement way out of contrast).

BTW what did the hippie say when he ran out of LSD?

Man this band sucks.

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donnie — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:19:26 GMT

i've smoked mushrooms and i love the long winters

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lilwrangler — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:48:28 GMT

chewie = noob

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Jeni,Seattle — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:29:54 GMT

Everything John says is right. Forever and Ever. AMEN.

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music lover, Knoxville, Tennessee — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:30:12 GMT

I don't understand people that post negatively about a band. Why don't you just find a place to talk about the music that really does it for YOU! I like Wideapread amongst many many other bands and frankly don't give a shit if anyone else likes the boys.

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Joel Newport Vermont — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:44:52 GMT

I've seen WSP a load of times and they really do give me a sense of love. Most good jambands do, I personally never realy liked Bonaroo i went to the first three and wasn't all that impressed, and I love festies, and to that guy....(chewie) I've seen Petty at least a dozen times and I always get seriously bored...I don't know why...I like him on the radio...which is weird considering I don't like much on the radio and love listening to live shows...especially the ones I've been to...

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Adam, Omaha NE — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:00:05 GMT

I have seen panic many time, there is always a few who like to say its just a "bunch of hippies dancing in a sundress" but that fact of the matter is these people have never really seen a panic show, nor have they ever really heard panic jam. To come away from any show the boys have done with such a negative attitude and perception is completly ridiculous in my opinion, to me the shows are about the good times and the good people, if you don't want to get busted for dope, don't have any, if you don't want a pipe don't buy one, if you want to enjoy good people some of the best music since Jerry's time than go see a panic show, but go with a open mind, and try to sit back and enjoy the best music you can find on tour these days.

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clato, indiana — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:09:43 GMT

For they guy who said "hippie festival while they were smoking mushrooms" you don't smoke mushrooms you eat them. You smoke weed while watching jambands

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Danny Puchacz — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:39:10 GMT

Hi, I'm writing my senior paper about music festivals and I am interested in using this article as one of my sources, and would like to formally ask permission to use this article as a source. Please get back to me as soon as you can. Thank you so much.

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phishamus maximus — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:29:30 GMT

WSP is horrible. Jimmy Herring is a magnificent palayer with a stellar resume, however he should have his head examined for playing with these worthless white trash chumps from Georgia: and I can say that because i lived the first twenty four years of my life there. These guys are bad musicians and on top of that old fashioned dirt nuggets. Worst band ever.

Next, to everyone using the term jam, your a bunch of custies who fell into a genre named by media. Thank you for paying my bills all those years on tour. If you had givin WSP as much moneay as you gave me, Houser might be alive. I suppose his playing was so pitiful because it needed to match how pitiful he looked in his little chair.

Slayer is the best band ever, just ask trey.

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LadyLikesBeatlesSongs, Denver, CO — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:47:09 GMT

Everyone does have their own opinion and Thank God for that! If all these narrow-minded critics liked panic then widespread would not have the friendly following they do. I have never been so welcomed or met people as open-minded as panic fans. And for everyone saying that all their songs sound the same, I dare say you have not listened to ten percent of their songs. With over 200 I would say it is near impossible for them to all sound the same. I am continuously amazed at how different each song sounds every time. Really all I have to say is, "what other band can you watch play every show in a tour and never see the same show twice?" None that I have found except a few other jambands. I guess panic should release a cd and then go on tour playing the same twelve songs in the same order for every show in the tour. Then in between shows maybe the radio could put the cd on repeat like they do so well. That is when everyone would get the facts to back their statements like "they all sound the same". And whoever said panic got rich playing the same thing over and over obviously doesn't know alot about bands in this day and age. Panic has worked harder for their money than any band in my life. They spend well over half the year touring and could care less about the celebrity sale-out statis that brings the loot to most so-called musicians in this day and age! They have earned every penny. Look at most artists in the charts today. Americans are shelling out good money to hear the same celebrities sing the same tunes on a daily basis! But that is fine by me because the jamband world deserves only the most open minded and caring people as fans. Then if a tone-deaf hippie falls out after eating too much there will be a nice open-minded person standing next to them to pick them up and get them back on their feet!! And I have seen hundreds of shows! And I was sober for at least half! And Panic has been a successfull band for 20 years before Jimmy. It is all 6 of the boys that make the band! Panic changed my life and gave me hope in my darkest hour! If it wasnt for Widespread Panic I would have never known what a wonderful world it can be!!!
So I will leave you with my favorite parting words-
PEACE, LOVE, AND PANIC!!! (But if you dont want to no one is making you- the panic family will be stronger without the negative attitudes!)