Guster | Concert Review

Story by Mitch McCann 

| Published Oct 26, 2010

It’s challenging for bands to stay together for a long time - traveling the fruited plains, from sea to shining sea, with a bunch of sweaty, stinky dudes (and/or chicks) for years on end is a little more than just tiresome. Yet, 16 years since their first release and coming up on two decades after they met at Tufts University, the three founding members of Guster are still going strong. "Strong" may even be an understatement.

Opener Eli “Paperboy” Reed and his backing band The True Loves came in ready to play, and brought the house down. Reed, a scotch-swilling crooner straight out of Mad Men, looks like a 19-year-old Johnny Cash, and sings like a young, white James Brown.

Reed’s backers have the chops more characteristic of Stevie Wonder’s band then an anonymous session group. With a set up that could crowd any stage, a sound that could fill any venue, and a drummer that can't help but smile, this modern day Tower of Power kicks it with the best of ‘em.

An eclectic mix of old hits, newer jams and songs from their latest release score the night. Guster knew exactly what they we’re doing. Nineteen years of extensive touring has allowed them to perfect their concert experience. No one person plays any one instrument; in between songs the sense of, “You take my guitar, now give me yours, and I’ll do drums, he’ll take piano, and...” is astounding.

More like best friends than bandmates, their wedding rings shimmering against their fretboards are the only inclination they don’t live on stage. The experience of Guster is one of losing yourself, music that makes you happy for no other reason than that it does.

That’s what it’s for. No protest songs, no ballads of blistering heartache, just life, as told by three dudes you just wish were your dad. Vocal harmonies to make your heart melt, perfectly synced guitars resonating only between each other and the crowd, everyone was there for Guster, and Guster was there for everyone. No one left disappointed.