Alan and the Alligators - Reptile Rock

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There is a part of me that will always want to like Jam Bands. They do a lot of things that I like in music in that they incorporate elements from disparate genres, they respect musical skill, and create positive music that makes reality seem less painful than it actually is. If there is another reason for music I usually don’t want to hear about it. That said they do a lot that pisses me the fuck off. The extended, self congratulatory soloing is usually what ends up driving me away. The average Jam song contains two minutes of lyrics and nineteen minutes of soloing, generally consisting of a gentle, major key masturbation that builds to thirty more seconds of lyrics and tie-dye spooge.

At a more basic level there is the odd paradox of a genre that prides itself on openness to multiple genres that simultaneously acts as if popular music stopped in 1968. Though blues, jazz, reggae, even funk and fucking acapella make their marks, Punk, metal, electronica, all might as well not have ever existed as far as Jam Bands are concerned. This leads to an impression that the bands are afraid of admitting the existence of anything dark or gritty in the world. Though many bands, particularly Phish, actually deal very directly with issues of political corruption and murder, the wider genre, as is so often the case, fails miserably to live up to the more subtle messages of their forbearers.

I suppose this is a really good time to discuss the history of the genre. The first Jam Band was the Grateful Dead, whose fans would often follow the band around. In the 80s the band Phish began attracting some of these fans to their concerts, and this core of groupies began to also follow other like minded bands around. As a result, what had been the personal style of one band within the psychedelic rock scene was expanded to the point of stereotype, and began to represent a full genre to itself. This process is not unique, but may be a core element of what makes genres form. Rock, Ska, even Punk have points where it could be argued all actors were being inspired by one particularly successful or influential actor.

The downside of this process is that the average actor in a given genre fails to achieve the artistic punch of their heroes. The Grateful Dead discuss directly the negative aspects of drug culture, modernity, and humanity itself, in addition to a number of uplifting songs. The stereotype of a Jam Band Fan being someone who is deeply involved in the drug culture, the average jam band seems to have blinders in relation to its dark sides, and the songs tend to avoid insolvable problems in favor of long solos that feature a guy demonstrating his prowess at tapping.

As a person who consumes music it becomes necessary to find a way to deal with a genre on its own terms, or else become the kind of person who writes off entire genres as a rule. I really hate Jam Bands, but I also cannot justify hating all Jam Bands. Phish and the Grateful Dead have some really great moments, and I want to think that some of those they inspired have some talent in song writing as well as musical masturbation.

Oh hey. Did I already make a masturbation joke? Hmm. Maybe I should switch it up.

Phish and the Grateful Dead have some really great moments, and I want to think that some of those they inspired have some talent in song writing as well as musical circle-jerks. Indeed my faith has been rewarded on occasion. Dispatch is a pretty famous Jam Band that I do not particularly care for. During the 2004 election their main song writer formed what amounted to a Jam-Punk hybrid called State Radio. “The Flag Of The Shriners” EP is actually one of the most brilliant moments of that brilliant year. The subsequent albums sucked, unfortunately, but that one EP is worth finding and buying.

Alan and the Alligators are no State Radio. This is from their web site:

Alan and The Alligators is a three-piece Boston area band providing live entertainment since 1989 and is one of New England’s best bands for any event. Audiences appreciate our versatility, full sound, and talent for playing popular cover songs and catchy, danceable original songs. Our exciting performance style and expert musicianship has made us a popular live act. We love to play!

Our music is a mix of original and cover rock, funk, blues, R&B, dance, jazz, pop, jam band, folk music and other assorted fun music.  We can augment our typical three-piece instrumentation to be a four-, five-, or six-piece band by adding keyboards, second guitar, or saxophone.

They go on to discuss the variety of Bat Mitzvas and car shows they have played over the years.

            First off I would not have pegged these guys as a Boston band. Not even as a “Boston Area” band (their contact info says concord, though they also list themselves as Boston-Worcester). They sing everything with a rather noticeable southern twang that is all too common to mediocre Jams Bands. It’s as if everyone in a certain generation decided that the only genuine American experience is in the south or west. The album came out in 2000, but it is pretty clear that they used a stock photo of the band from the arly 90s for the album photos. I mean, no one wears their hair like 80s metal bands anymore right?

Right?

The album actually gave me some pause. This isn’t like life changing but it is feel good music and god knows I could use something to feel good about in my life. And hell, in the thank you section one of them thanks his students. That’s pretty sweet, and kind of reminds me of my old bass teacher. So I am not going to say they are bad. If you are into Jam Bands they are totally going to make you happy. They are musically very talented and I particularly give props to their bassist for some pretty sweet lines. But my god. Guys. Between 1983 and 1988 the CIA was selling heavy weapons to Iranian Fundamentalists in order to buy drugs from Nicaraguan Fascists and sell it in the inner city of the United States, they were caught and tried on live TV and let off because Ollie North said he did it for his country. Doesn’t that PISS YOU OFF? Can I get ANY KIND OF RECOGNITION THAT THE WORLD KIND OF SUCKS?

Also Alan? We don’t care that you can tap. Move on.