TWS has been performing since 1986 when the band formed with friends from San Marcos High School just outside Santa Barbara. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. Their second self-produced and released album gained heavy play on college radio and led to a record deal with Columbia. The first record released, Fear sold over one million copies in 1991 with “All I Want” leading the charge, reaching the Billboard Top 20 in that same year. The band officially broke up in 1998 to pursue other projects and have not released a new studio album since 1997.

Though they haven’t had much success since the adult alternative world exploded with similar acts, Toad the Wet Sprocket’s individual members continue to pursue music professionally.  While the original quartet has played together sporadically over the years, front man Glen Phillips has remained the most prominent figure in the music scene, releasing solo albums throughout the decade. Phillips’ most recent online-only EP “The Secrets of the New Explorers” was a relative hit, while the 2006 full-length Mr. Lemons also did well.

Glen Phillip’s voice is unique, confident, and beautiful but he not along in his talent. The haunting and beautiful harmonies the group creates captivate. The show got better and better as the night when on. I do not have the TWS catalog memorized so most of the non-hit deep cuts where brand new to me and they held up well. I would say that 75% of the show was a sing-a-long for the serious fans that the place was packed with.

This was an enjoyable show in the sense that it was very laid back. There is not much of a disconnect between the artist and the fans. Everyone seemed comfortable for the evening thinking about the glory days. If you have been riding the fence on catching these guys make a move the next time and head out. You are not going to get blown away but you will walk away feeling a little better about humanity. Until next time, I will see you out supporting live music.