Widespread Panic: Behind the Jam on the Band's Tour Bus

Singer John Bell shows off his bunk, plus the books and journals he keeps nearby to pass the time on the road (and write a few songs).

What lurks in the cupboard on the Widespread Panic bus? Sardines, Truffle oil and plenty of cereal.

Widespread Panic with their bus in March 1987 — John Bell tells some tales of the old days, when he was the band's driver and mechanic.

WSP discuss what it's like to be tagged as a jam band.

Axeman Jimmy Herring joined the band last year following a couple of replacements for the group's original guitarist, Michael Houser, who died in 2002. Check out Bell discussing his new bandmate's skills and Herring obsessing over chord mathematics.

Take a tour of the back of the bus and find out who does the band's laundry.

Find out why Bell refers to the group's tour itinerary as "The Book of Lies!"

The band has never played the same set twice — hear how they plot their shows.

Bell discusses New Orleans, the city where he met his wife and, after donating money to help rebuild after the Katrina disaster, became buddies with Brad Pitt.

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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