Homecoming kings

Whenever a big name rock band returns home to play a show, there is an undeniable electricity surging through the crowd.

When that hometown is Buffalo, and the concert is a make up date for a gig cancelled months prior, the anticipation soars off the scale.

Eager fans welcomed jam band veterans moe. back to the Town Ballroom this past Wednesday night to make up for a show postponed due to the infamous October blizzard.

"Sorry we kept you waiting so long," said guitarist Chuck Garvey after an explosive opening number. "This show is happening."

Across from Garvey was fellow guitarist Al Schnier who doubled on keyboards. The two ultra-talented guitarists frequently exchanged improvisational solos layered on the complex bass riffs and drumbeats of Rob Derhak and Vinnie Amico. Jim Loughlin peppered Amico's drum set playing with auxiliary percussion, making healthy use of some serious vibraphone chops.

Derhak attended UB, where moe. originally formed in the early '90s. Their collective sound is most comparable to artists such as Phish, the Dave Matthews Band and other rock acts who put a high emphasis on relaxed, improvisational jams throughout their show.

When considering the group, a true front man is hard to pinpoint. Derhak, Schnier and Garvey each took turns singing lead vocals, while the others layered the vocals with smooth harmony.

Even though the jam sessions accounted for many of the show's climactic moments, others came in the form of catchy sing along choruses like the early moe. classic "Threw it All Away."

The apropos "Bring it Back Home" was another highlight of the evening.

Due to moe.'s extensive career, they pull in an age-diverse crowd. Every generation, from high schoolers to 40-somethings, was represented at the Ballroom and all were fully excited to be dancing to the melodies of their hometown heroes.

The Buffalo quintet packed an impressive light show that accompanied their music with near-perfect synchronicity. As the concert progressed, more intricate lighting patterns were revealed and poured over the crowd, while layered white projection curtains served as the band's backdrop.

A few feet of elevated platform underneath Amico and Loughlin would have gone a long way to help visibility. From the floor level, the two percussionists were rarely in view. However, moving up to one of the venue's several general admission tiers made this an easy problem to fix.

The band, which began playing shows at Broadway Joe's on Main St., has since opened for the likes of Trey Anastasio, The Allman Brothers Band and the Dave Matthew's Band. Along the way, they've racked up three Jammy Awards, one for Best Live Set, which they won after the first of their three appearances at the legendary Bonaroo festival in Tennessee. They even rang in 2007 with a special New Year's Eve concert at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Their commitment to touring and spreading their art has built an extremely loyal fan base.

"I wouldn't miss a moe. concert," said Tiffany Dean, a sophomore human services major at GCC. "Me and my friends love music, and theirs is just really fun to dance to."

"Chuck is a god on guitar," added ECC sophomore Jeff Kuebrer. "Watching him is really unreal. In my opinion he's making the show right now."

Moe.'s set at the Town Ballroom stretched late into the night, lasting well over two and half hours with only one short intermission.

Earlier in the day, the band was kind enough to treat fans to a free in-store performance at New World Record on Elmwood Ave.

Their current tour, which includes some 15 domestic dates between now and late March, is promoting their twelfth major record release "The Conch" - the album just hit stores late last month.