Two Nights with Tribe (STS9)
Red Rocks appearance numbers 20 and 21 have come and gone for STS9, and what a weekend it was! Before we really get into it, there are a couple things that I need to get out of the way. First, for some of the older, more intense Tribe fans, this weekend’s sets were of a sort of polarizing nature. Second, if it wasn’t clear with that designation, I am not an older, more intense Tribe fan. I have seen them a solid handful of times but have only started to truly connect with their music more recently, so it is accurate to say my expectations for the weekend were slightly less fine-tuned and less specific than some. I just wanted to see some badass music, and I got to do just that.
The band set the tone for the weekend’s spacey disco jam spectacular from the moment they stepped on stage as all the members took their places donning space helmets, ready for launch. The opening tune,”Supercluster” was fitting as the first track, since it was the first song on the new album, and it was also the first time it had ever been performed live. After dipping into new album The Universe Inside for the opener, the band continued for the second song, playing “Out of this World.” After working through a few older tunes, the band landed in the middle of a monster “Gobnugget” jam that gave way to “Between the Sheets.” Originally an Isley Brothers song, this tune also provided the beat for Biggie’s “Big Poppa;” the band put their own twist on that classic G-Funk ’90s rap sound while longtime Tribe contributor Miss Maureen Murphy stepped on stage and brought a live vocal element to the show I had not before heard.
Not long after, the first set came to a close, initially with a version of “Vibyl” that included a Grand Master Flash sample-centric jam, capping it off with STS9’s cover of Nina Simone’s recording of “Feelin’ Good.”
The second set opened with an ethereal “Simulator” jam, into “Grow,” the guitar solo from which built up a frenzy that seemed to explode during the cosmic-funk that was the “Rabble > Call Jam > Rabble” run. The band worked their way through a few more tunes before settling in on a super-jammed-out “MOD” that had the crowd singing along to the guitar riff.
Night one came to a close after the band re-emerged from backstage, having walked off initially at the end of funky, keys-heavy “World Go Round.” This time, bass player Alana Rocklin appeared having ditched her typical over-the-shoulder instrument for a stand-up bass, working through “Better Days” with Maureen Murphy reappearing, providing live vocals, then, finally, performing the never-before-played song off the new album “Light Years.” And that was that, night one in the books.
The second night was overall similar to the first, lots of big jams (“Circus” was absolutely out of control), covers ranging from classics such as Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” to the more modern sounds of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” Maureen Murphy continuously blew the metaphorical doors off the place, but she had a little help. Night one found Murphy doing all the heavy lifting alone in terms of vocals, whereas night two she had some company to the tune of six backup singers, really freeing her to let loose on a number of tracks.
The night closed, again with Rocklin on the stand-up bass for the second- and third-to-last songs, dropping it in favor of her typical bass for the “Itzamana” finale.
At one point, drummer Zach Velmer picked up the mic to address the crowd:
“Can I get real with you guys real quick? I don’t think words can describe how the five of us feel that we get to do this for you guys. I hope you guys feel as good as we do. It’s because of you guys we do this together. It’s because of music; this is for you guys. This is our twentieth show here; we just put out a new record; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Tribe played a lot of music this weekend. They played covers, old stuff, new stuff, new versions of old stuff and old versions of new stuff. But as the adage goes, you can’t please everyone. As mentioned earlier, this weekend was divisive for some of the more diehard Tribe fans. The amount of covers and the new songs in particular seemed to have rubbed some the wrong way, and, you know what, that’s okay. Music evolves, and sometimes it goes in a direction that not everyone who was there from the beginning is going to be in love with. This is true and has been true for ever. What is not okay is the fact that some fans chose to take out their frustrations with a medley of goonish behaviour, from throwing water bottles at the band on stage (actually hitting Maureen Murphy during encore) to yelling the name of the previous beloved bass player “Murph” at current bass player Alana Rocklin. These were just two of the shame-worthy actions Rocklin took the time to address in an STS9 fan page on Facebook days after the show had wrapped up. I considered a long diatribe about how some people need to get a grip and learn how to handle themselves like adults, but thankfully Alana has me covered:
“Ok y’all, since you’re tagging me in this discussion I’ll bite. No one here knows Maureen’s history with this band, or even mine for that matter, so please don’t act like you do… you know what happens when you assume??? Murph is my friend, and if you have any awareness of my roots with the band, then you know that there is a lot of love and respect between us (I sat in with the band many times for this reason). If you want to talk about how many shows you’ve been too [sic], well I’ve seen as many or more since 2001, so heady points go nowhere with me. I remember the lowdown and the hate the band would receive with each new record… and it made me really sad because I know the love and intention that has been the backbone of this group from the beginning. Bottom line is that any true fan should realize the depth and balance to every set we play regardless of what YOU want. You wanted more jamming, less “midi” bass, older songs brought back?? Well you’ve got it in spades. And you’ve also got new music too, which we are extremely proud of and are excited to explore with you. I’m waiting for the thread about all the songs extended for the first time (rabble, vibyl), songs never played at RRX ever (reemergence, call jam, Itzamana), unheard segues and yes, amazing vocals and surprises too. If you didn’t like the shows that’s your opinion and you have every right to it. However, throwing water bottles at the band, yelling “Murph” at me, or spewing unnecessary hate is just not what this band is about and any true head knows this. We have every right to grow and develop our art in our own way. Sending nothing but love to all of you always and appreciated for another amazing RRX run. Love is circular so let’s keep it going. <3 #weareone”
Well said! To sum things up, while it might not be the STS9 Red Rocks some were expecting, many, including myself, had a memorable couple of days filled with incredible musicianship on behalf of the band and dazzling visual displays put on by lighting sorcerer Saxton Weller. Thanks to the future and the internet, you don’t have to just take my word for it; both night one and night two are available for stream thanks to Youtube user J Mar and available for download via Drip. Take a look and listen for yourself!
Night One Set List
SET I:
Supercluster(*#)>
Out of this World(*%)>
Frequencies 2>3
To The World
March
Gobnugget>>
Between the Sheets($&)>>
Reemergence>>
Between the Sheets
Vibyl(@)
New Dawn, New Day
SET II:
Simulator>
Grow
The Rabble>>
Call Jam>>
The Rabble
Elsewhere(*)
Sun, Moon and Stars($*)
Blu Mood>
MOD>>
Modular Improv>>
MOD
World Go Round
ENCORE:
Better Day($!)
Light Years(*)
Show Notes:
* = first time played
# = band wearing space helmets
% = HB technical difficulties throughout song
$ = w/ Maureen Murphy on vocals
& = Isley Brothers Cover
@ = extended jam of Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message”
? = Modular Jam
! = Alana on Stand Up Bass
Night Two
SET I:
When the Dust Settles(*)>>
Inner City Blues(#!$@)
Aimlessly
Walk to the Light
Move My Peeps>>
Monkey Music
Oil & Water
Everybody Loves the Sunshine(&!$)
Give & Take($)
Circus
SET 2:
Click Lang Echo ($)
Hubble
EHM
Looking Back on Earth
20-12
Get Loud($)
Totem>>
Good Times(+@)>>
Get Lucky(%@)
ENCORE:
Worry No More(!$)
Common Descent(?$@) >
The Universe Inside(?$@)
ENCORE 2:
Itzamana
Show Notes:
(*) = Family Affair intro
(#) = Marvin Gaye cover
(&) = Roy Ayers Cover
(!) = First time played
($) = Maureen Murphy on vocals
(+) = Chic cover
(@) = featuring chorus
(%) = Daft Punk cover
(?) = Alana on Stand Up Bass
All pictures courtesy of MFN photographer Craig Sandor
All credit and thanks for the set lists for both nights goes to The Church of STS9