Camp Counselor Kyle Checks In From Buffalo as Aqueous Goes "Wizard Of Oz" for Halloween

Nothing beats a hometown show… unless it’s a double hometown show featuring Buffalo’s own Aqueous and Funktional Flow for a sold out 2 night run featuring themes for Halloween weekend!  Unfortunately, due to prior halloween shenanigans I was only able to make it for Halloween night, featuring a Wizard of Oz theme! The only regret I had after my face was melted to the ground was that I hadn’t attended the night before. Let’s start from the start.. Funktional Flow. Get to to know these guys… If you don’t, please trust me when I say you need to. This talented 5 piece act from Buffalo will keep you dancing from the moment they walk on stage and keep you smiling after they walk off. The band is made up of Jeffrey Kuebler (Guitar & Vocals), Ben Whelan (Bass), Joey Lewis (Guitar & Vocals), Jim Edgar (Drums), and Matthew Lester (Keys, Sax & Vocals). Besides the fact that these dudes jam hard, one of my favorite parts of the band is out how they transition in and out of genres including ( but not limited to )  funk, rock, and reggae. I made sure to get there early ( dressed as a pirate ) to catch these guys. I was also pleasantly surprised when they had a guest Sax and Trumpet accompany them on stage.  Mind blown! The most memorable moments of their set was the last two songs they played. They did a cover of Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke, and for their last tune they did a cover of Aqueous’s Warren in the Window. Was a kick ass way to end an already fire set! Check out a jam from their set: https://youtu.be/FeEBJUufxfg After talking to spider man, a male version of dorthy, and a doctor, I grabbed a beer and got ready for Aqueous! They took the stage shortly after and I knew I was in for a treat! Dressed as characters from Wizard of Oz, they came right out with a jammy intro of MGM Wizard of Oz Intro/Somewhere Over the Rainbow! A couple of notes right as they came out. 1. They just got some kick ass lighting, and it rocks! I’m a huge visual person, and I love what they added! 2. This was the first time I have seen them since their drummer recently left for medical reasons. Aqueous now consists of Mike Gantzer (Guitar/Vocals), Dave Loss (Guitar/Keys/Vocals), Evan McPhaden (Bass), and Tom Vayo (Drums). Likewise to Funktional Flow, Aqueous also had some guests take the stage including Matt Harris on Sax and Sarah Jane on vocals. And. It. Was. AWESOME! Their first set was full of rage, and I knew they were coming out strong for their second. They took a very short break, and to my surprise ( but makes so much sense when you think of it ) did a bunch of Pink Floyd covers! I think my favorite was Great Gig in the Sky. It takes a LOT of talent to pull off those female vocals, and Sarah Jane was no joke. Her voice was nothing short of amazing! Here’s a quick peak when they performed Time: https://youtu.be/OaCjwrNtMl4 Aqueous really is one of the most talented up and coming jam bands out there. They never cease to amaze me! I can’t even count how many times I have seen them live, and they blow my expectations time and time again! Just check out this setlist:

Set 1: MGM Wizard of Oz Intro/Somewhere Over the Rainbow1 > Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Eon Don, Mulligans2, Complex Pt. I > Wandering, Complex Pt. II, If I Only Had a Brain3 4 King For A Day> Somewhere Over the Rainbow3