Richard LLoyd Group at Putnam Place 05/14/2022 By: Andrzej Pilarczyk

Opener: Family Tree

Richard LLoyd (g, lead vocal) Group w/David Leonard (b) and Tom Currier (dr)

On the darkened stage within Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Place, Richard LLoyd and his bandmates walked up, almost unnoticed, onto the bandstand.  Tom Currier, the drummer, squeezed into his seat behind the drum kit and picked up his sticks. David Leonard, a three-decade veteran of the group, plugged in his electric bass. Lloyd had his electric-guitar slung over his shoulder, positioned himself behind his mic-stand and adjusted his gear to begin the show. 

Richard LLoyd is best known as a founding member of the early 1970’s art rock-punk-band Television. That pioneering outfit was a true original and prominent among their peers in the early NYC punk scene because of LLoyd and Tom Verlaine’s interlocking two-guitar attack. That group only lasted for 5 years, released two albums and disbanded in 1978. Television reformed briefly in 1992, released an album and they have occasionally played together since then. LLoyd has pursued an interesting solo career releasing almost a dozen albums and continues to tour with his group as well as play with others including Matthew Sweet.  

In the darkness the Richard LLoyd Group launched into their first song. Spotlights and the giant video-screen behind and above the band exploded with colors, shapes and patterns. Patrons that were outside on the patio quickly shuffled in to stand at the bar or the back of the room. Others took a seat at the tables inside the venue. 

The music that Richard LLoyd’s trio presented that night was gritty and raw, but polished through tasteful and masterful guitar, bass and drum interplay. LLoyd’s vocals were honest and straightforward. His song’s arrangements were occasionally peppered with hints of other music styles or artists drawn from the ever-evolving history of Rock music from its inception. 

Opening that night was a collective of regional musicians called Family Tree. Chris Carrey (Rodeo Barons, Railbird), a superb multi-instrumentalist, manned the keyboards and sang. Lorie Friday & Kenny Hohlem (Super 400), added defining bass and lead guitar to the mix of tunes. Chad Ploss manned one of two drum sets propelling the band and sang one song. Local legend, Steve Candlen, sat at the second drum kit. Frontman and guitarist for the group for much of the night, Rob Fleming, even played the drums while his band mate Ploss was at the mic. The band’s music that night was an engaging mix of covers in the spirit of Jam and Rock.