One The Road: The Bean

The night began with some old tunes that haven't been played in quit some time. The band clearly had fun jamming them out. They opened with one of the very first songs they ever started playing together, "Going Blind" It definitely set the tone for the rest of the 26 song jam packed set list that sent the crowd home happy. During the first set, the guys pulled out a very young and new song called "Flags of White" and although it is still in baby steps it is clearly becoming a fan favorite alike. The band mates played an extended first set to help get loose and settled for what became without fear of doubt one of the best concerts in the history of the legendary JR Bean Saloon.

NUMB is one word to describe what some of the NMB heads claimed they felt after the night closed. The band all played back and forth with each other to help create a stunning visual as well a unique funk sound. At one moment during "The Life" The band just broke out unexpectedly like a pimple into this fast jam with an insanely gut wrenching ending. At another moment during "Lover Inside" the band slowed the song to a stop allowing Matthew Rutler's Syth Guitar to play a few lines while Nate Mott held the vocals. As the crowd thought the song was finished the band started slowly bringing it back into the regular tempo and EVG and Hoyt joined back in. At the end of the song Nate dedicated it to two of the band's biggest fans and thanked them for their continued support.

Willow Medley which has made a musical journey back into the band's routine set list was taken to an entire new level. Matthew Rutler's guitaring created such a sensuous stage presents that the crowd literally bombarded him with high fives and chants after the song. The band came into the beginning of his solo very quietly, he began finger picking and mixing all his effects when all of a sudden he was at this level of craziness. He violently ran over to his drummer and they definitely had a wild moment where they were completely in line with each other. Hoyt was crashing his symbols as Matthew Rutler was shredding something not human. He then turned to Nate Mott and he too morphed into the wild. The band broke back down and Matthew Rutler has this effect that he mixes through his guitar and for a few moments makes him sound like he is a DJ scratching records. Then the band built it back up as Nate Mott ripped out these powerful and emotional vocals. INSANE!

Composed was more out of control then it usually is. During the song Matthew Rutler got onto the microphone and told the crowd how during the last set break he met someone in the venue and asked him if he could do another solo on stage for him. So Matthew Rutler told him he had a special trick just for him. He did something on his pedals and recorded a solo, played it back then went back to the microphone and told the fan that he could play with no hands. So he pushed some button on his pedal and raised his hands up into the air. As the recorded solo played out the crowd did the same and the super fan was greatly appreciative.

Before the night was over the band pulled out the newest song "Vast Expanses" The song has only been played three times and it has already become a sensation. The vocals and lyrics are addictive and the band has some powerful dynamic parts to back it up. The band left the stage for what they thought was an incredible night but they returned shortly after because of the "Encore chants" to close the house down with "Patience" What a night! Thank you to all who came out. Be sure to get over to Gillette Stadium next Friday because Matthew Rutler and Nate Mott will be doing an acoustic duo show. Seeing the pair live are very different than full band and are incredible to go and experience. Don't miss it. See you all next year at the next show!!!!!!

Cheers,

Happy Holidays!

NMB CREW!