As Dopapod steadily approaches an indefinite hiatus in 2025, guitarist Rob Compa is looking to the future by announcing he will join a new band. Beginning with a run of shows in 2025, Compa will play guitar for newly reactivated jam band The Niche from his hometown of Rochester, NY.
The Niche announced the addition on Thursday along with a trio of shows welcoming Compa to the lineup. The run will begin on April 24th with a hometown show at Three Heads in Rochester, followed by Colony in Woodstock the next night, and wrapping at Nectar’s in Compa’s adopted hometown of Burlington, VT on April 26th. The band noted that more dates will be announced.
“Been a huge fan of these guys since 2004 when my Mom was driving me to their shows and waiting in the parking lot bc I was underage,” Compa wrote on social media. “Here’s to 20 years of friendship and being one of my favorite bands ever!!! ya can take the guy out of Rochester but ya can’t take the Rochester out of the guy!!!”
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Part of the jam band boom at the turn of the century, The Niche made its studio debut in 2002 with Building Up. The album brought the band attention from the rapidly expanding jam band community, and—according to the group’s website—praise from JamBase founder Andy Gadiel who said, “It’s been the go-to in my car stereo.” With unique and captivating live performances, The Niche earned spots opening for scene staples Umphrey’s McGee, Derek Trucks Band, Max Creek, and more. By expanding its scope beyond the standard jam band fodder and crafting intricate, complex, and adventurous compositions, the band spread its influence and co-headlined shows with Frank Zappa tribute Project/Object and opened for the Gene Ween Band. The Niche hit its stride in the early 2000s, and many audience recordings of those shows are available on the Internet Archive.
Compa officially crossed paths with The Niche in 2006 when the budding guitarist was invited to substitute for The Niche’s Erik Ward during his temporary leave of absence in 2006. That same year, The Niche ceased active touring but continued for special occasions from time to time. Fast forward to 2020, and The Niche issued its long-awaited sophomore studio album Breaking Down, which had sat on the shelf for a decade and a half. As The Niche prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, the band will hit the ground running with fresh blood from Rob Compa and new tour dates. In an announcement, the band noted “More dates are being added throughout the year in preparation for a 25th anniversary celebration in the fall.”
The Niche — “Kangaroo (Jam)” — Troy, NY — 1/8/05
[Video: billyorbit]
Meanwhile, Compa’s other band Dopapod is gearing up for its final five shows before going on indefinite hiatus. Bandmates Eli Winderman (keys), Chuck Jones (bass), Neal “Fro” Evans (drums), and Compa announced their decision in June, stating that beginning in 2025 “Dopapod will no longer be touring, recording, or writing for the foreseeable future.” After 16 years as a full-time, professional touring band “the price we have paid mentally, financially, physically and otherwise can no longer be ignored.” Dopapod will say goodbye with a final swing through the Midwest, making stops in Kalamazoo, MI (12/27–12/28), Cleveland (12/29), and lastly Woodlands Tavern in Columbus, OH (12/30–12/31), a longtime home-away-from-home for the band.