Here’s the plan: I’d like to define exactly what makes a band a “Jam” band.

Before I start, let me make something perfectly clear: I absolutely hate Jam bands. Hate ‘em. Just hearing the name Trey Anastasio makes my stomach naucious and blood starts seeping from my ears… and somewhere a fairy dies.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, I’d put “Jam” band’s at about a 1.35. For reference sake, that’s right below Nü Metal and Modern Country and just above any type of dance or electronica that could be considered “Rave” music.

As I’m sure you can already tell, I have a very narrow and downward looking view of the Jam band scene and won’t be throwing many compliments in their direction. So, if you really, really like Jam bands, you might want to refrain from reading on…

Ok. Everything clear? Good. Let’s go.

Actually, one more thing before I get started: In addition to defining what constitutes a Jam band, I need to fill you in on one more thing: I have an ulterior motive. In addition to defining Jam bands, I want to prove that Wilco is NOT a Jam band. I need to settle a small dispute with my super hot, special lady friend. She’s of the opinion that Wilco is, hands down, a Jam band. I disagree, wholeheartedly.

Ok. Now that I’ve put everything on the table, let’s go…

Wikipedia defines Jam bands as “musical groups whose albums and live performances relate to a fan culture which originated with the 1960s group Grateful Dead and continued in the 1990s with Phish and similar bands. The performances of these bands often feature extended musical improvisation (”jams”) over rhythmic grooves and chord patterns and long sets of music that cross genre boundaries.”

Ok. So, according to this definition, Jam bands consists of mainly “Hippy” culture and extended, improvised jams.

Let’s examine the later part of that definition; extended, improvised jams. Now, using this definition alone, almost any group of any genre of music could be classified as a Jam band. Everything from jazz to blues to metal to rock and beyond, so long as they tend to, well, Jam more often than not.

From time to time, you’ll hear those defending the Jam bands say that the bands have a “collective penchant for improvisation, a commitment to songcraft and a propensity to cross genre boundaries” or something similiar and far less eloquent. Essentially, they’re saying the musical stylings of most Jam bands are quite eclectic. Well, maybe they borrow from various different styles of music, but from my experience, most jam bands have a very specific feel to their music, regardless of whether or not they blend different types of music in with their own. In my opinion, you can spot a jam band tune from a mile away.

Now, back to the jam band definition. When you throw in the part about hippy culture, you get to the essence of what really defines the Jam band scene. It’s hippies, man. That’s the main ingredient. Yes, you have to Jam in order to be a Jam band, but if you’re not part of that hippy culture, playing your “eclectic” weirdo hippy music, then you’re something else. A rock band that shreds it for a while or a Jazz band that does some improvisation does not a Jam band make.

Another big part of the jam band scene is “an emphasis on creative improvisation and live performance as opposed to structured, arranged live performances and planned studio recordings.” In other words, the live “feel” is a critical part of the Jam band scene. Playing live, improvised shows are much more important than crafting an album in the studio. That’s cool. I don’t have a problem with that. I do, though, enjoy a well produced and thoughtfully crafted album. Nirvana Unplugged aside, I’m not a big fan of live album’s.

So, for me, here are the “ingredients” that define a jam band:

• Hippy culture
• Both band members and fans subscribe to the culture
• The majority of the songs are improvised and looooooooong
• Sounds “Jammy”
• Place much more importance in playing live than recording

Obviously, there are other ingredients, such as following bands on tour, a love of playing festivals, being required to be high while at the show, etc. I won’t go into them here, but those are also part of the Jam band formula.

Now, let’s take a look at Wilco and see how well they fit the definition.

• Hippy culture
• Does Wilco have fans with hippy tendencies?
• Undoubtedly.
• Are the majority of the fans hippies?
• That’s a resounding no.
• Are the band members more hippy than not?
• Certainly not. From what I can tell, they’re pretty laid back rock dudes, but rock dudes nonetheless.
• Long, Improvised songs
• When they play live, they will occasionally “Jam.” There’s no arguing that. But, they don’t Jam nearly as much or as long as bands like Phish and I guarantee you there is much more structure to their jamming than actual Jam bands.
• Sounds “Jammy”
• At times, they do sound a bit “Jammy.” But on the whole, I’d say no.
• More importance on playing live than recording
• Most certainly not. From what I can tell, they are both equally important to the band. Playing live is huge, but creating a masterful, layered, rich sounding record is of the utmost importance to the group. If you’ve seen “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” you know what I’m talking about.

So, to sum it up, yes, Wilco has a few Jam band tendencies and I can understand why someone may initially call them a Jam band. They will jam when they play live and yes they have some hippy fans. But, on the whole, Wilco lacks some key ingredients that would classify them as a Jam band and put them in the same realm as Phish and the Grateful Dead.

Wilco is most certainly, definitely not a Jam band… At least in my opinion.

What do you think?

Here’s a 16 and a half minute “Jam” by Phish:

Here’s “I’m Always in Love” by Wilco: