What's up Jam Fam? Welcome to Shecky's Jam Bands,
the only podcast that measures time in 20 -minute
drum solos. I'm your host Shecky and today we're
talking about a band that sounds like a mad scientist
through a disco ball, a heavy metal vest, and
a jazz textbook into a blender. I'm talking about
Colorado's own Eminence Ensemble. These guys
didn't just meet at a festival. They've been
in the trenches together since they were kids
in Summit County, Colorado. The original corps
Justin Neely, Nick Baum, Zach Flynn and Tanner
Barden actually started out as rivals in middle
school bands. Imagine that, a bunch of middle
schoolers staring each other down at a battle
of the bands like it was West Side Story, but
with more braces and worse guitar tuning. Eventually
they realized they were better together, moved
down the mountain to CU Boulder and started playing
house parties that probably took years off the
neighbors lives. Now, how did they get their
name? It wasn't some deep psychedelic vision
quest. Around 2009, they had their first real
gig booked but didn't have a name yet. In a classic
move, of we need it to print up the posters in
five minutes, they literally flipped through
a dictionary, landed on Eminence Ensemble, and
said, yeah, that sounds fancy enough to get us
paid. It's a good thing they didn't land on enema
or eggplant. This would be a very different podcast
if that had been their name. If you're new to
EE experience, You need to hear these two live
staples that perfectly capture their progressive
jam rock vibe. So many days, see it live. This
is an absolute marathon track often stretching
over 14 minutes in a live setting. It's a perfect
introduction because it showcases their dual
guitar harmonies and those heavy bass drops that
make your teeth rattle. It's the kind of song
that starts out as a polite conversation and
ends up in full -blown sonic riot. The second
one you should check out, again a live song,
Forbidden Fruit, usually played in two parts.
This is where their funk and electronic influences
really shine. It's got that slick Miami Vice
synth energy, but with a raw improvisational
edge that proves they aren't just playing notes.
They're exploring the galaxy. Some unique facts.
Well, the Sixth Man, while they started as a
quartet, they evolved into six people. Will Snyder
on keys, Dylan Gleit on guitar, replacing earlier
members. They're known as the Homie Band. They
are deeply embedded in the Colorado scene, often
sharing the stage with local legends like the
Magic Beans, which I just covered a couple of
episodes ago. or titans like Umphrey's McGee,
which I actually reviewed in the first season.
And lastly, there's Studio Rats. Unlike jam bands
that fear the record button, these guys are obsessed
with the studio. For their 2024 album, Inside
Looking Out, they reportedly narrowed down a
list of over 150 recordings to find the perfect
tracks. That's real dedication. Bottom line,
if you like your jams with a side of complexity
and a heavy helping of Colorado soul, check out
Eminence Ensemble. Just don't try to look them
up in the dictionary. You'll get distracted by
the words enthusiasm, which is exactly what these
guys bring to every stage. This is Shecky's Jam
Bands. We'll catch you next time on the rail.
Stay jammy.