Hey everyone, welcome back to Shecky's Jam Bands,
the place where we dig deep into the bands that
keep the spirit of improvisation, community,
and straight -up grooves alive. Today we're heading
into the tribal, spiritual, world -infused universe
of a band that really carved out its own lane
in the jam scene of the 90s and beyond. That's
right, we're talking about Rusted Root. was formed
back in 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by frontman
Michael Glebicki. He was joined by percussionist
Liz Berlin, bassist Patrick Norman, and a rotating
cast of other talented musicians who built up
the group's massive rhythmic sound. As for the
name, Rusted Root reflects the earthy, grounded,
organic vibe they were going for, something primal
and rooted in the soil. but with a bit of grit
and rawness too. It perfectly matches their sound,
which blends rock, world music, African and Latin
percussion, and good old jam band exploration.
What makes Rusted Roops stand out is their multi
-layered percussion and global influences. You
don't just hear guitars and bass, you hear congas,
bongos, and rhythms inspired by West African
and Latin traditions. Combined with Glebicki's
soaring musical vocals, and you've got something
that feels both spiritual and festival -ready.
If you're just getting into Rusted Root, here
are a few must -listen tracks. First one is Send
Me On My Way, their most famous tune. Chances
are you've heard it in movies like Matilda, Ice
Age, or even in a commercial. It's upbeat, joyful,
and instantly recognizable. with that distinctive
vocal chant. It's the perfect getaway track.
Secondly, you should check out Ecstasy, one of
their live show staples. It's funky, layered,
and when they stretch this out on the stage,
it becomes a true trance dance jam. Martyr is
the next one, filled with both rock energy and
spiritual undertones. This one shows their balance
of message and groove. Lastly, definitely check
out Back to Earth, a slower, beautifully melodic
song that showcases the band's softer, spiritual
side. These songs are just the beginning. The
magic really happens when they're live. Now,
let's talk about where RustaRoot really shines
in their jams. Send Me On My Way, which is extended
in multiple festival versions, When they stretch
this one out live, it's not just a feel -good
radio song anymore. They'll drop in percussion
-only breakdowns, let the crowd clap along, and
build it back with Glibicki improvising those
signature wordless chants. It becomes this communal
tribal dance party where you forget where the
song began. You should also check out the jam,
Ecstasy. in many of their live explorations.
This is probably their most reliable jam vehicle.
The groove will get locked in, then they layer
in call and response percussion, often blending
in snippets of other world rhythms. Sometimes
they'll take it to the quieter side, almost meditative,
before slamming it back into full ecstasy. No
pun intended. Lastly, check out Cat Turned Blue.
with many of their jam transitions. This one
often morphs into extended jam segments in their
sets. Buster Root is really good at using polyrhythms
to create a trance -like atmosphere and they
weave in melodic guitar lines on top. The key
thing about their jams, it's not just noodling,
it's rhythm driven, danceable, and spiritual.
You'll leave sweaty, smiling, and maybe even
feeling like you've touched a higher plane. Alright,
some fun facts about Rusted Root for you. Their
breakthrough album When I Woke in 1994 sold over
three million copies, a huge number for a jam
-leaning band in that era. They toured with the
likes of Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, and
even Santana. Their music has been licensed all
over the place, from Matilda to Ice Age to commercials
for enterprise software. Michael Globicki is
still carrying the torch, touring both solo and
with various Rusted Root lineups, keeping the
spirit alive. Rusted Root isn't just a jam band,
they're a cultural crossover band that make tribal
grooves and world percussion cool in mainstream
rock. So, if you're a jam fan who likes your
music danceable, spiritual, and rhythmically
explosive, Rusted Root deserves a place in your
playlist. Throw an ecstasy from a live show,
let the percussion wash you over, and you'll
see what I mean. That's it for today's episode
of Shecky's Jam Bands. Thanks for tuning in and
remember, whether it's Fish, Goose, or Rusted
Root, the jams are always alive and waiting for
you to discover.