It was a hazy, high-energy night of other worldly soundscapes, prog-inspired improv, funky dance grooves, and surprise sit-ins in Saratoga Springs on April 19^th, as revered indie jam rockers Dopapod and charismatic up-and-comers Baked Shrimp joined forces for a wild time at Putnum Place, a show presented by Hartstone Productions.

Kicking off the festivities was red-hot Long Island crustation sensation Baked Shrimp. The fiery trio wasted no time getting the party going, launching into mythical beast mode early with “Chimera.” “Is this all a dream or am I awake?” crooned guitarist Jared Cowen, as the band magnetically pulled you into an exploratory and surreal type-two realm before the opening 16-minute number would reach its impressive peak.

Drummer Jager Soss would take over on vocal duties during the up-tempo swing of “Molly Ann” and then trade them off to bassist Scott Reill on the equally energetic “Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts.” Playing this particular show using Dopapod drummer Neal Evans massive kit, Soss was like a kid in a candy store here, clearly having a blast while utilizing all the bells, blocks and cymbals that were at his disposal.

The prog-heavy technical chops of the band were on full display once again during “Missing Midnight,” which by now, everyone that had been standing in the back, had collectively moved forward to get a better look at the young sorcery taking shape before their eyes. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of his custom Forshage guitar, Cowen and his trusty new ax known as “The Wrench” sounded particularly potent during the set closing “Wannabe,” which also included an “I Am The Slime” tease by Frank Zappa for good measure. Despite the time constraints, it was another impressive set by this talented young band from New York. As early believers, tracking Baked Shrimp’s continued growth over the last few years has been an absolute joy and it seems like their hard work is beginning to pay off. With a massive summer ahead that includes making their Peach Festival debut, along with high profile slots at Northlands and The Rye Bread Music Festival, it’s safe to say these talented nice guys are right on the cusp of busting out of their proverbial shells.

After a brief intermission followed by several minutes of sci-fi ambiance, it was finally time for our headliners Dopapod to take over. No stranger to the Putnum Place, the band has played several memorable shows here, including joint gigs with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a “Grateful Sabbath” themed Halloween show, and just last year playing a single-song set covering Pink Floyd’s “Echoes.” On the eve of April 20^th, it felt like anything was fair game.

Kicking things into high gear off the rip was “Numbers Need Humans” from the bands 2019 album Emit Time. Consisting of Eli Winderman on keys, Rob Compa on guitar, Chuck Jones on bass and Neal “Fro” Evans on drums, Dopapod had the whole room vibing right from the start. The dank grooves continued as the band seamlessly transitioned into the always coveted “New James,” which took on a far more sentimental feel here as Dopapod worked in a significant “Wax” tease, paying tribute to their peers and friends in Lotus. Still fresh in everyone’s mind, fans of both bands continue to grieve the suddenly loss of Lotus’ percussionist Chuck Morris and his son Charley who tragically lost their lives on a recent kayaking trip.

“Wheazy” and “Test of Time” would then follow suit before segueing nicely into “Imaginary Friend.” From there, Dopapod would get some help from a real-life friend in moe. drummer Vinny Amico, who would trade seats with Neal Evans to sink his teeth into “Dracula’s Monk” and bring the hour long first set to a pummeling close.

Following a 25 minute intermission, Putnum Place popped off once again when Dopapod returned with a dynamic “Sonic” > “My Elephant vs. Your Elephant” combo to get the second frame rolling. The band would then invite another longtime friend, Adrian Tramontano of Twiddle/Kung Fu/ The Breakfast fame out to play drums on the popular old-school track “Indian Grits.” The heavy hands of Tramontano both brought the thunder and the house down during his extended solo, wowing the crowd to rowdy new heights.

Accompanied by a spectacular light show, the energy level would go through the roof on the next song “Vol. 3 #86” which would flow through “Man or Machine” and finally land on “Black Holes”; the only song from the band’s latest self-titled studio album to be played on this night.

With just 5 minutes to go before the stroke of midnight, the band opted to go with the appropriate “Nuggy Jawson” to officially ring in the 4/20 holidaze and put a bow on yet another memorable performance at the Putnum.

A jam packed show from start to finish, in a room full of longtime fans and friends, complete with surprise sit-ins from members of moe. and Twiddle, it was everything you could have hoped for on this mid-week throwdown in Saratoga Springs. Up next for Dopapod, the band will take a few weeks off before returning to the road for a lengthy run of shows that will see them through the end of May. Their only confirmed summer festival appearance thus far is set for the last weekend in June at the annual High Sierra Music Fest in Quincy, California.