Widespread Panic has been performing concerts together for more than 30 years, selling out Red Rocks 50 times during this span and becoming one of America’s premier touring bands.
They have broken attendance records at major venues, with 18 sellouts at Atlanta’s Philips Arena, UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans and Birmingham’s Oak Mountain Amphitheatre alone.
The Band
Widespread Panic was formed in Athens, Georgia by vocalist/guitarist John Bell, bassist Michael Houser and drummer Dave Schools in 1985; after recruiting Todd Nance for an Aid for Africa benefit show held at Athens’ Mad Hatter Ballroom early 1986 – its inaugural show ever! – the band began performing together.
That year, they released their self-titled album on Landslide label and began touring extensively, garnering rave reviews from local press. Local press took notice and applauded their musical virtuosity, songwriting ability and professionalism.
After joining producer Terry Manning, Panic quickly formed an indestructible bond, leading to two studio albums Light Fuse Get Away and Til the Medicine Takes Over. Live, they are known for holding an audience of thousands spellbound while maintaining an intimacy similar to that of a basement punk club. Panic has headlined festivals such as New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival eight times as well as setting attendance records at venues like Philips Arena in Atlanta and Oak Mountain Amphitheater near Birmingham.
The Style
Widespread Panic defies genre boundaries. Their guitar sound has evolved from string bending and warped notes to more traditional riffing style while still embodying their signature sense of grace that characterizes their music.
Athens was an ideal environment for Widespread Panic musicians to hone their craft, having hosted the likes of R.E.M, Pylon, Vic Chesnutt and Indigo Girls as creative projects, without the cutthroat competition seen elsewhere in music meccas. Widespread Panic developed its collective approach to live performance as members collaborated together.
Michael Houser and Todd Nance led their band through their songs with precision, but encouraged other members of the ensemble to explore various sounds and experiment. For instance, guitarist Jimmy Herring would often play loosely so that his strings could bend and vibrate freely; creating an innovative sound signature to the group.
The Music
Widespread Panic has built their success on their unorthodox music style and unconventional performance style, leading them to become one of the nation’s premier jam bands. Operating without record label, Widespread Panic have amassed an immense fan base through extensive touring and online promotion.
Widespread Panic has long been celebrated for their signature blend of Southern rock, jazz-fusion, and New Orleans R&B. Their lineup features bassist Dave Schools with his leviathan tone and infinity groove; drummer Todd Nance’s powerful rhythm; percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz’s pop beat; keyboardist JoJo Hermann with her soulful moans, as well as drummer Todd Nance who holds it together; all combined together create one powerful sound encompassing Southern rock, jazz-fusion, New Orleans R&B; after losing guitarist Michael Houser to cancer, Widespread Panic quickly regrouped with another lineup and continued touring relentlessly.
Widespread Panic has performed at numerous major venues and amphitheatres across North America, holding the record for most sold-out shows at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Their albums such as Bombs and Butterflies, Everyday, Ain’t Life Grand and Til the Medicine Takes offer both improvisational music as well as songwriting talent, while live recordings add another layer.
The Tours
As they pursued their mission and music without significant commercial success, the band developed an enthusiastic following through relentless touring. By regularly switching up their set lists and permitting fans to tape shows for fans-tapper, many thousands of websites dedicated to their mission and music have emerged online over time. Finally, an innovative revenue stream provided by offering authorized recordings from each show for sale generated over $12 Million since 2006.
Widespread Panic debuted as Widespread Panic at Mad Hatter Ballroom in Athens, Georgia in 1986 with vocalist/guitarist John Bell, bassist Dave Schools and late lead guitarist Michael Houser (deceased). Shortly afterwards drummer Todd Nance joined along with percussionist Domingo Ortiz and keyboardist JoJo Hermann.
Widespread Panic has earned comparisons to famous jam bands like Grateful Dead and Phish, due to their eclectic blend of funk, blues and progressive rock influences. Widespread Panic is best known for their jaw-dropping psychedelic lights during live shows featuring an improvisational style that requires quick programming adaption as well as technical finesse – something Grateful Dead and Phish are also known for.
