Explore Steamboat, Source list: Absylom Rising

Source list: Absylom Rising

What makes them sound like they do, and why

Friday, February 29, 2008

Courtesy photo. Enlarge photo.

Mississippi rock band Absylom Rising plays Monday and Tuesday at the Tugboat.

By Margaret Hair (Contact)

Absylom Rising’s influences

1. Jimi Hendrix

The man was fearless on stage, repeatedly crossing boundaries both musical and social.

2. Phish

They were willing to attempt various genres and styles with reckless abandon.

3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

He had the meanest guitar sound on the planet!

4. Crosby, Stills & Nash

We love three-part harmonies, and theirs were impeccable.

5. Frank Zappa

An artist in every way, he worked and thought completely outside the box.

6. Widespread Panic

They’ve charted a progressive business model in a changing music industry.

7. The Allman Brothers Band

Those parallel guitar melodies are the best!

8. The Meters

We love the funk, and nobody does it like The Meters.

9. Perpetual Groove

This band has a mellow groove with nice melodic themes.

10. Grateful Dead

The ultimate traveling band; live performance was the center of their world.

— Explained by Heath Mahan

Absylom Rising, rock

When: Monday, March 3, 2008, 10 p.m.
Where: Tugboat Grill & Pub, 1860 Ski Time Square Drive, Steamboat Springs
Cost: $5
Age limit: 21+

Full event details

Steamboat Springs — When Heath Mahan lists the musicians that have influenced his work as a rhythm guitar player and vocalist for Mississippi jam rock band Absylom Rising, nothing comes as much of a surprise.

Like many of the acts on Mahan’s list, Absylom Rising thrives on a steady tour schedule, fleshing out simple tunes with extended guitar solos, never-ending bass lines and travel-song lyrics.

It’s when Mahan explains why he lists the legends he does that things get interesting. Widespread Panic makes the cut not because of its out-of-control success and rabid collegiate following, but because the band has managed to adapt to a sea change in the live music business. Crosby, Stills & Nash stands out because of its knack for carefully constructed vocal harmonies.

On Monday and Tuesday at the Tugboat, Absylom Rising will bring its interpretation of those qualities to Steamboat Springs for the band’s second trip here.