Today, The Disco Biscuits bassist Marc Brownstein celebrates his 51st trip around the sun.
For over a quarter-century, Brownstein has provided the backbone for the Biscuits’ trademark sound, infusing strong elements of funk and classical music into the band’s jamtronica approach. Brownstein has also been something of a voice for the band, often taking time to share his thoughts and reflections with the group’s loyal following onstage, interacting with fans on a personal level offstage, and generally being a pretty cool dude.
Even beyond the Biscuits, Brownstein has been a ubiquitous presence in the jam band scene for decades. He co-founded HeadCount with Andy Bernstein and has been a vocal advocate and ambassador for the music-focused voter registration initiative since its 2004 origins. He has also spawned a series of successful side projects, including Electron (with fellow Philly native sons Tom Hamilton, Mike Greenfield, and Aron Magner), Biscuits/Break Science supergroup [Br]eaking [Bi]scuits, Conspirator (also featuring his Biscuits bandmate Aron Magner plus Chris Michetti), and his most recent Star Kitchen (with Danny Meyer, Rob Marchser, and Marlon Lewis).
In honor of Brownstein’s birthday, we dug up a gem from one of his past birthday celebrations—a 1999 show at Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA, played on the day Brownie turned 26. A lot has changed since 1999, but The Disco Biscuits still remain one of the most vital members of the jam community.
While the group is currently playing some of their best music since that young era, there’s nothing quite like a young band eager to impress. This show came in the middle of a four-night, four-venue run, spanning from April 7th–10th, 1999. The energy at this show was palpable, as The Disco Biscuits opened with “The Overture”, played standout renditions of “Little Shimmy In A Conga Line” and “Magellan”, and offered up a particularly jam-heavy second set.
Listen to full-show audio of the 1999 performance below.
The Disco Biscuits – The Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA – 4/8/1999
[Audio: Nick Michels]
Setlist: The Disco Biscuits | Chameleon Club | Lancaster, PA | 4/8/1999
Set One: The Overture, Barfly, Little Shimmy In A Conga Line> Aquatic Ape, Magellan> Three Wishes, Morph Dusseldorf
Set Two: Radiator> Shem-Rah Boo> Trooper McCue> Mr. Don> Magellan
Encore: Once The Fiddler Paid, Wet
[Originally published 4/8/19]