moe.

at Mama Kin
by Jeb Taylor

Have you ever hung out in upstate New York? Did you ever see the movie Freaks? The combination of corporate headquarters, cheap breweries, kind computer games, and inbreeding, has produced a distinct breed of humans in the outer regions of Northeastern America. From these fertile loins springs moe, a rock band dedicated to great music and good times.

The second of three bands billed for the night at Mama Kin, moe came onstage rocking; funk bass popping, twin guitars wailing, and drumskins pounding. Sometimes compared to Phish and often lumped into the “jam band” category, moe acknowledges their influences while attempting to create something new, unique, and most importantly, fun. There were not too many people at Mama Kin when moe played, but everyone there boogied. After the first two tunes of moe’s set, bassist/singer Rob Derhak summed up a lot by saying, “We only have 45 minutes, so we’re going to dispense with all the bullshit and just play.” The rest of their set featured some songs from their CD, Headseed, including the spiritually-inclined “St. Augustine” and the instantly sing-a-longable but rocking “Timmy Tucker.” Jeez, even the title is catchy.