Hey, hey, jam lovers. Welcome back to another
episode of Shecky's Jam Bands, where we take
a deep dive into the best grooves, improvisations,
and stories in the world of jam. Today we're
talking about a band that's carved out their
own corner of the jam universe with a blend of
rock, funk, psychedelic, and just enough weirdness
to keep things beautifully unpredictable. That's
right, we're talking about Big Something. Big
something formed back in 2009 in Burlington,
North Carolina. The core lineup includes Nick
McDaniels on vocals and guitar, Jesse Hensley
on lead guitar, Doug Marshall on bass, Casey
Cranford on sax and EWI, which is electronic
wind instrument, and Josh Cagle on keys and trumpet,
and lastly, Ben Vinograd on drums. The band originally
started playing under the name Anonymous, but
later shifted to Big Something, a name that captures
the band's personality perfectly. Playful, tongue
-in -cheek, and a little mysterious. When people
asked what kind of band they are, instead of
boxing themselves into one genre, they simply
said, we're a Big Something, and it's stuck.
What makes Big Something so compelling is their
versatility. They'll slide from high -energy
funk to spacey psychedelia, then hit you hard
with rock riffs, all within a single set. Think
Fish meets Talking Heads with a splash of Umphrey's
McGee. Some of the key songs to check out, especially
if you're new to Big Something. Number one is
Mega London, one of their signature songs, a
funk rock monster that's become a live favorite.
The riff is catchy and the lyrics are quirky.
The jam potential is massive. Secondly, Tumbleweed,
a great introduction to their more psychedelic,
expansive side. It's a song that really opens
up live. Third song you should check out is called
Song for Us, a more heartfelt melodic piece that
shows their more emotional range. Lastly, you
should check out Blue Dream. a deep -cut fan
favorite, hypnotic and spacey, often stretching
well beyond its studio version in live performances.
Alright, let's talk about what really matters
to the Jamheads, our live experiences. Big Something's
jams are known for storytelling arcs. They'll
start with a tight groove, building layers of
tension, exploding into soaring guitar peaks
and then settling into funky, danceable releases.
Here are some particularly unforgettable jam
moments. Firstly is Mega London at the Big Watt
Festival. Their self -hosted festival is legendary.
And at one of the editions, they stretched Mega
London into 20 plus minutes, which was a real
odyssey, and had everything. jazz -influenced
sax solos, a nasty funk breakdown, a dual guitar
peak that reminded everyone why this band is
a force. Secondly, you have to check out Tumbleweed,
which transitions into the Talking Heads' Girlfriend
is Better, Big Something loves weaving in creative
covers mid -jam, and this segue was a perfect
example of their quirky sense of fun and genre
-bending chops. Lastly, their improvised sci
-fi jams, thanks to J .C. Cranford and his EWI
instrument, which is again, an electrical wind
instrument, Big Something often dives into futuristic,
synth -driven territory, layering spacey textures
on top of traditional rock instrumentation. These
jams make them feel like they're scoring a sci
-fi movie in real time. Let's talk about some
unique facts and the brand personality. They
host their own annual music festival called The
Big What, which has become a staple for jam fans
in the Southeast. It's more than just a festival.
It's a community celebration of music, art, and
good vibes. Secondly, they've shared the stage
with heavy hitters like the B -52s, Humphreys
McGee, Galactic, and Mo, proving that they can
hold their own with jam scene veterans. Their
blend of instruments, particularly the sax and
EWI, sets them apart from other jam bands who
stick with more traditional setups. They're known
for their quirky humor, both their lyrics and
their stage presence. They don't take themselves
too seriously, and it makes their shows feel
more like a party than a performance. So if you
haven't already, dive into Big Something, They're
a band that can make you laugh, dance, and get
lost in a 25 minute jam all in the same set.
Whether it's the funky punch of Mega London,
the expansive beauty of Tumbleweed, or the unpredictable
jams that take you on a ride, Big Something is
exactly what their name suggests. A big something
in the jam scene that you cannot ignore. That's
it for today's episode of Shecky's Jam Bands.
Hit me up with your favorite big something jams
and let me know what band you want to hear about
next. Until then, keep grooving, keep jamming,
and keep it weird.