DESTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF LAWRENCE!!!

Keller Williams is a musical genius. Anyone who has seen his solo stage act will tell you that. With a wide array of instruments covering the stage, you know that you’re in for a treat. Keller’s live looping ability is surpassed by no one. Enough said about the man. We all know that he is amazing.

Keller Williams

The real story is that Keller is touring with his "new" band, the WMD's, which for those of you not in the know stands for the Weapons of Mass Destruction. The WMD's are made up of an all-star cast of musicians from other bands. This includes Jeff Sipe on drums. Sipe has drummed for Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh amongst others. Keith Mosley keeps the bass grooves going. He was formerly with the String Cheese Incident. Last and certainly not least we have Gibb Droll on guitar previously with Marc Broussard.

Gibb Droll, Keller Williams, and Keith Mosely

Jeff Sipe and Keith Mosely

What is on many minds of Keller fans is how this would work out on stage. We have all heard his album Dream where Keller plays with several guest artists including Steve Kimock and Michael Franti. Many Keller followers have seen him stand in with several other bands, and know that he will and can play with pretty much anyone. He is a jack-of-all-trades in the music industry.

Well, the verdict is in on the WMD’s and they definitely serve up a great act. I was able to catch them at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, KS on Tuesday, 1/22/08 flying solo for the BOT crew with a couple unaffiliated side kicks. Even though our will call tickets were in a black hole somewhere for about a half hour, we eventually received them. Nonetheless, we had them, and were off to the brewery next door for prepping. The show started shortly after and was it a good one.

To be completely honest, I was blown away by the energy, not just in the crowd, but also on stage. I personally have seen Keller solo numerous times in my life. I was never bored with his show or to the point where I think he had lost touch with his audience. He always makes me dance my ass off, or just sit there in pure shock watching his stage show. But this is definitely a new level for him with the WMD's. These guys seemed as if they had been playing together for years, while in all actuality it’s only been a few months. Not only that, but all of them just looked as though they were having a blast on stage.

Keller Williams, Keith Mosely, and some Sound Guy

Mostly playing Keller's normal set selections, fans will not be left in the dark with the WMD's. It is interesting to hear many of the songs you’re used to hearing either acoustic or looped just rockin’. A good example of this came towards the midpoint of the second set when Keller began to explain about his younger days and his addiction to Flintstones chewable vitamins. The band then started in to a very jammy intro to the song "Red Pebbles", a song about Flintstones vitamins set to the tune of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit". This track proves quite comical yet still excellent. The encore was a quite interesting rendition of the Yonder Mountain String Band song “New Horizons”, which obviously is a bluegrass tune. It was amazing how these gentleman were able to each incorporate their own styles into the group.

All and all the show was excellent. As I stated earlier I have seen Keller play a fair number of shows. The WMD's are definitely a good addition to him on the road. Look for Keller in the area at the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival this summer. For anyone living under a rock that is June 5-8 in Lawrence, KS.

Gibb Droll and Keller Williams

Keller has never let me down live, but this impressed me more than words can begin to say, thus giving it the highest rating I have ever given and probably ever will.....Maybe!

9.487 slices for an amazing new twist on an already amazing act.
MORE MOSLEY!!!

Always toasted,
The Toastman