Maryland’s own Pigeons Playing Ping Pong returned to the West Coast, making a stop in Los Angeles last weekend for 2 sold out shows at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood. They brought with them Goose who have been making big waves in the jam world over the last year (and performing at Playin’ In The Sand with Dead & Company last month) who were making their first trip to the left coast. I decided I had to go check out what all the hub bub was about and if they live up to their street rep. Two words…they did.
I found my way to West Hollywood on a Friday night after 2 hours of OC-LA traffic. My long time friend Erik Koral had my ticket and we decided to meet up before hand for some food. Due to the above mentioned Friday night traffic, I found myself 20 minutes behind schedule and when I arrived discovered a line all the way down the block for the SOLD OUT show. Doors at 7:30pm, Goose at 8:15pm…looking like we were going to miss some of the opener.
I finally made my way through the line and into the venue about 20 minutes into Goose’s 75 min set and was instantly intrigued by their sound. Not that they were exclusively unique unto themselves; rather they wove a moe.-esque sound with their own unique spin on it. With brilliant keyboards, creative drum fills, solid bass lines and guitar leads that keep you dancing, Goose took us on a great jam filled 60 minutes (remember, I was late). One of my personal highlights was their cover of “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” by Billy Joel. Hey, I’m from NY…love the Joel. I’m looking forward to seeing much more from the Goose from Connecticut.
Set: Time to Flee, Creatures > Movin’ Out {1}, All I Need {2}, Don’t Do It {3}, Hot Tea
Coach’s Notes:
{1} Billy Joel
{2} Slow & melodic version of All I Need
{3} The Band
Photo by Brady Wayne Cooling
Next up, Pigeon’s Playing Ping Pong. Last time I saw PPPP was last year when they played at the Teragram Ballroom with The Higgs. They impressed me then. I came to see if they’d do it again. With their incredibly animated lead singer/guitarist, ’Scrambled’ Greg Ormont, Jeremy Schon on lead guitar who simply shreds, Alex ‘Gator’ Petropulos on drums and Ben Carrey on bass laying down the rhythms, PPPP proved they deliver every time they step in front of a crowd.
Photo by Brady Wayne Cooling
Two sets from PPPP took us on a musical journey weaving in and out of the lighter jam world of .moe into the heavy driving jams of Umphrey’s and back again. Having very little experience with PPPP, I’m not all that familiar with their originals. The second set “Penguins > Funkijam > Upfunk > Drums > Upfunk” was a highlight of mine as well as set closing “Sunny Day.”
Photo by Brady Wayne Cooling
February 7, 2020 @ Troubadour (Los Angeles, CA)
I: Whoopie, Porcupine, Henrietta, Around The World, Sail On, The Liquid, Water, Julia
II: Penguins > Funkijam > Upfunk > Drums > Upfunk, Horizon > Offshoot, Landing > Jam > Funky House*, Sunny Day
E: Ocean Flows
Notes:
SOLD OUT SHOW
* Funky Town / Brick House / Play That Funky Music mashup
Pigeons tour continues…see below for dates.
For more information on Goose visit: HERE
For more information on PPPP visit: HERE
More of Brady Wayne Cooling’s photos: HERE
