WEBVTT 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:25.859 Hey Jamheads, welcome back to another episode 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:29.460 of Shecky's Jam Bandings. The show where we dive 00:00:29.460 --> 00:00:31.980 deep into the grooves, the magic, and the madness 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:36.799 of jam band scene. Today, we're heading to Prescott, 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:39.840 Arizona to talk about a band that's steadily 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.600 climbing the ranks of the jam community with 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:45.840 their explosive improvisation and fearless set 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:50.740 lists. We're talking about Spafford. Let's get 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:54.179 into their backstory. Spafford formed back in 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:58.380 2009 when guitarist and vocalist Brian Moss met 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:01.700 bassist Jordan Fairless at an open mic night 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:05.799 in Prescott. The two hit it off instantly. Brian 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:09.920 had this soaring guitar tone and knack for taking 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:13.659 solos into uncharted territory, while Jordan 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:16.519 brought a steady but adventurous bass groove. 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:21.859 They later added a drummer, Nick and keyboardist, 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:25.819 Andrew Red Johnson, locking in that signature 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:30.560 Spafford sound. Equal parts funk, rock, jazz 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:35.799 fusion, and psychedelia. The name Spafford, let's 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:39.560 talk about how the name was formed. It wasn't 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.739 some deep cosmic revelation. Spafford actually 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:46.099 comes from a friend's last name. The band thought 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:49.700 it would sound unique, memorable, and just odd 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:53.519 enough to stick out on a festival lineup. And 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:57.319 yes, it does. You see Spafford on a poster and 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:00.420 you think, who are these guys? And then you see 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:04.299 him live and you're hooked. Some key songs to 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:07.000 check out, especially if you're new to Spafford. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.539 Here are a few tracks you should dive into. Number 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:14.139 one is Electric Taco Stand. It's a quintessential 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:17.860 Spafford jam vehicle. full of tight grooves and 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:22.080 wide -open improv space. Secondly, America, a 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:25.259 heartfelt melodic journey that showcases their 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:29.219 songwriting chops. Third, Leave the Light On, 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:33.039 a monster jam song that can stretch past 30 minutes 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:37.419 in concert. And fourth, the song you should check 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:42.419 out, is Ain't That Wrong, full of funk, upbeat, 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:48.129 and just plain fun. a crowd favorite. Now, Spafford 00:02:48.129 --> 00:02:50.830 is all about the moment, and here are some legendary 00:02:50.830 --> 00:02:54.009 jams that you should seek out on streaming archives. 00:02:54.530 --> 00:02:57.289 The first one is Leave the Light On, which took 00:02:57.289 --> 00:03:01.409 place at Brooklyn Bowl in 2019. This one's about 00:03:01.409 --> 00:03:05.569 30 minutes. It just goes on and on for 30 minutes, 00:03:05.830 --> 00:03:08.389 and they start slow and patient, building the 00:03:08.389 --> 00:03:11.490 tension until Moss launches into a triumphant, 00:03:11.689 --> 00:03:14.689 sustained guitar peak that has the crowd roaring. 00:03:14.969 --> 00:03:18.629 Then without warning they drop into a dark synth 00:03:18.629 --> 00:03:22.129 heavy groove courtesy of red before circling 00:03:22.129 --> 00:03:25.349 back to the main theme in a massive euphoric 00:03:25.349 --> 00:03:29.330 burst. Secondly, the second jam you should check 00:03:29.330 --> 00:03:33.009 out is Electric Taco Stand. And that was back 00:03:33.009 --> 00:03:39.330 in January 26, 2018. This is pure Spafford Jam 00:03:39.330 --> 00:03:42.990 Wizardry. They sandwich an odd time signature 00:03:42.990 --> 00:03:46.069 funk jam right in the middle of their signature 00:03:46.069 --> 00:03:49.569 tune, taking the audience from bouncy dance vibes 00:03:49.569 --> 00:03:53.870 into heady space funk territory and then back 00:03:53.870 --> 00:03:56.569 again seamlessly. The third one you should check 00:03:56.569 --> 00:04:01.550 out is called All In in Ogden Theater in 2017. 00:04:02.009 --> 00:04:04.189 If you want to hear how they can stretch out 00:04:04.189 --> 00:04:07.849 and weave melodies into an epic journey, this 00:04:07.849 --> 00:04:11.069 is the one for you. It's got a slow build intro, 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:15.180 multiple improv sections and a final guitar run 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:17.939 that feels like a stadium -sized victory lap. 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:22.199 The last one is rarely played but unforgettable. 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:26.220 It's called B Jam and it took place in 2016 in 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:30.220 Flagstaff. It starts jazzy and mellow and turns 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:34.040 into a face -melting psychedelic jam with multiple 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:37.199 tempo changes. Here's some unique facts about 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:40.709 Spafford. Spafford is known for on -the -fly 00:04:40.709 --> 00:04:43.910 set lists, so no rigid plan. They let the energy 00:04:43.910 --> 00:04:47.009 of the night dictate the jams. Secondly, their 00:04:47.009 --> 00:04:51.189 fans, affectionately called spaff nerds, trade 00:04:51.189 --> 00:04:55.310 show recordings and live reviews religiously. 00:04:55.889 --> 00:04:58.529 They've shared stages with jam giants like Umphrey's 00:04:58.529 --> 00:05:01.670 McGee and Disco Biscuits, but they keep it tight 00:05:01.670 --> 00:05:05.889 -knit and they keep it very grassroots with their 00:05:05.889 --> 00:05:10.839 fan community. So, if you like your jams adventurous, 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.060 your grooves irresistible, and your live shows 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:17.160 unpredictable, Spafford should be high on your 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:19.980 radar. These guys aren't just playing songs, 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.699 they're building journeys one note at a time. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:26.000 Alright folks, that's today's deep dive. Next 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.519 time on Shecky's Jam Bands, we'll explore another 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:32.860 hidden gem of the scene. Until then, keep it 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.759 loose, keep it loud, and keep on jamming.