Every band has a beginning, and for Good Trees River Band (GTRB), the journey starts in Massachusetts, back in 2015. What began as a collaboration between three high school friends—Danny Circharo, Gavin Gebhardt, and Evan Valentine—quickly grew into something bigger. But the band’s roots in psychedelic rock and progressive elements weren’t immediately obvious. Like any band, the sound that defines Good Trees today came after years of honing their craft, exploring musical boundaries, and bringing in the right players to make it happen.
In the early days, GTRB leaned more into the jam band and traditional Americana vibes, with loose, fun sets that captured the energy of youth. Their early performances—open mics, bar gigs, and private parties—were all about exploration, seeing where the music could take them. Even without a bassist in the lineup, the trio managed to bring a dynamic energy to their shows, earning a loyal following in Southeast Massachusetts.
But everything started to change in 2016. That’s when Ned Brady joined the band on bass, and the group’s sound began to morph. Suddenly, the musical foundation that Good Trees had built over the previous year found a new anchor. With a bassist in place, the band began to take their music more seriously. Their four-track EP followed, and their dive into the New England music scene opened doors they hadn’t even imagined.
The Early Influences: Psychedelic Meets Jam
From the beginning, Good Trees River Band was never content to play by the rules. Sure, they were inspired by the jam bands of the 2000s, but they weren’t interested in recreating what had already been done. While they leaned into the improv-heavy performances of bands like Phish and The Grateful Dead, they also had their eyes set on something deeper. Bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson introduced them to the sprawling, complex structures of progressive rock, and it wasn’t long before those influences began creeping into their own music.
The duality of psychedelic rock and prog became the foundation of their sound, but it didn’t happen all at once. In the early years, the band’s music reflected a more subdued energy, a carefree looseness that echoed the jam scenes of their influences. But as they grew together, hitting stages across the Northeast, something started to shift.
Finding Their Progressive Edge
With the addition of Ned Brady and more time spent on the road, Good Trees River Band began to find their identity. The group became tighter, more cohesive. Danny Circharo’s guitar playing evolved from laid-back jams to blistering leads that brought an edge to the band’s sound. Gavin Gebhardt’s vocals and percussion added rhythmic layers that became more complex, more intense. The combination of all these elements pushed the band into new territory.
The result was something more than just a jam band. The music started to reflect the intricate structures of prog rock, with longer compositions and time signature changes that kept audiences on their toes. The band’s early jam roots fused with a psychedelic edge that felt both heavy and exploratory, and the shift was palpable. Audiences could sense that Good Trees was evolving into something bigger.
The Role of Live Shows in Shaping Their Sound
Live shows have always been a central part of Good Trees River Band’s identity. From their earliest gigs at local bars to their first full-length tour in 2019, the band’s sound has always been shaped by the energy of live performance. It’s where they experiment, push boundaries, and test out new ideas.
In the early years, their live shows were all about freeform improvisation, leaning into the loose, jammy energy of their influences. But as the band grew, so did the complexity of their live performances. They began to incorporate more progressive elements, pushing their improv sessions into uncharted territory. Instead of relying on simple chord progressions and repetitive jams, they started adding in time signature changes, unpredictable tempo shifts, and intricate solos that felt both spontaneous and meticulously crafted.
By the time they hit the road for their 2019 tour, Good Trees River Band had fully embraced their psychedelic-progressive fusion. Their live shows became immersive experiences, with each performance feeling like a new chapter in the band’s ongoing musical exploration. Audiences couldn’t predict what would happen next—one minute, they’d be grooving along to a relaxed, hypnotic jam, and the next, they’d be caught in the whirlwind of blistering guitar leads and thunderous rhythms. This unpredictability became a hallmark of the band’s live shows and cemented their place in the modern psych-prog scene.
The Beginning of a New Era
The origin story of Good Trees River Band is a testament to the power of growth and evolution. What began as a fun, laid-back jam band with a love for Americana soon transformed into a powerhouse of psychedelic and progressive rock. The addition of Ned Brady on bass, the years spent honing their craft on the road, and the band’s willingness to embrace new influences all contributed to the sound that defines them today.
But this is just the beginning. In the next part of this series, we’ll dive deeper into how Good Trees River Band has developed their unique fusion of psychedelic and progressive rock, blending freeform improvisation with complex, structured compositions. The boundaries are constantly being pushed, and Good Trees is at the forefront of that movement.
