Best Harbinger of Spring: Dunedin Brewery Spring Beer Jam
Theoretically, we just had a season change as we passed the vernal equinox, although here in Florida it sure seems like the autumnal equinox, because two things “fall”: leaves and pollen (that’s our version of yellow snow, and it’s a blizzard this year). The only way we know for sure what season it is now is the advent of the 7th annual Dunedin Brewery Spring Beer Jam, the official start of spring in these here parts.
Once again, Michael Lyn Bryant has hopped up the lineup for four great nights of music. Let’s investigate more closely:
THURSDAY
Don’t be late! You don’t want to miss Funk You, the Augusta powerhouse. They absolutely killed at Funk Fest Punta Gorda last month with fabulously funky sets both days, led by dynamic frontman Gavin Hamilton. This is one monster of a band. They start at 8.
Joe Marcinek returns once again (I think Dunedin’s going to give him a key to the city) for late-night shenanigans with Jim Wuest, Tony D’Amato, and Jamie Newitt of The Heavy Pets. He also took blew out two great sets at Funk Fest Punta Gorda.
FRIDAY
The Heavy Pets, Florida’s reigning senior jam statesmen, kick it off at 9. This amazing quintet claims to be from South Florida, but we think they may be eyeing property in Dunedin (like Marcinek). Their most recent album, Strawberry Mansion, continues to knock us out.
And speaking of recent albums, The Groove Orient just released their first real full-length album, and it is a gem. The great Orlando quintet are also frequent Dunedin guests, so enjoy their set and pick up a copy of the album, too! They will be playing four dates with TAUK in May!
SATURDAY
Early arrivals will be richly rewarded, as Fat Mannequin gets the day started at 4. You may never have heard of Fat Mannequin, so picture this: the twin guitar towers of The Heavy Pets — Michael Garulli and Jeff Lloyd — with acoustic guitars playing the most astounding version of “Eleanor Rigby” you’ve ever heard. They play lots of great songs, but that’s the one that landed me for sure.
Hilarity, fun, experimentation and more ensue when Skallop hits the stage at 7. Skallop is the brainchild of Michael Lyn Bryant and some like-minded friends, exploring improvisational music and all it has to offer, with Trevor McDannel, Tucker Sody, Austin Llewellyn, and Dave Gerulat. Dollars to doughnuts says Marcinek will wander on stage, too.
A very special album release party goes down at 10 when Jon Ditty X DJ Hurley unveil their latest wax. Ditty spits intelligent lyrics you can actually hear (well, if I could slow him down just a little) in conjunction with great turntable work from Hurley.
And The Heavy Pets return for round two (actually round 4, I guess) at 11. Get yourself a Jackie Bones on tap.
SUNDAY
The man who rocks Dunedin Brewery every Friday at the start of the weekend has the 4 pm slot on Sunday. His name is exactly what he does: DJ 45Revolver, hardest-working man on the turntables you’ll ever see, spinning vinyl goodness across several decades and genres.
S.P.O.R.E. hits the stage at 7. Their claim to be a “live instrumentated electrofunk jam band” is entirely accurate. They lit it up big time at Oktobeerfest, and this one should be just as much fun. Like Jon Ditty, Alex “Serious” Sears and Joe “King” Knoebel both work at the brewery in addition to their musical merriment. Let’s do this thing!
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely out of my skull in anticipation of DYNOHUNTER’s set at 9 pm. This incredible livetronica trio has always been one of my favorites, but they spindled, folded, and mutilated my brain at Suwannee Hulaween.
It’s official! Dunedin Brewery Spring Beer Jam is almost here! Get you some!
Dunedin Brewery Spring Beer Jam
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Videos courtesy of Funk You, CHeeSeHeaDPRoDuCTioNS x 3, Iam AVL, Volke Mon, Jon Ditty, and DYNOHUNTER.