A Perfect Mess

I don't know about you, but there is nothing I like more right now than Breakfast. More specifically, The Breakfast. The Breakfast started way back in 1998 in East Haven, CT originally as The Psychedelic Breakfast, a play on the Pink Floyd song Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast. They released their first album in 1999. There have been some lineup changes here and there, but the one thing that has always remained consistent when someone talks about the band is how freaking GOOD they are. The Breakfast is comprised of some of the most intensely talented players within and well outside the jam scene. Tim Palmieri, best known for his incredible work with Kung Fu and Z3, is on guitar. Adrian Tramontano, also of Kung Fu as well as about a million other projects and instruments because he’s that good, is on drums. Chris DeAngelis, also of Kung Fu as well as his solo project LoEndFreque , is on bass. Jordan Giangreco, who has played all over as well including in Viral Sound, is on keys. Ev

It’s another year, another festival season, and we at A Perfect Mess are gearing up for Disc Jam! Three years ago, Eric and I made our way up to our first Disc Jam and found not only some incredible new artist experiences, but we found new friends and a favorite place to land every summer. The great layout and seamless stage transitions showed us what could be done with the right components in place, and we look forward to this festival now every single year. Our last two Disc Jam experiences have been simply epic for us and we are so excited to see what is in store for us come June 2019 in Stephentown. The lineup dropped in three parts this year, bringing us some exciting new acts as well as returning champions that we can’t wait to enjoy. Favorites like Kung Fu, Aqueous, Consider the Source, and Lotus are back this year, including the return of the very missed and much anticipated DOPAPOD! (did you hear me scream that? Because I totally did...) Mihali will be there sans T

Last year at Disc Jam, we happened to catch the guys in Fake Flowers Real Dirt doing their thing on stage and we have been fans ever since. This Baltimore band has a sound that blends funk, hip-hop, and groovy throwback jam vibes with soul infusions that keep feet tapping and bodies moving. Their stage presence was fantastic. I have to admit that I have been chomping at the bit a little bit for some new music from them. Naturally then I was THRILLED when I was asked to give a listen and a watch to the band's new politically charged track, "Upside Your Head". Right out of the gate, this track is fire. It's got a solid intensity while still maintaining the wicked groove that Fake Flowers Real Dirt does so well. The vibe is awesome and vocal on this track is killer. Listen to the words because it's important! This song is speaking a whole lot of truth for our current conditions. It's my personal opinion (obviously, as is this whole blog) but there are not

Montage Mountain is about to get a whole lot sweeter this coming July with the return of the Peach Music Festival! This year's lineup is sure to delight the eyes, the ears, and the soul with its blend of jam, funk, and electronic flavors spread over four days and gorgeous Pennsylvanian grounds. Come and get down at The Peach Music Festival  this year, July 25 to July 28 in Scranton, PA! The big headliners at Peach are usually amazing, and this year didn't let anyone down. Phil Lesh and Friends, featuring Warren Haynes, John Scofield, and John Molo have the main headlining spot this year. Attendees can also enjoy two sets of the Trey Anastasio Band and three sets of The String Cheese Incident. I mean - seriously! That right there is enough for a mind blowing festival, but Peach is barely getting started with the headliners. Greensky Bluegrass, moe., Lotus, Blues Traveler, Lettuce, Stephen Marley, The Marcus King Band, Aqueous, Fruition, Big Something…I’m not even halfway

Michigan’s own funktactular groove band  Desmond Jones is back with a brand new single called “Still Creatures” off their upcoming release “Hello, Helou” , due out this summer. One of my favorite reviews of the last few years, these guys have an incredible funky movement coated in jazz flavors and laced with jam tones . There is a freshness to their sound that catches and sticks with you. Their last release, 2017’s self-titled album, was a fantastic blend of their signature sound and wonderful lighthearted take on the world. Their new stuff is looking like a fantastic and exploratory evolution for the band, and I couldn’t be more excited for that new stuff to hit. The seven song album consists of songs written by four different band members and recorded with live strings, added percussion, and all sorts of studio experimentation.  This new track, “Still Creatures”,   is a fantastic example of what the band has been creating. It starts right in all jazzy and smooth with

Philadelphia is a lovely city full of delightful people, wonderful history, a big statue of Rocky, and this incredible Italian pork sandwich that beats out any cheese steak I ever had. Don't take my word for it, go eat one. Beyond all that though is an inventive and lively music scene comprised of great venues and some massive talent. Always in the mood for something new, I was recently introduced to the dreamy space jam sounds of Muscle Tough . These guys have a new record out called Modern Romance and if you dig those space-heavy jams like I do, this might just be your bag right here. This is the third record for the trio, following up their 2016 EP release, " Greasin’ Up The Mediocrity Wheel” and 2017’s full length, “Magical Achievements” . The band has had some great guest appearances and played with some heavy hitters on stage, and has been reviewed as a delightful and hilarious band to catch. They are obviously good at what they do musically and have some incred

Disc Jam Music Festival Announces Initial 2019 Lineup Festival Celebrates 9th year with 4 nights of Music, Camping and Disc Golf June 6-9, 2019 at Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, NY Tickets on sale NOW at  discjammusicfestival.com (Stephentown, NY) Disc Jam Music Festival has announced the initial lineup for the 9 th annual festival, held at Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, NY just minutes from the Massachusetts border. The music-filled weekend will features more than 70 artists, along with Disc Golf Tournaments, Flow Tribe performances, food and craft vending, yoga and wellness workshops and much more over the weekend of June 6-9, 2019. The 2019 Disc Jam Phase 1 music lineup brings the best of national touring acts with regional favorites from the funk and jam scenes of the Northeast, as well as unique collaborations and side projects. Headliners include Lotus with Barber of The Disco Biscuits and Friends, The Floozies, John Kadlecik & The West

The Prizefighters are a Midwest rocksteady force to be reckoned with, and I have no problem saying they are leaders in their genre right now as a still fairly young band. I first heard them in the infancy of this blog when I reviewed their record Follow My Sound back in 2012. Not long after that, this blog went on a hiatus for a couple years while this band continued to build their mastery of the ska and rocksteady sound. This is no exaggeration. The Prizefighters have been a backing band for respected legends like Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole and Patsy Todd , Roy Panton and Yvonne Harrison , just to name a few. They have teamed up with legendary harmonica player and vocalist Charlie Organaire on a trio of 45rpm singles (released on Jump Up! Records) and a European tour. When it comes to an American band injecting real authenticity into a Jamaican sound, the Prizefighters have done more than their share of homework. They present this respectfully and as authentically as p

I love a good local show. Local shows are a treat for me where I live in NJ. You see, usually we have to trek into New York City for shows and that requires an astronomical toll, parking which can also be pricy, and a commute that from where we live is a good 40 minutes WITHOUT traffic. Traffic is a way of life. This is New Jersey, after all. To make matters even more complicated though, I live in rural NJ – Sussex County, to be exact. We don’t have too many venues in my corner, so when we actually get a great band to come through, it’s a must that you get your booty there for some shaking. This is especially true if that band is Kung Fu . The last time the guys blessed us with their funky presence was on their Fez tour and I had to miss it. Balls. So there was really just no way in hell that was happening this time. I would have paid all my dollars and probably an internal organ to be there. Thankfully neither was necessary on this random winter Thursday, and we made our way to

Festival dates are slowly stacking up solid on the web and A Perfect Mess is here to keep them neatly in one place for you! As we get word of dates and information, we will keep this list running and updated. If YOU have dates, please send them over to us so we can keep the list updated and growing. Have a new festival? Want it listed? Want it promoted? Send us the info! Do you want your festival covered by the folks at A Perfect Mess? We can be there! Send us the info! Scroll down past these sillies for the most current list: 2019 Festival Season Cheat Sheet    Sorted by date  - Northeast      March 22 - March 23 The Finger Lakes Thaw Ithaca, NY fingerlakesthaw.com Multi-Venue, Music April 25 - April 28 Some Kind of Jam Schuylkill Haven, PA www.jibberjazz.com Music, Camping, Workshops May 16 - May 19 Froggy Daze Music Festival Narrowsburg, NY www.peacepadproductions.com Music, Camping May 16 - May 18 Camp Jam In the Pines Hammonton, NJ www.cji