While the local band the Grove certainly doesn't look like its name, it functions quite the same. The Grove produces bushels of beats, jams and good times.
Neema Akbarzadeh, Christopher Coleman, Benjamin Garner, Benjamin Hoover, Alex Import, Jonathan Meadows and Erik Gonzalez are the seeds that make the Grove flourish. Blooming locally at such places as Mellow Mushroom and Michael's Bistro, the Grove brings to Charlottesville a great taste of jam and funk.
I recently caught up with the Grove during their show at Mellow Mushroom. The boys were friendly and excited, especially amped about the recent addition of a lightshow to their performance. As the music started, however, the audience paid little attention to the lights. The Grove began with a slower, groovy piece, but soon moved into more upbeat jams.
While the lightshow created a relaxed atmosphere, it was the musicians themselves who put the audience at ease. It was apparent that the band, while giving a polished and well-rehearsed show, was all about hanging out and jamming. Songs flowed easily and with smooth transitions.
Perhaps the band's greatest accomplishment is their ability to hold their audience. A common flaw of some jam bands is long songs that are sometimes uncreative and dull: conditions conducive to a bored audience. The Grove, however, never lingers too long or becomes monotonous. Rather, their forte is perfect timing, calculated key changes and melodies. Overall, the show was well-rehearsed but lacked any pretensions or stress.
What makes this band so easy to love and admire? Is there a secret to that kind of chemistry? Meadows (piano) asserted there is no secret.
"The chemistry is just there," he said. "We've never stopped playing in the year we've been together. We are all the greatest of friends and then that circulates outward."
"Playing with these guys eliminates any kind of tension," Garner (lead guitar and vocals) chimed in. "If problems come up, we can set them aside and head on stage and they all go away. Our music can do that."
The band completed the show just as I was making friends with other fans. Their music creates the perfect setting to feel good and mingle, while also being technically well-made and creative.
To place the Grove in any kind of musical genre would prove far too constrictive. Perhaps a better way to describe the jam band is just good, fun music.
The Grove, when not in C'ville, can be found in Richmond at Carey St. Café, or, on a more exciting note, opening for reggae band Culture at the NORVA in Norfolk. Check 'em out while they're fresh.
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