Tea Leaf Green (TLG) went intergalactic at the Fox Theatre on Tuesday to celebrate Halloween and their latest release. Dressed in “Star Wars” garb, the band played for a rowdy audience and broadcast the show live over Sirius Satellite Radio.
As if the “Star Wars” costumes were not enough, the band opened with the score from the movie and incorporated it throughout a long series of improvisational jams that had the crowd screaming. And that was just the first set.
On a surprisingly uncrowded Halloween night at the Fox, this San Francisco-based band brought a healthy dose of infused funk and rock ‘n’ roll. The vocal styling and quick harmonica of Trevor Garrod (dressed as Luke Skywalker) were featured in the tune “Incandescent Devil” and drew repeated raves from the audience.
With glow sticks flying through the air, the band seemed to gain momentum with each song. TLG also played the score from “Halloween,” which was an obvious crowd pleaser.
With playful yet intense rhythms, the band came out in the second set blazing before most of the crowd returned. As everyone settled in, TLG worked into a frenzy with disco-funk tunes that had everyone moving. The vocals of guitarist Josh Clark (dressed as Han Solo) were featured in the high-speed “Sexy Lady.”
Late show highlights included a cover of Donovan’s “Season of the Witch” and TLG’s ode to marijuana, “Planet of Green Love.” “Planet” is hip-hop number that allowed bass player Ben Chambers (dressed as Chewbacca) to get a turn on the microphone.
TLG put on a show that seemed to get more intense with every change. The high, soulful voice of Garrod blended perfectly with the rhythms of drummer Scott Rager (dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Clark’s precise licks on the guitar.
Halloween at the Fox always brings out an array of inventive costumes, and this year was no different. Captain America, a Whoopee Cushion and Tigger were just some of the costumes in the less-than-capacity crowd.
“There are usually more people here. I guess everyone must have taxed themselves too hard this weekend to make it,” said Christopher Molnar, 23, who was dressed as a superhero.
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” is TLG’s new live album and DVD that was recorded at the Fox earlier this year. The band will continue touring through the end of the year, playing New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia.
