Walking down Front Street on the way to see Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at The Whiskey on Saturday night, excitement filled the air in anticipation of witnessing one of Asheville’s most unique musical experiences.

The band is composed of Al Al Ingram on bass guitar, Derrick Johnson on trombone, Greg Hollowell on saxophone, JP Miller on guitar, Mary Frances on keys and Lee Allen on drums. Ingram, Allen and Frances are also vocalists. The combination makes for a groovy sound that isimmediately contagious. The band pulls most of their influence from the jam band genre with long improvisational interludes throughout the funky songs.

Each member of the band, with the exception of the drums and horns section, was utilizing effect pedals designed to manipulate the sound of the instruments to reach the desired distortion. The effect of the band on the crowd was undeniable, but it was their musical presence – not the pedals – that was responsible.

The small, intimate venue quickly filled with people of all ages and when the band hit the stage, the audience was overtaken by the music. The boisterous crowd was happy to let the sounds and vibes wash over them. Dancing ensued and everyone seemed charged by the general excitement filling the room. The place was packed, but most people didn’t even mind being jostled bythe dancers around them because of how much they were enjoying themselves.

The band played with an obvious passion and intensity that energized the whole room. The Booty Band played the song “Say I Am” to the delight of their fans. “This has been my third time seeing the Booty Band and I would have to say that each concert they jam a little harder than they did before. They’re one of my favorite bands to see live and tonight’s performance exceeded my expectations,” said concert-goer Whitney Lanier

Leaving the concert, everyone bopping their head to the tunes they had listened to all night, it seemed as though everyone was filled with the kind of satisfaction that only comes from seeing a good band play for all they are worth.