Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic (WSP) is a hard-hitting southern rock force from Athens, Georgia. WSP is commonly referred to as a jam band, and has a dedicated fan base similar to, albeit smaller than that of the The Grateful Dead. What began as a weekly jam session at the Uptown Lounge in 1985 (see 1985 in music) grew into a six-man musical force that draws large crowds all over the US.

Their debut LP, Space Wrangler, established a small fanbase and inagurated several years of constant touring before the band signed to Capricorn Records and released their major label debut, Widespread Panic in 1991 (see 1991 in music). After appearing with the H.O.R.D.E. tours for a few years, the band became one of the most popular new jam bands.

Playing as many as 150 shows a year, WSP built a large fanbase without MTV or Top 40 Radio, by consistently performing at a high level and becoming master setlist creators. You can attend three consecutive WSP concerts without hearing the same song twice.

To celebrate the release of their first live album, Light Fuse, Get Away, WSP offered a free "CD release party" concert in the streets of hometown Athens. An estimated 100,000 fans descended on the town, transforming it into the largest CD release party in history.

In August 2002, founding guitarist Michael Houser lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. George McConnell, a long time bar band hack and Beanland alumnus, joined in Houser's wake. At the end of the summer tour, WSP went back to the studio to record Ball, a testament that, as Houser wished, they would continue as a band.

After 18 years of non-stop touring, only pausing for studio recording and Christmas vacation, the band announced in late 2003 that they would be taking a hiatus in 2004 to spend time with their friends and families.

In 2005, on March 24th, WSP started touring again, beginning with three shows at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. In a testament to the fanbase, all of the major venues sold out, and the tradition began again.

Discography

• Space Wrangler Landslide Records, 1988
• Widespread Panic Capricorn Records, 1991
• Space Wrangler Capricorn (re-release), 1992
• Everyday Capricorn, 1993
• Ain't Life Grand Capricorn, 1994
• Nine High A Pallet Capricorn (recorded with Vic Chesnutt under the collective name Brute), 1996
• Bombs & Butterflies Capricorn, 1997
• Light Fuse, Get Away Capricorn, 1998
• 'Til The Medicine Takes Capricorn, 1999
• Another Joyous Occasion Widespread Records, 2000
• Don't Tell the Band Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2001
• Co-balt Widespread Records (recorded with Vic Chesnutt under the collective name Brute), 2002
• Live in the Classic City Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2002
• Ball Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2003
• Night of Joy Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2004
• Über Cobra Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2004
• Jackassolantern Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records, 2004

External links

• Widespread Panic: The Official Site
• Everyday Companion Online