t versions played at different shows.Notwithstanding their immense talent, Galactic has remained accessible to their audience. As they began touring, Galactic endured a rocky start, at times playing before crowds of as few as fifty. And though, due largely to their original persistence, their shows routinely sell out now, they continue to be personable to fans, as I have found out myself. At a Galactic concert I attended recently, I noticed that the group reacted to the crowd, accepted requests, and was very courteous and friendly, even inviting me backstage, engaging in conversation, signing autographs, and posing for photos. Ellman gave my friend a harmonica he played during the concert, and drummer Stanton Moore bestowed upon me a pair of sticks he used that night, which I treasure to this day.Although Galactic is known for innovation and creativity, outside influences are apparent in their music. Galactic claims to have “picked up where The Meters left off,” and The Meters’ influence on them is evident on nearly every song. The group even includes old Meters tunes such as Africa and Tippi-toes in their live repertoire. Like Galactic, The Meters were also born of New Orleans, with its history of heavy rhythms, street performers, and raucous festivals, including the untamed Mardi Gras. The musical influences of New Orleans seem to be so pervasive that they “rub off on anyone with ears,” according to keyboardist Rich Vogel. In addition to The Meters’ influence on Galactic, the effect of earlier jazz legends Miles Davis, whose cool style can be heard on Honey Island, and Thelonious Monk, who actually wrote the melody of Green Chimneys, can be observed. Doe 3Of course the driving force behind the music is its rhythm, which in the case of Galactic goes far beyond the typical 1, 2, 3, 4. While he can certainly lay down a basic, heavy backbeat, as demonstrated on the song Tighten Your Wig, Stanton ...
