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Hey everyone, welcome back to Shecky's Jam Bands,

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the place where we dig deep into the bands that

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keep the spirit of improvisation, community,

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and straight -up grooves alive. Today we're heading

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into the tribal, spiritual, world -infused universe

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of a band that really carved out its own lane

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in the jam scene of the 90s and beyond. That's

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right, we're talking about Rusted Root. was formed

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back in 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by frontman

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Michael Glebicki. He was joined by percussionist

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Liz Berlin, bassist Patrick Norman, and a rotating

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cast of other talented musicians who built up

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the group's massive rhythmic sound. As for the

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name, Rusted Root reflects the earthy, grounded,

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organic vibe they were going for, something primal

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and rooted in the soil. but with a bit of grit

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and rawness too. It perfectly matches their sound,

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which blends rock, world music, African and Latin

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percussion, and good old jam band exploration.

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What makes Rusted Roops stand out is their multi

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-layered percussion and global influences. You

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don't just hear guitars and bass, you hear congas,

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bongos, and rhythms inspired by West African

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and Latin traditions. Combined with Glebicki's

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soaring musical vocals, and you've got something

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that feels both spiritual and festival -ready.

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If you're just getting into Rusted Root, here

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are a few must -listen tracks. First one is Send

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Me On My Way, their most famous tune. Chances

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are you've heard it in movies like Matilda, Ice

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Age, or even in a commercial. It's upbeat, joyful,

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and instantly recognizable. with that distinctive

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vocal chant. It's the perfect getaway track.

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Secondly, you should check out Ecstasy, one of

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their live show staples. It's funky, layered,

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and when they stretch this out on the stage,

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it becomes a true trance dance jam. Martyr is

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the next one, filled with both rock energy and

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spiritual undertones. This one shows their balance

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of message and groove. Lastly, definitely check

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out Back to Earth, a slower, beautifully melodic

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song that showcases the band's softer, spiritual

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side. These songs are just the beginning. The

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magic really happens when they're live. Now,

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let's talk about where RustaRoot really shines

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in their jams. Send Me On My Way, which is extended

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in multiple festival versions, When they stretch

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this one out live, it's not just a feel -good

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radio song anymore. They'll drop in percussion

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-only breakdowns, let the crowd clap along, and

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build it back with Glibicki improvising those

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signature wordless chants. It becomes this communal

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tribal dance party where you forget where the

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song began. You should also check out the jam,

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Ecstasy. in many of their live explorations.

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This is probably their most reliable jam vehicle.

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The groove will get locked in, then they layer

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in call and response percussion, often blending

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in snippets of other world rhythms. Sometimes

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they'll take it to the quieter side, almost meditative,

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before slamming it back into full ecstasy. No

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pun intended. Lastly, check out Cat Turned Blue.

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with many of their jam transitions. This one

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often morphs into extended jam segments in their

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sets. Buster Root is really good at using polyrhythms

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to create a trance -like atmosphere and they

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weave in melodic guitar lines on top. The key

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thing about their jams, it's not just noodling,

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it's rhythm driven, danceable, and spiritual.

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You'll leave sweaty, smiling, and maybe even

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feeling like you've touched a higher plane. Alright,

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some fun facts about Rusted Root for you. Their

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breakthrough album When I Woke in 1994 sold over

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three million copies, a huge number for a jam

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-leaning band in that era. They toured with the

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likes of Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, and

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even Santana. Their music has been licensed all

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over the place, from Matilda to Ice Age to commercials

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for enterprise software. Michael Globicki is

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still carrying the torch, touring both solo and

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with various Rusted Root lineups, keeping the

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spirit alive. Rusted Root isn't just a jam band,

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they're a cultural crossover band that make tribal

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grooves and world percussion cool in mainstream

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rock. So, if you're a jam fan who likes your

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music danceable, spiritual, and rhythmically

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explosive, Rusted Root deserves a place in your

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playlist. Throw an ecstasy from a live show,

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let the percussion wash you over, and you'll

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see what I mean. That's it for today's episode

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of Shecky's Jam Bands. Thanks for tuning in and

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remember, whether it's Fish, Goose, or Rusted

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Root, the jams are always alive and waiting for

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you to discover.