There’s nothing quite like reuniting with old friends, and for From Good Homes, every show is a joyful reunion. That goes not only for band members Todd Sheaffer, Brady Rymer, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Jamie Coan, and Dan Myers, who first came together when they were still in high school and now play shows together just once a year, but also for the scores of fans who have flocked to see them for the past three decades.
On Friday and Saturday, the band returned to Newton Theatre, just a stone’s throw from Sparta, NJ, where the group first formed and fostered its loyal fanbase. Despite facing issues with their record label that resulted in a premature breakup and ten-year hiatus, the five musicians looked and sounded like they never missed a beat, their chemistry still apparent after all these years.
Related: Todd Sheaffer Reflects On The Life, Death, & Rebirth Of From Good Homes [Interview]
Brady’s infectious smile lit up the intimate movie theater-turned-concert venue along with two Christmas trees on opposite sides of the stage. Jamie’s fiddle and Dan’s saxophone(s) meanwhile provided complementary timbres, combining with the foundation of Todd’s acoustic guitar, Patrick’s tasteful drum grooves, and Brady’s fluid bass playing to produce the band’s signature sound dubbed “hick-pop” by one journalist.
From Good Homes – “Buttefly & The Tree” > “Me And Bobby McGee” > “Butterfly & The Tree” – 12/20/24
(Video: J4LM)
Todd handled the bulk of lead vocal duties, as he does with his other band Railroad Earth, though night one saw Brady take over for “Banging Out A Melody”. Patrick also sang lead during Kris Kristofferson‘s “Me and Bobby McGee”, which arrived in the middle of fan favorite “Butterfly & The Tree”. There were also several moments when the audience sang along so loudly that Todd stepped away from the mic completely. Other highlights of night one included a funky “Sweet Spot” and a second cover in honor of the recently departed Kris Kristofferson, “Loving Arms”, featuring special guest Leslie Sautter on lead vocals.
From Good Homes – “Sweet Spot” – 12/20/24
After the second set came to a close, the crowd demanded more, clapping in unison until the band returned for an electrifying “Fruitful Acre” encore with Stevo Nelson on washboard/spice rack.
From Good Homes With Stevo Nelson – “Fruitful Acre” – 12/20/24
(Video: J4LM)
The energy remained high as the festivities continued on Saturday. Ever the captivating showman, Brady imitated Chuck Berry‘s famous one-legged duckwalk and used his bass to smash Patrick’s cymbals at the end of a rocking “Way To Go Pam”. That explosive number was followed by a pair of calmer tunes, Railroad Earth’s reggae-tinged “Old Man & The Land” and the folky “Day Is Alive”.
After that, the band repeated “Butterfly & The Tree” for the second night in a row, but this time Todd inserted a verse from the Grateful Dead‘s “Box of Rain” in honor of the late Phil Lesh. The first set finished on a high note with “Comin’ On Home”, which felt particularly suitable for the homecoming show, with the crowd singing along and bouncing to the beat like a down-home country hoedown.
From Good Homes – “It’s Gettin’ Dirty” – 12/21/24
(Video: J4LM)
After welcoming Dan’s brother and niece to sit in on trumpet for “It’s Gettin’ Dirty”, the band and audience let loose in set two during a rambunctious rendition of “Go Wild”, which concluded with a Springsteen-esque sax solo. Fan favorite “Second Red Barn on the Right” then gave way to “I Am A Mess”, which featured the longest, most experimental jam of the weekend.
From Good Home – “I Am A Mess” – 12/21/24
(Video: J4LM)
With plenty of gas still left in the tank, Todd and Brady pulled off some impressive improvised choreography during the Velvet Underground‘s “Rock & Roll”, each duckwalking across the stage towards each other and then back to their respective posts. The set closer, “Raindance”, featured some of the run’s most beautiful three-part vocal harmonies from Todd, Dan, and Brady, and the crowd clapped along throughout Patrick’s drum solo, underscoring the deep, intimate connection between the band and fans that made the weekend so special.
Before bringing the run to a close with “Maybe We Will”, Todd mused, “Goes by too quick, wish we had more time,” and told the audience to “put your arms around someone and tell them you love them.” Todd and Brady again danced in unison, kicking out their legs while Jaime played a Celtic folk-style fiddle solo and the audience jigged along.
Check out photos and the full setlists from From Good Home at Newton Theatre below.