Wow.  This will be my fourth year in a row attending the Gathering of the Vibes music festival (July 31-Aug 3, 2008 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT).  Before I write any sort of preview for the Vibes, I want to list a few of the artists to be performing: Phil Lesh and Friends, Bill Kreutzman Trio, The Black Crowes, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival, Umphrey's McGee, Zappa Plays Zappa, as well as past favorites like Deep Banana Blackout, Dark Star Orchestra, Donna Jean and the Tricksters, Assembly of Dust, Strangefolk, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and many more.

I will take this opportunity to say that I'm really happy to see Phil Lesh this year (though I do love Bob Weir as well).  Phil Lesh is probably the most fun to see of the living members of the Grateful Dead, and he hasn't played this festival since his only GOTV appearance in 2002.  I'm excited to see what he brings to the Vibes, and with Phil and Friends, you never know who might come on stage. The Vibes is devoted to preserving the memory of Jerry Garcia, and now it is in its 13th year.   It is a premier festival in my opinion, which has a great family atmosphere topped by some of the best live music out there.  This years' all-star lineup seems particularly special.  I only say that because every year it seems to get better, and I'm looking forward to seeing almost EVERY artist on the bill.

I'm particularly excited to see my old favorite… Umphrey's McGee.  They have never been to the Vibes, so this should be a welcoming experience for them.  They have been churning away now with 4 studio albums out, and as well as their live album, "Live at the Murat."  They never cease to amaze me on stage with their songwriting and technical precision.

There are other artists I'm also looking forward to.  Deep Banana Blackout has become the staple of great funk music to at the Vibes.  They really know how to have fun on stage, and it's music that is so easy to enjoy.  Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi should be a wonderfully synergistic combination of artists I've never seen together.  There's also a band to note called the Alternate Routes.  I played a show with them at the Lions Den in 2005, and I remember digging the band both on and off stage, but I haven't seen them since.  They seem to have wandered their way into the Vibes, so they are surely worth a chance.

There's a lot of artists I haven't seen this year, as well as some great ones that I can't get enough of.  All I can say is that I can't wait to set up my tent and fire up the old camping grill.  Rock on

Corey J. Feldman

I chose to take a closer look at the Alternate Routes because of this band's intrigue.  The Gathering of the Vibes is apparently a homecoming festival performance as they grew to their current stature from Bridgeport, CT. 

The Alternate Routes' music sits snuggly somewhere in the genre of "rock music." They have a uniquely melodic, up-beat sound, and they sometimes stray into the realm pop music.  At moments I am reminded of John Butler's driving beats and voice, whereas sometimes the songs are more like a heartfelt R.E.M. throwback.  And there always seems to be a loving dose of the Beatles.  Either way they are speaking to a refreshing, deeper side of pop and rock music.

Strangely enough, I wouldn't classify the Alternate Routes as alternative, especially with singer Tim Warren's voice, which is powerful but somewhat soft on the ears.  Their first full-length album, Good and Reckless and True, features his often delicate-sounding voice forcefully spanning his impressive range.

The band's history playing shows and recording music has bought them a spotlight with some great artists.  Good and Reckless and True was produced by Jay Joyce (John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, Derek Trucks), and they've shared the stage with O.A.R., Marc Broussard, and Duncan Sheik.

Also, an interesting side note - the Alternate Routes tell a story about how a trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino turned a $200 gig payment into almost $2000 so they could finance their second EP.  That's pretty badass if you ask me, and I want to see them play a show again (it's been 3 years since I saw them in NY, and I barely remember what my band sounded like back then).  I wish good vibes upon the Alternate Routes.