Guster

from:               Boston, MA
website:           www.guster.com
myspace:         www.myspace.com/guster

This year's Austin City Limits Festival was going to be my first Guster show.  Somehow, in the 10+ years the band has been around, I never managed to make it out to see them - despite the fact that they were always clearly a band that I would enjoy.  But I'm happy to say that I'm writing this preview on the heels of my very first Guster show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and while I'll be skipping most bands I've already seen in favor of a newcomer at the festival, seeing Guster already has actually secured the group a spot in my busy ACL schedule.

Guster was originally formed in 1992, a year after Ryan Miller (guitars/vocals), Adam Gardner (guitars/vocals) and Brian Rosenworcel (drums/perscussion) met during freshman orientation at Tufts University in Boston.  The band's first release, 1994's Parachute, was actually released independently while the boys were still in college, and their second album, the similarly independent Goldfly, followed in 1997.  Around that time, Guster began to generate some major label interest, and in 1998 they were signed to Sire Records, who re-released the group's sophomore effort.

My interest in Guster first perked upon the release of their third album, Lost and Gone Forever.  The Steve Lillywhite-produced record was well-backed by the band's new major label, and I began hearing catchy songs like "Barrel of a Gun" and "Fa Fa" on the radio (and at this point, I probably began playing them on my own radio show).  Unfortunately, I also knew Guster's "number one fan!" and his enthusiasm and encouragement pushed me to the point of avoiding the band's music.  Luckily, 2003's Keep It Together was too great a record to avoid, and upon the first time I heard "Careful," I was completely sucked in.

Guster is a foursome now, after Nashville's own Joe Pisapia joined the band following the release of Keep It Together as a full-time member contributing bass, guitar, keyboard, banjo, harmonica, and backup vocals.  His contributions are evident both on the band's newest record, this year's Ganging Up On the Sun, as well as on stage, where he fits in perfectly with the original three members.  On stage the band appears to just be a fun-loving group of friends who stumbled upon a huge audience - only their obvious musical abilities and comfort on stage betray the fact that they have been doing this for more than ten years.  Casual and funny banter with the audience, catchy songs that you can't help move along with, and a driving line of rhythm courtesy of Rosenworcel the "Thundergod" (he plays a variety of percussion including congas, bongos and cymbals primarily with only his hands) combine to create a live experience that will keep a smile plastered across your face.  Of course, when you're not singing along.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Guster at the festival - while nothing beats sitting (almost) front and center in the Ryman Auditorium, I think it will be a blast seeing the band outdoors, with a crowd of people that I'm sure won't be able to avoid dancing (or singing along).  Guster is definitely one band I can guarantee will put on a great show at the festival, so hopefully I'll see you in the crowd.

"Careful" (from Keep It Together)
"Fa-Fa" (from Lost and Gone Forever)
 

Comments

[janeane]

I looooove this band! I really hope I can make it to the festival to see them; I've tried many times to make it to their shows but not once have I not had a conflict!
Mad props!