The Heavy Pets willingly dove into the depths of eclecticism and funk once again in a double header of a weekend that epitomized a band's progression. Reggae beats, bluesy keyboard, and rock and roll riffs combined to create insanely good music and a happy crowd. The Pets are tearin' up the Florida scene during their fall tour, incorporating a range of stylistic endeavors that showcase their undeniable versatility. New jams, catchy lyrics and an evolved sound are quickly becoming the pulse of south Florida.

The Heavy Pets continue to light up the stage with personalities bigger than life and techniques of a band that beyond being cohesively sound is hugely talented and fun to be in the presence of. Not only did The Pets command the stage in North Miami at Tobacco Road on Friday 9/28/07, opening for Spam All Stars, but surpassed themselves, even, with a feverishly bold and entertaining Saturday night, 9/29/07 shin-dig at the Dive Bar in Fort Lauderdale. While the set lists for both nights included a range of Pets classics like "Iceberg Blues," "So Thank You Music," and "Madagascar," some surprises were underway. "Played Again," "Foolish," and "Eleanor B. Roosevelt" were amongst the debuted and were executed and received with perfect delight and unhindered musicality.

The Pets are the band you'll be looking back at saying, "I remember when I saw them at this tiny bar in Fort Lauderdale, or Syracuse or some other place off the beaten path." It's inevitable they're about to blow up the scene and gain a huge following. While they're stylistically different, subtle comparisons must be made with regard to the potential popularity they could gain. Think: Phish, circa 1988, hittin'up the Burlington scene at Nectar's, Goddard, and such, with friends calling out songs from the back of a tiny bar and gasping at the ingenious sound of Divided Sky and Harpua, to name a few. We've all heard the muffled recordings. The Pets give off that same feeling, where one can't help but acknowledge that they're on the brink of greatness, which leads to calling out favorites from the back of a tiny beach bar, and smiling from ear to ear while every bone in your body just aches to groove.

It's clear The Heavy Pets have reached a new musical height, as their sound has seemingly developed past the stereotypical jam band basics to a more mature, controlled, and highly influenced vibe. They kill it on stage, almost hypnotizing fans with a steady, precise rhythm and innovative lyrics. The crowd leaves pleased by the innuendos and good nature of the band, but moreover wide-eyed by an amazing performance.

The Heavy Pets are:

Jeff Lloyd: Lead guitar and vocals
Jim Wuest: Piano
Mike Genius: Guitar and vocals
Joe Dupell: Bass
Ryan Neuberger: Drums

Learn more about this author, Taylor Divico.
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