The Mantras return to GroverFest for two full sets in 2010! Always a crowd pleaser, The Mantras’ music is a high-energy collaborative of progressive jam-fusion and funk-rock that shakes your knees and rattles your toes. The band has been playing to ever-increasing sold out crowds throughout the Southeast, as well as expanding to new markets in the South and North East. Comprised of guitarist Keith Allen, guitarist Marcus Horth, drummer Justin Loew, bassist Brian Tyndall and percussionist Brent Vaughn, The Mantras unified their musical vision in 2005 always honing their sonic directions show by show. Having shared the stage with Perpetual Groove, Rusted Root, The Bridge, Donna Jean Godchaux Band, and many other national acts, The Mantras continue to impress peers and win new fans over with every song. The band recently released it's third studio project, Dharland, and hits the Groverfest stage after completing a northeast tour that takes them through Pennsylvania and New York. 

"Reminiscent of the blistering energy found in early seventies recordings of Frank Zappa's touring band, the Mantras excel with their virtuous playing and superior musicianship, all the while not losing sight of the overall arrangements and songs. The band shifts seamlessly from one type of music to the next, a truly well –oiled machine, honed tight from years of live shows." 

~ Will Bradford - Macromanagement

GroverFest 2010 welcomes The New Familiars after touring most of the country, including particiapation in the SXSW Music Festival and Convention earlier in this year. Their high energy roots rock with a flare for folk-americana is sure to please. The New Familiars have been heralded across the nation for their high energy, foot pounding live performances. These four gentlemen combine an amazing passion for harmony and collaborative songwriting with multi-instrumental talent. The band has constantly stretched the boundaries of 'genre labels' by playing their blend of folk-infused rock'n'roll. Since their debut in late 2006, they've built a sound based upon their balance of traditional and modern instruments which takes listeners from the back porches of appalachia to the floors of underground rock clubs nationwide. 

"They're a living, breathing nod to the country side of the Beatles and Rolling Stones..." ~Yes Weekly

"The Band Turns its Acoustic Instruments into Electrified Crowds" ~Independent Weekly

"Expect the Unexpected" ~Bristol Courier

Taking the GroverFest stage for the fourth year in a row and always a crowd favorite, DUK TAN is the brainchild of Jeff Winfrey and Waylon Bayard. From their humble beginnings as the BIG OCEAN BAND, together along with bassist Dave McLendon, the trio has come full circle to include Tron(aka Travis Weddington for those not in the know) as a part of this improvisational project,  DUK TAN. The band clearly loves performing before audiences and playing music in its most free and open form. That free form being improvisation. DUK TAN intentionally strives to make each performance different from the last, in both subject matter and musical content. They draw inspiration and influence from countless artists; Zappa, MMW, Mars Volta, Clutch, Allman Brothers, Bob Marley, Phish,.. The list stretches on forever. Sometimes dirty, sometimes funky, sometimes just trying to make you laugh, their goal is to take the audience on an auditory adventure into the cosmos.... 

Matter of Fact is a four-piece band hailing from Mooresville, NC. They derive their interesting sound from jazz, funk, blues, southern rock, and improvisational music. The band's rhythm section is securely held down with the precision drumming of Tim Ferguson and incredibly danceable bass lines of Jon Norcom. Norcom does double duty with strong vocals. Bryan Olson, on lead guitar and vocals, has a blusey, melodic style, that contrasts perfectly with the technical, upbeat and always catchy vocals and guitar riffing of Josh Loftis. Matter of Fact shows are visually unique, always a party down good time with a sound that's kept interesting through it's simplicity. Matter of Fact returns for their third year at GroverFest and are sure to get you out of your campsite for some feel good music and fell good dancing!

Incognito Mosquito was created in the fall of 2003, when circumstances brought Ansley Wynn, Chad Thompson, Ryan Persaud and William Stone together to play an unrehearsed show for an expecting crowd. Having never played together in the past, the trio instantly found an uncanny chemistry amidst funky rhythms and impressive improvisation. In the years since, Incognito Mosquito has formulated an amazing repertoire of original music that will leave crowds cheering for more. Incog recently welcomed Bryan Holt on organ, piano and synths as the newest member to the band. Hailing from Charlotte NC, Incog is changing the music scene, one dance party at a time!

Sample Music

"There's an undeniable excellence in Jackson Crossing's blend of country, rock, blues, and R&B. The songs by these five gents and one sweet lady are at times enveloped in hazy folk, dashed with Western swing and touched by old church spirituals. They're always born of the heart and bursting with artistic passion. Some can rock your troubles to dust, while others will pull hard at the heartstrings. Every single one is naturally steeped in a deep, unmistakable Southern soulfulness." 

~Tom Clarke, Hittin' The Note

Jackson Crossing is: Rick Willis of The Marshall Tucker Band, Rusty Barkley-Guitar & Jimmy "Grub" Thornburg-Keys/Hammond of The Part Time Blues Band, Scott Stinson-Drums, Tim Clement-Bass, Shannon Scott-Vocals

Progressive rock gets a facelift with the musical contributions of Near Gravity. Founding members Artie Denman (drums) and Jarrod Karl (guitar) have linked up with guitarist Kevin Greene and bassist James Scanlon to create a powerful blend of progressive rock, blues, and jazz.

Band members list Radiohead, Phish, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix among influences. Such diversity is showcased at each performance as the band experiments with multiple genres, moods and time signatures. Armed with an arsenal of original material, Near Gravity guarantees that no two shows are alike. 

...their blues/rock/jazz fusion sound is intertwined with complex jams that can make even the staunchest music snob get into the groove. With a repertoire of original tunes, heady covers, and impromptu jams, Near Gravity ensures that every show is an original experience...—  Travis Smith, Guerilla Gallery Art & Music Collective

"They're back with an impressive performance, two new members, and a new direction. Great to listen to while road tripping or just..."    ~ Carolina Live Music Society

GroverFest 2010 is privileged to have Yesterday’s Gravy return to Millstone Farm for what is sure to be a set folks will be talking about for some time. Yesterday's Gravy is an exploration of the raw emotional power of music.  From the highs to the lows they cover everything within their sonic landscape. They are an incredibly high energy jam band that isn’t afraid to hit the distortion pedal every now and then.  They feel music is a language, which is as universal as the emotions it conveys; encompassing feelings such as joy, sorrow, fear, rage, childishness, and even hunger.  Yesterday’s Gravy is Bruce McWilliams and Ben Smedley on guitar and vocals, Greg Eriksen on bass and vocals and Orlando Solis on drums, spending the better part of ten years crafting they’re unique sound.  Although the Gravy has released one studio album, with another in the works, the live scene is where they feel the most at home. While canvassing the southeast these road warriors have shared the stage with many regional and national acts such as U-Melt, The Bridge, The Mantras, and even Molly Hatchet!   
 
"One of the best late night performances I can remember.. Thanks to the Gravy goodness the crowd was dancing harder at 4:00 am than at 9:00" ~ Carolina Live Music Society

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away... Rumors of a new rebellion were spreading fast. The empire was regaining power and the dark side of the force was stronger than ever, so Captain Solo rounded up his wookies and headed for earth so they could live in peace and play musik! Tron brings something new to the table while not losing touch of his roots. Hints of swampy blues and delta slide fused with dirty soul and folk melodies evoke a sense of comfort as if sitting by a campfire with friends. For years Tron has honed his skills with other musical talents, and this time around will be no exception. With plenty of support from other local artists, Tron Solo (Travis Weddington) pulls together an all-star lineup for this new venture. Every show features an eclectic cast of new and recurring members. Tron never gets stale, never fails to impress, and leaves you wanting more... Wookies unite!!!!

Chasing Edison is an intense experience not to be missed... 

After a much needed hiatus and reforming with new bass and keys, Chasing Edison is a groove based rock band from Charlotte, NC that's back turning heads all over NC. Members Justin Babcock, Greg Dalton, Alex Giles, and Jeff Lewis draw from styles as diverse as progressive metal to improvised jazz fusion. They provide an ever-evolving unique experience through gut wrenching grooves, turn on the dime changes, and an awe-inspiring kaleidoscopic light show.

"Makes you want to either dance your ass off with the funk or move up to the rail and bang your head with the metal. Progressive at times. Jam band? Maybe, well sort of, but they make their point and move on in 4-6 minute intervals... I like that" ~ Carolina Live Music Society

The Walrus and The Carpenter are a 4-piece band out of Charlotte, NC. This young band has been turning heads and building a reputation with their energetic live shows laced with groovy improv and spontaneous live theatrics to keep the crowd entertained. The Walrus and The Carpenter have found a unique blend of funk, fusion, and psychedelic improv that leaves the listener hungry for more and their fans coming back show after show.

Sticky Rhythm hails from Statesville and has developed a reputation as a crowd pleaser with their classic rock sound and down home appeal. Playing both original and cover material, their bio reads "we just love to jam, so come out and see us sometime!!" Their music regulates between southern jam rock, psychedelic, and good old fashioned rock-n-roll. Sticky Rhythm return for their fourth year at GroverFest and are sure to be bringing the heat again.

Priding ourselves on being supporters of young and talented musicians, GroverFest 2010 is proud to showcase a band that’s sure to impress regardless of their ages or even yours! Hailing from Burlington, NC this group of original musicians have their sights set high and aren’t afraid of the climb. Set in Stone originated out of Southern Alamance High School’s music department in 2009 when Devin "Dev" Adams (drums/vox/samples), Brandon Crawford (Brandon guitar/vox), and Aaron "Bev" Beverly (guitar/vox/synth) were challenged to write and perform one new song per week for a theory and composition course. Having not only completed the course as a trio but also "kicking the shit out of it", the lineup was later rounded out by Travis ”Button” Garrett on bass allowing Bev to return to his instrument of choice... the guitar. Being the “top players” in their school, their collaborations naturally turned into a desire to gig out together, choosing the moniker "Set in Stone".  The band gained notoriety performing at Burlington area schools where their powerful yet poppy sound, along with their high energy live show, gained them fans of all ages. Their name is actually a misnomer as Set in Stone aren’t content with playing the high school circuit or even being locked into a single genre. Instead they have their sights set on touring the southeast punk, metal, and jam band circuits while juggling full college course loads next year. The band pulls from its diverse musical background that includes alternative rock, post punk, groove metal, and happy hardcore, all while leaning on their schooling in jazz, funk, and marching band. The results are songs that are thought provoking, catchy, at times experimental, and always full of youthful exuberance. Definitely not a band to be missed at GroverFest 2010!!

Returning to GroverFest for the second year in a row, Case Federal & The Agents is an Avant-Folk quintet based out of Charlotte, NC. The band formed in 2008 as a trio and released 17 tracks on 2 new albums in August 2009, "The Afterlife" and "Whirlwind". Since releasing the two albums the band has been playing dates in support of the two releases while experimenting with new instrumentation, including saxophone, percussion, melodica and organ; as well as taking old song writing styles and reinventing them with various melody based lead and harmony vocals. The new style is one of Blues, Avant-Jazz, Folk, Punk, Progressive and Rock, but if you care to determine for yourself, you'll just have to come see  Case Federal & The Agents do it live at GroverFest 2010.

"I've seen Federal in a few different situations -- solo, as a duo and as part of The Lesser Pauls. His latest conglomerate seems like the perfect vehicle to showcase his songwriting as he's backed by the usual guitar, bass and drums, with a sax added in for good measure. Jamming moments bordered on something from Pink Floyd's archives." ~ Creative Loafing

For more than 5 years, From A Seed has been bringing the Lake Norman and Charlotte area a great blend of original rock with a few covers thrown in for flare. When they take the stage at Groverfest 2010 expect a great rock show. With eight band members that includes two vocalists, bass, drums, keys, horns, and guitars, the band comes together to create the From A Seed sound that's best described as feel good music that kicks your butt, melding folk rock, harmonies, and dirty southern rock. Their second CD tentatively titled (112 S. Main), recorded mainly @ "Soiree on Main" in Mooresville, NC will be released in early spring 2010. With the impending release of the new CD fans can expect this latest release to feature a more organic and broader sound than what was heard on their debut CD, "The Wateredge Sessions". Even with the intensity of being locked up in the studio for several months FAS has not missed a step on the road, playing all around the NC circuit, and with each show building their legion of fans. If you haven't seen From A Seed live, you won't be disappointed. If you have then you know where you won't be  when they take the stage at GroverFest 2010... You won't be in the campgrounds.

Actual Proof is a unique Jazz-Fusion quartet that draws on musical traditions that have produced infectious grooves—Jazz, Afro-Cuban, West-African, and Funk traditions. The group is unique as it features Eric Mullis on vibraphone and mallet percussion. The group has been regularly performing in the South-East since the fall of 2007. In July of 2009 Actual Proof released its full- length debut CD Paradigm Shift. Songs from Paradigm Shift have been featured on WNCW (Asheville NC), WUSC (Columbia SC), 98.1 The River (Asheville NC), WSHA (Raleigh NC), and 106.5The End (Charlotte NC).

While each of the musicians in Actual Proof are excellent soloists, it is the distinctive ensemble sound that really sticks in one's mind. The prominence of vibraphonist Eric Mullis helps to give the group its own musical personality.  Paradigm Shift contains more than its share of variety, danceable grooves and bright moments, showing that there is still plenty of life to be found in creative fusion."

~Scott Yanow, author of The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Bebop, Jazz On Record 1917-76 and Jazz On Film