The Great American Taxi at New West Fest

Jenn Cohen | September 6, 2012 | 0 Comments

by Hannah Lintner

Great American Taxi played in Old Town Square on the final day of New West Fest. The band consists of Vince Herman on guitar and mandolin, Chad Staehly on keys, Jim Lewin on guitar, Chris Sheldon on drums, and Brian Adams on bass. All members contribute to forming the band’s vocals. Herman, who also plays as Leftover Salmon’s front man, leads the group in creating a great live show. The Americana band shares similar features with bands such as Little Feat, Los Lobos, and the Grateful Dead.

The combination of rock mixed with a tad of twang allows the band to appeal to a wide range of people. Great American Taxi brought out a passionate audience ready to fully experience the band. The audience was easily caught up in the high energy music. Everyone danced with enthusiastic energy, and even sang along with a number of the band’s more popular songs. While Great American Taxi should not be confused with a jam band, they still brought out a large number of men with untamed hair and pretty girls in hippie skirts. Everyone was able to lose themselves completely in the music by committing to dancing freely without fear of judgment. Beach balls bobbed around the crowd of Fort Collins residents enjoying the band, along with their favorite local brew.

Great American Taxi is on their sixth year of producing music, and recently released their newest album, Paradise Lost, in 2011. The twelve songs focus on the subject of America in the new millennium.