Night two of Dopapod’s Michigan run starts with local favorite Desmond Jones. This five-piece ensemble hails from Grand Rapids and has played nearly 1,000 shows in 12 years. Fast-paced, high-energy original music is the band’s trademark. Part of their story is the themed uniforms, and tonight’s maroon jumpsuits are pure cool.
The band digs in with an extended version of “Hive Mind” to kick the night off on a groovy note. They follow it up with “Pat and the Big Carrot,” then detour into “Hall of the Mountain King” from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite (think the music playing when Bugs Bunny is sneaking around). The crowd responds with cheers and energetic dancing.
Bell’s has created a truly enjoyable venue in the back room. The space is well-thought-out and nothing is wasted. The stage sits at the rear wall of the building, with the audience filling the floor in front. A small gated area at the center acts as the sound house. Against the back wall, a bar connects directly to the main bar and restaurant, giving fans access to fresh beer and food.
Taylor Watson (bass) commands a massive stage presence, laying down bass lines that are both funky and flowing. He is complemented by drummer John Nowak, whose expressive face rivals Jim Carrey’s. Together, they work magic to create the band’s funky foundation and driving rhythms.
Chris Bota and Isaac Berkowitz handle the guitar work, taking turns ascending into the stratosphere. The duo has mastered the jam-band “long-bend”—that tonal anomaly where notes are held, bent, released, and bent again. These soaring leads bring sheer bliss to the fans, whose hands shoot skyward as heads bob to the groove.
The jazzy original “Hot Hamm” provides a perfect showcase for the fifth member, George Falk—sax man, keyboardist, and multi-instrumentalist. He’s in constant motion, switching from tenor sax to keyboard, percussion to bari sax. He’s a whirlwind of sound on stage. Saxophone work truly sets Desmond Jones apart, coming in strong and staying front and center in their music.
Taking a moment to honor Dopapod, Desmond Jones dedicates Frank Zappa’s “Cosmik Debris” to them. It’s a heartfelt tribute and an amazing cover infused with that distinctive Desmond Jones touch.
They close out their set with another fan-favorite original, “Shelby’s Garden,” driven by punchy sax and bass lines, jangly guitar riffs, and a bluesy funk feel that’s both happy and uplifting—perfectly setting the stage for Dopapod’s final Michigan show.
Desmond Jones is available on all major streaming platforms and can now be found on Nugs.net.
