On June 29 2025 I headed out to another KC Turner Presents show at Hopmonk Novato in Novato California. The show was the Gill Brothers band opening for the Third Mind. This was a show I was looking forward to and they did not disappoint.
The Gill Brothers band kicked off the night with “Fool’s Gold,” a lively rock tune that set the energetic tone for the event. As the song concluded, the audience was already on their feet. Next up was “The Hollow Mountain,” which started with the powerful line, *We started on the Hollow Mountain, raised their flag red, white, and blue.* From that moment, we knew we were in for a memorable performance. This country-rock song captivated the crowd.
Following that, they performed “Roll Another Number (For the Road),” a Neil Young classic that the band did justice. Then came “The Rabbit,” beginning with the wise words, *When the world is letting you down, look to the plants and animals.* This powerful piece, filled with revolutionary optimism, resonated well with the audience.
Next was “Heavy Rain,” a new song they mentioned would soon be recorded. Following that was “Nobody’s Fool,” which paid tribute to the band Cinderella and was well-received by the crowd. After that, they sang “The Creek,” a poignant song about heartbreak that hit home for anyone who has experienced a breakup.
They then transitioned to “Ain’t Gettin’ Paid, Ain’t Gettin’ Laid,” a humorous take on the realities of rock ‘n’ roll that delighted the audience. Their final performance was a new track titled “Thrown’ Up,” which vividly depicted the aftermath of partying too hard. The crowd responded enthusiastically, leading to a thunderous round of applause.
The band will be going on tour soon, so make sure to grab your tickets!
Follow The Gill Brothers Band members on social media
Connor Gill – guitar / vocals
Jacob Gill – guitar / vocals
Alex Vargas – bass
Connor Koreski – drums
Setlist
1). Fool’s Gold
2). The Hollow Mountain
3). Roll Another Number (For the Road) (Neil Young cover)
4). The Rabbit
5). Heavy Rain
6). Nobody’s Fool
7). The Creek
8). Ain’t Gettin’ Paid, Ain’t Gettin’ Laid
9). Throwin’ Up
When Dave Alvin and The Third Mind hit the stage, it was fantastic. They opened with “Sally Go ‘Round the Roses.” All of the songs were lengthy, but the crowd didn’t care; we were completely into it—slightly psychedelic, slightly rock ‘n’ roll, but all very much The Third Mind.
The next song was “Groovin’ Is Easy,” written by Nick Gravenites, who had recently passed away. They delivered a wonderful tribute to him with this touching song, which was iconic in both its lyrical tone and musical tempo. Following that, they broke into “In My Own Dream” by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, a song with quite a history. It truly stood the test of time as they jammed out to it, evoking special memories for many of us, especially since I’ve been a fan of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band for years.
Next up was “Pretty Polly,” introduced with the announcement of a new album titled *Right Now*, set to be released in September. This album features this 1700s folk song, which inspired everyone in the crowd who loves old music. While “Pretty Polly” was ancient, everyone absolutely loved it.
After that, they performed “Morning Dew,” another mellow track. The line, “Walk me out, walk me out in the morning dew,” resonated with many of us as we became immersed in the song. They then continued with “East-West,” another song by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, followed by “Darkness, Darkness.” Although this song had a downbeat feel, the audience was fully engaged, perhaps appreciating its simplicity.
Next was “The Creator Has a Master Plan,” another mellow song with a good message. Following that was “A Little Bit of Rain,” a cover of Fred Neil‘s work. They played it as if they had authored it themselves, and I’m sure Fred would have given them a hearty thumbs up.
We thought the finale was going to be “Dark Star,” a beloved song by the Grateful Dead, who are hometown heroes for many. This song was a crowd favorite, coming from our own region.
The encore took a moment, as the band decided which song they all knew. When they returned, they burst into Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” a song Dave made popular once again. He sang it with such passion, and they played it like a band possessed. The crowd cheered as they exited the stage for the final time. It was a fantastic show, and I sincerely hope that KC Turner brings them back to that stage again.
Follow The Third Mind band members on social media
Mark Karon – guitar
Victor Krommenacher – bass
Michael Jerome – drums
Jesse Sykes – vocals / acoustic guitar
Dave Alvin – guitar
Setlist
1). Sally Go ‘Round the Roses (The Jaynetts cover)
2). Groovin’ Is Easy (The Electric Flag cover)
3). In My Own Dream (The Paul Butterfield Blues Band cover)
4). Pretty Polly (Traditional cover)
5). Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson cover)
6). East-West (The Paul Butterfield Blues Band cover) (Jenny Kerr on Harmonica)
7). Darkness, Darkness (The Youngbloods cover)
8). The Creator Has a Master Plan (Pharoah Sanders cover)
9). Little Bit of Rain (Fred Neil cover)
10). Dark Star (Grateful Dead cover)
Encore
11). Highway 61 Revisited (Bob Dylan cover) (Lead vocals by Dave Alvin, with Jenny Kerr on Harmonica)
Follow The Gill Brothers Band on social media
Follow The Third Mind on social media