Government grown for the people

By Chris Kula

Daily Arts Editor

With a name that connotes the finest quality of marijuana, it's only fitting that Government Grown cultivates a neo-hippie fan following. By that rationale, the group, which makes its Michigan debut tonight at the Blind Pig, should be right at home in hash-friendly Ann Arbor.

"This is our first trip into the Midwest, and it's really been phenomenal so far," said bassist Harley Orion. "It's cool getting to play at these clubs you've read about for years, and hitting all these college towns that everybody raves about."

For the past six years, the quartet - Orion, drummer Jeremy Moss, guitarist Tyler Hardwick and keyboardist Evan Polselli - has split its time between the beaches of its native San Diego and the mountains of hippie enclave Boulder, Colorado. The sun-drenched, laid-back influence of the West Coast runs deep in the band's jam-oriented roots-reggae sound - but so, for that matter, do African rhythms, trance-like electronica, and straight-up '60s rock 'n' roll.

"A lot of what we do comes from having a variety of influences," Orion said. "Anything from Traffic to the Police to traditional jazz is playing in the van when we're on the road, and it all comes together when we play."

A mix of disparate elements? A dedication to the live show? A emphasis on improvisation? Sounds like a jam band to me - and the band doesn't deny it.

"We don't have a problem with the 'jam band' label, because improvisation and jamming certainly play a big role in our sound," Orion said. "But at the same time, we don't want to be limited to just jamming. We stress quality song writing, and the framework of a good song is always the place where improvisation comes from.

"We work collaboratively when writing, so we'll all bring in different ideas and contribute different things, and whatever sticks is what we keep," Orion said.

Upon returning to San Diego, the band plans on continuing its grassroots campaign, promoting its new album, New Pieces of Clay, via its official Website (www.governmentgrown.com).

Upcoming jamband shows

The Flow, Rick's; Friday, Nov. 3

Umphrey's McGee, Blind Pig; Wednesday, Nov. 8

Ray's Music Exchange, Blind Pig; Wednesday, Nov. 15

Meropoix, Touchdown Cafe; Thursday, Nov. 16

Project Logic w/Soulive, Majestic; Saturday, Dec. 2