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Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
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One of the many neo-hippie jam bands inheriting the road-warrior mantle left behind by the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic established a devout grassroots following on the strength of constant touring and a loose, rootsy brand of Southern rock informed by jazz and blues textures. The group's origins date to 1982, when vocalist John Bell and guitarist Mike Houser first began playing together while attending college in Athens, GA. When bassist Dave Schools left academia to join the duo the next year, Widespread Panic was officially born. The band recorded their debut single, "Coconut Image," in 1986; drummer Todd Nance joined soon after, followed by the addition of percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz and finally keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann.

Widespread Panic released their energetic debut LP, Space Wrangler, in 1988 on the tiny Landslide label. After several years of relentless touring, they signed to major label Capricorn, which issued the group's eponymously titled sophomore effort in 1991. Appearances on the 1992 and 1993 H.O.R.D.E. tours greatly expanded their fan base prior to 1993's Everyday, while 1994's Ain't Life Grand spawned the AOR hits "Airplane" and "Can't Get High." After teaming with fellow Georgian Vic Chesnutt to record 1995's Nine High a Pallet under the name Brute, Widespread Panic reconvened for the album Bombs and Butterflies, released in 1997. In the spring of 1998, the band released Light Fuse, Get Away, and Til the Medicine Takes followed a year later. Another Joyous Occasion (2000) and Don't Tell the Band (2001) marked the band's first albums of the new millennium. In June 2002, Widespread Panic returned to the road for their annual summer tour of the States, but within a month, founding member and lead guitarist Michael Houser had to bow out. Houser was battling cancer and returned home to Athens, GA, to rest while guitarist George McConnell stepped in to finish the tour. On August 10, 2002, Houser succumbed to complications from pancreatic cancer at the age of 40.

Houser's wish was that the band would carry on after his passing, and with McConnell becoming a permanent replacement, Widespread Panic did just that. Their next full-length album, Ball was released in April of 2003. Night of Joy and Über Cobra, both of which appeared in late March 2004, featured live selections from two of the band's shows at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC, while they toured in support of Ball. It marked Widespread Panic's second and third live efforts, follow-ups up to 2000's Another Joyous Occasion. They returned to the studio later that year for the Halloween-themed covers record Jackassolantern, and again in 2006 for Earth to America. Free Somehow, the band's tenth studio album (and first with newcomer guitarist Jimmy Herring), followed in early 2008. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Widespread Panic
One of the many neo-hippie jam bands inheriting the road-warrior mantle left behind by the Grateful ...
Songs: 481, Videos: 12, Playlists: 23, Blog Posts: 64, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Fan Comments

Oct 11th, 5:33pm
What a show last night in Birmingham you guys rocked!
Oct 24th, 2:59am
Thanx for adding me! Cant wait to see you guys down here in miami this coming week for two nights at the filmore!!!!!!!!
Oct 3rd, 4:33pm
Panic Fans in New Orleans! I'm psyched for the 2 nights at UNO... just wanted to give you all a heads up on some late night shows after Panic.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Big Sam's Funky Nation at Tipitina's French Quarter (10/31)
Hill Country Revue w/ members of North Miss. AllStars at Tips... (11/1)
Soul Rebels Brass Band at Blue Nile (11/1)
keep the momentum!
Aug 11th, 5:56pm
having some trouble listening above, only works for thirty seconds. keep on truckin, will see you soon!
Jul 23rd, 4:29am
PANIC, you guys are absolutely killing it this summer man, caught you at rothbury with anne marie calhoun trading off licks with herring, absolutely seamless. Missed you close to home in rochester, although i shot down to cleveland friday, simply put it was grate. Good stuff all around. Further on boys, FURTHER ON.
Jul 18th, 9:05pm
Digin the new vocal harmony on 1X1 yall, JOJO 1X1,JB 1X1,DAS 1X1. Im loving it : )
Great job!
Jul 9th, 11:33pm
LA was awesome! Rothbury set was killer. I can't wait for Outside Lands!!!
Jul 5th, 11:59am
thanks for adding me! you are awesome! love your music! peace~
May 8th, 6:35am
great to see Panic in New Orleans again!
Apr 25th, 9:34pm

WoWzErS.....lotsa rawhsome tuneage you graciously share here in Meemland.....thankies♥♠♥