Live Review   Jam In the Sand !

The GP Jams Memorial Day weekend show was packed full of good talent.  SoCo, a local alt pop band from Bowie, TX opened the show.  They did very well despite a few technical difficulties, and when I learned they had only been together since November, I was even more impressed.  They were followed by Moonshot Radio, a pop rock band from Dallas, who stole the show.  Anyone upset by the breakup of local Dallas band Valve might want to go check these guys out, or just grab a copy of their new CD Anywhere But Here... which will be available on Amazon.com June 28th.  They were fun to listen to as well to watch.  They really knew how to put on a show.  The Snowdonnas from Fort Worth were next.  They had a good sound which they call "dream pop".  Unfortunately every song was the same sound.  There was no range and little variation.  I guess it worked for Green Day, but after a while I began to see why they call it dream pop.  Another Fort Worth band followed, Sunrush.  They had beutifully melodic sound with a lulling quality perfect for a lazy Saturday afternoon.   Ironically, we were all awoken  by  Sleepy  Atlantis, an accoustic pop band from Ft. Worth.  A member of the Grand Prairie fire department said, "They've got that Morrison sound to them".  The Josh Goode Band from Dallas was the perfect ending for the afternoon.  Not only did they have an excellent pop rock sound, they were funny.  This is something that only works if the music is already good enough to stand alone and does not have to be compensated for by humor.  If you have that the humor becomes an added bonus that really makes for an excellent and fun to watch show.
I had planned on only covering Saturday, but I cannot close without mentioning a couple of the Sunday bands.  Sunday both started and ended with a kick ass band.  Local band Goodwin started Sunday with a bang.  I'm not sure why this band is still local.  They have the sound of a national act.  You can catch them in places like the Wreck Room in Ft. Worth and Liquid Lounge in Dallas.  Their self-titled CD is also excellent.  Do yourselves a favor and check them out.  With as good as they are you may soon be buying concert tickets to see them.  Sunday ended with Crossing Ellum, a Ministry-sounding band from Dallas.  They gave a very energetic performance with a lead singer and DJ who swiched off on vocals.  They had the crowed up and shouting requests for them to play their single "I Hate You".  They also did an incredible version of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall".  Oh, and one more thing....watch out for Little Green Men.  There could be one under your desk right now!

Gin E
Staff Writer
dallasmusic.com