Local Band the McLovins to Play at 'Vibes' in Bridgeport

Summer is a time to head to the beach to soak in the warm air, and to embrace relaxation. And for many, it's a time to listen to music outdoors.

On July 21, the four-day . This year marks the 16th celebration of the annual festival.

One of the band’s performing — The McLovins — features locals from Simsbury, Canton and Granby.

Festival promoter Ken Hays, who lives in Weston, recently expressed his enthusiasm of how things are shaping up as the Vibes approaches.

“I feel that the Vibes 2011 is falling together beautifully,” Hays told Patch. “Based on ticket sales to date as compared to last year, if this trend continues, camping will sell out in advance.” Hays said VIP tickets are “selling very well now” and those tickets are likely to sell out in advance as well.

Even if camping passes sell out, Hays said, “we have plenty of room for people to come to Seaside Park for the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

Hays said there’s a new offer at the Vibes this year for Connecticut residents.

“If you’re a Connecticut resident and you show up at the gates on Sunday and show your photo ID indicating you’re a Connecticut resident, tickets are $20 at the gate,” Hays said. “We’re encouraging folks to come down with the kids.”

All in all, Hays is happy with the feedback he’s heard thus far.

“We’re thrilled with the responses that we’ve had so far and it’s really encouraging to see so many Connecticut residents and families that are planning to join us at the Vibes this summer,” Hays said.

The music

The Gathering of the Vibes was founded to celebrate the life of legendary Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Jerry Garcia, who passed away in 1995. Hays has said in the past that he aims to assemble an eclectic assortment of musicians at the festival, as Garcia was a fan of all types of music.

So who's there to see at the festival this year?

Headlining this year's festival is Furthur, a band championed by former Grateful Dead members bassist Phil Lesh and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir. Other notable acts include Jane's Addiction, moe., the Levon Helm Band, Toots & The Maytals and Elvis Costello & The Imposters. To see a full list of bands, click here.

Each year, Hays also makes sure to add the musical spice of Connecticut-based bands to the festival's lineup. Patch recently spoke to two such bands: The McLovins and Kung Fu.

The McLovins

The McLovins — a teenaged trio comprised of drummer and vocalist Jake Huffman, bassist Jason Ott and guitarist Jeff Howard, of Granby, Simsbury and Canton — will take the main stage at the Vibes on Saturday, July 23.

“We’re kind of like an improvisational rock group,” Huffman told Patch. “We have a lot of influences from jazz to rock to eletronica to indie music. We have our own sound and kind of branch off into everything.”

The McLovins, in a way, are products of the digital age. The band posted a video on YouTube of themselves covering Phish’s complex “You Enjoy Myself.” Phish “phans” — as they’re known — discovered their rendition, and word spread across a popular band message board.

What happened next, as they say, is history.

“It was crazy,” Huffman said. “We had tons of YouTube comments. It plunged us into the Internet being our source of advertising and how we get our name out there.”

Huffman said the band has a couple of tricks up its collective sleeve for the Vibes.

“People should expect to be surprised,” he said. “We’re planning a really, really good show. People will kind of understand who we are after this gig.”

The band is young — literally — Huffman and Ott recently graduated from high school, and Howard has not.

“We’re staying close and local, so we’ll keep playing together,” he said.

Kung Fu           

New Haven-based Kung Fu, according to guitarist Tim Palmieri, is a “funk-fusion band.”

“We do improvise, but we don’t go on for super-extended jams,” Palmieri told Patch. “Everything is funky — harmonically or tempo-wise. It’s a little complex, but it’s high energy music.”

Kung Fu is a five-piece band, featuring Palmieri, keyboardist Todd Stoops, bassist Dave Livolsi, saxophonist Rob Somerville and drummer Adrian Tramantano.

“There’s a funk-jazz aspect to the group,” Palmieri said. “The majority of what we play is instrumental, and we play more originals than covers. But no matter what, people are dancing. It’s definitely groove-oriented. It’s highbrow-dance-party-funk.”

Palmieri said the band's excited to perform at the Vibes on Friday, July 22.

“Vibes is going to be off the hook, weather permitting,” Palmieri said. “Last year, the weather was outstanding. It was like a dream festival. It was beautiful.”

Kung Fu's debut CD will be ready in time for the Vibes, Palmieri said. The band had a record release party on June 30.

For more information on the Gathering of the Vibes, visit the festival's website.