King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - The River (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard performing "The River" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded September 2, 2015.
Host: Cheryl Waters
Audio Engineer: Kevin Suggs & Stu Mackenzie
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Christopher Meister & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Jim Beckmann
kexp.org
kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com

[@soniccucumber6639]

The more I listen to Gizzard, there more I understand how amazing guitarist Joey is

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

Honestly, never thought of the river as nothing more than a neo psych song but going back to it now, The River is one of their classics, such a great blues/jazzy style, I just love how this and the other songs from Quarters are able to groove along for ten minutes, the musicianship is what makes the Gizz such a fantastic band

[@alexs5394]

even now the river is my favorite gizz song. I got to see it live and it was even better!

[@SuperMoodyyy]

Its easily top 3 gizz songs

[@litchqueenasenath5995]

@@alexs5394 in the process of trying to make a dnd campaign in the "gizzverse", I have "The River" as a major landmark that runs all throughout the land, with crazy psychedelic properties

[@patricpepper228]

I listen to The River and Lonely Steel Sheet Flyer all the time, and then move into other of their great tunes. It's keeping me sane!

[@pimxan]

it’s totally jazz fusion inspired

[@RedXlusive]

It took me a solid 2 days of nonstop rewatching to learn the solo and I feel holy

[@SlimRolla1]

Respect bro 👍🏼

[@yevhenukrainianer4781]

Respect both bros

[@stephenhill6078]

Dude big respect ✊

[@Jiova]

-which part is the solo?-

[@Jegbmf]

post the tab right now you wont

[@sk83below]

Why the entire world isnt watching this I cannot tell you...

[@eduardogutierrezcastillo2767]

Cause the are busy watching shitty trap artist

[@Zero-kz8dd]

Because it isn't exactly 10:10

[@dreg7305]

not to be a debbie downer, but because I feel like they aren't exactly presenting anything new to my ears. I appreciate their style and sound, but at the end of the day novel isn't a word id use to describe what I'm hearing.

[@clarkpegler4922]

Dreg you sound like a Debbie downer!

[@scarfacegaming9848]

Dreg yeah but all the shit people listen to these days is alright but none of that’s original it’s just off of one song that appeals to most then after that their name means more than music

[@alex15msn]

oh my god I've never seen such a good band in years

[@matiasj.speranza4190]

I was talking with a friend about the fact that there are not bands like Zeppelin or Pink Floyd now, bullshit, there's good music, it's just people and radio that has shitty taste, there are awesome band such as All Them Witches, King Krule, yellow Days and many others that just deserve more visibility. I say King Gizzard in Torino yesterday, it was crazy dude

[@areallybadmusicnerd4632]

@@matiasj.speranza4190 All Them Witches Bangs!

[@lucas.1632]

aprimore os seus gostos amigos, eles são incríveis nas músicas que fazem, muito, mas tem mais bandas por aí.

[@Brinjauu]

try colour haze and sungrazer ♡

[@dms5341]

this is a once in a lifetime band

[@keklioh2733]

Someone needs to make a compilation of Stu Mackenzie eating microphones

[@FreedomDaveX]

Do they stay sitting in his gut, get digested and absorbed, or do they pass through so he can shit them out?

[@Inic]

@@FreedomDaveX Digested and absorbed. That's how he was able to do Infest The Rats Nest

[@nadussias]

nothing compared to John Dwyer's microphone consumption

[@Sprinkleycakes]

Nicolas Dussias dammit you beat me to it

[@cooberr]

its so nasty i hate it

[@chrisjacob1446]

Here on 8/25/20, Eric Moore just announced his exit from the band. I'm back here to watch him drum.

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

I miss Eric and his many beard configurations

[@charliervrs]

When you think they can’t top this performance, they just outdo themselves each time. They had a 18 min or so River in Mexico City and it was the best musical experience of my life

[@thicklips]

Do you know if there’s any video of it?

[@roylm18]

I was there, dude, all the people at the floor, amazing.

[@edbergduran4798]

I was there, buddy. Best band ever.

[@huntercollins8476]

I was in Chicago for the 24 minute long River :0

[@nickmcgarvey6463]

Many of their best renditions are from KEXP performances. This is no exception. Maybe their single best live recording.

[@Darwinist]

That's because the KEXP sound crew are a bunch(flock/pack/school?) of wizards. Especially Kevin Suggs.

[@Plantsguitarguy]

bond statement, they have a lot of AMAZING live recordings but this ones def top 5 if not 3, imo of course

[@matthewbennett5353]

Iron lung may have topped this one. Very close though

[@user-it6os6fy4n]

This is Amazing, all Four changes, ive heard this 30 times now, and i love every bit

[@mattjones8914]

that kid loves his harmonica so much

[@drpepperdotcomm]

no

[@jakezunino6352]

no

[@thetaranmyster]

Slim Jimmity his name is Sam you gimp

[@thetaranmyster]

MassiveSteak98 blocked, and reported.

[@MassiveSteak98]

taran christensen bitch do you think I care

[@enrikosiossifidis1040]

I just realized this is my favourite video on youtube. You can almost taste the metal from Stu's mic

[@soniccucumber6639]

Stu surely did taste it

[@RealBigStudio]

That breakdown at 7:50 is just sublime.

[@otowa2299]

I started to learn this song on guitar. It's so fun to play in this part.

[@calvinbeck5020]

Best part of the song!! Glad someone else recognizes it besides myself

[@93mrjake]

SmashMouth should take that bit and twist it lol definitely has a groove

[@papasouzas1]

So much better than the studio version. You can feel the whole band literally GROOVING all over the song after 7:59

[@Kots2016]

Great song! Reminds me of "Riders on the Storm."

[@ZiggyZugzwang]

lol, I just came from Billabong valley on Kexp and that reminded me of Riders on the storm. Probably because of that chromatic run by Stu on the keyboard. Thats like the start of riders on the storm. They seem to like the doors :D. Funny that I read your comment on the River video just now. Cheers!

[@jordanblach5148]

the last two minutes of this are among my favorite musical moments ever recorded

[@joeclone345]

That solo in the middle is the best thing I’ve ever heard

[@frederikmartinsen]

This is just a fucking great band.

[@Lorenzzoman]

this is the song of the year whichever is the year you listening to it

[@aydenkirk8661]

Man I love Amby’s harmonica in this. It’s the perfect background part

[@hellaacapella]

Amby huh……

[@Jegbmf]

@@hellaacapella what’s wrong with amby huh?

[@hellaacapella]

@@Jegbmf only I can call him amby

[@Jegbmf]

@@hellaacapella no it’s my right. We will fight to the death for it. I will do what I must…

[@hellaacapella]

@@Jegbmf ehhh… you can have it

[@georgelawrence9602]

The musicianship here is outstanding...

[@cali4niazownmax]

watched this over 10 times. For sure this has to be one of the best songs ever created.

[@gavoerendil]

I can listen to this song 24/7 honestly. Never gets old.

[@clemwest4536]

Funny, that's one of their favourite time signatures

[@majesticcock3308]

somebody take this man's keys before he hurts somebody! Buzzed driving is still a DUI.

[@pa7156]

The River is a dream. Float on down at a pace that suits you well, and don't be afraid to slow it up, or speed it down.

[@johnstewart2981]

This song was always great on Quarters, but hearing it live made me appreciate much more. It’s a Prog/psych/jazz masterpiece in my eyes now.

[@johnreed9435]

Great song and glad he didn’t eviscerate his eyes with those strings

[@allyson--]

if this song didn't have its river metaphor & lyrics, I don't think it'd hit the same way. This is one of the first 10 minutes songs that really resonated with me because of the lyrics suiting the groove, I think

[@Plantsguitarguy]

check out Dripping tap, its an AMAZING 19 min a JAM same band too

[@JacobPanzerLw7f17]

This is my favorite version of the song. Little bit clearer than the studio version and everyone is so into it.

[@mcmillan.2k]

Too bad that the harmonica is turned down so low otherwise I'd agree

[@TheTomyossarian]

Watching this with my 17 month old son, and he’s absolutely entranced. Proud dad here 😁

[@paulrizzuto9306]

I was turned on to this group when I heard song, 'Fishing for Fishies,' on SiriusXM, 'Phish Radio.' Four guitarists (one bass of course), two drummers, harmonica player leads to thick texture in their music, layers of sound. Their harmony is cool!

[@roryfitzpatric]

Gotta love Phish for giving these guys a about out. He apparently loves Gizz.

[@jez443]

Trey has been giving these guys a shout out for a couple years now. He mentioned them being an influence on the ghosts of the forest album. IMO this is the best band I’ve heard since Phish, KGLW is truly doing something unique, and the musicianship is incredible!

[@tiaadele8615]

I love how almost all of them are wearing great band tees, supporting other music artists!!! Their such a beautiful band I’m so in love w them it’s insane!

[@centralscrutinizer9591]

Santana kicks in right at the end......these chaps are incredible musicians!

[@frequencyfluxfandango8504]

This is one of those rare "I left it on autoplay' bands which, I now cannot stop listening to each and every band members contribution; one by one. Not many bands are that fascinating. Just Magic boys and THANK YOU for your AMAZING sounds. Makes me feel ELECTRIC.

[@tomtomsuperfunguy]

this is the perfect introduction to king gizz

[@matthewkaras6962]

Yes, the river is what first dragged me in some years ago. At the time I had no idea that it would take me all the way to thrash metal! The Gizz is such an incredible journey

[@bjrnthorness1151]

Cape Cool Digital Black did it for me.

[@thatsamazin-]

It’s the first thing I heard when I looked them up. Blue Karma told me to check em out. He does a great cover of this song. I will forever be grateful to him for turning me onto Gizzard. They are one of the best bands I’ve ever heard and I was born in the 70’s. I’ve heard a lot of bands. Lol

[@timothyhubert2305]

their large number of albums makes me stay in the first place

[@CouchEconomyTX]

Slow jam 2 baited me with thinking Gizz was an indie rock band. I listened to the whole In your mind fuzz album and never looked back lmao

[@lukecarr4623]

can i just say, after 3 years of playing guitar, i have never experience such a fun, groovy piece to play than at 7:50 during this song. After a year of finding this song, I continue to literally dance from 7:50 to the end of the song. Give me a loop pedal, my tele and this song and I'll be set for the day.

[@bartlettohio]

Gizz and the Wizz get better every time I hear them!!! I accidentally found them on a youtube quest for retro psych-garage bands....their live jams are epic...and their records are fantastic....and they would probably laugh out loud to hear they are one of the best bands in the world...this is what COOL is!!!!

[@russellgrant1797]

What else did you find?

[@jasonscottjenkins]

Nonagon Infinity opened the door...

[@atarirob]

Never delved too deep into this band, but I always come back to this track. Nice to see them doing so well.

[@tombratley6940]

Delve deep

[@aleshag13]

How could you not?! Go deep.

[@soniccucumber6639]

Deep down the river

[@vangledosh]

You must delve deeper. Deeper and deeper.

[@handsome_man69]

What's wrong with you? Shallow delver

[@thugtrippin]

This song almost brings me to tear every time I see this version. Best band currently

[@acxley]

And when it starts with an '"Ahhhhhh!" I melt every time!

[@celt007]

Santana, the doors, Dave Brubeck, wow

[@LeonsHarmonica]

Great deads??

[@waveshadowmusic]

check out the Byrds: Tribal Gathering (1968)

[@vittoriogiorgetti5225]

Bombino

[@thejimmydanly]

Yes

[@ROmasterplan]

Moving Gelatine Plates!!! listen Removing !!!!!

[@sabinejordan3110]

Probably my most favorite song - EVER! Particularly this version. One of my most favorite bands, hope they never stop making music.

[@yevhenukrainianer4781]

It's really a masterpiece

[@Batt1eRoya1e]

This was so f*king beautiful that I got tears in my eyes

[@joshuakirkwood6680]

These guys are part jazz , part psychedelic, part indie, part (wherever tool is) part classic rock part hip hop, part thrash metal, part nerd rock (Weezer), part Alice in chains, a TOTALLY legendary British Assie rock. On par with the greatest, such as Floyd and the Beatles, and king crimson. They even compare wi the grateful dead. . Amazing. I will demand at least on kglw song be in my requiem

[@NotTyNope]

Man that last chunk where it goes to 4/4 is just amazing. They’re all so into it and playing with eachother so well. You can tell they’re all just vibin and having fun

[@pedroocharan730]

this song is so king crimson, please do not think I'm the only one who hears it!!

[@Upstreamprovider]

But so much less pretentious! :)

[@luchsmusik]

I love how they constantly change tempo and time signature in their music. What the hell is 4/4?! Let's go 5/4, 6/8, 7/4 ... :}

[@gavoerendil]

Leo Schlichter how the hell do you count 6/8 I have no clue!

[@gino-tx2we]

Gavin Autrey like 3/4 basically, you can count it every other beat or just count to 6

[@pangurechyx3010]

@@gavoerendil two groups of 3 eighth notes. 1 2 3 1 2 3

[@Lellos_]

Gavin Autrey it is really easy, actually

[@loganstrait7503]

It's not as constant as in a band like Tool, though. They actually use time signatures in a really non-flashy kind of way. This song and Wah Wah are in the classic 5/4 clave, with sections of 4/4 that flow really seamlessly. Mr Beat and Deserted Dunes are 7/8 and use it REALLY well IMO, for that kind of proggy, futuristic feel that's both propulsive and disorienting like floating through space.

[@Noel11897]

I legit watch this everyday i need help

[@irealydontcarerealy9497]

i need help too but my doctor told me to listen to King g a hour a day ;) joke, self medication

[@sebuteo]

Utterly magnificent! Thank goodness there IS some great music being made nowadays. KG&TWL, long may you reign over us all... beautiful!!!

[@gabriellejohns5331]

I love Gizz so much it makes me wanna cry

[@user-eb6ch1pr3b]

Oh god. I think I've been listening to this song on and off for about 2 years now. How does it get better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better and better???

[@ravenkliff]

Someone turn up Ambrose's harmonica ffs

[@Stratashpere]

Stu does the mixing. The harmonica on the river is so fucking perfect. It's the background, the sky and the wind. It's the atmosphere that the rest resides in. The bass is the floor, the harmonica is the walls, the drums the motions, the guitars the lights and colours. This is perfect

[@iPoopPancakes]

I believe its the same mic he uses for his voice. probably mixed more towards that?

[@inbredworm5270]

Has like a country jazzy twang to it. Absolutely love this, the end solo especially. King Gizzard is one of the few bands that can experiment with their music without ruining the sound.

[@Zealotux]

The video that introduced me to that wonderful band, still love it after all those years.

[@theodorebahneriv4055]

Cool to see Stu wearing a MHC shirt since this was published before Sketches was released

[@ericeg9711]

Theodore Bahner IV and also around the same time period MHC dropped their debut album Timeline

[@turkeysamwich00]

Oh damn, not only is it in 5/4, but also a 4 over 5 polyrhythm. Very nice

[@larrydigger461]

What's playing the part in 4?

[@quenjankosky7348]

I love the live version much better than their album track.

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

I like it hi fi more then lofi on the record

[@jlr_0276]

The studio version fits better with the album, but the live version is sick, I love it.

[@yevhenukrainianer4781]

@@kaspersuomalainen6825 on smartphone's speaker indeed gone.

[@scottthompson5502]

tha riva

[@Mateo-kw9gq]

geez they are so good in live. Perfectly synced

[@licandres01]

I get in a loop when I play this song. repeat.... repeat....

[@sabinejordan3110]

Love Love Love Love King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard! Just the best! This is definitely one of my favorite tracks, can not stop listening to it over and over!

[@SkyflyNB]

This is what got me onto gizz. Wasn't into the album recording which is what I heard first but this blew me away. Been a fan since pmdb!!

[@eloisme2769]

This song is a wholesome trip.

[@user-sg8nc2eq4r]

Once you're in the zone The river flows down like a full stone Water is your bed The ripples cushion your head [Pre-Chorus] I can't believe it, it is frozen It's not the first time, I had noticed She will deliver, I am floating Trust in the river [Chorus] I had floated down, floated down Floated down, floated down Floated down, down down, down down, down down (The river) Down, down down, down down, down down (The river) [Verse 2] Once you're where I led It will be clear what I have said Float without a home The river flows like another long road [Pre-Chorus] I can't believe it, it is frozen It's not the first time, I had noticed She will deliver, I am floating Trust in the river

[@dachamelemon6646]

LMAAOOOOOOOOOO this is how google shows the lyics: To whence, you making sun To make frost a like stoned Ware to make's a bed I was the crush, I laugh hello! I jet believed in is frozen Is the custom, I morrow's she Want to river. I have flowing Just to river. I have the flowing down Down... Down... Down... A the river... Wants you made a led And you can crawl and I sad Found, we are a road To make a frost, light wall note I cant believed, in this frozen, is the custom, I had morrow's she want to liver, I have flowing Just to river. I have the flowing down Down... Down... Down... A the river. You are better than google ma dude!

[@HPwebcan5000]

What does it mean ?

[@TheArchetypes]

the definitive recording

[@bigvslittle9565]

Quite possibly the best piece of music ever written.

[@MarvilatAggies]

How does the drummer keep losing his beard mid song?

[@joeyskar]

Idk, it keeps going to his head and it's tripping me out.

[@augustwest7145]

Best band I've heard in decades. Can't stop listening to them .

[@TheHSIHP]

Best since Phish in the 90s

[@sergioguillentorres1932]

True lyrics (on this version): Once you're in the zone The river flows down like a full stone Water is your bed The ripples cushion your head I can't believe it, it is frozen It's not the first time, I had noticed She will deliver, I am floating Trust in the river I had floated down, floated down Floated down, floated down Floated down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Frozen over home The fading light shines on the white stone Melt your little zone And sink into the waterfall flow I can't believe it, it is frozen It's not the first time, I had noticed She will deliver, I am floating Trust in the river I had floated down, floated down Floated down, floated down Floated down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Once you're where I led It will be clear what I have said Float without a home The river flows like another long road I can't believe it, it is frozen It's not the first time, I had noticed She will deliver, I am floating Trust in the river I had floated down, floated down Floated down, floated down Floated down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river) Down, down down, down down, down down (the river)

[@lambda1863]

I like to think of quarters as a prequel to ice death planets ik they did long songs before this but this is where they learned to perfect the jam

[@tommighali6340]

That music is a trip

[@mitchellwilliam95]

Diggin' the Take Five vibe that's coming off of this song.

[@SomeoneJr]

Same time signature

[@cantina2425]

thats 5/4 for ya

[@karlpoppins]

It's a somewhat different groove, to be honest, despite both pieces being in 5/4.

[@mickeypaletta1813]

My all time favorite!

[@firebugmusic]

The River is really something special we absolutely love King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard!

[@humbertosandoval55]

This has one of the greatest solos (dual, while at it) from the band, ever!

[@lancegordon8988]

I love this video,this was shot after I did a small show with them in Felton Ca,Love the latest "Honey',really my favorite band out there in this Modern Era!

[@dreamridermm93]

This gives me goosebumps. Everytime i listen to this master piece, love what the space between each notes on each instrument is played while takes my consciousness to higher realms riding the psychedelic waves. :) justs love it !!!

[@Estoperole]

This is one of the best songs in this milennia (i mean post year 2000)

[@boyburger]

This song will go down in history such amazing guitar work here

[@themostwanted1962]

They deserve more love♥️

[@el_drelo]

masterpiece

[@davestruxstop]

Beautiful! thank you Gizz and KEXP

[@CPMASTER28]

this song is a fucking masterpiece heard it for the first time over 2 years ago and its still my favourite song

[@TRSRM]

I can't stop listening to them

[@reynaldogarcia643]

These guys are soooo awesome!!

[@flyingthwack]

psychadelic train of the river flow my friends! giz at their finest (which is always)!!

[@pepessz32]

one of the best song of the decade

[@seekinglight1111]

I like how his bass is labeled at 2:38, you know, in case he forgets.

[@AdrianPaco]

I'm discovering now. Amazing musicians!

[@uhhhhhhhhhh6538]

Always end up coming back to this live version 😂

[@Tevans356]

Underrated, under known....unbelievable!

[@monttemadness9250]

7:48 when you eat a lemon

[@benjaminstevens4568]

This band is most amazing!!

[@ogenmatic]

@TheNochim - 'Zappa-esque' with an Allman Brothers flavoring live-jam (think Live at Fillmore - plus the two drummers). Add in some psychedelic rock and some very cool harmonica. Just a wealth of talents here...

[@SuperTecpoint]

up

[@FledgedPhoenix]

This just makes me feel so good I can't explain it

[@hologlass]

This is amazing.

[@kellygilford8637]

magical set.

[@itsmejahoo]

My boyfriend introduced me to this band and I am eternally grateful for that.

[@billcyphers3rdeye]

you have the best boyfriend in the world

[@wilsonsolorzano2854]

An instant classic.

[@regenwaldkomplott152]

how can you go so insanely nutz on just two chords ? love this

[@Craward]

You know you made something good if i still coming back. Many many many many many many many many many many many times. No homo. Thank you guys.

[@Mr.CreamCheese69]

I sat about 4 minutes after it stopped just wishing it kept going. I want more damnit!!