Before I even saw The Disco Biscuits’ set, I had heard many a Bisco attendee refer to the Biscuits as a jam band. The term was also applied to bands like Phish (a real favorite amongst the Bisco masses), thoughI had no idea what a jam band actually sounded like. It turns out listening to the Biscuits play live was all the definition I needed for the term jam band.
Standing with the crowd as the Disco Biscuits performed was a little bit like floating in an ocean of music. That sounds a little fluffy and cliché but it’s the best way I can think to describe it. The very brief pauses between songs were the only indication to me that what the Biscuits were playing was not one long song. Granted, free beer will make everything seem like one long song but throughout the Biscuits’ set, I caught myself thinking about how amazing it was that this band had a set that sounded like a 2 hours long song yet crossed several genres and still had the biggest Bisco crowd.
The song one guy in the crowd identified for me as Helicopters was the first song Layna and I saw the Biscuits perform and it was the one, out of their whole set, that caught my attention the most. It casually drifted from smooth and chill to bass-heavy and thrilling, all while keeping the crowd thoroughly entertained. Helicopters, and really all of the Disco Biscuits’ set, did a fantastic job of showing off how real musical skill can thrill you, chill you, and fulfill you.
In fact, it was this that struck me the most about the Biscuits: their sheer skill. It was the main reason why they stood apart from the crazy electronic dubstep artists of which Camp Bisco is full. While Skrillex is having a seizure at his turntables, The Disco Biscuits are getting lost in music that they create using actual instruments. They’re a jam band, so they get up there on stage and just fuckin jam and it’s brilliant.
While I do wish I had seen Skrillex’s set, I’m glad I got to write a good review for a band that deserves it. If you didn’t get a chance to check out the Disco Biscuits at Camp Bisco this year, they run that shit so be sure to come to camp next year for the star players.
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