WEST MILFORD — The Grand Slambovians - the hillbilly Pink Floyd - are bringing the circus back to West Milford.
Formerly known as Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, the group has elements of Incredible String Band, Neil Young, The Band, Dylan, and maybe even some Frank Zappa as well. They are bringing it all to Music at the Mission on Saturday, Nov. 17, part of the 10th anniversary celebration of West Milford's best music venue.
Joziah Longo, lead singer/songwriter for the band, describes the songs on their latest album, "The Grand Slambovians," as "a more extreme dose of what we've always been - a country prison music meets British invasion type of thing."
For the uninitiated, the band's all over the map melodic avant folk conjures Tom Petty, Dinosour Jr., and a fuller Buffalo Tom. Equal parts Washington Irving and Woodstock, the band taps a broad palette of styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to huge Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Playing art school roots rock, sometimes folk and quirky Americana, they possess an exotic instrumental arsenal (accordion, cello, mandolin, theremin) in addition to standard rock regalia.
Together since the late 1990s where they met in art school,The Grand Slambovians are shedding their skin and coming out boldly. Unleashing their hauntingly signature songs on the world once again, this latest album is getting rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. The ultimate DIY’ers, the band runs its own label and has previously released three critically acclaimed studio albums - "The Great Unravel" in 2008, 2004's double-disc "Flapjacks from the Sky," and "A Good Thief Tips His Hat" in 1998.
Come out to the circus right here in West Milford and celebrate the Mission's 10th anniversary. Tickets for The Grand Slambovians are on sale on the Mission's Web site, www.musicatthemission.org, at Harvest Moon Health food Store on Marshall Hill Road or at the door. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, go to the Web site or call 973-728-6300.
Music at the Mission is located at the West Milford Presbyterian Church at 1452 Union Valley Road in West Milford.
Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/West-Milford-NJ/Music-at-the-Mission/97722268641.