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

Cabinet, Cafe 611, Frederick, MD

    Hello everyone. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. I did what I normally do; had a big dinner at my mom’s featuring a ham with a brown sugar peanut butter glaze, watched the tournament, and saw some raging live music.

     Easter weekend has always been a pretty good music weekend. Devolver never took off for the holiday. In 2003, saw Widespread Panic on Good Friday in Washington DC and Sat in Philly. In 2007, saw them Friday and Sat in Washington DC. You’ll read about those shows in 2023 and 2027 respectively if we don’t get hit by a comet. But today it’s all about that Northeastern PA bluegrass that I love so much, as created by Cabinet.

     I met my friend Amii down in Frederick, MD. They were playing at the Café 611, in the heart of downtown old town Frederick. I waited for her outs ide the café. I watched Cabinet load in, which is my second least favorite part of the rock and roll life style. My least favorite? The load out after the show.

      Nice area with many different bars, restaurants, and hair salons. I saw an actual genuine record store on North Market St. if you’re looking for a place to go to on National Record Store day on 4/20 this year. Of course, some of you may have something else to do on that day.

     Café 611 is a sweet little place. They serve food, Southern American cuisine, when not hosting raging music. Tiny little stage with a low roof, but plenty of room to dance and an easily accessible long bar. Bartenders were very nice and laid back, as opposed to a club. Totally missed the opening act so Cody Berlin isn’t getting any love here.

Cabinet, Café 611, Frederick, MD

Doors, Poor Man’s  Blues, You Don’t Know my Mind, Susquehanna Breakdown, Caroline, Wine and Shine, Diamond Joe, Eleanor, Mr. Spaceman, Hit It On the Head, Pike County Breakdown, Home Now, Oxygen, Shady Grove, High on a Mountaintop, Heavy Rain, Guitar, Carry Me in a Bucket, Nashville Blues, 54-46 Was My Number, Kentucky Bootlegger

You can stream it here

http://archive.org/details/Cabinet2013-03-28.matrix.flac16

Photos by Amii Limpp

    Cabinet came on around 10 and proceeded to favor us with a little over 2 hours of that high and lonesome sound. They did their cover of Mr. Spaceman by the Byrds which I was really hoping to hear.  The highlights of the set were Eleanor, Caroline, Diamond Joe, Heavy Rain, and Nashville Blues. Shady Grove was another standout.  The peak was 54 -46 was My Number. A rocking little tune with a reggae beat had the crowd raging and more than a few chicks dropping it like it was hot.  Cody Berlin came out for verse. They ended the set with Kentucky Bootlegger sung A cappella, with Mickey, JP, and Pappy huddled around the mike. Pappy thought it would be fun to switch to double time in the middle of the song, which almost led to a drunken train wreck. But that is somewhat fitting for a song about moonshine.

     So once again, Cabinet brought IT and a splendid time was had by all. They had a show the next morning at Hempen Hill BBQ, their annual Wake and Bake Good Friday show. I got shutout of tixs for that but like it is for most of us musical vagabonds, the road goes on forever.

Dave Kemp

BA American Studies

PhD Rock and Roll

Blind Ellis 3/9/2013 Winner's Circle, Hanover, PA

     Hello folks. Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful early spring weather we are having. Just a quick one today as I sing the praises of a local band, Blind Ellis.

     Not gonna go into a long bio about the band. I certainly can’t do anymore justice explaining what this band is about than their own website,  http://blindellis.com/. And by the way, their alternate name is outstanding.

     They were playing at the Winner’s Circle in downtown Hanover and we rolled in after they had started playing. It was myself, Adrian and Paul. Things I learned last night

·         Paul has only seen one show in Philly and it was about 120 degrees in the shade.

·          I’ve seen more shows in Philly than any other city; Hanover is not included in calculations.  

·         And the worst show Adrian ever saw was Stevie B. He lucked out though. He had the option to see MC hammer and Vanilla Ice.

     We walked in and they were playing a Moe. song. Can’t remember the title but they jam they threw down was OUTSTANDING. Pretty good when I get floored by the first song.  They played Let’s Dance by David Bowie, which I thought was great as no one covers Bowie songs. Jim Grinnin has the cool Teutonic sound of Bowie’s voice down flat. They did a couple of originals, one of which was Wanderlust and it was pretty good. They finished off the first set with Hey Joe and 46 Days which they nailed. Makes me wish a certain band from VT would get around and announce some Summer Tour dates. 

  

   I talked to the guitarist Matt at set break. He too is from the glorious region known as Northeast PA. Nice to talk to someone from the area on the day of the Scranton St Patty’s Day parade. I used to rage this event back in the day. A friend would rent a school bus and we’d hit all the local Irish bars. They have more local neighborhood bars in Scranton than Tour has wookies. I even went in one bar that was playing modern Irish folk songs. The lyrics were mainly about killing the English soldiers based in Northern Ireland. 

     Second set was just as good. They opened with a killer "Got to Get Better in a little while" by Derek nd the Dominos. Fantastic! A few solid originals and a Sand>Psycho Killer that had to put a smile on your face if you love music.  I left after that because

1) Daylights Savings Time and it was already late

2) I wanted to go running this morning, as I have to get into shape for Tour

3) I just don’t rage like a stimulated fueled wildebeest anymore.

     So please check out Blind Ellis if you get the chance. They’ll be at the White Rose in York this weekend (sorry don’t remember if it Friday or Sat) and Sunday, March 17^th at the Holy Hound Tap room in York.

Dave Kemp

BA American Studies

PhD Rock and Roll

It Was 20 Years Ago Today GD 3/17/93 Cap Centre, Landover, MD

     Greetings everyone. Hope you are doing well as I delve into an installment of my award waiting series, “It was 20 years ago today”, in which I revisit a show I saw. Today, we visit the Grateful Dead at the good old Capital Centre in Landover, MD. on March 17, 1993.

     You can stream the show here

http://archive.org/details/gd1993-03-17.dsbd.miller.79050.sbeok.flac16

     I was attending Penn State at the time. Our spring break was the week before this wed.  show. My roommate Eric had a car so it would be no big deal for us to drive down the day of the show. This was a fine plan until the Blizzard of 1993 hit us the weekend before the shows. Hanover got more than 20 inches of snow and most of the state was shutdown. Roads were impassible and I didn’t make it up to State College until Tues.

     Scored what we needed to get while in town and headed back down south Wed morning.  No traffic issues and we got to the show with plenty of time to enjoy the Lot. My friend Kristian  was in Ohio for the shows on March 12 and 13. The 12^th got cancelled because of the snow but the 13^th went on. He said the roads were clear until he hit the PA line and the Turnpike was closed. See kids, Tour is tough. 

The Cap Centre being assembled

    

03-17-93 Capital Centre, Landover, Md. (Wed)

1: Shakedown, Wang Dang Doodle, Lazy River Road, Desolation Row, Ramble On, Eternity, Liberty

2: Picasso Moon, Crazy Fingers> Playin> Jam> Dark Star> Drumz> Two Soldiers Jam> Other One> Days Between> Good Lovin E: Lucy In The Sky

"Dark Star" is first verse only - final/last "Two Soldiers Jam": 09-12-90 [172] - first "Lucy In The Sky"

   The Shakedown opener was all high energy. We were up in the rafters on Phil’s side and were looking right down on the stage. In addition to their usual rugs on stage, they had a long fiber optic cable snaked across the stage that was lit up and pulsed in time with the music. There were even some Mother Popcorn by James Brown teases at the end of Shakedown.

     Desolation Row is one of my favorite Dylan covers they do and Bobby even changed the lyrics to mention Bill and Mickey. Eternity was a newer song co- written with blues legend Willie Dixon. He played bass on many of Chess records’ gold plated blues standards. This song is almost like Bobby’s Bird Song. It was always played towards the end of the first set and has a spacey jam at the end. 

     This show was also my first encounter with the “Kind”. I had read about it in High Times but had never tried it. Let’s just say it REALLY blew away the shwag that was our normal sacrament. The second set started out slow but really took off with the Playin’>Dark Star. Deep space was the order of the day.

     I didn’t know the Jam out of space but it was a jaunty little tune. The Other One built up nicely out of the Lonesome Cabin Boy Jam until Phil announced its arrival in the only way he can. Good Lovin was a great ending but everyone was blown away by the Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds encore. The Vince influence on the band can be seen in all the Beatles covers they introduced in the 90’s. ( I have to give credit to Miah for coming up with this theory).

     I hope everyone has a safe St. Patty’s day this year. Maybe it will even hit the 60’s like it did in 2012

Dave Kemp

BA American Studies

Ph.d Rock and roll