Concertwire.com

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 band recorded their debut single, "Coconut Image," in 1986. Widespread Panic released their energetic debut LP, Space Wrangler, in 1988; after several years of relentless touring, they signed to major label Capricorn, which issued the group's eponymous 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 Vic Chesnutt to record 1995's Nine High a Pallet under the name Brute, WP reconvened for the album Bombs and Butterflies, released in 1997. In the spring of 1998, the band released Light Fuse, Get Away. 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. Their next full-length album, Ball was released in April of 2003. They returned to the studio later that year for the Halloween-themed covers record Jackassolantern and again in 2006 for Earth to America. Jimmy Herring (The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead and the Aquarium Rescue Unit) brings a fresh dynamic to the band as lead guitarist. They are on tour now in support of their 10th studio album, Free Somehow.