Yonder Mountain String Band Energizes the Crowd at Chameleon
“PA holds it down” according to mandolin/vocalist of YMSB, Jeff Austin. It’s no wonder. Our state is mostly one big farm field with a few cities scattered across its landscape. Lancaster, unofficially the farm capital of PA, is almost required to enjoy bluegrass. Therefore, Yonder Mountain String Band fit right in when they rolled up on the Chameleon Club last Thursday night. Needless to say, the crowd was ready to get down. It must have been a perfect storm, the cool October air during harvest time and the talent of Yonder Mountain String Band which led to a late night of delicious bluegrass music.
With no opening act, the quartet started their picking around approximately 9pm. (We missed the very beginning due to forgotten driver’s licenses.) The first set was what you would expect from four dudes playing a banjo, upright bass, mandolin and guitar; a damn good time. People were dancing around, yee-hawing and noodling (hippy dancing). The first set’s end left the crowd wanting more and more of YMSB fast-paced uplifting blue grass.
The second set took off where the first left off. Progressively, YMSB’s continues further energized the crowd to the limits of crowd energy-zation. Everyone was dancing. You would have danced if you were there. The sound guys were even dancing. The crowd fed the band and the band fed the crowd and so this symbiotic relationship went, well into the night. The second set demonstrated the abilities of YMSB, who weaved together bluegrass tunes with Bob Marley tunes and epic jams. Needless to say, when the final tunes floated across the Chameleon, the crowd was satisfied and full of bluegrass, kind of like the feeling you get when you eat a three pound burrito.
If you get the chance, go see Yonder Mountain String Band. Also, if you’ve never had a three pound burrito, I would also recommend giving that a shot. Enjoy the pictures below.
