It’s been a couple years since Jelly Bread played in Carson City, but they’re ready for their first big show since the pandemic started. They’re a local band from Reno, and they get to play in the area about twice year since they’re usually on the road touring. “When we play Reno or close by, you can count on some good shows because we’re only around every five or six months,” Dave Berry said. The band opens the Brewery Art Center’s Levitt AMP Concert Series presented by the Change Companies. Berry said the band enjoys the smaller, more intimate feeling in Carson City. In a small town like Carson, he said it feels like everybody is there and it’s the place to be. He said in big cities with many different things going on, you could be one of many events happening. Jelly Bread has undergone a couple changes through the pandemic. As a touring band, they didn’t all need to be from the same city since they just needed to be together on the road. With no shows last year, everyone had to find jobs in the towns they lived in. Since they lost a couple members through that, they had to switch around the lineup with some new faces. The core of the band has been Berry on guitar and vocals and Cliff Porter on drums and vocals. The two have played shows together in the region as part of Loud as Folk, and last year they played the Flatbed Concert Series as 14K. Berry said he is excited to be playing as a full band with new members. “We’re going to spread the wings, so to speak,” he said. The new bandmembers include Sean Leahy on guitar, Sam Phelps on keyboard and Cliff Porter Jr. on bass, creating a father/son connection in the band. Berry said Leahy is well known in the jamband scene, and Phelps has the talent to sit in with anybody. Dave said the dynamic between Porter and his son is their ability to read each other’s minds when it comes to playing music. “It will be cool having some new guys,” Dave said. “We can take it in a different direction.” Dave said getting back into the swing of things has been hard and they haven’t had the chance to work on anything new. They’ve been focusing on making a living after struggling during the pandemic. “This is the first time in over 10 years that people had to get regular jobs,” he said. They don’t have a tour set up, and this is the first show back as a full band. He is confident life will resume back to pre-pandemic times, and it all starts Saturday at the Brewery Arts Center.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Jelly Bread and Sal’s Greenhouse at Brewery Art Center’s Levitt AMP Concert Series WHERE: The Change Companies Stage, 449 West King St. at the Brewery Arts Center WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10 MORE INFO: https://breweryarts.org http://www.jellybread.net https://www.salsgreenhouse.com/ MORE FROM THE BAC Besides music, the BAC concerts also include variety of food trucks at each show, bars, kids’ activities including the free mural wall, pets on leashes are welcome, handicap parking on Second Street. BAC Executive Director Gina Lopez said the BAC has some environmental changes they are looking forward to this year. "The Brewery Arts Center is proud to let everyone know that we are moving towards a greener environment with multiple, new bike racks to encourage motor free transportation and our 5th anniversary stainless reusable cup for purchase that will get you discounts on every beer you buy for the rest of the season." Regarding COVID-19 safety, she said everyone should feel welcome and comfortable coming to the shows. "There will be no mask-shaming allowed at the BAC, if you feel more comfortable wearing a mask or are unvaccinated, please feel free to wear a mask and we have enough room to practice social distancing during the event to enjoy at your own comfort level".
