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On the Thursday of Jam on the River weekend in Philadelphia, there was no better way to kick off the festivities then with a raging show by a new band that has the potential to be a household name in about a year or two. Currently, Codename is flying under the radar mostly at local venues until a couple of the band members finish graduate school. According to their manager, Alex Joffe, brother of guitar player Jon, by the summer of 2009 this band should be touring the country with a heavy dose of experience and songs. I am looking forward to that summer.
Although the show didn't start until 12:30am, and it was a little short because of that, what the band was able to play gave the packed Khyber a small taste of what's to come. If Codename puts their energy into this band, I guarantee that they will make a ripple in the jam band scene. Their sound resembles a very early Phish or RAQ with ripping guitar riffs and beautiful melodic keyboards by Adam Nash.
The show started with one of their more popular songs called "In the Wind," which Nash plays a short intro followed by the trademark Joffe guitar chops, which often remind me of the great Trey Anastasio. This song has an epic sound to it, which sounds like it tells a story. It is a composition. Midway through, Greg Halbkram starts slapping the bass just before the song really picks up. As the song builds, Joffe's solos and lead take the crowd to another place already in this early stage of the show. Appropriately, "Tornado Warning" came next, and the funk jam started. "Tornado Warning" is another long jam with many parts to it. "Chilled Briefly" weathers the storm in a melodic journey which resembles Phish's "Divided Sky" at points. I have to say that as a huge Phish fan, I really love when I hear bands that are influenced by Phish without copying them. This is what Codename sounds like the most. "Standard Candle" was the spacey jam that brought the listeners back to reality a bit. "The Arrival" followed the theme of the night with its Caribbean jam flavors. The last song was called "The Latin Tune" although it didn't sound very Latin. It was a good song to close with.
From Joffe's tonal bridges to Sal Galati's clockwork percussion, Codename brings it. They are definitely a band to watch out for in the upcoming year. Download their music off of internet archive or purchase their cd, and you will begin understand their potential. If you're on the east coast, check them out on their small summer tour:
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Friday, June 6th, 2008
9:00PM
50 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg PA
717-221-1080
Price: FREE!
http://www.thebrew.biz
Saturday, June 7th, 2008
2:00PM - 6:00AM
3999 Fort Armistead Road
Baltimore MD
Price: $50.00 Adv / $125.00 VIP
Codename joins the prestigious lineup of the 10th Annual STARSCAPE FESTIVAL! Running from 2:00PM-6:00AM at Fort Armistead Park in Baltimore, MD, this year's STARSCAPE features the best in electronica dance music & reggae music with Codename, The Disco Biscuits, Slick Rick The Ruler, Bassnectar, Future Rock, Pnuma Trio, EOTO, Toubab Krewe, Biodiesel, Orchard Lounge, See-I, Earthtone, Jimkata, 3 Fifths and many many more!
Starscape is presented by Steez Promo. Visit http://www.starscapefestival.com for further details!
Friday, June 20th, 2008
8:00PM
412 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia PA
267-671-9298
Price: $8.00
Codename headlines The Fire with special guests Herbie, Redux, and Mercury Landing.
Saturday, June 28th, 2008
9:00PM
70 Sanford Street
Fairfield CT
Friday, July 18th, 2008
10:00PM
601 Main St
Asbury Park NJ
732-775-9144
Price: TBA
http://www.phanphest.com
Saturday, July 26th, 2008
July 25-27, 2008
Route 206
Hammonton NJ
Join us for the 3-day Endless Summer Jam on the beautiful site of Paradise Lake Campground featuring Codename, Juggling Suns, The Jugband, Jim Weider's Project Percolator, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Echo Movement, Bodega, The Smiles Project, Bohemian Sunrise and many more.
$65.00 Early Bird (til 4/30); $70 Advance (til 7/24); $75.00 dos
Visit http://www.endlesssummerjam.com for further details.
Saturday, August 16th, 2008
9:00PM
RR2
Paxinos PA
434-825-9997
Price: $10 adv / $15 dos
Happy Homestead hosts the 7th annual Fireworks for Freedom Festival August 16-17, 2008 featuring Codename, NY Funk Exchange, Dr. Ketchup, The Black Souls Band and many more to be announced.
Visit http://www.happyhomestead.org for further details.
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
August 21-23, 2008 - Gates open 3:00PM
980 Cove Road
Gore VA
Price: $50 adv / $60 dos
Weapons of Mass Production presents The Projekt Music Festival featuring Codename, Biodiesel, Dr. Fameus, Earthtone, Pasadena, Push, Digital Frontier, Green Light Society, Basshound and many more to be announced! Codename performs a very special 90 minute set at 8PM on the opening night of the festival.
Visit http://www.projektfestival.com for further details.
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
12:00AM
Community Center Drive
Kempton PA
610-756-6444
Price: $60.00 adv / $70.00 dos
Codename performs a very special late night set at the 4th annual Phan Phest Festival. Held this year on the beautiful grounds of Kempton Community Center, Codename is joined by the Juggling Suns, Ryan Montbleau Band, U-Melt and many more to be announced.
