finetune artist: Dispatch

One of a string of jam bands to spring up on the American rock scene in the mid-90s, Dispatch was formed in 1996 by multi-instrumentalists Chad "Chetro" Urmston, Pete "Repete" Heimbold, and Brad "Braddigan" Corrigan. The trio, who were all college students at Middlebury College in Vermont, had previously played together in the acoustic One Fell Swoop. They changed their name to Dispatch and began to explore a greater range of musical styles, drawing on reggae and funk to complement their original folk rock direction. The evolution of the trio's music was documented through four independently released albums in the late 90s, culminating in the assured 2000 recording Who Are We Living For? However, their appeal was established through their live work, although they remained a predominantly east coast-based unit. The band's cult following enthusiastically traded their music via peer-to-peer Internet file sharing programs, and through such a medium their music began to reach a wider audience. Just when a national breakthrough seemed on the cards, the band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2002. They re-formed for a "farewell' concert in July 2004 (documented on All Points Bulletin), and also played three benefit shows in July 2007 at Madison Square Garden (documented on the Dispatch: Zimbabwe " Live At Madison Square Garden DVD). Urmston went on to lead the similarly styled State Radio.

Listen to Dispatch at Finetune.

(2008) DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden
(2004) Four Day Trials
(2004) Who Are We Living For?
(2004) Bang Bang
(2004) Gut The Van
(2004) All Points Bulletin

The General
Bang Bang
Out Loud
Two Coins
Flying Horses