October 5, 2002 - NMF - Harry's - Northampton, MA
HENNING: Make yourself comfortable, this could take a while. Last night at about 11:00 Lesa and I burned out and walked home. We had spent almost the entire weekend in either Harry's or the Eagles. Eveything I own smells like stale smoke, my car, which is full of equipment and our SFTD T-Shirts, smells like an early-morning bar, many changes of clothes, even my wallet and cell phone reak of it. My throat is dry and I keep coughing. Thank you all you rock and roll smokers for trying to kill me so gently. Last night, to clear my head of the noise and the chaos, I flipped on the Independent Film Channel and found to my great delight that The Straight Story was just starting. I had seen this movie and loved it before, and now I settled in, comfortable and warm, and it was the perfect antidote for the previous three days. Slow and determined and subtle and beautiful, it is one of my favorites and an incredible inspiration. In a similar vein, I can't recommend Harry and Tonto enough, Art Carney will break your heart. So, The Northampton Music Festival came together in the end. (Actually as of this writing there is still one more show to go, but I feel like the core of the festival is over.) It began for me at Harry's on Thursday for the opening party. I was still sick and grumpy and uncomfortable but I enjoyed it somewhat. I would have loved to see Kevin O'Rourke and Mark Mulcahey play in front of a listening crowd but they still did well, despite the noise blathering audience, this part of the festival certainly didn't have anything to do with MUSIC for most people. It was more about getting together and eating free food and drinking and talking, which is great, I just wish those two quiet performances were saved for a better time. Friday evening began with a questionable dinner and then Group DeVille. It was a slow start audience-wise but what can one expect at 7 on a Friday? People are still getting home from work, eating, changing, sitting around etc. Group DeVille played well despite the small turn-out. I would love to see this band as a three piece and, like Brian said, they're at their best when they are playing the garage-y pop stuff. Rick is certainly the leader of the band and has a great voice, the drummer and bassist are so un-rock that they are rock. I don't know what's going on with the keyboardist. After GDV, we went to Harry's and inserted earplugs for some hard rock. The Holics were far far too loud. They asked the crowd if they were and everyone said yes, and they said "good" and kept playing. I remember when that was funny once in highschool. It didn't matter for me so much, my earplugs were super strong and through that shield I was able to tell that they put on a good show despite themselves. They get better every time I see them although I am still not exactly sure what they are going for, they have a few pretty nice hard rock pop songs but they play them so loud and with so much attitude that you can't always tell. Usually the loud attitude bands are covering up for their lack of ambition musically but it seems like the Holics are trying to really write some good songs, my guess would be that as they get more experienced with it all, they are going to focus a little more on the music and a little less on the volume. But still, they played a nice rock set and I enjoyed it, as did most of the people around me. Johnny Lives was up next. I've seen them and the Holics and the following band Freddy and the Landlords each three times during my Monday night Harry's soundboard shift. Johnny Lives is from New York and has really catchy songs. They are all excellent and seasoned performers, though they are fairly young. I think Johnny Lives is really good and will pick up fans everytime they play. It's not exactly my style of music but they do it really well and they have an original sound. It was a little bit of a strange slot for them as they are more pop than rock but it worked out ok, it's a music festival after all, it should be a sort of grab-bag. Freddy and the Landlords were next and they did all the same songs that I have seen them do the other times. They are funny and young and it seems like they feel like they are the first band every to swear at the audience and play really goofy raunchy songs. It's all fine, I have to take down my jaded I-saw-this-same-type-of-band-every-weekend-in-the-basement-of-my-dorm attitude and let the kids play out what they want to. They are really funny the first few times you see them and they definately have a great look to them. Seth Tripp leaned over to me and said, "This is the best band I have ever seen." I am assuming he meant to add in there "since the Unband, Funnilingus, Tag Sale, and the Ludes" but I could be wrong. If nothing else the lead singer's supper boyish, think Harold from Harold and Maude, face singing such offensive things is worth a buck or two and some fo their songs are pretty memorable. After FATL I had to go home. I was still recovering (I still am a little) and needed to get some sleep. So, I missed Cyclub and Fistah and therefore I missed the talk of the town fight that almost broke out and the beer bottle that was thrown at Dave Keatings head. Can't say he didn't deserve it, I mean what kind of jerk do you have to be to be generous enough to let six hard rock band use your drum set and then get upset when one of them tries to destroy it? Sheesh some people. If the stoy is true, the Cyclub drummer loses a few points. When someone lends you equipment you don't get all Live at Leeds on it. (I've never seen or heard Live at Leeds, do they attack their instruments in it? I hope so.) So, I went home and watched a pretty good movie called Freak Speaks. Saturday began with a noon-time Fawns practice and a quick run through of Ayla, Thug, and Overs with Max and Brian. Then it was out to Harry's for the Singer-Songwriter series which I had been signed up for. This was to be the debut of my new guitar but when I showed up my name had never been given to Thane, the stage manager, and if I were to play it was going to cut into the already established set-times, so I just bowed out and enjoyed the sun shining into Harry's and the music of Ghosts of Blake, Matt Hebert, Miranda, and Thane. Not a lot of pep in that music, I tell you. But there were some beatiful songs, Thane's set was excellent and inspiring and I was thrilled to hear some of his 12 stepper song cycle. Unfortunately, I had to leave before Zeke and Tony's sets but I needed to get home to pack up everything for the Fawns and SFTD shows. So, we returned at 5:00 and started the loading in process. Chris was helping us set-up while Bruce got some dinner and the Fawns were on the stage putting amps here and tuning guitars there. Rob brought his drums but suddenly realized his cymbal stands were missing, he didn't say anything and took off to go find them and we were all standning around trying to figure out where he might be. Finally he returned empty handed and we asked Brian is we could use his stands and he generously agreed. UPDATE: Rob retrieved his stands yesterday from the Northampton Police Department, it seems he left them out on the sidewalk when loading his car and some kids asked some cops nearby if the could have them. The cops said, "no." The Fawns started about 15 minutes late, which was fine because we had a short set anyway. We played a nice show and like Max said, for the first time we really felt like a band. There was a really substantial crowd for a 6:00 slot and a lot of them left when we finished, so that was flattering. Even the elusive Russ and Amanda showed up - Russ gave me a shirt which I later wore for the SFTD show. How nice. After the Fawns, Melodrome took the stage, this band features Robbie Bayer who Brian and I knew from Steamtrain connections years ago. They were very tight and used sample loops along with a live drummer. When they finished it suddenly became appearant that the next band Veil was not around. Don was there and was asking me if I could act as a stage manager for the evening when the Veil bassist came up and announced that he was present but the rest of the band was not yet - but that they were on their way. I took advantage of the down time and set up our new SFTD T-Shirts and what have you. Once I put those up on display, I was approached all through the evening with compliments on them. Good ole Max. Veil finally showed up and went straight to the stage, they only played for 20 minutes but it was the most moving performance of the entire festival for me. Their lead singer, Holly (Who is in love with Max, by the way) is an incredible presence. She is achingly beautiful despite (or enhanced by) the reptilian tattoos on here neck and face and she has an amazing voice. Emotive and dramatic and sensual and mysterious, the music is dark and circus like. It felt more like a play than a concert, like it was a Kate Bush show directed by Tim Burton with wardrobe by Marilyn Manson. I sat right up front and was instantly removed from the small nightclub and found myself at the Pandemonium Shadow Show. After Veil was Don Lennon, a personal favorite. At Don Lennon shows I love looking around at the crowd to see their reaction. Like Brian said, you have to be in on the joke and there isn't even a joke. It's a mystery. A very nice mystery. His band was great, too. Don Lennon was followed by Philip who did a great job with a tough slot. To play a solo acoustic show on a night of all bands isn' t easy but his songs and his singing are good enough that the crowd was still enthralled. I've been told that there was one heckler there but I didn't hear it. After Philip, SFTD played our show. It was super-fun. The crowd was huge and friendly. I was using my new guitar. We played Ayla for the first time and brought back Thug. I lost my voice about half-way through but still managed to squeek though the set, we played very aggressively and everything went swimmingly. Afterwards many people responded favorably, Mark Miller told me how much he loved Brian's playing and how he seemed to really let go in SFTD and didn't as much in the Steamtrain. Huh. The T-Shirts were a big hit and we sold a few and some CDs too. One guy asked me if we accepted Visa and when I said no he asked me when we closed. He ended up buying an Orange shirt. So, if you see a guy in an orange shirt...knock him over and steal his Visa card. I joke of course, just give him a big high-five. Mobius Band took the stage and I collapsed on a couch in exhaustion and chatted with Seth. The crowd loved Mobius and they put on a great show as always. I will never be that cool. Following Mobius was a little bit of shmoozing with the crowd. I talked to Sculleigh (Tony's Livingroom Concert) for a bit. She's in love with Brian. After loading out, Seth, Lesa, and I walked down to Jakes to get some breakfast. Los Diablos walked with us and also went to Jakes. I felt like this was the first time I had eaten in a week. Sunday morning, most of our house guests left while we were getting stuff together to head over to the Patty Magill show. We had to make sure we were early because Ken was borrowing my guitar. Patty and Ken put on an excellent show. The first few songs were the highlight, I had never heard them before and they seemed a little more serious and deeper than Patty's usual set. They then invited Dave up to play drums on the most difficult song of the whole set for a drummer. Nice. He did well, though. Adam also went on the stage and they played a few songs that way, too. It was a really nice show and they actually had a good group of people watching, which is impressive for a Sunday afternoon. When Patty was done Lesa, Kevin, and I went down to Brueggar's to get some breakfast. On the way we saw Zeke, Dan, and Matt Hebert all dressed in their night time rock club black clothes walking amongst the typical sunny autumn northampton sidewalk traffic. That was pretty funny. We got back to Eagles in time for the second half of Spanish for Hitchiking. This was my favorite show by them to date. The songs "Do You Know Dorothy" and "Horsefly" were stand outs. The former rocked like an Attractions tune and the latter was moody and perfect...I'll need a copy of the live recording that was made. What a great band. This was the point where we were starting to burn out. It was a super beautiful fall day outside and he thought of spending it in the smoke was just too much. We took a two hour break and walked around town a little and went home. I sat on the porch with Seth and we played guitar in the sun and then I watched a little bit of Purple Rain with Lesa. I'm saying this right now and I am going to stand by it..PRINCE IS RIDICULOUS. He has some great songs though. Yay, time for Ribboncandy and we are rejuvenated. As we are just about to leave I say to Lesa, "Hey, I don't have to bring anything with me tonight!" Cue my cell phone. "Oh, yeah, I need my cell phone, thanks for reminding me!" I say as I go to answer it. "All I need is my cell phone" Cue Tony's voice on the phone. "I just realized I don't have a guitar." he says. Ribboncandy was excellent. I video taped pretty much the whole thing and I think you guys are gonna be pleased. The songs and the performances were perfect. The crowd was really into it. Yee. Yeah, you heard me. Yee. Dinner break. Fitzwilly's for some steak and chicken and sword fish and french fries followed by a walk around town, some window shopping and people watching and a journey back to the Eagles to see the Tea Lights. Another excellent show. Man this town has got some great stuff going on. Adam's songs are wonderful and Ken's bass playing is sublime. I love it. And they finally had the crowd that they deserve. Next up was King Radio (with strings). Somehow they crammed ten performers and their instruments up on the stage. Jim Weeks was managing the sound and somehow he didn't have a heart attack which was an amazing feat alone. Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keyboard, bell chimes, percussion, drums, flute, violin, viola, and two cellos. Sheesh. The show seemed to be more about the instrumentation than the songs but there were some really beautiful moments. The highlight for me was the flute / keyboard duet. Their last number was a Gibbs tune which was the most inspired part of the whole show. I can't wait to hear the new King Radio album and I am praying that the production isn't the core. I know that Frank writes great songs so it should be good. And that was it. Blam. We tried to go to Harry's to see LP, after they played for 20 seconds I screamed into Lesa's ear-plugged ear, "I'm ready to go anytime you want." and we took off immediately. And next thing you know I was being hypnotised by the Straight Story. See you all tonight at Harry's for the closing party. BRIAN: Good morning. It's Sunday, and there is still lots more NMF to happen. I am pretty content today, because it's a lovely fall day, but also because I believe that I stomped all over a cold that was approaching yesterday. I didn't wanna say anything, but much of yesterday there was a bit of a throat thing and over all fatigue. I had to fight it. I had to fight it. A large, 2-bagger of Celestial Seasonings cold remedy tea with honey. A few thousand milligrams of Vitamin C. A Thai Chicken Burrito from Cha Cha Cha (one of my fave foods in the world--so much ginger). Then I tried a Russian folk remedy that Andrea saw in a Farmers Almanac--a whole clove of garlic between the cheek and gum, like it's Skoal. I sat there like that for 20 minutes. It says to follow it up with a 1/4 cup of apple vinegar, but I substituted a shot of vodka. I followed that with 3 vodka and cranberry juices at Harry's. This morning, once the dull vodka headache went away, I am here, no sign of any cold. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Yesterday, I arrived at Harry's at 6pm to watch the Fawns and lend Rob the drummer some stands+cymbals. It was a pretty good and happy crowd. I talked to a few folks,. Amanda asked if I wanted to record a couple new songs with her (drums), and I said sure. No further plans were made. Russ gave Henning a new t-shirt--looks great. I videotaped the entire Fawns set, and hopefully I did an OK job. It was fun. The Fawns did wonderfully. Then Andrea and I went to Cha Cha Cha, where I started to seriously feel concerned about a possible cold. The fact that it had dropped 30 degrees outside didn't help. The burrito rocked, and the music in Cha was The Stones' "Aftermath", followed by Beck, "Mutations". I remarked to Andrea, "Mutations" is the kind of album I'd make if I had the time and resources. Trippy, sad, funny, danceable, lyrically strong. I wanted to get a jacket, so we walked home, and I did the garlic + vodka thing. We walked back, and on the way, I suddenly got very excited when I realized Lily Tomlin was in town. I shouted it out loud a couple times, each time realizing how strange it seemed. Lily Tomlin, of all fucking people, in my town. My excitement , I wondered, was either a sign of my health getting better or getting worse. Arriving at Harry's Veil (see veilmusic.org--it's Flash and takes long to load, but cool. I'd like to see it on a high speed connection) was finishing. Their singer is something else. She does a magnificent job. Then there was Don Lennon, who, Ning and I agreed, is not an easy act to understand if you're not in on the joke. In interviews, Lennon says, "but there is no joke". But is THAT a joke? Either way, I wish he had a better crowd, but we loved him. Next, SFTD set up on stage before Philip Price played, just to make things easier. Bruce was working like a mad man. Paul from Mobius let me use his drums, and I was extremely grateful. Philip played his beautiful songs, had his usual great stage presence and told the audience of his solo disc, out NOW!! And hi supcoming tour with John Wesely Harding. Adam GreenBERG!! came up and sang perfect harmony to 3 or 4 songs. The crowd seemed to double during the first SFTD song. That energized me to no end. I was wondering if I was a little too well-oiled and really felt "aw crap, I can't go all sloppy on these guys". But instead, I just really focused, saw the big crowd and I think played quite well. We all did. It was a blast, as always. We opened with "Ayla", a brand new song about a baby. We revived "Thug" and I added a new flavor to "Take a Breath", incorporating Ken's Cars drums idea. I had no idea that people can hear when I sing off mic. But I've been told twice that it's audible and great. But, I wonder, "really"? I mean it's just kind of funny, right, but not essenial? I didn't know folks could hear it, so maybe I should stop doing it. It's probably bringing down the market value. I kind of didn't want the gig to end, it was so fun. OTHER NMF notes: Friday, it was cold and rainy, and I stayed in, except braved it to see Group DeVille at the Eagles Club. My first time seeing them, actually. My favorite parts of their sound are when you feel like you're listening to a Nuggets compilation--like garage jangle. Rick is a great singer and guitar player and has a good presence. The drummer has that light touch found in most American 60's folk rock records, and I think it's an asset. I can't drum like that, because when I started playing, I was already way too aware of Peter Criss and John Bonham. GDV's drummer seems trained in jazz and that pop drumming is a second language. I'm the other way around. Actually I'm trained in nothing. Except stuffing cloves of garlic between my cheek and gum. And saying "yee". And flipping out over Lily friggin' Tomlin. Today, I have an assignment; learn all the tamborine parts on the new King Radio record and reproducing them on stage tonight at 10 at the Eagle's. Ken, Tony and I will be doing the Ribbon Candy thing at 6 tonight. Joel is a good egg. P.S. Mobius blew many minds, as always. We wish them luck on their tour. NMF update-- home for a bit. today began with watching Spanish For Hitchhiking. My analysis: SFH is comprised of a pop purist, a pop deconstructionalist and Max holding it all together. It was a very good show. Powerful. The Dennis songs get a very different treatment when filtered through the band. I just got back from playing w/Ken and Tony in Ribbon Candy. Man, it's always sunday afternoon when we do NMF and it takes me 5 songs to get my brain and hands into the same gear. But half way through we hit our stride, and I thought it was a blast. I just changed into nice clothes to be part of the 11 piece King Radio Rock Opera Orchestra. Their new album is a major work, like The Soft Bulletin meets Pet Sounds. Look for it some time in the future. Tonight, I am the tambourine player. Which Frank asked me to do last night. Today I lay on the couch listening and taking notes Third NMF Installment (or, OK, Henning, I guess girls do like us, so we are not so nerdy) First, I forgot to mention that it's funny when someone says they might be gay, in front of a lot of people. Like Dennis did. I mean, because as far as we know, he's not (but he totally is). Once on a New Years Eve while completely out of my head, I announced this to a Volvo over stuffed with friends: I am a green leafy dragon. And I'm gay! Some took me seriously, because I was still kind of just an introverted 18 year old. Now I'm 90. OK, so the last bit of last night. I hedged my bets and didn't bring a tambourine with me to the King Radio show. Someone's gotta have one. But I picked up on Frank's pre-gig nerves when I told him I didn't bring one. "You said you would bring one". I started to walk home to get mine, but realized, that's ridiculous. Ken, Frank Marsh, Paul Pelis, someone's gotta have one. Yee, Ken had one. The Eagle's Club was packed, and I briefly spoke to odd figures from the past: Darren and Kara from Butterfield, Rick Hoffman (!). Andrea was working the door, and Don had just gotten through telling her that some people may be sneaking in, could she possibly do a better job (I think Don was just tired. Everyone there was in another band, practically), when Neil from the Iron Horse said, "hey, I'm with some of Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, mind if I sneak them in?". Andrea then got up on the table and Kung Fu'd them all. Don was pleased. I watched a couple minutes of the divine mess that was Supreme Dicks, featuring Thane Thomsen on lead guitar. I'll let that sink in. I also got to briefly speak with John Hendrickson, AKA Joeman from the Canine Bastards. He's now playing lead guitar for LP, who two people said I had similar hair to. Speaking of hair, Joeman used to call me a hippie, as he kept his hair short and gelled, and his clothes punk/preppy. Now he's looking like half the members of Blondie circa 1978 rolled into one. And he's playing this classic rock type stuff and singing back-up. Mind, I liked it, and it was good, it was just surreal. LP's old back up band used to be the guys in Cracker, so sweet gig there, Joeman. Well done. I was proud. So, yeah, King Radio. I stood on stage for 40 minutes, a homemade tambourine chart taped to an amp and a vodka and tonic (bought for me by George Lenker, the sweetheart) at my feet. I dressed well for the occasion, and in fact ended up being overdressed. I stood next to Paul Pelis and it was totally fun watching it all from that angle. Ken played keys and bells. Watching the string quartet was a treat. The cello was attractive. The Bee Gees song "To Love Somebody" was a blast. The rest, well, what a feat that opus is. Congrats, Frank, Peter, Dave et al. I got off stage and finally met Jeff Breeze, my old editor from Northeast Performer (I wrote a bit for 3 months). But Mark Miller was talking at the same time, and complimenting me, so I handed Jeff off to Henning so they could talk turkey. In a couple months oprhaps there will be a piece on SFTD in Northeast Performer. I say let's hold out for a cover story. Tonight, well, maybe a little bit of music might be nice, but I worked all day, and today was weird Weird. War protests, homeless folks, lots of 60's Stones on the radio, the war debate on NPR, it felt like an Oliver Stone movie. But it's real. And all this was everywhere. Get ready for a youth revolution--come on kids, make it good. Not mindless. And wear cool clothes. And read more. MAX: Anya wants a wombat. She is on the couch watching the animal channel, surrounded by a weird but nice assortment of gifts from her wedding shower. My favorite gift were the four tiki mugs and matching drink book. Brian, come over and I'll make you a froofy island drink. Mom (mine) came down and picked Anya up for the event, while I spent an hour and a half on the massage table getting some elbows pushed into my ribs, among other things. It was a great way to start a Sunday. Then it was off to the Eagles' Club to watch Patti McGill turn in a spirited performance, with Ken adding some lovely guitar throughout, and Dave Hower and Adam joining for a few folky-pop numbers. I had never heard Patti before and was impressed with her songwriting and vocals. The easy comparison is Joni Mitchell, but I also hear Patti Smith (especially in Year Of The Dick), as well as Jill Sobule. Next up was Spanish For Hitchhiking. I think I had trouble adjusting to the daylight, and this was not a good bass day for me. Or maybe it was the lack of coffee. Whatever the reason, I felt like hoping off stage mid-set to watch Dennis and Dave deconstruct the pop. Saturday night was fun and strange for me. Henning said that he felt during the Fawns' set we were a band for the first time, instead of four people playing together. I agree, and while I didn't think it was our best performance, the warm crowd more than made up for it. I think our SFTD set *was* up there in the best performances. I felt like everything was smashingly good. There was even one lady dancing during One Lady Dancing. I received some funny comments after the show, including compliments from both genders about me in particular. The male fan liked watching me so much that he bought the cd and had me autograph it, and then told Anya that she was very lucky to be marrying me. Aw shucks. TONY: Well, Max, nice to hear you received some compliments directly. I spent a few minutes post-SFTD show talking with a group of three ladies. And what were they chewing the fat about in my presence? How cute Brian is! All three have had wee crushes on him for a while now. Heads up, Bri. The stage rush for a smooch may not be an isolated incident. KEN:	Ayla Pick A Gripe The New You Thug Like To Be There Everybody Loves Martha Omnivore Candy Cane One Lady Dancivatin' The Screen Door V-66 Wichita Train Whistle Sings Sorry, no pictures