Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager

The Sullivan Street Shakedown @ Sullivan Hall (05.08.10)

May 19, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

The Sullivan Street Shakedown

The Sullivan Street Shakedown: Five, Eight, Forty

Once a month at Sullivan Hall, a group of DJs, instrumentalists and special guests grace the stage to bring New York City what is inspired to become one of the city’s most raging dance parties through the promotion of community and love. It is simply called The Sullivan Street Shakedown.

: Sullivan Hall ( Photo by Adam McCullough)

Tonight, The Sullivan Street Shakedown: Five, Eight, Forty was to be a musical celebration of photographer Matthew Fitzgerald. What is more fun than spending your birthday surrounded by your friends dancing to wonderful music? Nothing. Matthew Fitzgerald has been a fixture on the scene for many years and is credited with “breathing life into and moving the careers of every performer” who performed this night.

: (Photo by John Ewing)

For the rest of us, it was a chance to see new collaborations, to see members from one of our favorite bands cross boundaries into other musical genres and to see the third installment of a wonderful musical idea from Philly make its way to our fair NYC. Tonight specifically, Will Swank from the Motet was accompanying The Shakedown and I was pretty pumped about that.

Over the course of our meeting, I have been able to gain some wonderful knowledge about the project and The Shakedown scene from the man himself, Mikey Beatz:

I throw the party monthly. I spin a set and invite new guest DJ(s) each month to headline. Maybe I ask someone to play some auxiliary percussion or [I ask] a sax player to come and jam a bit.

DJ Nutritious (Photo by Phrazz)

It’s actually quite involved as The Shakedown itself is a party that started in Philly 8 years ago, and is one of the most highly regarded of its kind in the world. Now the originators of The Shakedown in Philly have blessed us with the opportunity to bring The Shakedown into NYC. I’m working to help NYC see the potential in The Shakedown. You should see what our brothers and sisters are doing in Philly and you can witness the potential that we have to truly create something “brotherly & loving” in NYC.

All the guests change each month. Some of it depends on who I’m collaborating with at the moment, some of it depends which DJs in our business network happen to be around and want to play. We also receive a lot of inquiries from domestic and international booking agents trying to get their artists on our party.

Let the Shakedown begin…I attended a wonderful little pre-game with some pals on the Lower East Side and we made our way to our respective shows on the West. For them it was The Melvin Sparks Band at The Blue Note and for me I anticipated to be a night of raging improv and dancing! There would be no set list tonight. A night of imagination, knowledge, talent, technicality and improvisation. No matter what, it would be music and it would be lovely.

That’s the thing about improv! You can’t be afraid to make a miracle or a mistake…it’s that beautiful 🙂 We’ve been listening to videos and recordings and we’ve amazed ourselves…so fun 🙂 ~ Zoe Wilder

: Settin’ Up The Shakedown

I got there pretty early, around 11:30pm. Met the beautiful Zoe Wilder, her pink eyeshadow and bright outfit a direct extension of her vibrant personality. Met the birthday boy and we had a little photo shoot amongst friends. The stage was busy with activity. Plugging things in here, moving tables there. The music didn’t actually begin until around 12:30am. However, when the musicians hit the stage, the sounds escaped from them as if they were ready to make us move all day. The artists who comprised the stage that night were (and I don’t dare try to describe them better then they describe themselves):

Ed of PsychLab (Photo by S & D Photography)

DrumLab:
The duo of Steve Asaro (Roland TD-20 V-Drums / Electronics) and Ed (techno wizardry) of the famous psychedelic / live electronic band Psylab. DrumLab breaks it down into the strictly twisted dub elements of Psylab‘s mastery and paves new ground with what can be done with a set of e-drums and lots of SUBS.

People In Charge:
Added to the sonic mix is the collaboration of rotating People In Charge musical guests – the opportunity for producers to rock their instruments live on stage rather than behind the recording console. On this night, Mikey Beatz (drums), David Blitzer (bass), and Zoe Wilder (vocals) team with DrumLab to turn the party on its head.

(Photo by S & D Photography)

DJ Viz:
Or Vizzie, the techno technician of Psylab fame, rocks the 1’s and 2’s, strictly vinyl, for an exploration and elaboration of the world’s finest Dub-Step and Drum & Bass. Viz is a sub-bass gourmand, so be ready to feel it in your gut.

Will Swank:
Swank brings with him years of touring experience with The Motet and a background in subterranean Jazz that stands the test with history’s most legendary saxophone players. Will rocks a growling tenor and phrases lines like he’s painting the future in ancient poetry.

Nutritious:
Is a DJ… and he rocks the shit out of parties.

Zoe Wilder (Photo by S & D Photography)

David Blitzer:
Bass player, used to play for the band called The Uptowns.

Zoe Wilder:

ZW has shared many a stage but, most infamous for her collaborations with Psylab and the New Deal. Possibly most remembered for her shadow dancing performance at main-stage Camp Bisco 6, Wilder’s scheming something xxx-tra provocative for Five Eight Forty so, abre los ojos.

VJ Mamiko Kushida:
Mami should need no introduction but, new to the States after rockin Japan’s biggest events for years, Mamiko’s the most bad-ass VJ here. She’s one part kunoichi, one part Foxy Brown – she’ll super-fly slice-you and you’ll thank her for it.

: Sullivan Street Shakedown

: Images by VJ Mamiko Kushida (Photo by: Jp Pacquing)

The sounds that escaped the stage were a combination of organic and mechanical. At times, only a few members would rage, then the entire group. They stepped in when the powers moved them. A beauty of improv. As the music played, to the left of the stage was a screen that was had fabulous images being cast upon it. The images cast on the screen were manipulated and inspired by VJ Mamiko Kushida. They were vivid, dream like, malleable. Over the last 5 years, since she was in Japan, Mami has been creating and collecting these images. Currently, her collection tops out at over 800 images and at performances she picks and mixes from her collection as the music moves her. What a wonderful expression of love through music.

: Ragers @ The Sullivan Street Shakedown (Photo by Phrazz)

Around 1:30 am the crowd started to get pretty thin. Ironically, there might have been more photographers there at one point then dancers. But the beat was BUMPIN’ and the people were groovin’. One thing that was made evidently clear to me within minutes of the show beginning was that this scene was dripping with potential to be an all out rager when it came to the late night crowd. There was funk, rock n roll, jazz…we just needed that crowd to shuffle in.

The Sullivan Street Shakedown (Photo by Phrazz)

When Will Swank and Gregg Marcus joined the stage, I was immediately drawn in by the oh so jazzy horns. Sporadically, the horns would sound off, intersecting with the beats and groans of the electronic fiddling and Mikey’s drumming. At one point, the sounds layered over the beat reminded me of whales singing. I believe this was due to Gregg Marcus manipulating his trumpet with a plunger. That mess sounded AWESOME! I would love to hear the play back during this time. It was all so intersecting and fun. I distinctly remember being taken over by it and shuffling across the open dance floor without a care in the world. In my notes taken from that night, I had scribbled “dancing with the whales.” Honestly, I absolutely didn’t need anyone else in the venue to enjoy myself that night. I glance at my notes as I type this and there are a bunch of smiles all over the page. Clearly, I was happy.

(Photo by Scott Rudd)

Will Swank and Zoe Wilder (Photo by Phrazz)

Layered on top of the electric rage, I loved the horns. I am a horn lover. Biased as all hell. Their addition to any project is a plus in my mind. I absolutely loved the horns over this style of music and mixing. Will Swank was so jazzy and obscene against the heavy bass beat of space at times. The room was filled with a very loungey vibe. I felt like I needed to be seated at a intimate table with appetizers and a date. And as the horns raged, the beat picked back up with Mikey banging out the drums, creating new beats around every corner forcing the music to change with him. I loved it. Amelia was dancing around the room, lending her energy to those who were not dancing, which was only a choice few. The music was forceful in it’s ability to have us dancing.

Sullivan Street Shakedown

Throughout the performance, artists rotated instruments. At one point Ed had left his machines to go play with Mikey’s tables. Boys and their toys! Such a beauty about improvisation. The musicians possibly had on bigger smiles then the audience. They were having FUN! I felt it, I saw it, and I heard it. To me, what was happening on that stage was the essence of live music.

Ed of Psylab

As Ed and Mike’y were throwing us the “getdown” music, VJ Mima was flashing the screen with black and white images that look to have been drawn with pencil and had come to life. All the while, Zoe Wilder would come and go from the stage as she pleased, dancing for the audience, or perhaps just herself, in any way the music moved her. I imagined what her Wonderland must be like up there as the black lights reflecting off her vivid outfit and her pink eyes lit up the stage.

Rage!

I stepped out for some fresh air and more fun friendly photo shots ensued. Walking back in, I distinctly remember walking into a GREAT beat and jam. Zoe put her voice through a chaos machine, the trumpets would tease, the “untz-untz” of the bass shook my legs. It was fun as hell. Exactly what it was meant to be. I LOVED what was happening on stage at this moment and immediately felt a little pain in my chest knowing that I wouldn’t be able to ask the title of the song. Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to go home and find it on Youtube…it was all improv and they had won me over.

Happy Birthday! (Photo by S & D Photography)

I believe the best part of the night was when the birthday boy was finally recognized. Zoe brought out the cake as Matthew made his way to the front of the stage where Zoe playfully wiped icing on his nose after he blew out the candle. Just look at that smile above! LOVE!!

Sullivan Street Shakedown

Towards the end of their set, the sounds got bleek and deep. I wanted more from the horns but the mechanical side of things had picked up. The manipulations of sounds with knobs, buttons, pedals, microphones, etc. This is a new type of music for me and so I wish I could get more technical in my writing. So used to “instruments”. Not sure how I define the word “instrument” anymore with all the technology that has saturated certain genres. The sounds coming off the stage were as lovely as they were intense. Very chill music. The horns stood alone and the beat was slow.

Sullivan Street Shakedown (Photo by Phrazz)

The Blue Note crew came after their show just in time for cake. Music, cake, friends…and a smiling birthday boy. So much more then a typical weekend show, this was an event respecting someone’s life on Earth. SO much love in that. SO much. I felt it all night and the music on stage vibrated it through us into the wee morning hours. At the base of it, this was a low maintenance dance party with a focus on soulful house music.

Mikey Beatz

Mikey Beatz has surrounded himself with vibrant talented musicians. He has seen the unique opportunity he has been given of crossing live music with electronic. Aside from being a talented musician himself, it is his appreciation and addition of other talented musicians that makes The Sullivan Street Shakedown stand out. I encourage anyone in the NYC area to come check this project out and to join us in spreading the word of The Sullivan Street Shakedown.

NEXT MONTH’S EVENT INFORMATION FOR

Please join all of for next month’s installation of The Sullivan Street Shakedown with:.

DJ Monchan (Dailysession)
Chris Hall (Stupendous Music)
Visuals by Mamiko Kushida
Percussion by Stephen Chopek
Special Guest: ElaNEF
And your resident selector: Nutritious

Date: 06/19/10 (technically 6/20)
Time: 12:30am – 4am
Cost: $5 RSVP to: local@spinspinnyc.com
Ages: 18+
Location: Sullivan Hall, 214 Sullivan Street, NYC
Trains: A,B,C,D,E,F,V to W. 4th
Contact: party@spinspinnyc.com
Web: www.sullivanhallnyc.com // www.spinspinnyc.com
Phone: SpinSpinNYC @ 347-875-SPIN

Official Site: http://www.spinspinnyc.com

Posted in Music, Show Review | Tagged DJ Nutritious, DJ Viz, DrumLab, eBonheur, Gregg Marcus, Matthew Fitzgerald, Matthew Fitzgerald Photography, Melvin Sparks, Mikey Beatz, Motet, People In Charge, Psylab, Sullivan Hall, The Blue Note, The Melvin Sparks Band, The Sullivan Street Shakedown, TrumpetLab, VJ Mamiko Kushida, Will Swank, Zoe Wilder | 1 Comment »

Ronnie James Dio: Man on the Silver Mountain

May 18, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

Ronnie James Dio: Man on the Silver Mountain

By Brett B.

RJD

RJD

He was something different in rock & roll. He was a man who was loved and respected by everyone. From other musicians to fans who had listened to him for over 40 years, he was the true personification of “heavy metal”. He was Ronnie James Dio and this past weekend the world lost a true star.

Not a star in the sense of fame or popularity, though he had all that and more. Dio was a star in that he was a beacon of light that all true astronauts of rock aimed for in their journeys through the heavens of music.

Richie Blackmore's Rainbow

Ronnie James Dio. The name itself is as inseparable from metal as Paris Hilton is from skankdom. No matter what he was doing he brought that Dio quality 100% ever time. Whether it was the classic album days with Blackmore’s Rainbow or his days as Ozzy’s replacement in Black Sabbath or his own illustrious solo career, the man stood as an ambassador of power chords and testicle-vibrating bass.

RJD

In the few days since he has passed, I have noticed something. I’ve noticed that everyone has had something nice to say about Ronnie James. Professional musicians have given tear racked eulogies describing how it was Ronnie that they wanted to be when they were starting out. Fans on every type of music forum from jambands to jazz have shared their own stories of how seeing Dio growing up left such a lasting impression on them.

There isn’t a teenage boy out there who can stop himself from beginning to bang his head when those first notes of “Holy Diver” begin to play. You will never see an over the top metal arena show with fire, lasers or giant animatronic demons that aren’t a pale comparison to the original blockbuster shows that Dio first brought to the world.

RJD

If you ever had the chance to see Dio perform, you know what I am talking about. When the man stopped singing and spoke to his audience, you knew he meant every word. His smile and those eyes glinting with all those tales of dragons and wizards behind them made you never take your own eyes off him while he was onstage.

At barely 5 feet tall, Ronnie James Dio proved one very simple thing: Height does not make a man a giant. It’s in the size of his heart and the love that fills it.

And Ronnie James Dio was a giant.

Posted in Artist Spotlight, Music, Thinking Piece | Tagged Black Sabbath, Ozzy Ozbourne, Rainbow, Richie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio | 1 Comment »

My Long Lost JamCruise 8 Review – Only a taste….(01.02-09.10)

May 15, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

Thank you Cloud 9 Adventures!

So, before I ever stated writing for Festival Family or the other various music blogs, I always came home from every show and wrote a review for myself. I kept the documents in with the folder containing the pictures and videos. Upon this article’s inception when I got off the boat, I considered posting it on Facebook at some point, like I do with everything else, but I never completed it. I honestly never got through the Sail Away Party. I became completely overwhelmed/consumed with the aftermath of Jam Cruise, or what I came to call…”The Ripple Effect.”

However, now I got this Tiny Rager blog thing right? A platform to spread the good word of love through music! Well, that is exactly what Jam Cruise does and I think I can safely say that the Jam Cruise fire is burning in all of us right now since the killer line up was just announced. So, let’s just say I’ve pulled something from the archives and I hope it inspires you to take the ride 🙂

INTRO:

This way please 🙂

Jam Cruise: Two tiny words, one GIANT musical adventure. I do not know where to begin. It’s been almost a month since I left the boat and the power of that ship is still radiating through me full blast. It is impossible to slow down from the experience due to the pictures, emails, invitations, phone calls, forum postings, reviews, Iclips, Itunes, friend requests, soundboards, meetups, all the new relationships and everything else that I am calling “The RIPPLE EFFECT” of Jam Cruise. However, before I can explain The Ripple Effect, I have to explain everything else….if it is possible to put these feelings into words.

How do you describe a life changing experiences that leaves you with overpowering feelings of community, happiness and just plain positiveness. How do you describe knowing there is a place on earth you can go, for at least a week, where it doesn’t matter what you do, who you are, what you look like, where you live….where, for that week, you are a rockstar, a princess, a king, a queen, an animal, a beautiful spirit and are recognized as such. A place that embraces the quirky in life 110%, embraces you into a community that just wants you to SHINE your brightest in anyway you feel fit, all while dancing to the greatest live soundtrack in the world. Like a good friend said: “It is like trying to describe a unicorn to people who only see a white horse.” Two words…Jam Cruise. It almost feels impossible to describe but I am going to try.

Arrival to Ship: Fort Lauderdale, FL.:

MSC Poesia

Within minutes of being dropped off by my cousin, I was just standing on the landing, jaw gapping open, just inhaling this GIANT vessel I was about to board. The MSC Poesia, meaning Poem of the Sea, was about to take me on the ride of my LIFE. I had never left the country, I had never had a passport, and I had never been on a cruise. If this boat could talk, I would LOVE to hear what it would have to say. Sure as hell would be a better review then any of us could possibly write.

After checking my bags, which I would suggest not doing as it was optional & I didn’t know this, I connected with my friends Ab and Hillary from Virginia, the lovely souls who had been trying to get me on the boat for the past 7 years and the only two folks I knew before boarding the ship. Just seeing their smiling faces brought me home to JMU in my mind and I knew I was in good hands if anything were to arise over the course of the week.

EMBARKATION!!!:

Embarkation

The embarkation line was a spectacle to behold all on its own. Hearing the horror stories of a 7 hour long wait from the year prior, I was nervous, or rather, anxious, to find out how long it would take me to get on that boat. I wanted to get this party started immediately!!! But, you didn’t have to be on the boat for the party to start. This first time cruiser just couldn’t stop smiling for all the colors, glitter, funky hats, sparkly glasses, feathery boas, and fancy costumes that were already surrounding me. Hula Hoops, tie-dye, gowns, noodles, blowup animals, etc. I immediately knew I was not prepared in terms of costumes but that is why I took notes for next year 🙂

Embarkation

I marveled at all the cruisers in all their excited glory, patiently, yet ECSTATICALLY, waiting to board the boat that would take them into their own world of creativity and expression. If I thought I was excited, I could only imagine how the Repeat Offenders, the name given to cruisers who have been on the boat more than once, were feeling to see their world come to life again. The hugs, kisses and greetings of old Jam Cruise family members, otherwise known as JamFam or Jamily, spotting each other for the first time; it was that palpable energy that had my cheeks burning from smiling within minutes of being in line.. Wondering who from this beautiful line of smiles would I be calling family by the time I left the boat 6 days later.

Repeat Offender Robe! I will get mine in 2013 🙂

There were three lines to go through in order to get on the boat. The first line was just to get into the processing center. The second line had us scanning our bodies and bags and filling out medical information before we boarded the boat. The final line had us creating our ship accounts and getting our room keys. After what felt like an eternity due to my enthusiasm, but really took a little over 1 hour, I was on the boat. Dear Lord…if I knew then what I know now.

EXPLORING THE BOAT!!

KICKBALL RULES!

Upon entering the boat, I tagged along with my friends. I didn’t want to leave their side just yet for fear I might not see them again for hours as I had no idea how this boat worked!! Repeat Offenders get first choice for room selection during pre-booking. In this case, my friend had been on all 8 cruises so he had picked a room that was situated right behind the Big Jumbo Screen on the 15^th floor by the Pool deck, the main venue on the ship. Their room had lovely red tones with a queen bed and big balcony. And can I just mention the art work, beautiful art in every room.

Blue/Gold Resturant

After watching them unpack for a while, I decided to venture out on my own and explore the ship to find my room. Certain elevators only go to certain floors so it was a fun maze of hallways and stumbling upon different restaurants and venues before I found my room on the 5^th floor. I entered into the Singles Program, made for those cruisers who come alone, so I shared my room with three other women in the program. And no, The Singles Program does not mean “without a significant other.” It is amazing how fast people’s mind jump to that conclusion. I am single though hahahaha! So, I guess it applied either way!

The Atrium, 5th floor, where my room was located!

The Atrium, 5th Floor, where my room was located!

Had 3 other roommates through the Singles Program!

Upon entering the room, I find out that I am the last one to find it. There were lovely notes from each roommate introducing themselves and expressing their excitement to meet at one point. Just another example of the kind hearted spirits that take this trip.

Ragin' great Goodie Bag!!

Each bed had a gift bag containing Kind Suds Soap, Jam Cruise paraphernalia such as schedules, a slap bracelet, post cards, koozies, and more. There were food items like Pop Chips and granola bars. And my favorite item in the bag, besides the bag itself, the gorgeous Jam Cruise Luggage Tag, when attached to a lanyard, was a wonderful way to hold your drink tickets and room key. These are the only two things you REALLY need while wandering around the ship. Everything else is just a bonus!

Fav part 🙂

Our room had a 2-foot round window with four beds, two of which folded into the walls above the other two. Being that I am only 5 feet ZERO, this room suited me just fine. One of the roommates decided to stay with her boyfriend leaving us with more closet space and bathroom time 🙂 Seriously, I only used this room to sleep about 6 hours a day and shower. Other than that, I was rarely ever in that space.

I am 5 foot nothing so this was perfectly adequate 🙂

I do want to mention the JC TV. This was great. Not only did certain channels play all things Jam Cruise, once the music started, the TV would loop certain sets so that you could fall sleep to the sounds of the wonderful performances you experienced just a few hours earlier. I had to be careful getting ready for my day because I would catch myself sitting down and watching the performances again on tv instead of going out to catch the ones about to start.

D. B.'s Door! Lube and Condoms!

Some Door Decor!

After I unpacked, I headed right back out to find my way to the pool deck, but not before being blown away by the door decorations. Apparently, every year there is a door decorating contest. To call what some of these people do decorating is a gross understatement. There were interactive doors where you could take one and leave one, be it something physical or a lovely quote of inspiration. There were posters to color, The Garden of Groove (my personal favorite), pool noodles to borrow and return at your leisure, musical instruments made of cardboard and Christmas lights, a door covered in cut out food pictures. The imagination on this ship was endless in this department. I can’t even imagine what I am going to do next year, but I am most certainly going to decorate my door next year!!

Carlos Felice Theater!

The Zebra Bar!

Forum Table – Day #1: Generosity…

When I got to the pool deck, I went to the bar located at the back of the ship where it seemed everyone was gathering. It was at this point, the true generosity of the boat became evident. A guy with a hole punch and lanyards was standing by the table punching holes in people room keys and giving out the lanyards. I overheard him say, “We tried to think of what people might need and we thought this was perfect.” It just warms your heart.

Humungus Amungus ragin' the Forum Table!

There was a table set up by a forum member who had created nametags for each member with their forum name. This, to me, was excellent. Knowing that I was going to be all over that forum by the time I got home, this was the group I needed to know. Luckily, this was also the most hardcore group on the boat and the group I bonded with immediately. The days following, these tables were constantly strewn with glow rings, crazy guitar lighters, stickers, beads, or other party paraphernalia. When you go to a regular festival, people are just trying to make a buck. On this boat, everything is brought on with the intention of being shared, given away, and/or traded.

Skerik and Robert Walters.

Aslan Deacon, who must get honorable mention, was handing out the FUN GUIDE she creates every year. This magic little book, for which you will have to board the ship to check out in all its glory, is worth its weight in gold specifically because she dedicates a few pages to show each level of the ship with a picture of the forum members linked to their respective room numbers. I can’t tell you how many times I pulled that book out to put a name with the face, find a room or use it for the many other options it offers in terms of convenience! Might I add that in the middle of it all Stanton Moore, Robert Walter and Skerik were standing 5 feet away from me just chatting and sipping on their drinks! I was dying of sensory overload……………

And that is where I stopped typing back in February…If I truly sat and thought about this adventure, I wonder if I could write down day by day my every move. Some parts are that clear in my head; it is that ingrained. But what happens on the boat, stays on the boat. I considered adding my review on the music back in Jamuary also but that was impossible. So, if you are interested in the musical review, please take a look at my boy AB Garrod’s review on Jambase.

The scene as we pulled away from port....The adventure has begun!

My devotion for this boat lies far beyond the music it brought to my ears, the new friendships it has brought to my life, the insanity that made up those 7 days. I was in a very bad place mentally and emotionally before boarding that boat. I booked Jam Cruise 8 a week after one of the hardest times in my life had begun. I had one year to get my crap together and get on the boat. There were few who thought Jam Cruise was my last hope at finding my smile again. If this boat full of glorious music and overwhelming love couldn’t do it, nothing could.

Jam Cruise FLAT OUT restored my faith in people, in happiness, in KINDNESS. That can’t be expressed enough…the generosity and kindness in the people who frequent this wonderful world. The best way I can describe the sensation that boat gave me is by liking it to The Grinch. You know that box around his heart they show as his heart gets bigger and it just EXPLODES the box wide open? Yeah, it’s like that. Overwhelmingly powerful love. The Love Boat. Once you walk into that embrace, it NEVER lets you go and it only becomes more powerful with ever day that passes. Take the ride, it will be the greatest decision of your life! I know it was for me!

Jam Cruise 2011..who’s coming with me??

A boat came by....I got on.

Posted in Festival Review, Music, Music Festival | Tagged Festival Family, Jam Cruise, Jam Cruise 8 | 13 Comments »

BATTLE OF THE JAMBANDS: My Band Can Beat Up Your Band!

May 13, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

BATTLE OF THE JAMBANDS:

My Band Can Beat Up Your Band!

By: Brett B.

Brad Pitt in Fight Club

Recently while watching TMZ, they happened to show a “street brawl” between two LA hair bands outside of a club. Now, by “street brawl” I mean 6 skinny guys with a combined weight of probably 400 pounds slapping at each other, so as to not mess up their hair and make-up. Not exactly a scene from FIGHT CLUB, if you know what I mean.

So, this of course brought to mind the incident years ago when Jack White of The White Stripes beat up Jason Stollsteimer of The Von Bondies over Stollsteimer’s badmouthing Jack behind his back. Who can forget the photos of the Von Bondie’s bloodied and bruised face posted next to a picture of a smirking Jack White. Now you might say to yourself “Jack White? That pale faced thin guy who looks like he can barely bench press the guitars he plays?” Yes. That Jack White. But as anyone who has ever fought will tell you: It’s the little guy you have to worry about. Small guys always have something to prove. I would rather go up against someone bigger than me than someone smaller than me every time. You ever see a little scrawny guy go off in a bar fight? They look like spider monkeys on PCP.

A raged Jason Stollsteimer...ouch!

Which makes me wonder, amongst the artists and bands in the jam scene …. Who’s the toughest? Now we all know that the jam band scene is the epitome of peace and love and good vibes but let’s just say hypothetically that someone really got pissed off at Bonnaroo and blows were thrown. Who would be left standing when the dust settled?

Widespread Panic

Amongst the old school jammers (Or as I refer to them O.J.’s “Original Jammers”) my two favorite contenders would be Widespread Panic and Gov’t Mule. To me there has always been something about John Bell that makes me feel that when goes off things could get ugly. There seems to be an underlying sense that he could put a real hurtin’ on someone if he took a mind to do so. And Dave Schools is the last person you would want to get you down on the ground in a full body press. I also have no doubt that Jimmy Herring and John ‘JoJo’ Hermann would be pretty decent back-up if the shit ever hit the fan, as well.

Gov't Mule

Now in Gov’t Mule you have a triple threat. (The jury is still out on Jorgen Carlsson). In this corner you have Warren “Big Daddy” Haynes. The Jerry Lawler of music. Don’t let Warren’s girth fool you. The man is a solid barrel of guitar playing fury which would translate into some major damage in a brawl. Not to mention the fact that he is a pretty tough cookie in real life. Matt Abts, Mule’s drummer, has always reminded me of Mickey Rourke. Kind of cool and dangerous. You know he would be smiling serenely as he stomped you in an bar fight. And Danny Louis? There is just something about him that makes me feel he’d make a great hitman.

John Popper RAGE!

Honorable O.J. mention would have to go the boys in Blues Traveler. When John Popper got pulled over a few years ago in that SUV doing over a hundred miles per hour and the cops found hidden compartments with 4 rifles, 9 handguns, a switchblade knife and a Tazer, you just knew this guy was just praying for something to happen.

Now heading down South, you have some good ole boys who could put a major whoopin’ on your ass if’n they took a mind to do so. Amongst my nominees would be The Black Crowes and The Drive-By Truckers.

The Black Crowes

The Black Crowes definitely would score high in the Potential To Kick Major Ass Department despite Mr. Robinson’s proclivity for smoking herb. The tension that has existed between Chris and Rich would have no problem being vented against anyone dumb enough to mess with the Robinson brothers. Nothing says “If I have no problem beating the shit out of a sibling, I will definitely enjoy kicking YOUR ass!” like the love between 2 brothers in the same band. Just ask the Galaghers of Oasis and the Davies of The Kinks.

Patterson Hood of The Drive By Truckers

I once saw Patterson Hood of The Drive-By Truckers polish off close to 10 shots of Jack Daniels while onstage. Trust me: If you can drink JD like that and still put on one of the best shows out there today, you will have no trouble getting into a back alley fight after the show. Not to mention, the guys in DBT all look like they have a straight razor in their boots. Hell, the female bass player in the Truckers could probably do some major damage, as well.

Grace Potter

And speaking of women, and certainly not to be sexist, what woman out there in the scene is the biggest badass? I’d put my money on Grace Potter. Aside from the fact that she is a rock and roll party machine. Aside from the fact that she is one of the most beautiful women in music today. Grace P. is one tough cookie. So, don’t let that sweet smile and gorgeous red hair fool you. If there was any one female that could lay the smackdown on you, it’s her.

Alejandro Escovedo

Finally, the two toughest individual artists out there playing great music that you would be a fool to cross? Up first, Alejandro Escovedo. Alejandro has the pedigree to be a dangerous mofo. Started off in one of the first California punk bands, The Nuns. Went on to play in some the coolest and down and dirty bar bands ever (Rank & File and True Believers). And the final confirmation: He played in True Believers with his brother, Javier. Two brothers of Mexican descent in the same bar band? It is amazing that they are both still alive.

Karl Denson ~ Badest Cat Around

But without a doubt the toughest, baddest, man most likely to hurt you so bad even your mama wouldn’t recognize you afterwards would have to be one Mr. Karl Denson. I had the pleasure of being in the ship gym a few years ago on Jam Cruise and let me tell you something. The man works out like he plays the saxophone. With a vengeance! Karl D is one of those guys that you would pray that the first blow would kill you or at least knock you out so you wouldn’t have to feel the following blows.

In closing, we all know fighting is bad. No one ever likes to see anyone get hit or hurt. But on the off chance I am ever jumped out back of a club after a show, I just hope that it’s Grace Potter that leaps off that tour bus Flying V guitar a swingin’ to come to my defense.

Posted in Music, Thinking Piece | Tagged Alejandro Escovedo, Blues Traveler, Bonnaroo, Danny Louis, Dave Schools, Fight Club, Gov't Mule, Grace Potter, Jack White, Jam Cruise, Jason Stollsteimer, Jimmy Herring, John "JoJo" Hermann, John Bell, John Popper, Jorgen Carlsson, Karl Denson, Matt Abts, Mickey Rourke, Oasis, Patterson Hood, Rank & File, The Black Crowes, The Drive By Truckers, The Kinks, The Nuns, The Von Bondies, The White Stripes, TMZ, True Believers, Widespread Panic | 2 Comments »

The 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival: An “Easy D” Perspective: Thursday, April 29, 2010

May 13, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

The 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival:

An “Easy D” Perspective: Thursday, April 29, 2010

Mike "Easy D" Deasy

(Read Easy D’s “Prologue” here)

(Read Easy D’s “Wednesday, April 28, 2010” here)

The weather for Thursday looked like it would be the best of the entire weekend. Partly cloudy, breezy, high in low 80s. Nice! We arrived in time to see the first act of the day: Chief Iron Horse & the Black Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians at the Jazz & Heritage stage. Some of the Madi Gras Indian acts are a blast. This act was one of the better ones I’ve seen over the years.

Chief Iron Horse & the Black Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians at the Jazz & Heritage stage

Crawfish Monica

Next it was a quick stroll through the food area en route to the Acura stage. One of the benefits of Thursday is that the festival is less crowded, hence the lines for the popular food items are nonexistent. The most popular item is Crawfish Monica, a delicious combination of crawfish, pasta, and a nicely spicy creamy sauce!

Next up: Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove at the Acura stage. Kirk is a sousaphone player and original member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has also collaborated with Anders Osborne among others over the years. The current Backyard Groove lineup also features CR Gruver, a master keyboardist. Very entertaining set featuring a versatile horn section and nice backup vocals. I had learned from Kirk that he was having gall bladder issues a few weeks prior to the festival. He decided to try to deal with it nutritionally so that he could get through the festival gigs. He did not disappoint with this set. Stay well Kirk!

Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove @ Jazz Fest 2010

CR Gruver of Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove @ Jazz Fest 2010

The ‘scenery’ around the stages was starting to build on this slow day. Let’s just say that some folks put together fest wardrobes and devised ways to be comfortable at the festival:

Jazz Fest 2010 Scenery

Next up: Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk at the Acura stage. Dumpstaphunk is by far one of my favorite bands. The funksters played the now familiar favorites such as Meanwhile, Turn This Thing Around, Shake It Off, Creedence Clearwater’s Fortunate Son. Music with a message. I know I put my troubles in the Dumpsta! Plus the crowds are starting to build. Dumpstaphunk lineup:

Ivan Neville – Keyboards and Vocals

Ian Neville – Guitar

Nick Daniels – Bass and Vocals

Tony Hall – Bass, Guitar and Vocals

Raymond Weber – Drums and Vocals

Dumpstaphunk crowd shot @ Acura Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

As the crowds build, the large video screens enhance the experience:

Raymond Weber @ Acura Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

By this time, more of my extended entourage appeared including my Uptown New Orleans friends who traditionally stake out an area to the right of the Acura stage soundboard they call The Condo.

Easy D and friends @ Jazz Fest 2010

Amanda Shaw @ Gentilly Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

Next up: A quick stroll over the the Gentilly stage to catch the end of Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys. Amanda Shaw is a 19 year old fiddle and vocal phenom who has been playing professionally for several years. I think the first time I saw her play at the festival, Amanda was 13. While she is building a catalog of original songs, she also plays fun covers such as Charlie Daniel’s The Devil Went Down to Georgia and The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go. By the way, several years ago, Amanda turned down Disney’s offer of the title Hannah Montana role to sign with Rounder Records and pursue a serious music career.

Amanda Shaw @ Gentilly Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

And then, stroll back toward the Acura stage for some of Gov’t Mule. There’s something about strolling around the Fairgrounds while Warren Haynes sings Thorazine Shuffle. The Gov’t Mule Setlist:

Blind Man In The Dark
Steppin’ Lightly
Broke Down on The Brazos
Railroad Boy->
Beautifully Broken
I’ll Be The One
Thorazine Shuffle
Soulshine

Warren Haynes @ The Acura Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

At this point, I wanted to catch a little bit of Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers at the Gentilly stage. En route, paused at the Congo stage where the Soul Rebels Brass Band were playing:

Soul Rebel Brass Band @ Gentilly stage, Jazz Fest 2010

While walking by the Fais Do Do stage, I ran into more of my Krewe who were watching Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, an excellent zydeco band. Decided to stay here for a while; it was so good. Plus the dancers to the right of the Fais Do Do stage are always very entertaining:

Geno Delaflose & French Rockin’ Boogie @ Fais Do Do Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

Dancin' @ Jazz Fest 2010

Once arriving at the Gentilly stage, after listening to Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers for a few minutes, I quickly decided that the energy level was not up to the Jazz Fest scene. I am a fan of the Steep Canyon Rangers having seen them at the Delfest Bluegrass Festival last May. On this day, they just didn’t work for me. So it was back to the Acura stage to close the day with Widespread Panic. The band consists of :

JOHN BELL – guitars, vocals

JOHN “JOJO” HERMANN – keyboards, vocals

JIMMY HERRING – guitars

TODD NANCE – drums, vocals

DOMINGO S. ORTIZ – percussion, vocals

DAVE SCHOOLS – bass, vocals

John Bell @ The Acura Stage, Jezz Fest 2010

This was the 3^rd time that I have seen Widespread Panic at Jazz Fest. They always play on Thursday so that they can play a full 2 and a half hour set. This is the 2^nd time I have seen the Panic since the death of guitarist Mikey Houser. While I miss Houser, the supremely skilled Jimmy Herring is a terrific replacement. Bandleader John Bell was in very fine voice, better than recent shows I have attended. They performed a couple of my favorites including Imitation Leather Shoes, Ophelia, and the excellent Mikey Houser tune This Part of Town. Here is a snippet of lyrics from This Part of Town, music with a message IMHO:

I was walkin’ the other day with my head down,
When I met a man who had his hand out.
So I gave him, gave him a dollar,
But as I walked away I heard him call out,

“Tell me Brother, can you see the sun
From where you’re standin’ now?
I’ve been up and I’ve been down,
But I’ve never been to this part of town.”

David Schools @ The Acura Stage, Jezz Fest 2010

Here is the Widespread Panic set list:

Love Tractor, Pigeons, Space Wrangler, Walkin’ (For Your Love) > Blight, Thought Sausage, Imitation Leather Shoes > Jam > Proving Ground, Down*, Walk On The Flood > North, Up All Night** >Tall Boy**, Good People (w/Dark Bar Rap)**, On Your Way Down**> Bust It Big**,Ophelia** > You Should Be Glad**,This Part Of Town, Aint Life Grand*

Comment: *w/John Keane on Pedal Steel — **w/The Megablasters

Oh by the way, it was a party at The Condo:

Widespread Panic @ Acura Stage, Jazz Fest 2010

Mikey Houser (yes, even Mikey, may he RIP, was at the fest!)

Widepread Panic - painting started and completed during the set.

Well, after this glorious day, we worked our way back to the hotel. While working our way through the cab line, I tripped on an uneven sidewalk and fell on my right hip. Fortunately or unfortunately, I broke the fall with my camera pouch. I was uninjured, but my camera was a casualty. I will have to depend on others in my Krewe for the remaining installments.

After returning to the hotel, I was tired and in need of a shower and nap. My ‘power nap’ ended up lasting 10 hours. Best sleep I’ve had in years. So, no club show report for Thursday evening. Next installment: Friday.

~ Continue to the Friday installment of Easy D’s Jazz Fest 2010 adventure~

Posted in Festival Review, Music, Music Festival | Tagged Acura stage, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Anders Osborne, Chief Iron Horse, CR Gruver, Dave Schools, DelFest Bluegrass Festival, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Domingo S. Ortiz, Easy D, Fais Do Do stage, French Rockin’ Boogie, Geno Delaflose, Geno Delaflose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Geno Delafose, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Gentilly stage, Ian Neville, Ivan Neville, Jazz & Heritage stage, Jimmy Herring, John "JoJo" Herman, John "JoJo" Hermann, John Bell, Kirk Joseph, Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Nick Daniels III, Raymond Weber, The Black Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians, Todd Nance, Tony Hall, Widespread Panic | Leave a Comment »

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