by Alyse Horn
Saturday night at Union Transfer, the Kalob Griffin Band rocked their 5th Annual Holiday Bash to a crowd of about 800 people. This crowd is what drummer Eric Lawry refers to as the “KGB Family.”
Church Girls and American Babies opened for the headliner, which Larwy said added to the good vibrations felt at the show.
“Church Girls were super energetic and siked to be there. I watched their entire set from the side of the stage,” Lawry said.
When Church Girls opened on Saturday night, few people were in front of the stage. By the time their set ended, the band had drawn attendees who gathered around the bar over on to the dance floor.
American Babies kept people movin’ and groovin’ before KGB came out around 10:20 p.m. and played until midnight. Local singer Ali Wadsworth joined the band for a few songs to sing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” and a KGB original “Fire and Time”. There was also a full horn section that joined the band on stage throughout the night.
Lawry said the first Holiday Bash was also one of KGB’s first shows in Philadelphia at North Star Bar, where about 100 people showed up. The band’s very first Philadelphia show was at Fergie’s Pub.
“We have just been moving up the ranks,” Lawry said. “It’s really amazing to think back to five Decembers ago and begging our friends to come see us at Fergie’s and pay $5 for a cover.”
Saturday night, KGB didn’t have to beg anyone. The floor in front of the stage was jam packed with people taking any and every opportunity to crowd surf during the band’s performance.
“None of this happens without the people who were there Saturday night,” Lawry said. “They are the heart and soul of this band.”
KGB will be taking the month of January off to relax and recoup after a hectic year. After the short break, they will be traveling to Vermont in February to take residency at Nectars. Of course, they’ll also be working on new music.
KGB’s current songs are featured on their website, kalobgriffinband.com, and for the first time ever will also be featured on iTunes and Spotify in January.
