FreeVerse

Tommy taking it to the streets

FreeVerse is back.

We're digging deep into some of our favorite original songs while stretching out on the jam-heavy covers you know and love. No set list is ever set in stone, and every show takes on a life of its own. One minute we might be laying into a nasty blues groove, the next we're chasing a psychedelic improvisation, and before you know it, you're dancing to a funk classic you forgot you loved.

Expect soulful blues, deep-pocket funk, swirling psychedelic rock, and a healthy dose of musical spontaneity. Don't be surprised if a rare deep cut sneaks into the mix or a timeless classic gets turned inside out. Every show is different. That's the fun of it.

If we had to describe the vibe, imagine Jerry Garcia cruising in a pink Cadillac with George Clinton on the radio, David Byrne riding shotgun, and they're headed downtown to catch Widespread Panic on a warm summer night in Argenta.

Free Your Verse Within.

See you August 21 at Four Quarter: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GvpWLD4iC/

Last night we had a stellar rehearsal. Looking forward to letting these tunes take flight tonight.

We have added a special guest Daniel Csege on trombone who mixes really well with John Wier on trumpet.

A few weeks ago, an old dear friend of mine, Dave Williams, started writing eloquently about playing music with his son and sharing his general thoughts on music. I absolutely loved the way he wrote and the enthusiasm he put into his voice through the art of writing. I recognize that I can’t compete with Dave and the wordsmith he is, but I have an amazing number of stories and insights that are golden—and might entertain you. I want to start getting some of these things out. They’ll be included in my book, tentatively titled Things That Have Happened.

Today, I wanted to write a story about the Rev Room. We’re playing a show there this weekend, and it will be an amazing affair. I’m super jazzed for the opportunity. Thankfully, Chris has given us multiple out-of-this-world opportunities in this room, and I always think about them when I step inside the space.

The Rev Room is a special place for LR. It has hosted so many talented regional and national musicians. It’s right in the perfect spot—smack downtown on the corner of the River Market. The vibe is inviting and wide open. You just feel like you can let it rip when you’re onstage.

One crazy memory I have was when FreeVerse played with Bernie Worrell around St. Patty’s Day many years back. We were so honored for this spot. I mean, we adored Parliament Funkadelic and cut our teeth learning how to play funk music. Sharing that love for funk was always connected to people like Bernie. He helped create those sounds and that crazy music many moons ago.

Also, FreeVerse has always been connected to Talking Heads. Brent and I were forever changed listening to a Halloween show in ’96 where Phish covered Remain in Light, and things have never been the same since. We’ve always incorporated Heads music and feeling into everything we do and will do. Needless to say, this was our dream opening spot.

Soundcheck was crazy. Just watching Bernie do his thing—listening to his sounds, checking out his keys and equipment—we were in heaven. We set up afterward but were careful not to infringe on his space. Often the soundchecks are the best times to catch some wild, unbridled music because there’s zero pressure, so it flows. This day was the same.

After soundcheck, we all went over to the restaurant side. We got to eat dinner with Bernie and his band. They were all awesome, but wow—Bernie was so humble and easy to talk to. He didn’t make it weird. He was kind and genuine. You could feel it. He had played so much legendary music and so many jams. It just oozed from him.

Sensing an opportunity, I asked him, “Hey Bernie, the local hometown fans will lose their minds if you get up and play ‘Life During Wartime’ with us!” FreeVerse had been honing that song for years in clubs, and it was a dance favorite—one of our staples and a guaranteed crowd igniter.

Bernie held his hands up and said, “It depends on my hands.” He explained that he had terrible arthritis from years of playing, and he needed to save his hands for their show. If he felt okay, he’d try, but no promises. I totally respected that. Honestly, it felt like a polite way of saying no.

We start the show. Things are getting wild. The crowd is getting hotter after each song. People keep yelling, more people are dancing, and the energy is fire in the Rev Room. Some nights start that way from the jump—this was one of those nights.

We get to the last song of the set. I start the opening riff to “Life During Wartime,” and people are losing it. I mean, I don’t know what I’m doing differently, but this is a new reaction, and I want more of it. I dig in a little more and turn to my left…

Bernie is walking onstage.

That’s why everyone is freaking out.

He jumps right in and annihilates the song with us. He does a whole ad-lib about our band. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. His sounds were like alien spaceships on stage, taking the music higher. His presence lifted everything. It was unreal.

His band later told us he hadn’t performed that song in years. Afterward, he was so kind and encouraged me to keep playing, saying he loved our music and our vibe. Man… this is the stuff that keeps you going.

Listen—none of this would have been possible without the Rev Room. It created the space for it to happen. Chris and Suzon allowed it to happen. The fans allowed it to happen. I have so many stories like this.

Come see us play One More Saturday Night. If you’ve read all of this, come see us—and allow it to happen again.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEDVKutc2C/?igsh=MmkzOGQwdHkwM2g5

FreeVerse cant wait for One more Saturday Night at the Rev Room on June 27th. We have a special night planned!! #freeverselive #revroom #gratefuldead #jerrygarcia #onemoresaturdaynight