Winter House Band at Jake the Snake's 40th Birthday Party, April 12, 2012

   Some birthdays are more important than others. One really big milestone is turning 40. In 1900, the average life expectancy of a male was 46, so 40 was ancient. But of course today, it’s almost 80 for men. But still 40 is a big deal. I survived it by diving deep into Phish’s Fall Tour ’97, because that funk will cure what ails you. But for Jake “The Snake” Herman, he wanted a raging show. And he got that when the Winter House Band threw down like only they know how. And 2013? Chinese Year of the Snake. 

     Jake has been on the scene as long as I have. He graduated from Hanover in 1991 and our paths finally crossed in 1996. The best way I can describe him is a raconteur. He once had dinner with Allen Parsons of the Allen Parsons Project and the producer of Dark Side of the Moon. He asked Allen what it was like to work with the Floyd. His response, “What do you think it was like?” I don’t know, that’s why I asked. What a dick.

     We did shows and whatnot together but he stepped up big time by becoming Devolver’s sound guy in the summer of 2000. They all had just quit college to focus on the band but didn’t have a permanent sound guy. They used whoever was around or themselves to work the soundboard, which wasn’t the most ideal situation. But with minimal knowledge, Jake stepped in.  Jake got the gig after we went to an after party. We came right from a Widespread Panic show at Merriweather and he had a really deep and long conversation with Kyle. The rest is history.

     So Jake and Scotty B (Hanover’s Superman) decided to rent the banquet hall at the McSherrystown Moose and have the Winter House Band do their thing

Set 1

Cold, Rain, & Snow, Jack Straw, Loser, Railroad Blues, Cassidy, Breakdown, Brown Eyed Women, Tomorrow Is Forever, Deal

Set 2

Bertha, Here Comes Sunshine, Ramble On Rose, Shakedown St, Eyes of the World>Drumz>Ship of Fools, Sugaree

 Cold Rain and Jack Straw were a great one two punch to open a show with. I missed all of Loser and Railroad Blues because of the horrible bartending that wasn’t happening. People wait in line less at the DMV. Breakdown by Tom Petty was a nice hold over from the Frank Miller’s Beard catalog. And like any good GD set, Deal was a great way to end it. Travis has been coming along nicely on adding harmonies. They're not Miller, Laurence & Nash yet but they're getting there.

     The magic really happened in the second set.  The HC Sunshine just blew the roof off of the place. There were 2 distinct jams after the first 2 verses. The second jam was as good as ANYTHING I’ve seen Andy do, and I’ve seen a lot. He attacked it while Sean wove his bass lines around and in between. It sounded like a Cream outtake but just kicked ass and took names. Wow. Wish someone had taped it but that’s why you come out to the shows people.

     So the WHB’s next show is on June 29^th at Wirt Park; and Jake’s next epic party? Whenever the hell he wants it.

Dave Kemp

BA American Studies

PhD Rock and Roll    

Boxcar Social 3/23/2013, Winner's Circle, Hanover, PA

     Hello everyone. I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful weather we had over the weekend. Almost time to take the plastic off of my windows. But I’m not here to talk about the weather; I’m here to write about a show a few weeks back. I’m of course talking about Hanover’s own Boxcar Social, live at the Winner’s Circle on March 23, 2013.

     This was the first show for the boys in Hanover since last July, when they did double duty playing at Dutch Days and then Xmas in July at the Circle

Set 1:  Bird In A House, The Greatest Day, River Road, Pete, Symptoms, Glendale Train, WDIELTH, Normal We're Not, Frannie Mae, Mountain Air, Unrest
 Set 2: Funk 12 > D > First Tube > In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed > Relativity, Moonshine Revival, Pound Of Gold, Western Highway, Pockets > SPAP > Pockets, River Song > MSWS, Beautiful World, Thinking It Over, Push
E 1: Spaceman, Bananas and Blow 

     They debuted 2 new songs, Pete and Why Did I Leave the Hills (WDILTH). Pete was a strong tune that will definitely have a permanent spot in the rotation. The show was typical Boxcar, with Frank Vecera ripping it up on guitar while playing off Paul Kraft’s mandolin pickings.
     For the second set, they had Brian Davis playing bass (much like he did in the earliest incarnation of Boxcar) and Lan Lucas playing keyboards. This totally transforms their sound. They became a much more groove oriented band, but without the UNTZ.  The opening run of Funk 12>D>First Tube>E Reed> Relativity was as strong as anything I’ve ever heard them do. This was the first time they tried this setup and I think it bodes well for the future.
      Due to my diligent research, I have learned that the recording of the show did not turn out too well but there are plenty of other shows that you can stream here
http://archive.org/details/BoxcarSocial

     I was also out at the Circle for drinks this past Friday and I am very happy to report that the renovations are well underway, further cementing the Circle’s status as the premiere live music venue in the greater Hanover/New Oxford area. Next up an event 40 years in the making: Jake the Snake’s 40^th birthday party featuring the mind blowing Winter House Band. Hope to see you all there

Dave Kemp
BA American Studies
PhD Rock and Roll