BY CRYSTAL SMITH

SC Staff Writer

On September 29, 2013, moe. returned to its East Coast stomping ground to put on a show for their fans who have conveniently called themselves “moe.rons.”

moe. is an American jam band made up of five members from Buffalo, New York. Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Al Schneir on guitar, Chuck Gravy on guitar, Vinnie Amico on drums – whom I was able to score an exclusive interview with – and Jim Loughlin on percussion.

The night was kicked off by the vivacious, soulful, rocking opening band, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds right out of New York City.

Lead singer Arleigh Kincheloe, also known as Sister Sparrow, was a cultivated eruption of raw, powerhouse vocals and hips shaking across the Sherman Theater stage.

Sister Sparrow did not take away from the seven-piece band behind her, which encompassed a saxophone, trombone, harmonica, drums, bass and guitars.

The band pumped out music from their EP entitled Fight as well as a crowd pleasing cover of Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.” The band got the crowd moving during their hour set before the beloved moe. took center stage.

Before moe. took the stage, I was able to snag a backstage interview with long time drummer, Vinnie Amico with a beer in hand and wearing jeans and black t-shirt.

After the band ran through their set list meeting, we discussed his 34 year experience on the drums and his starting days with moe. back in 1996. Interestingly, Amico has also played with Sonic Garden, Acoustic Forum, and Outer Circle Orchestra. He prefers Mapex, Vic Firth, and Paiste drum equipment.

After shaking the moe. drummer’s hand, I made my way back to front of Sherman Theater to the crowd chanting, “WE WANT MOE.!” over and over until the lights were turned down low and the five band members made their way to their places on stage.

The band opened with the reggae feeling “Crab Eyes” and continued with their hits including, “Sticks and Stones”, “Faker”, “Lazarus”, and “Bring You Down.”

The energy that Sherman Theater took on that night was seen and felt from the VIP seats to the general admission standing room. moe. fans did not stop dancing until the band did their encore of “Queen of Everything” and “She Sends Me.”

What was most enchanting was the diversity of the fans that gathered around the stage. Fans who had seen moe. 200-300 times to first timers such as myself.

Overall, the night was one to remember for all that attended and the passion the moe. fans had for these five individuals was felt.

Email Crystal at:

csmith123@live.esu.edu