FORUM
We would like to set up a forum for discussion groups here. However, this is going to take a little while for technical reasons (and our complete lack of experience in the subject). For the moment, if you have questions or comments, send them to us at jams@jambandseurope.com We will post them here and even try to answer them, if we can. Otherwise you can join us on FACEBOOK and participate in a forum there, or you can also check out the following discussion groups:
(at the Grateful Dead's official webpage dead.net)
(a yahoo group, not just for tape trading)
Le Forum Français du Grateful Dead
(in French obviously)
(message board in German)
(in Spanish)
What's a Jam Band?
That's a reasonable question, and one not easily answered by the bands themselves. Many clearly "Jam" bands are reluctant to accept the tag and many bands which at first glance one wouldn't think of necessarily as "Jam" eagerly identify themselves as ones.
The short answer is Jam Bands are bands that jam. That is to
say, bands whose calling card is the spontaneity and energy of their live
performances and especially their penchant for musical improvisation. The idea
that each concert is unique and that the music is being made right before your
eyes ears is what differentiates jam band music from other live
music.
Obviously there are no hard and fast rules, but most jam bands share a few traits in common, such as:
Jam Bands often include improvisational jams throughout their shows. These can be within a song, as a segue between two songs, or as a song in itself.
Jam bands tend to have an extensive repertory of original music, covers and traditional songs reworked into their own style. Songs are rotated through the set list so that each night's concert has a different lineup of songs. (Some bands are known to go on stage without any set list at all, choosing songs as the show unfolds)
Jam Band music has no boundaries and the artists often combine various musical genres to arrive at their own unique sound. Although historically what has come to be called Jam Band Music has been associated with American rock music, the current jam band scene includes reggae, electronic, jazz and even hip hop.
Jam band musicians are notoriously promiscuous, musically. Aside from playing in the main band, individual musicians will often have multiple side projects, playing in other bands as well as their own solo work. Guest appearances at other bands shows are frequent.
Jam Bands tend to be "taper friendly", meaning they allow their live concerts to be recorded freely for non-commercial purposes, and encourage "tape trading" as a way to disseminate their music, although each band has their own policy. (Most bands also offer soundboard quality downloads of their concerts; these are, however, off limits for "tape trading" and are treated just as any other official recording)
If you have some other ideas about what makes a Jam Band, please let us know. We'll post it here.