DiSGRACe, 11/20 & 21/10, NYC

DiSGRACe: 11/20/10 @ Ace of Clubs
& 11/21/10 @ Sullivan Hall, NYC

I guess the shows technically started on the 21st & 22nd after Midnight, but the tickets still say 20th & 21st. If you're still reading this, you don't give a shit either. Good.

SATURDAY, 11/20/10

With the sad and unfortunate situation that led to moe. rescheduling their Mischief Night show from 10/30 to 12/4 (IT'S HALLOWEEN IN DECEMBER, FUCKERS! Get your tickets!), it was really cool that we'd still be treated to these special acoustical evenings of DiSGRACe: the honorable Al Schnier, Chuck "is Satan" Garvey, and the affable Rob Derhak (3/5 of moe., if you didn't get that yet). Both NYC shows were scheduled as post-Further Furthur (who were at MSG) events, which is why they started so late- but late night moe. sets are an NYC tradition. To quote my Mother on Saturday, the timing was "just like the old days."

I ran into Lil' Topper outside the Ace of Clubs, where we saw the 20-Years-In-The-Future-Crackhead-Scott-Bernstein (taper) crossing Great Jones, wheeling a bag (taper gear too??), and wildly screaming upwards at nothing/no one in particular. Bizaaaarro! Hern showed up, slightly irate cuz he left Son of Screaming Chicken at home. Oh no. There wasn't enough time to get Lil' Topper a tattoo^, but we did head into the Acme and start on the tequila.


We were finally allowed downstairs into the Ace of Clubs after Midnight (doors were originally scheduled at 11). It's a small room. A really small room. They did a really good job capping the ticket sales to keep the attendance reasonable. The show was sold out, but there was more than enough room to move around (I heard many tickets were unclaimed at will-call, but have no idea if there's any truth to that.).

Seriously, do you know where Flat Topper has been?

In honor of the Furthur shows, they started out with a traditional tune that the Dead happen to cover, Lil' Sadie (around 12:30AM). It was a mellow start to the show, but what followed, started getting down and dirty! Downward Facing Dog, a super-fun Akimbo. Then, the most beautiful version of Wildflowers (Tom Petty) EVER. Holy shit. Jaw droppingly good. A sweet and homey It.

I took a breather in the back of the room during Karma Police. Then it sounded like they were starting Plane Crash, so I hung back for about 20 seconds--- until I realized it was freaking LAZARUS! At this exact moment I managed to dart right into some sweet real estate up front to rock out for the duration of this brilliant Lazarus.

Ace of Clubs can be a tricky room for a short person. The speakers on either side of the stage are REALLY loud and point kinda inward, but at an exaggerated angle cuz the room is so teeny. So you may have a great view on the outskirts, but it might be waaaay too loud to enjoy. I felt comfy in my new spot, not going deaf- and stayed there.

New York City was cute. Tailspin rocked, but is a little odd without the drums. Queen of Everything just rules no matter what format, so, totes awesome. Mexico was really fun and there was a nice sing-along going.


They encored with a really groovin' Billy Goat and a That Country Tune which I honestly cannot recall any specifics of.

The crowd was well behaved for the most part. The intimate format somehow makes people think it's okay to start full conversations with the band in between songs. It doesn't really work that way, but DiSGRACe were polite about it. There were a couple of times during the show that the volume of ambient talking in the room was creeping over the volume of music, but it was late and people were shit-faced. What are ya gonna do?

The one long set format worked well in this post-show late-night-start world. They played relatively the same amount of music they would have played if it were 2 sets, but they didn't take a break. Really nothing to bitch about. Shit man, it was late. I was sleepytimes.

SATURDAY, 11/20/10 (SUNDAY, 11/21/10, 12:30ishAM)
Lil' Sadie
Downward Facing Dog
Akimbo
Wildflowers
It
Karma Police
Lazarus
New York City
Tailspin
Queen Of Everything
Mexico

ENCORE:
Billy Goat
That Country Tune

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW!!! Thanks, Present Day, Non-Crackhead, Scott Bernstein! http://www.archive.org/details/moe2010-11-20

SUNDAY, 11/21/10

And it was time to do it all over again! The cup of Darjeeling tea at 8pm would give me the rocket boost needed to fly straight through til early morning.

I couldn't get up Sullivan Street because Salvo was attempting the difficult "narrow street parallel park"- that's the one where parked cars line either side of a narrow Village street. It's a tricky one at 11pm on a Sunday. Even an expert parallel parker like myself sometimes doesn't feel like putting the effort into it. Which is why I pulled into a space a block up instead of dealing. But not before sticking my head out the window and giving Salvo a ton of shit for holding up traffic.

Doors opened late (duh), but the scene on the line was pretty fun and very enjoyable. Yeah, realistically, we all knew that DiSGRACe weren't getting onstage before Midnight, but I like heading in and getting situated (baffroom, tequila, and that night- a good spot Chuck.side!). Throw in a Red Bull for Mark to make it through the next couple of hours and it was showtime in no time!



They opened with a stellar Time Again, which I'm always psyched to hear. Still happy it's back. A great St. Augustine with a big crowd sing-along. A bouncy Shake Your Hips to keep the place dancing. A sweet and lovely Where Does The Time Go? Dark dark Haze. Cornflake Girl, which I like better acoustic and had a real feel going for it this time around. Sentimental Letter Home, like a giant hug. Really rockin' Deep This Time. A fun little new jaunt called Little Miss Cup Half Empty- like moe. channeling the Beatles drinking rum and writing a reggae tune. It's catchy. The wonderful and legendary cowboy ballad Shoot First (Chuck was ON, yo.) -> Moth, very fun, both with huge sing-alongs.




"we're gonna sing a song about our feelings, now." - DiSGRACe
Encores: an awesome Fixing A Hole (Beatles). REALLY AWESOME! Then a feelgood Okayalright to close out the DiSGRACe Tour. Great stuff!





There's a dance club underneath Sullivan Hall and the blaring techno beats were a constant presence (especially in-between songs). The band staged a brief impromptu acoustic techno dance party that would have made Strong Bad proud. You'll just have to listen to the recording for that hidden gem!

There were a couple of people in between Rob and Al who were getting out of hand with the rudeness/obliviousness. One dude wouldn't stop talking to Rob, who was being really good about not punching him in the face. Eventually this guy was corralled by security and physically escorted to the back of the room. I am unclear whether or not this was the same guy who was calling Rob a pussy during the show. "Rob, you're a pussy!" - Some Guy. Yeah, Rob definitely made the conscious decision not to punch at least one dude in the face (perhaps more). The restraint of a ninja, that one.


Poor Chuck was at the end of the stage that juts out onto the floor. One guy kept tapping him on the shoulder and again- attempting full conversation. Don't make Satan kick you in the head. Someone near me suggested they play behind a chain-link fence. DiSGRACe should definitely consider this for the next tour. They could either put wheels on the bottom for easy transit from city-to-city or just add it to the Rider.


It was a really fun and DiSGRACeful weekend, full of friends and sweet sweet music. SUC-CESS! DiSGRACe, 11/20 & 21/10 or 11/21 & 22/10: 9 HUZZAHS!!

And I'm not just saying that because their t-shirt features a clown leaving a balloon-art poop in a toilet... but that does help.

SUNDAY, 11/21/10 (MONDAY, 11/22/10, 12:20ishAM)
Time Again
St. Augustine
Shake Your Hips
Where Does The Time Go?
Haze
Cornflake Girl
Letter Home
Deep This Time
Little Miss Cup Half Empty
Shoot First ->
Moth

ENCORE:
Fixing A Hole
Okayalright

(Thanks to Kahlil Katool for the setlists.)

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW! Thanks, Salvo! http://www.archive.org/details/disgrace2010-11-22.salvo

HI-RES GALLERY & SLIDESHOW!




^ A portrait of Vinnie on his left butt cheek.

Lo Faber & Aaron Maxwell, 11/5/10, Mexicali, Teaneck, NJ

Lo Faber & Aaron Maxwell, 11/5/10, Mexicali, Teaneck, NJ


Yaaaay!! Lo Faber & Aaron Maxwell (of God Street Wine) aka Dos Heteros--- FINALLY! These two are just what every Wino needs to tide them over in-between GSW shows. And being able to drink frozen margaritas while enjoying them = super BONUS. But would the guilt of being at an awesome moe. show (oh the torture) while they were playing at Sullivan Hall back in October finally end? See below, for answer.

It was a spectacular, clear, Fall night and aside from having to pull over and let a car with blue headlights (FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING BLINDING, MIGRAINE-TRIGGERING, DOUCHE FUCK) pass me, the ride to the show was without incident.

When I got to Mexicali (if you see the Kosher Chinese Food place, you've gone too far!), it was time for John Rango to take the stage-- which usually means he's jumped up there during someone else's act- but in this case, he was the act- John Rango and Friends. It was a lovely set by all and I'm always taken aback at what a great voice he's got. Shiiit, it's even a little sing-songy when he takes the time to tell me, "Lynn Guppy, you're one funny fucking bitch." Thanks, Rango. And that's exactly why I helped him out when he forgot the first words to the God Street Wine classic (and oh-so-tender) ballad, "Wonderful Westchester Women". ("So, you leave your favorite drink...") Though, it was pretty damn fun to watch him squirm up there for a minute... standing next to Lo & Aaron, who didn't remember the words either. And there was definitely at least 1 verse missing, maybe more. Chris Robinson uses a teleprompter, you know.

In between acts there was some Wino pregaming in the vicinity and it was really fun to hang out with some fabulous Old Skoolers. Many of us are still a mischievous bunch and I love experiencing that widespread Wino camaraderie once again. Great times.

Lo & Aaron finally got onstage and the crowd was ready for 'em! The whole damn show was great. Not that I'd be too picky about it, cuz it's Lo & Aaron and they are awesome-- but the whole damn show, really was great! They've adapted their classics into acoustic duo goodness.



Highlights (lots): Found A New Baby was masterful. Big Papa, cuz I've missed Aaron's pipes. Funny Kinda Love, which I really really wanted to hear in July- they've completely reworked it for acoustic. Very very cute and left me smiling (I am actually still smiling from this). Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Strange As It Seems was AWWWESOME. When She Go, which is one of my favorites. Stranger. Sneakin' Around!!! Peanut Butter Jar!!! Let me emphasize that even more: *** ACOUSTIC DUO PEANUT BUTTER JAR!!! *** Straight Line was like a big bear-hug of goodness.




They had John Rango on guitar and Ken Sidotti on keys for a couple of songs each- both were great compliments to Dos Heteros.




footage courtesy of Michael Weiss (thanks, Mike!)


Just want to talk logistics for a minute: The setup at Mexicali can be challenging. You've got the stage at the front of the room, with a smallish dance-floor area in front of it. Then in back of that dance-floor are tables- regular sized and tall ones. The bar is sunken down in the back of the room and above the bar (upstairs) are more tables. People like to get there early for dinner and drinks (as they should, because it's great there), but once the show starts, depending on where you are seated, there's a good chance your view of the stage will be compromised. The crowd usually starts out respectfully flanking the sides of the room and in back of the regular sized tables- but then there's this huge empty dance floor up front and it just BEGS for people to come-hither. Eventually, the crowd trickles through the aisles and makes their way to the empty dance floor-- but then the people who are seated at the regular tables can't see. Upstairs doesn't completely solve the issue, as the angle of the sight-line isn't great. Typically, your best bet at Mexicali is to get there early for dinner and drinks, but don't plan on sitting during the show if you can help it. Usually the tequila takes care of that for me. If you want to be seated and see the show at the same time- try and get one of the taller seats/tables on the side (call for reservations) OR, drink more tequila.


So, the burning QUESTION: did this show finally end the horrible gut-wrenching torturous guilt nagging me ever since missing the Lo & Aaron Sullivan Hall show in October??? ANSWER: IT HELPED. And I got a Funny Kinda Love!!! Though, I'm not really feelin' the blazers. It just doesn't feel right. They don't scream "ROCK GOD" like a nice old t shirt does!

Lo Faber & Aaron Maxwell, 11/5/10, Mexicali, Teaneck, NJ: 9 HUZZAHS!!!! Can't wait for more! Also, there are these 3 guys I'd really love to see sit-in with them... on land.

Interesting note: I finally figured out why restaurants serve tacos in 3's. It's because you can eat 2 at dinner and the third at 3am when you get home and need a wonderful taco the most.


2010-11-05
Lo Faber and Aaron Maxwell
Mexicali Blues
Teaneck NJ

I've Found A New Baby
Driving West
The Ballroom
Electrocute
Big Papa
Funny Kinda Love
Thirsty
Mile By Mile
Nightingale
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Strange As It Seems
When She Go
Goodnight Gretchen
Stranger
Waiting For the Tide
Sneakin Around
Borderline
Peanut Butter Jar
Don't Speak of These Things*
Straight Line#
Wendy*#

E:
Romeo and Juliet

*With Ken Sidotti on Keyboard
#With John Rango on Guitar

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW! Thanks, Budke!! http://www.archive.org/details/lfam2010-11-05.mtx

There's a whole bunch of footage of this show (and some of backstage) up on youtube- so go search for it, willya?

SLIDESHOW AND HI-RES GALLERY!

The Black Crowes, 11/4/10, Best Buy Theater, NYC, NY

The Black Crowes, 11/4/10, Best Buy^ Theater (this name is still BLEAH), NYC, NY
They weren't allowing photography for these shows and I cooperated. So, instead of photographs in this review, I will paint you glorious pictures with my words in the form of inspirational Haiku fucking awesomeness. Let it be known that I had an allergic reaction to something today and am currently riding the mighty crest of a Benedryl buzz.

Pregame at Baumy's!
Empanadas for dinner!
Exclamation points!!!

The line to get in,
'round the corner to Broadway,
when The Crowes began.

More packed than ever.
Thanks, Mark, for the Mezz sticker.
It's nice to see Chris.

For the second set,
I found The Crowes Running Crew.
We rocked out Rich-side.

Hey, Tall, Fat, Asshole,
standing in front of two girls.
You'll NEVER get laid!

I went back upstairs,
for a clear view of the band.
Sorry, my floor peeps.

Two sets to say bye.
I preferred the Electric
over acoustic.

The Southern Blues Rock
and my Black Crowes Running Crew
will surely be missed.

Some solo albums
and a few years of living.
We know they'll be back.

The Crowes were rockin'.
A fifty-dollar ticket
is a bit steep, yo.

For post-show fun-times:
a loud, shitty, cover band,
until we found Munsch.

Little B.D.J.
on a Mid-Town Adventure,
needs a G.P.S.!
The Black Crowes, 11/4/10

SET I (acoustic)
Cold Boy Smile
Whoa Mule
Fork In The River
Hot Burrito #1
Hot Burrito #2
How Much For Your Wings? -> Jam ->
Bring On, Bring On
Tornado
Garden Gate
You Don't Miss Your Water
East Virginia Blues
Appaloosa

SET II (electric)
Jam -> Waitin' Guilty ->
Another Roadside Tragedy -> Jam ->
Wiser Time
Poor Elijah - Tribute To Johnson (Medley)
Downtown Money Waster ->
Thorn in My Pride
She Talks to Angels
Remedy

ENCORE
Oh! Sweet Nuthin'
I Ain't Hiding

# last "Hot Burrito #1" - 2/22/97

Thanks to CrowesBase for the setlist and nerd-note!


^ Still holding back vomit.

Yonder Mountain String Band, 10/28 & 29, Burlington & Boston

Yonder Mountain String Band:
10/28/10, Higher Ground, Burlington, VT...
& 10/29/10, House of Blues, Boston, MA


As we begin, allow me to apologize for the lateness of the next few reviews. I just wrapped a much delayed long-term project on the God Street Wine reunion shows this Summer for State of Mind Music, which you should also check out. All the while, I've been busting at the seams with excitement about how awesome these Yonder Mountain String Band shows were.

Okay, so 10/23, I was standing there watching Phish in Amherst the day after the Yonder NYC show and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to see Yonder again. Yes, really. Because they are awesome and the show at the Nokia, Best Buy, Bowels of 1515 was great, but it was like a palate tease. Please Sirs, I want some more. As the Vermont dates crept closer, I finally said "fuck it" and decided to make my first trip to The New^ Higher Ground to rock some more Yonder.

This is how the conversation went when I called my brother to tell him I was definitely heading up to Burlington and would be crashing at his house:
Lynn: Yonder Mountain String Band is playing at Higher Ground and I'm gonna come up for the show tomorrow.
Dave: I'm getting over being really really sick. I had a 103 fever last week and I'm still wiped out.
Lynn: Okay, but you're feeling better now?
Dave: Yes, but I'm not recovered at all.. Come up next week instead. You can come up for 2 weeks starting next week if you want.
Lynn: Yes, but Yonder is playing tomorrow.
Dave: Can't you see them some other time?
Lynn: No, because they are playing there tomorrow.
Dave: Lynn, I feel like shit.
Lynn: I'll bring some of Mom's chicken soup. See you tomorrow!

THURSDAY, 10/28/10


Dude... Yonder!!!

I hauled ass to Burlington, but when I called Higher Ground to ask when the band was getting on, they told me 9:30pm. So, Eric D. and I met up and took our time heading in, enjoyed the full body cavity search, checked out the small room which looked exactly like the old location except on some bizarro room-sized scale. We reminisced over a few posters from the old place (awww)... annnnnd walked in as Yonder started Sharecropper's Son, apparently missing the first 5 songs (about 20 minutes in). FUUUUUUCK. Sideshow Blues opener too! I suck!

The place was packed. We spent most of the first set on a ramp in the far back- I was psyched to be able to see and super-psyched I made the trip up. My immediate reward was a kickin' Death Trip! Then The Misfits' 20 Eyes, which was freakin' AWESOME. A lovely Mossy Cow, dark Not Far Away, bouncy You're No Good, beautiful Dawn's Early Light -> a sweet Winds of Wyoming -> 2 Hits, which is seriously, just a huge fucking tease in a venue as anti-smoking as the New Higher Ground.


Eric's not so hot on bluegrass, but he was giving it a fair chance, so big ups for that. He didn't look convinced. Which is why he wouldn't stand waaaay up front with me for the 2nd set. That and there were crazy kids full of beer and energy concentrated in the area--- but still! C'monnnnnn! As soon as the music started he ran back!

I made friends with a very nice girl in the front who's boyfriend was shitfaced and spilled beer in her basket of sweet potato fries, which was just about the saddest thing I saw all night. Towards the tail-end of the show he was actually throwing stuff at the band. They love that. What a gem! Anyways, at some point he disappeared and I inherited his spot on the rail which was awwwwe-some! This was my first time up on the Dave-side rail! It should go without saying that I enjoyed it muchly, yes.




Set II was amazing. A fun Only A Northern Song to start it off, a clearly subliminal Southbound (more on that later), a fast and driving If Loving You Is Killing Me, Big Spike Hammer, Sorry is a Highway. New Horizons is just a fucking blast all the time, they killlllled it! -> Someday's Reunion -> New Horizons. Wowza. Super fun Rag Mama and It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry. A brilliant Spanish Harlem Incident that Jeff said he knew we could handle. Best version I've heard them do. Then they just kicked it over the fucking line-- by far my favorite part of the night: Girlfriend Is Better -> King Ebenezer (YESSSSS!!!!) -> Boatman (YESSS YESSS!!!). Holy shit, Higher Ground was ROCKING.

Then, Encore 1: Come Together and a high energy Bloody Mary Morning & Encore 2 (YESSSSS): Idaho and some more heartfelt love for the room.





Wow. This may have been one of the best Yonder shows I've ever seen. Definitely in the Top 2. There was so much energy and love in the room, it drove the show with some crazy momentum. I was positively gobsmacked by how awesome that show was--- no joke, I had almost forgotten how fun it was to see live music in Burlington. Different crowds in different cities just bring different vibes to the show. Amazing what a 5 hour drive can do. Yonder and their Burlington crowd have a real love-affair going. Sign me up for next year's run!

The New Higher Ground was pretty awesome, but let's go back in time for a moment. When they first opened in Winooski, all bets were off. Meaning- we had a reasonable amount of freedom and a lot of fun in there (and outside in the parking lot). Those days are long gone. They don't even allow re-entry anymore. Security was really tight and that just seemed strange. It's a live music venue in BURLINGTON for fuck's sake. The Weirdness! I miss Club Toast.

There was an evil limited gold-on-black Yonder @ Higher Ground poster done by David Welker, the same artist who did the artwork for Phish's Rift cover. It is super-dark and very Metalocalypse. I love it!


Some tweaked out girl came over after I put mine into the plastic, took it out of my hands and started to caress and squeeze it-- I totally rescued it in the nick of time. WTF, Burlington? See??? THAT is what happens when people can't smoke anywhere-- fucking Tweakers start showing up!

waiting on Dave's tuning...

10/28/10, Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT

Set 1: Sideshow Blues, Cupid Shot Me Twice, Irondale, Long Time, If I Lose, Sharecropper's Son, Death Trip > 20 Eyes, Mossy Cow, Not Far Away, You're No Good, Dawn's Early Light > Winds Of Wyoming > 2 Hits and The Joint Turned Brown

Set 2: Only A Northern Song, Southbound, If Loving You Is Killing Me, Big Spike Hammer, Sorrow is a Highway, New Horizons > Someday's Reunion > New Horizons, Rag Mama, Takes Alot To Laugh A Train To Cry, Spanish Harlem Incident, Girlfriend Is Better > King Ebenezer > Boatman

Encore: Come Together, Bloody Mary Morning

E2: Idaho

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW! Thanks, Jamie Dubs: http://www.archive.org/details/ymsb2010-10-28.m210
DL the Wednesday show (also by Jamie Dubs) here: http://www.archive.org/details/ymsb2010-10-27.m210

FRIDAY, 10/29/10

My friend Matt had been sending emails to a few of us for the past couple of weeks floating the idea of heading to Boston for Yonder at the House of Blues. I tend to avoid driving in/near/around Boston whenever possible, but that Burlington Yonder show was just so fucking hot--- and if I was already in Burlington, I would eventually have to drive South to get home... So, it kind of made sense to swing through Boston, yes? Of course!


The plans all came together rather quickly and I bought a ticket after brushing my teefs in the AM. There was Pennycluse to rock some breakfast-for-lunch and Speeder's & Earl's to rock some coffee for coffee. I love Burlington, but I was on a quest for more Yonder Mountain String Band. HUZZAH!

It was a beautiful drive through New England and my mini-Yonder Fall Tour just felt right. Trees had long since peaked in VT, but the oranges and browns mingling with the Evergreens was a sweet sight.

What I learned on the drive: Massachusetts Drivers don't look or turn on their signals before changing lanes. This is not taught in Driver's Ed there. That page is ripped out of each and every textbook by a blood relative of the Kennedys who is wearing boat shoes (to keep it pure). Chappaquiddick.

After much traffic, I found my way to Matt & Jen's fantabulous awesome condo and I got to meet Nugget the dog! Ha! On our way to the House of Blues, Matt stumbled upon a talk radio show called "Music For Human Beings" where one boring guy with a weird accent was talking about bicycle paths representing the evolution of fish to men and his co-host kept agreeing, "it's truuuuuue... yessss." Also, that the only way Sasquatch will ever be seen is if one is crossing the same path at the same time and same dimension, as a human being who could identify him as "Sasquatch" or something along those lines that was just as difficult to follow. There is no other reason that this is important other than the fact that it was just really fucking funny and we were laughing so hard we practically cried.

And there before me, was a very quiet Fenway Park in October. All was right with the world.



We were still a few days from Halloween, but close enough for Slutty Cat, Slutty Nurse, Slutty Beer Wench, Slutty etc.'s to be oot and aboot. More power to you girls, but next year you may want to bring a jacket.

Matt! Watch out for that Slutty Cat!

This was my first trip to any House of Blues and I was looking forward to it. While it's pretty cool in there, it's still a chain-venue, and thusly I expected security to be about as tight as they were. They had the 2nd floor closed off and the only seats they were selling on the 3rd floor were the "box seats" (which explains why I could only purchase floor tickets that morning). I didn't venture upstairs, because we found a pretty phatty dank spot on the little elevated area off the floor on Adam-side. There was no need to wander once we settled in.

They opened with a glorious Out Of the Blue at which point I was immediately satisfied with having made the detour. Three Yonder shows in a week-- fuck yeah! Who knew? Really fun first set all the way through. Pow Wow the Indian Boy, Ain't No Way of Knowing, Fingerprint, awesome. Granny Woncha Smoke Some + venue with zero tolerance = healthy amounts of tequila. Thanks for driving, Jen. :) Also, thanks for enabling me, Matt. :) Fine Excuses, Damned If The Right One, Keep On Going -> Casualty -> Keep On Going. Just a sweet sounding set from start to finish. Lots of good vibes bouncing around in the room and the sound was stellar!






Yes, the second set rocked too, the details are a bit foggier but I remember dancing and having an awesome time. Also, more tequila. Always more tequila. Memories kick back in around Raleigh & Spencer, which had the room rocking. Rain Still Falls, This Train is Bound For Glory, and Going Up which absolutely took it through the roof. Sometimes I feel serious guilt pumping around in the jew blood about loving the gospel numbers so much, but sweet baby Jesus, they are sooooo good!!! Hot damn! Freeborn Man, Complicated (Ben might finally have me sold on it), and then a ridiculously dark & tasty Angel -> Follow Me Down (with Jeff, wonderfully possessed) -> Angel evil sammich to close out the set. WOW.

Encore featured Jeff trying to pick a dead bug out of his tequila -> New Speedway Boogie, and a wild & spirited Let Me Fall (YESSSS!!!) that reinforced all the great energy in the room before we all had to clear out. Smiles all around. Another great show! Thanks, Yonder in Boston!









Post show went something like this: tacos, pizza with chorizo on it, and Heavy Metal. Sounds like a wicked awesome Friday in New England!



10/29/10, House of Blues, Boston, MA

Set 1: Out Of The Blue, Pow Wow the Indian Boy, Ain't No Way of Knowing, Fingerprint, Mother's Only Son > Left Me in a Hole, Granny Woncha Smoke Some, Must've Had Your Reasons, Fine Excuses, Damned If The Right One Didn't Go Wrong, Keep on Going > Casualty > Keep on Going

Set 2: Illinois Rain > Dreams, Had To Leave My Boots Behind, Another Day, Isolate > Raleigh & Spencer, Rain Still Falls, This Train Is Bound For Glory, Going Up, Freeborn Man, Complicated, Angel > Follow Me Down To The Riverside > Angel

Encore: New Speedway Boogie, Let Me Fall

** Once the archive link goes up, it will be HERE. **

SATURDAY, 3/30/10

Saturday began with Nugget the dog staring at me and then some super fabulous coffee before heading over to an amazing bakery called Canto 6, near Matt & Jen's place. After dosing up on sugar and watching a little bit of the Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear, it was time to head home! I stopped at a rest stop on the Mass Pike to put my cozy moe. hoodie on and when I did, my door accidentally closed and the auto-lock went bonkers. Fuck. Now let me point you directly to: REASON # 1 I do not have a Yankees sticker anywhere on my car--- in case of a scenario *just like this*. At least I had my cozy moe. hoodie on while I waited for the Mass Pike Service Dude to show up? When he pulled up less than 20 minutes later (AWESOME), I got a "if I'd known you were from New York I would have taken my wicked time". See?

Yonder Mountain String Band New England mini-Tour, 10/28/10 @ Higher Ground, Burlington, VT & 10/29/10, House of Blues, Boston, MA: 9.8 HUZZAHS!!! What an amazing adventure!!! Can't wait to do it again!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this mini-Yonder Tour a success. The boys of Yonder, of course. But also, my sick brother Dave, Eric D., Sara (wish you could have come!!!), Matt, Jen, Nugget, and whoever baked that awesome fucking scone on Saturday morning. Chris & Heidi, you were missed, but definitely there in spirit.

SLIDESHOW & !



^ I got my ID confiscated at the original Higher Ground in Winooski, attempting to see Trey's 8 Foot Florescent Tubes show like 2 months before I turned 21... Totes lame. Realizing that was 12 years ago was kind of a trip.