Outformation

Atlanta's Outformation was formed in 2002 by guitarist Sam Holt, who also continued playing with his other band, Widespread Panic, until last year. As a parting gift, his WP mates collaborated on the simmering title track of Outformation's second album, Traveler's Rest. As might be expected, Rest zeroes in on kudzu-draped grooves laced with tasty work from Holt and his crew, including co-founding bassist Grady Upchurch, and New Orleans drummer Lee Schwartz. There are full-tilt jam-rock forays as well as more ambling country-rock fare, including "Winds," with keen harmonica contributions from longtime Willie Nelson associate Mickey Raphael. In fact, Outfo leans more than a little to the cowboy fringe of Southern rock, including "Toy's Song," a tribute to the Marshall Tucker Band featuring cascading piano colors from C.R. Gruver and Holt's Toy Caldwell-like guitar riffs. Outformation finished up some recording sessions at Mitch Easter's North Carolina studio in July and reportedly comes armed with a new array of songs. With WBPM. 18+.
Sun., Sept. 7, 8 p.m., 2008