Doug Van Pelt

GMA

I had a great time last week in Nashville at the annual GMA convention -- really! Had some good business meetings that might substantially help HM grow, and saw some great live sets. It was no surprise that mewithoutyou put on a stellar show -- complete with 100+ rose pedals. What was a shock, though, was hearing that the guys in a certain band had change its sound to reflect more of an Eastern and Middle Eastern vibe, courtesty of the guitarist purchasing a sitar and learning to play it the last 9 months or so. When they came out and immediately launched into two new songs, I was floored. It was simply fantastic -- Benjamin's low Layne Staley-like vox, ocassional chant-like atonal yowls and 12-string bass super low end accompanied by that slippery and twangy sitar were just dreamy and rockin. GS Megaphone has given itself a facelift. It worked, baby! Robert Randolph & The Family Band proved to be another HUGE highlight. I wish his set could've been 3+ hours long! More later. Gotta get back to work on our July/August issue...