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Widespread Panic: Go Behind the Jam on the Band’s Tour Bus

5/9/08, 7:06 pm EST

Widespread Panic released their tenth studio album this year, Free Somehow, a record of riff-heavy jams and howling psychedelic ballads. But the band has never been defined by albums, but their endless touring and cult of loyal fans. For more than 20 years they have lived on the road, performing up to 250 shows a year — and never playing the same set list twice. They hold sell-out records at several venues around the country including the Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver (23 shows), and have been on the list of the top 50 grossing tour bands for eight consecutive years.

On a recent stop in New York, guitarist-singer John Bell, new guitarist Jimmy Herring and percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz discussed memories from the road, critical road-trip food, and of course, the art of the jam. Click here to watch a series of videos as Rock Daily boards their tour bus for some intimate chats with Widespread Panic.


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Comments

g8r | 5/12/2008, 12:31 pm EST

These guys are the most under-rated band in the universe!!! ROCK ON BOYS!! SEE YA IN CHARLOTTE~~~

Panic Fans help rebuildin N.O. | 5/12/2008, 1:06 pm EST

Fans of Widespread Panic have come together in an effort to do our part to help rebuild New Orleans. Not only has the city been good to the band, it has been very kind to its fans. Fans from the popular site http://panicfreaks.org have created “The House that Widespread Panic Fans Built” team as part of the Make It Right Foundation. By coming together and donating, the fans are trying to do their part.

If you would like to donate, you can follow the link below to donate.

Once you select your donation amount, then you can select which Team/House you want to donate to. Scroll down and look for our team.

http://www.makeitrightn ola.org/mir_S…nate&page=main

Ricky | 5/12/2008, 4:04 pm EST

WSP is all that is good in the world.

stephen | 5/13/2008, 11:49 am EST

Best of the Best!!! There is no comparasion, and the rest of the music world should take note!!!

chad | 5/13/2008, 12:46 pm EST

great view of the boys behind the scenes, panic friggin’ rocks. see ya’ll in knoxville

Christian Akers 912 | 5/13/2008, 2:11 pm EST

Widespread has helped me get through rough times in my life. Their music has has a big part of my life.

cspusateri | 5/13/2008, 6:43 pm EST

Long live panic!

Gordon | 5/15/2008, 10:33 pm EST

It is about time Rolling Stone paid Panic a little attention. Let’s hope they continue to stay on the magazine’s radar. Maybe the fact that they know Brad Pitt will anoint them as “cool” in the minds of the magazine’s music editors (though I doubt it). Nevertheless, WE LOVE PANIC OUT OREGON WAY!!!

trouthead | 5/16/2008, 12:27 pm EST

An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken them this far! There is not a more underrated band out there, but my favorite thing about that is the band doesn’t care. Keep spreadin the jams boys.

Jon Lee | 5/29/2008, 3:57 pm EST

I love your music! Thanks guys for touring without Mickey. I can’t believe yall didn’t stop the tour back when he had to leave the band. Yall never seem to stop amazing me. Thank you George and Jimmy we love yall! Will yall ever quit? I hope not! God bless WSP!!!

Jon Lee | 5/29/2008, 3:58 pm EST

I love your music! Thanks guys for touring without Mickey. I can’t believe yall didn’t stop the tour back when he had to leave the band. Yall never seem to stop amazing me. Thank you George and Jimmy we love yall! Will yall ever quit? I hope not! God bless WSP!!!

truckin97 | 6/13/2008, 5:14 pm EST

panic is the best. good to see them getting recognized, have been watching them since 95. hands down the best live band around

mundy | 6/30/2008, 8:19 pm EST

There is not another band in the world that has better fans than Panic!! Everyone takes care of each other!! I have been seeing concerts for 30 years and I always have more fun at Panic shows than an other. The last 3 nights at Red Rocks were outragous!!
Peace, Love and Panic

fred | 7/9/2008, 8:53 am EST

makin’ my skin crawl since ‘88.
rock on!!!

Pat Barham | 12/4/2008, 9:56 am EST

I’ve seen panic for over 20 shows, i know that is not a big number for the tenured spreadheads, but this band has perfected their art and it is always a pleasure to get to see them live. Keep coming to Walnut Creek and Charlotte and if you can, Koka Booth in Raleigh….

Please give us just a few more years before you stop touring!

P

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