The Indie rock group will make stops at three venues for a series of summer shows.
Indie rock group Dispatch recently announced a series of summer concerts for 2019 dubbed ‘Dispatch Summer Stops’.
The group will appear at the following venues;
- Red Rocks Amphitheater (Morrison, Colorado)
- Wolf Trap Filene Theater (Vienna, Virginia)
- Thompson’s Point (Portland, Maine)
Here’s the link for the full press release.
The announcement comes with excitement, especially considering the venues the group will be visiting.
Growing up as a young kid, I distinctly remember my brother loving Dispatch. I was probably an eight year-old when I first heard them, remembering sitting in the passenger seat on drives as songs such as ‘Steeples,’ ‘Hey, Hey,’ and ‘Flying Horses’ played from the CD. Those were the days, some fond memories. Frank (my brother) is one of the main influences who introduced me to Rock N’ Roll music at an early age.
In light of the announcement, I felt compelled to compile a quick list of song recommendations for those who don’t know much about Dispatch. Links are included to YouTube. Enjoy!
Honorable mention:
‘Bang Bang’ - Bang Bang (1997)
‘Here We Go’ - Bang Bang (1997)
5. Time Served
Suggested version: All Points Bulletin (2004)
‘Time Served’ originally appeared on 2000’s Who Are We Living For? While the studio version is solid, this live version showcases its energy with justice. A funky bassline gets the song going before overdriven guitar and crashing drums enter in full. The chorus is filled with a collective chant, one that sounds heroic. Towards the middle of the song, there’s a truly hypnotic guitar solo that rides over some luscious bass and impressive drum work. The lyrics of this one are pretty heavy, and you should take a look at them. This is one of the true rockers from the groups entire discography.
4. Steeples
Suggested version: Silent Steeples (1996)
A mysterious, reverb-heavy acoustic guitar intro sets the tone for ‘Steeples’ early on. There’s almost a spanish guitar feel to this song, thanks in part to the maracas and bongos. This song is a great example of lead singer Chad Urmstron’s distinct voice and his flow, one that’s almost rap like. The guitar solo is also a highlight, as it features a distinct nylon string sound and some excellent picking. The chorus of “Did you ever want to know me, and did you ever feel like I could?” is as catchy as it is interpretative.
3. Flying Horses
Suggested version: Silent Steeples (1996)
Another song from Silent Steeples, ‘Flying Horses’ is a beautiful song all around. From the start, a fast, happy guitar riff sets way to some gorgeous harmonica work, while the shuffle beat is an added bonus. All of a sudden, things slow down and Urmstron starts what turns out to be a captivating vocal performance. This song is a rollercoaster, and truly a fun one to listen to. That fast paced tempo from the beginning returns in the choruses, and during a harmonica solo, we hear chattering of crowds. There’s a gorgeous display of ranging vocal parts that conclude this overall feel-good song.
2. Cover This
Suggested version: Four-Day Trials
Man, talk about a painfully beautiful piece of songwriting. ‘Cover This’ is my personal favorite of Dispatch. There’s just a lot to love about it. The Hendrix-esque guitar intro paves the way for a passionate vocal delivery from Urmstron. There’s a subtle tamborine in the back, and it makes all the difference in driving the song along, where we hear some fantastic vocal interplay between the entire group. Towards the end of the song, things go pretty crazy in a jam, only driving the energy up.
1. The General
Suggested version: Bang Bang (1997)
One of the groups most well-recognized compositions, ‘The General’ is popular for a number of reasons. It sounds as if someone is sitting in their backyard strumming loosely, singing to themselves, while a friend joins in on bass and vocals. Urmstron’s vocal performance is particularly solid, as he is rapping in the verses. Jason Mraz has a similar style in his song ‘Curbside Prophet.’
Simplicity is what makes ‘The General’ so likeable. It’s not a musically complex number, but it makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire enjoying a jam between some lifelong friends. Few tunes offer such intimate feelings, and that’s why this song fittingly sums up Dispatch’s music; fitting for anyone.