Bryan's List of Musical Happenings Week of 1/27/14

Monday, January 27

Findlay Family Fun Fest at Greenwood  7:00

Tuesday, January 28

Dan Jones and Friends at Greenwood 8:00

Wednesday, January 29

Reeferseed Express & Friends at Hull Avenue Tavern 6:00
Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band at Zimm's 7:00
LAZERfest - Battle of the Bands at Wooly's 7:00
Ben Wantland at Raccoon River Brewery 7:30
David Zollo at El Bait 8:00
The High Crest at the Greenwood 9:00

King of the Tramps play The Grapevine Saturday at 7:00

Thursday, January 30

Soul Brothers at Coda Lounge 6:00
Thankful Dirt at Confluence 7:00
Snocore Tour ft. The Pretty Reckless w/ Heaven's Basement, The Letter Black, Crobalt at Woolys 7:30
Songwriter Night at House of Bricks 8:00
Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime at Val-Air 8:00
Gas Lamp's Open Jam ft. Fat Tuesday & The Greasefire Keys 9:00
Soul Searchers at Greenwood 9:00
Leradee & The Positives (Reggae) at Star Bar 9:30

Friday, January 31

Gas Lamp's Work Release ft. Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band 4:30
Brian Holtz Band at Daytona's 5:30
Women Songwriters in the Round: Mary McAdams, Rae Ferhing, Jennifer Garman,& Deanna Mayer at Ritual Cafe 7:00
Mike Himebaugh at the Grapevine, Clive 7:00
The High Crest at Cafe Pattee, Perry 7:00
Grover Anderson at Mars Cafe 7:00
Hairball at Jacobson Exhibition Center, Ia State Fairgrounds 8:00
Boombox at Wooly's 8:30
El Dorados at Greenwood 9:00
Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang at Maintenance Shop, Ames 9:00
David Zollo, Chad Elliott, Electric Jury at DG's Taphouse, Ames
Tom Gary Blues Project at Hull Avenue Tavern 9:00
Parranderos Latin Combo w/ DJ Lizz at Vaudeville Mews 10:00

The Surf Zombies play Gas Lamp at 9:00 on Saturday

Saturday, February 1

King of the Tramps at The Grapevine, Clive 7:00
Bill Matykowski at Smokey Row 7:00
Rob Lumbard at Trostel's Dish, Clive 8:00
Jeff Banks & Butterfinger at Greenwood 9:00
Josh Davis Songwriters Round at Raccoon Rivers Brewery 9:00
The Surf Zombies at Gas Lamp 9:00
Waka Winter Classic: Zeta June, Mighty Shady, Cirrus Minor, Franklin's Basement, Fuzzy Logic at Vaudeville Mews 9:00
Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at the Longest Yard, WDM 9:00
All Things King at Hull Avenue Tavern 9:00
Infuzion at Star Bar 9:00
Dakota Park at the Keg Stand 10:00

Sunday, February 2

Tina Hasse Findlay & Brandon Findlay at Botanical Center 1:00
The Zach Svoboda Duo at Summerset Winery, Indianola 2:00
Sadat X w/ El Da Sensei, Qwel & Maker, Maxilla Blue at Vaudeville Mews 5:45
Tom Gary Blues Project - Open Jam at Hull Avenue Tavern 7:00
Quarteto Latino At Star Bar 8:00

Corrections and additions welcome.

Buck Owens Brunch # 1: Dwight Yoakam Coaxes Buck Out of Retirement

Wednesday, September 23, 1987

Dwight Yoakam came to the offices of Buck Owens Productions just before five in the afternoon. The 30- year-old singer, with several Top 10 records to his credit, was in the vanguard of the movement back to traditional country music. In Bakersfield to perform at the Kern County Fair, he hoped to meet the man he idolized as a youth, and whose music he championed as a rising star.

Buck Owens hadn't recorded in over a decade. He was kicking back, presiding over a corporation that included four radio stations, a television station and two weekly newspapers. The glory years of writing songs that became country standards, of one #1 record after another, of the Bakersfield Sound and the sold-out concerts, were long past. In his last active decade of performing, he was known less as a singer than he was as a clowning co-star of TV's Hee-Haw. 

Buck Met Dwight that day, and as he gazed on the young singer, the knees of his blue jeans fashionably torn, he saw a bit of himself, 25 years earlier. At the beginning of his stardom, in his early 30s, Buck too had been a maverick, ready to please but unwilling to compromise. Like Buck, Yoakam decried Nashville's disdain for it's hillbilly roots. Unlike Buck, he went even further. In interviews he assailed Music Row executives who he felt slighted traditional country artists.

A bond quickly formed between the veteran and the Young Turk. Buck once had a similar bond with a younger musician: his near-telepathic relationship with his lead guitarist Don Rich. Depression over Rich's death in 1974 had sapped Buck's creativity and led to his semi-retirement in 1980.

In Dwight's presence, Buck felt that old drive stirring again. That night, for the first time ever, he appeared on stage with another artist at the Fair, singing with Dwight on a medley of old Buck Owens hits. It was an electric moment. And Buck Owens realized, after years away from the show business entity he calls "Lady Limelight," that his music still breathed in the hearts of others - and in his own.

Dwight and Buck playing at the 1988 Country Music Awards:

Story Behind the Song: "Claudine" by The Rolling Stones

The 2011 reissue of Some Girls by the Rolling Stones included a bonus disc featuring 12 previously non-released tracks.

Some Girls Re-Issue (2011 Rolling Stones Records)

The first of these tracks is "Claudine," a blues shuffle written by Mick Jagger. Lyrically, it points an accusatory finger at French singer and actress Claudine Longet, who shot and killed her boyfriend in 1976.

Her boyfriend, Vladimir "Spider" Sabich, was an American Alpine Skier who had become a star during the 1968 Winter Olympics. After a day of skiing on March 21, 1976, he returned to the house he shared with Longet in Aspen, Colorado. As he stood in the bathroom while preparing to take a shower, he was suddenly shot by Longet. Despite being struck in the abdomen (usually a non-fatal wound area) he lost a large amount of blood. In the ambulance on the way to Aspen Valley Hospital he died, with Longet at his side.

Longet maintained to police that the gun went off accidentally as Spider was showing her how to use it. She also insisted that she and he had a cozy, warm and trouble free relationship. 

Police confiscated a sample of her blood and also her diary.

Cocaine was alleged to have been found in her system, and details in her diary allegedly contradicted what she had told the police about her and Spider's relationship. However, in a blow to the prosecution, the blood and diary were deemed inadmissible to the case because they were apprehended without a warrant.

Claudine Longet: Colours (1968 A&M)

Without this key evidence the prosecution was unable to build a strong case of murder. Subsequently, Longet was convicted of "criminally negligent homicide" - a misdemeanor - and ordered to pay a small fine and spend 30 days in jail. Her time was served at her own discretion, a move allowed by the judge, so that she would spend minimal time away from her children. (Most of her jail time was spent on weekends.) 

Longet was exasperated by the public because of the presumption that she was guilty. In addition, she and her defense attorney, Ron Austin, became involved during the trial and developed an open relationship. Eventually they became married, which they still are to this day. 

Claudine Longet had been previously married to crooner Andy Williams from 1961 until 1975. At her trial, he publicly supported her and her claims of innocence. He was often her ride to and from the courthouse proceedings, despite her new relationship with Austin.




So why did Mick Jagger write a song about Longet? One can only assume that it's because she was young and pretty and wet with mystery. 

The Stones have never been a band to shy away from scandal. Like other great song writers, the Stones cover the gamut as far as song topics go - think Bob Dylan's "Joey" or "Hurricane." 

Longet is the perfect subject for a song. Scarred, broken, and clinging to love, she was a recipient of circumstance. If the police hadn't marred the crime scene, she might not have gotten away with murder.  

Some girls get the shirt off my back, And leave me with a lethal dose...

Bryan's List of Musical Happenings: Week of 1/20/14

Monday, January 20

Findlay Family Fun Fest at The Greenwood 7:00

Tuesday, January 21

Acousti-Beast at The Greenwood 9:00
Rumble Seat Riot at The Hull Avenue Tavern 9:00

Wednesday, January 22

Reeferseed Express at The Hull Avenue Tavern 6:00 ($1 beers!)
Bob Pace and The Dangerous Band at Zimm's 7:00
LAZERfest - Battle of the Bands 1st Showcase at Wooly's 7:00
Josh Sinclair at Raccoon River Brewery 7:30
Ben Wantland at The Greenwood 8:00
The Soothsayers at El Bait 8:00
Keller Williams w/ More Than A Little at DG's Taphouse, Ames 8:00
The Duhks at the Maintenance Shop, Ames 8:00
Briar Rabbit w/ Milk and Eggs, Ryne Doughty at Gas Lamp 9:00

Keller Williams will plat DG's Taphouse on Wednesday

Thursday, January 23

Spencer Brown at Coda Lounge 6:00
Jason Walsmith at Confluence 7:00
Gas Lamp's Open Jam ft: Fat Tuesday and the Greasefire Keys 9:00
Soul Searchers at The Greenwood 9:00
The Snacks at Star Bar 9:00

Friday, January 24

Gas Lamp's Work Release ft: Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band 4:30
Yellowcard, Ocean Ave. Acoustic, What's eating Gilbert at Wooly's 8:00
Rick Burke at The Greenwood 9:00
Greatest Story Ever Told (Grateful Dead Tribute) at Gas Lamp 9:00

Saturday, January 25

Bill Matykowski at Smokey Row 7:00
Thomas Tormey at Mars Cafe 7:00
Summer Camp: Come Unity, Natural Oil, Best of Fools, Mighty Shady at Wooly's 8:30
Fancy Pants at The Greenwood 9:00
Brother Trucker at Raccoon River Brewery 9:00
The Bob Pace Band w/ Rebel Creek at Gas Lamp 9:00

Sunday, January 26

Bryce Janey at Botanical Center 1:00
Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band at Summerset Winery, Indianola 2:00
Tom Gary and the Bad Boys of the Blues at Hull Avenue Tavern 7:00
The Crooked Mile at El Bait 8:00

32 years Ago Today Des Moines, Iowa Became a Part of Rock and Roll History

January 20, 1982 was a night that will go down in the historic annuals of rock and roll. That night Ozzy Osbourne escalated himself to the top of the heavy metal food chain after he bit the head off of what he thought was a rubber bat a fan had thrown onstage. 

Only thing is, it wasn't a toy. It was the real thing.

That event happened in Des Moines, Iowa at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. He was in town in support of his Diary Of A Madman tour, which apparently wasn't just a hyped up album name. Already known as one of the craziest front men in rock, Ozzy was at the height of his drug problem when he rolled through central Iowa.

Ozzy during the '80s, courtesy of the Associated Press

Almost 5000 fans braved the strong winter weather to attend this concert. One of them was a teenager named Mark Neal, who had smuggled a special "treat" in with him as an offering to the Prince of Darkness. It was the corpse of a bat that Neal's brother had brought home from school a couple of weeks prior - alive. According to Neal, he and his brother were unable to keep their pet from dying. Knowing of Osbourne's wild antics, Neal's friends convinced him to seal the rotting bat in a baggie and sneak it into the show.

Neal tossed the bat onto the stage and upon seeing it, Ozzy picked it up and bit it's head off. The rest is history. After the show, Ozzy - in his tour bus - was rushed to Broadlawns Medical Center to get shots for rabies.

In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine listed the incident as No. 2 on a list of "Rock's Wildest Myths." The article states that the bat was alive at the time of it's beheading, despite Neal's story to the contrary. In the booklet that accompanied the 2002 re-release of Diary of a Madman, Ozzy also claims that the bat was alive, and had even bitten him.

Some have called it, "The chomp heard 'round the world."

Ticket No. 1 printed for the concert, courtesy of
Matt Beaderstadt

Matt Beaderstadt, a teenager at the time from Newton, Iowa attended the concert. He actually owns the very first ticket (stub) printed for the show. "I was given general admission tickets 1-4," he explains. "My brother in law's dad was an executive with Dubinsky Theaters (now Carmike) and he use to trade movie passes with executives from Vets, Civic Center, Adventureland etc... I had the hook up for free tickets all the time in junior high and high school! It was great." 

"I don't know how many times I had the manager's seats to the Civic Center for a ton of rock concerts," he added. Although he says he doubts he would ever sell the ticket stub, he wonders about it's worth among memorabilia collectors.

The following is a brief recollection of the events of the night according to Matt and a few of his friends.

Matt: It says on my concert poster that UFO opened up for Ozzy. I've seen UFO several times but I didn't remember them being together?

Curt Buchmeier: Opening band, I believe, was called "After The Fire" from Australia. Someone in the band was related to the Youngs of ACDC, I heard. Lead singer mispronounced Des Moines and the crowd began yelling and throwing things onstage, which carried over into the Ozzy show. It was general seating yet somehow, the Newton crowd assembled in the balcony off stage-right. This was before cell phones. I do NOT recall anyone at or after the show saying that Ozzy bit a bat. That info wasn't common knowledge 'til it was in the Des Moines Register the next day. It was a school night also. Those days are gone - never will my kids attend a concert - Ozzy concert no less!, with a bunch of their friends on a school night, with a foot of snow on the ground and snowing without parental supervision. Far and away one of the best concert experiences of my youth. Randy Rhoads was amazing and I couldn't wait to get to my band's rehearsal the next evening. We learned "Crazy Train" and "Iron Man" that week.

Shannon Spiess: Ozzy had a great Gothic stage for that concert. Randy Rhodes was awesome. The midget stole the show. Buchmeier is right, the opening band was After the Fire.

Matt: I was right down front before joining Curt and everyone. A guy in the crowd had the bat and was holding it up to Ozzy. Ozzy either said "is that a bat I want to meet?" or perhaps it was "I want to eat that f'n bat!" The guy threw it on stage, Ozzy picked it up and bit the head off. We couldn't tell if it was real or rubber or dead or alive. Ozzy was also letting doves loose which I believe were all found dead later. All a little foggy. Ozzy was kicking the dwarf over and then hung him in effigy. Randy Rhoads was amazing. Crazy show!

Flyer handed out during the show.
Note different opening band
(Photo courtesy of Jim McNeer)

Curt: Absolutely crazy atmosphere, crowd was amped up and weed smoke filled Vets before the show even started. The crowd was beyond fired up, yet a sense of camaraderie prevailed; people from all over the state sharing contraband of all sorts and just a general sense of good will and anticipation. Then Rhoads was killed in a plane wreck a couple of months later and we all shared that sense of loss and pride that we had seen him live before he went.

Shannon: I'll never forget my old man saying, "In 20 years from now you'll never remember you went to this concert."

Arlo Guthrie Recollects About His Old Touring Buses

In Arlo Guthrie's own words:

On The Road - from long ago. Once the snow starts falling, it'll bury everything on the ground for months. So it's a good idea to clean up everything that you don't to run over with snow plows and tractors.

These old relics - these busses from former decades of touring are fairly safe from that. There's so many memories within them - Years and years of family and friends rolling throughout the continental USA. They've seen every nook and cranny of this country from the highest peaks to the lowest swamps and deserts. 

We all grew up in these rolling tin cans. And there's others scattered around the farm - other decades, other tours. I saved 'em all because they weren't worth selling after we got thru with 'em. Well, that's not entirely true. I may part with some of the later ones, but not these two. 

Someday, after I win the lottery (or something) I hope to restore these, along with the Checker Marathon sitting out in the cold behind the barn. But for now, they're like sculptures - reminders of what we do and where we've been. There's stories yet to tell. But not quite yet. 

The bus in the foreground is a favorite - a 1954 GMC Scenic Cruiser. Behind it is a 1972 Silver Eagle.

BFD Interview with Gumby from Battlecross

On Wednesday night Metal Blade recording artist Battlecross came to town as part of the Divinity of Purpose Fall Tour in support of the Acacia Strain, Shadows Fall and Hatebreed. After soundcheck and a quick sandwich at Zombie Burger, lead singer Gumby sat down with me for a street side interview. Greg Waldrop of Dangerous Music Inc. was gracious enough to take time from doing his own thing to film and produce this video. 



One of the coolest moments came directly after we stopped filming the interview. A young fan, obviously on his way to the concert which was just around the corner, walked by and spotted Gumby. He stopped dead in his tracks and he says, "Wait a minute... Are you the lead singer for Battlecross?" Gumby smiles and in a joking manner says, "Nah." The kid says, "Oh... Sorry." Then Gumby, with his face lighting up says "Yes, I am!" The kid immediately starts fumbling around his pockets for a pen, paper, anything to capture his idol's autograph. The kid was literally shaking as he did so... A nice little conversation ensued, and he and Gumby ended up walking together down the sidewalk towards Wooly's where the show was to be played. 

It clearly made this young man's day to have spotted Gumby and had a chance to personally interact with him. It was definitely cool of Gumby to spend more than just a fleeting moment with this kid.

 -Troy

Five Questions with Terry Banks of Dot Dash

Dot Dash is a band from Washington DC that consists of musicians that have found success at one time or another in previous bands. Somehow a conglomeration of pop, classic rock, psychedelia and punk has found it's way into Dot Dash's punch bowl, and the music they create is a reflection of each these influences.

Together, the band sports an impressive resume. At one time or another, these fellas have played with Julie, Ocean, The Saturday People, The Youth Brigade, Velocity Girl, St. Christopher, Tree for Angst, Weatherhead, High Black Chairs and Swervedriver. They have gathered to combine their talents in this latest incarnation and have released an album in each of the past three years.

Their latest release, Half-Remembered Dream (Label: The Beautiful Music, Ottawa) is available now. The album is available as a download via iTunes, Bandcamp, eMusic, and Amazon. (See links below.) It's a psychedelic mixture of  pop music and punk that creates an eerie dreamscape of far-reaching melodies. It's the perfect soundtrack for saying goodbye to Summer. 

Five questions with Terry Banks:

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What exactly is "Post Punk Pop?"

It’s somewhere between Polka Blues and Country Jazz.

Dot Dash refers to the letter A in Morse Code. What does it refer to as the name of your band?

We took it from the Wire song of the same name. It just seemed like a good name: concise, kind of abstract, but also something in the vernacular…




How would you describe the local music scene in Washington DC? What are its highlights, quirks and annoyances? 

It’s really quite good – can’t think of any quirks or annoyances, to be honest.   Just in the - for lack of a better term - “indie rock” world alone, there are 6 or 7 clubs doing live music almost every night of the week, tons of touring bands of varying styles coming through, lots of interesting local bands – it’s pretty good.

You've got a bevy of different influences in your sound, obviously spawned by the fact that Dot Dash is a collaboration of many different bands. What would you name as the driving force behind your sound, and who are your major influences? 

I think the songs are going for this kind of very poppy, melodic, sort of poetic thing but they’re conveyed in a fairly direct, kind of intense way.

As far as individual musical inspirations, some of the major ones include:

Terry (guitar/vocals) – The Byrds, The Jam, Joy Division
Jim (guitar) – Husker Du, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones
Hunter (bass) – Motörhead, The Descendents, Burt Bacharach
Danny (drums) -- The Beatles, The Clash, Jimi Hendrix

Dot Dash: Jim Spellman, Danny Ingram, Hunter Bennett, Terry Banks

Finish this sentence: Dot Dash would make an excellent soundtrack to ___________. 

Doing “jazz hands” all over the place.  24/7 Jazz Hands.  Jazz Hands to the point of alarm/arrest/sedation.

What's the strangest thing you have ever seen on the streets of Washington DC? 

Please see above.

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Links:

Dot Dash on Facebook

Dot Dash on Bandcamp: (Buy the album digitally)

The Beautiful Music website (Buy the CD)

Grant's Tomb: An Open Letter to Trent Reznor

Dearest Trent Reznor,

You don't know me, nor do you care who I am or what my thoughts of your art are. However, we need to sit down and have a serious chat. In 2008 when you announced you were putting Nine Inch Nails on hiatus, I was sad, but was also able to recognize that you were going out on a high note, not leaving a tarnished legacy. 

Now, I'm sure we all saw this coming (ie, new NIN material), but imagine the shock I experienced when you announced Columbia would be releasing your new album! I thought labels were bad? Right? You said they were. So, because I'm an idiot I shelled out the cash to buy your new album, and it is probably the worst piece of garbage this side of a Chocolate Starfish and bottled Hotdog Water. 

In short I want my money back, but what I really want is an angry, angsty Trent back. Look, I'm happy you got married, I'm happy you're sober, that's good, but that doesn't make good NIN music. Please, don't release anymore music until you get divorced and/or fall off the wagon. 

With "all the love in the world," 

G

Memoirs of a Hippie: Jerry Garcia on the Eel

Today is the anniversary of Jerry Garcia's death. He died in 1995.

Jerry Garcia

I remember what I was doing when I heard the news. I was cooking in a small cafe in Newton, Iowa going through the regular process of gearing up for a busy lunch rush. The radio was playing; every day we listened to the same channel, a local classic rock station called KGGO. Usually I ignored it, or at least relegated it as background noise, but my ears perked up when "Sugar Magnolia," came on. I thought was peculiar, as it seemed a strange song for this heavily formatted radio station to play. I'd heard them play "Truckin'" and "Casey Jones" before, but had never known them to dig that deep into the Grateful Dead vault.

The next song was "Brokedown Palace." This really had me spinning... And I knew then that something was amiss. I got a weird feeling, and even considered for a moment that somebody had turned the radio off and put a tape in. But that made no sense. Nobody else in the kitchen would have played the Dead, as it was just me and an older lady who clearly had no interest in the psychedelia genre, or the lifestyle of a hippie. She extolled the virtues of clean living to me on a daily basis, and probably considered the classic rock station to be be borderline acceptable at best. I was pretty confident that she didn't put a tape in, or change the station, or even recognize that the radio was playing...

After "Brokedown," the DJ came on and said that they would be playing Grateful Dead songs all through the lunch hour in honor of Jerry Garcia, "who passed away this morning."

I stopped what I was doing and stared straight ahead. Did I really hear what I thought I did?

About then a waiter walked into the kitchen, and not even really knowing him, I said to him, "I think I just heard that Jerry Garcia died.

"Yeah," he answered. "I heard that on the radio this morning as I came to work."

I was in disbelief. I had always figured that this day would come, but I kinda pictured myself being in the company of my buddies, sitting around on a patio somewhere with guitars and booze, mourning his life through celebration. But here I was in Newton, Iowa, away from all my friends literally without a single person close by that I could call or reach out to.

Completely zombiefied, I took off my apron, put down the knife in my hand, and left work. I drove it to my parent's house because I figured my mother would be home from work for her lunch hour. I remember walking into the house and seeing my mother in the kitchen. I walked to her, and gave her a giant hug. I cried like a baby.

I don't think that until that point, she had any idea how much his music had meant to me.

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Ironically, my favorite Jerry Garcia moment happened on tomorrow's date, August 10th, in 1991.

I was 23 years old. I had driven with my buddy Nick out to California to see some shows at the Cal Expo in Sacramento and the Shoreline Amplitheater in Mountain View. After a shenanigan-filled road trip to the west coast, we made it to the San Fransisco, with a few days ahead of us before the shows at Cal Expo. We had time to kill and explored the coastal life of mid-California. San Fran was an absolute blast.

We lingered around the Haight-Ashbury district like any good young hippies would, and spent a couple of nights in Golden Gate Park on a sleeping bag under a giant evergreen. It was there that we met a group of homeless California hippies who told us about the Jerry Garcia Band playing up north on the Eel River that following weekend. It wasn't on our agenda, but we had nothing but time. The Cal Expo shows were to start early the next week, and perhaps a trip up north was in order to get us primed. We decided to go for it.

Our morning view in Golden Gate Park

We drove up north a day early, and spent a few minutes at the Point Reyes lighthouse that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We arrived at French's Camp by early afternoon, and pulled into the entrance.

There was one problem. We didn't have a ticket to the show, and in order to get into the parking lot, you had to provide a ticket. To make matters worse, this show was sold out, and there was none available. We were forced to turn around and re-evaluate our situation.

Slightly distraught, we decided to drive north to the next town, and come up with a plan. When we got to Garberville, we pulled into a small cafe parking lot where we instantly saw some other heads. They didn't have tickets to the show either, but they had a plan. They were going to park their vehicle at the cafe and hitchhike down to the show. Then they were going to take their chances and climb the mountain that surrounded the venue, and drop into the Eel, and swim to the sacred concert grounds.

It seemed perfect. What the heck, Nick and I decided. We'd do it too.

We parked our car and walked out to the highway to thumb a ride. The other group had left, so it was just Nick and I. We had just gotten to the highway with our thumbs out when a white Chevy Blazer pulled up next to us. It was the Sheriff of Humboldt County.

"Going to the show at the Eel?" he asked us.

"Um... Yeah." was our reply. I expected to be scolded for hitchhiking on a public highway thus ruining our entire plan. But that didn't happen.

"Get in. I'm driving right past there!"

It was unbelievable. The sheriff was giving us a ride. In the back of the blazer was part of a drum set, which he said was his.

"I used to go to these shows all the time." He told us.

When we got to the road that led to French's Camp, he pulled over and let us out.

"Thanks for the ride, Sheriff!" we said.

"No problem! Enjoy the concert!"

We got out of the Sheriff's Blazer and made our way down the road towards French's Camp. It's a very mountainous area, and the road led through a pass that basically took you to the backside of the mountain. At that spot was where you had to reveal a ticket, or be forced to turn around. Several paths led off of the road up into the hills, and when we found one that offered sufficient cover, we took it. It wound itself around the hill, and slowly, we travelled up the mountain. We had our back packs with us, our sleeping bags, and just a bit of food. We derived a plan to get to the summit, and see which direction we needed to go to get to French's Camp. We would then set up camp and in the morning make our way down to the river, drop in, and swim to shore.

Amazingly, it worked just like that.

Aireal view of French's Camp on the Eel River

It was dark when we made camp that night in a secluded spot at the top of the mountain. We had spent most of the afternoon and evening climbing to that point, and we were tired and hungry. The next morning, we packed our gear and headed down a path. There we met some of the people who were in the group that we talked to in Garberville. There was hippie hugs and laughter, and just an overwhelming feeling of euphoria.

One of the guys, who regularly attended shows on the Eel, told us what to expect. "If you see somebody wearing a yellow shirt, go the other direction." he warned us. "That's security. Sometimes they are cool, but most will kick you out of here. We are at a point now where it's not public land anymore. We are basically trespassing, and they do have security up here to stop freeloaders like us from getting into the show."

They were still laying around their campsite with all of their gear unpacked. They didn't seem to be in any hurry, but Nick and I decided to keep on moving. We started back on the trail.

After an hour or so of walking, we came to a fork in the path, and we had to make a decision. Should we go right or left? By now we could hear the festivities in the campground below us (we couldn't see it at this point) so we knew we were close. Then suddenly, our worst fear happened. A guy in a yellow shirt was walking towards us up the path and he saw us. We kind of stumbled for a second or two, and then we froze. The man approached us. We were caught.

"Hey guys," he said to us. "You better keep moving. If you go right, there's a spot you can leap into the river and swim to the shore without being seen. If you go left the guy will stop will stop you and escort you off of the mountain."

He was one of the good guys!

"Thanks, man!" we took the path to the right towards the river. The friendly security guy was correct. There was a nice level spot which sat on a cliff overlooking the Eel River. We were about 15 feet above the water and it was just narrow enough that from our height, we could lob our gear across it without landing it in the slow-moving water. It made a cloud of dust as it thudded onto the sandy shore. We could see people, but no security. There was a hell of a party going on across the river. People were waving at us, and being cool.

"The water's deep enough!" one assured us. "Jump!"

We leaped, and with a thunderous splash, we landed in the cold mountain water. It was incredible. We swam to shore, and sure enough we were in the venue. Everything else was now just a formality. We had made it to the Promised Land,  French's Camp on the Eel River. In a few hours we'd be watching the Jerry Garcia Band play.

I was in Hippie Utopia.

French's Camp on the Eel River in Humboldt County California
(Photo by Kim Salloway, courtesy of The Jerry Site)

This venue is unlike any I have ever been to, before or since. There was basically no security inside. Everybody was so righteous, and it must have come to be expected, and they must have deemed security unnecessary. The crowd was extremely friendly, very cool, laid back and full of life. People were climbing to various heights on the cliff wall and leaping into the water. The sound of drums and electric music filled the air, as did the smell of incense and other exotic aromas.Tye dyed flags were flown, and fires raged, despite the heat of the California sun. Strange shadows seemed to beckon us. There were no strangers, we had all arrived to this place in peace and unity.

It was in my young Iowa mind, the epitome of California.

We walked into the fenced in area where the stage was set up. This was a Bill Graham production, one of his last. He died in a helicopter crash just a couple of months later. A band from the San Fran area named Klan Dyken was playing, and they were to be followed by Paul Kantner, of Jefferson Airplane fame. Then, it was Jerry's turn to take the stage.

Getting into the concert area wasn't a problem. A ticket to the parking lot meant a  ticket to the concert, and if you were there, nobody was asking questions. I think I saw Ken Kesey hanging out, and also Wavy Gravy, to whom I introduced myself. The crowd inside the fenced area was extremely laid back, and I was able to walk up to the stage and hang out with out being pushed or leaned on.

Which leads me to my favorite Jerry moment...

He and his band were playing a blistering version of "Lay Down Sally." I walked up to the stage until  was standing about 5 feet from Jerry (no security). He was lost in a solo, and I wanted to hang around just long enough to make eye contact. As he started to sing the second verse, he looked down, saw me and smiled. He must have seen my beaming face, because he then winked. I felt a sensational rush move through my body (no joke) and I just stood there and stared at him until the song ended.

Jerry playing French's Camp at the Eel River in 1991
(Photo by Kim Salloway, courtesy of The Jerry Site.)

I had seen him play about 25 times prior to this encounter, but never at close range. It was odd to watch him in person from that close. He is a human, but yet I found myself considering otherwise. His presence was enormous, and his aura was as bright as the sun. Completely fulfilled, I left the stage area and joined Nick back a bit further in the crowd.

That is my favorite memory of Jerry Garcia. Sometimes I am surprised at how badly I miss him.

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Pertinent link: The Jerry Site

Jerry Garcia Died 18 Years Ago Today

Eighteen years ago today, on August 9th, 1995 Jerry Garcia died at age 53. 

Here are a couple of commemorative videos - the first being his death as reported by Ted Koppel on ABC's Nightline, and the second - the audio of one of the greatest drum circles that has ever happened (French's Camp on the Eel River near Garberville, California).  

It's hard to believe that Jerry's death happened 18 years ago already. That's three years past the half-way point of the Grateful Dead's entire musical career. 

Bigfoot Diaries Live - The Final Episode (For Now)

Here is the video of what will be our final broadcast for awhile as we re-group and plan our next venture. Airing live on July 28th, the show features local legends Ned Rood and Dirk William Newton along with musical guest Jeff Banks.






It was a pleasure working with these guys (and all of the studio guests who entertained us along the way). If you get a chance, please support your local music scene, wherever it is you may be!

  

Don Larkin Prepared To Defend Unique Beard Title

The Iowa State Fair being right around the corner means one thing. It means that Don Larkin is reaching into his bottomless bag of tricks. The three time defending champion in the Unique Beard category is primed and ready for this year's competition. "I got together with the team last night Troy, and we did a practice run," he told me over a lunch time telephone call today. "The person who wins this year is going to have to work extremely hard to take home the prize. Let me just say that I have been working extremely hard!"

Last week Don sat down with Pete Hussman, the editor of the Newton Independent. With Pete's permission, I am sharing the interview that took place.

Don has tricks up his sleeve. 

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Newton Independent

Don Larkin of Newton has been wowing Iowa State Fair audiences at the Most Unique Beard Contest since bursting on the scene in his "Corn on a Hick" shtick getup three years ago and has continued his reign as champion with his Butter Beard tribute to the 100th anniversary of the fair's legendary Butter Cow and last year's triple-decker ice cream cone beard.

Larkin is planning to defend his title at next month's State Fair contest so the Newton Independent sat down to talk with the king of creative beard displays to gain some insight as to what drives this growing State Fair legend.

N.I.: What got you interested in participating in the Unique Beard Contest in the first place?

Larkin: Well, back as a boy from the south side of Ottumwa, my family would camp at the State Fair each summer. Having free roam of the grounds - and having more free time than money - I started attending the free shows. That's when I ran across the Beard Contest. As an adult I continued to go to the Fair each year and I always wanted to win a Blue Ribbon. I knew that animal husbandry or baking were out, but I knew hair, especially beards - they're the thing now you know. I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and entered the contest and here we are today.

N.I.: You've come up with some pretty original designs. Where do you get your ideas?

Larkin: I have got to give all the credit to Lori McNew and all her staff at the e-Clips salon here in Newton. Without Lori and her staff, I couldn't have accomplished all that's been done in the past three years. She's given me the backing to be able to take the competitive beard design profession to a whole new level. Nothing compares with what we've been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. It's exciting to see the team come together as we prepare to defend out title.

N.I.: So what do you do to your beard throughout the year to ready it for competition?

Larkin: A lot of people don't know this but beards need two things - air and rest. You've got to allow the beard to breath throughout the year to gain its full composure. And rest is very important, too. Oh, and don't shave.

N.I.: So where do you see competitive beard design moving in the future?

Larkin: It's growing. It's getting bigger and bigger. I can't tell you all the details but I have been approached by producers of a possible new cable TV show modeled after Iron Chef. The plan would be to pit unique beard champions like myself against a series of challengers in timed competitions where teams would be required to assemble a design based on a theme and using items that the competitors wouldn't know beforehand. You know, like Gilligan's Island where you'd have to incorporate coconuts into your beard along with the Skipper's cap. I think it's going to come together. I'm excited.

N.I.: So what's your greatest moment as a State Fair Beard Champion?

Larkin: I've been amazed at the number of people who have stopped me to take a photo with them. That is very gratifying to be recognized as a beard champion. But I'd have to say spending my $5 winnings at the Bud tent has been the best.

N.I.: So, are you dropping any hints what might be in store for this year's beard design?

Larkin: That, my friend, is a well-guarded secret. I won't even tell myself. But I will tell you one thing. I'm not going over there to lose!

The Iowa State Fair Beard Contest is slated for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Pioneer Hall.

Author Pete Hussman is the editor of the Newton Independent.

Bryan's List of Musical Happenings 8/5/13

Monday, August 5

Findlay Family Fun Fest at Greenwood 7:00
Ben Wantland, Luke Fox, Brian Wheat Band, The High Crest at Gas Lamp 9:00
Oleander, Pets With Human Names at vaudeville Mews 9:00

Tuesday, August 6

Asphalt and Stained Glass at Beaverdale Farmer's Market 4:30
Blues Traveler w/ James Biehn Trio at Nitefall on the River, Simon Estes 7:00
Steve Kowbel at El Bait 8:00
The Highroller Express at Greenwood 9:00

Wednesday, August 7 

Reeferseed Express at Hull Avenue Tavern 6:00 ($1.00 Beers)
Gimmik at Ladies Brew Take Two, Zoo Brew 6:00
Eric Jeraldi at Cadillac Jacks's Bike Night, Baxter 6:00
The HIgh Crest at Fire Creek, WDM 6:30
Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band at Zimm's 7:00
Max Wellman Trio w/ Gary Walters at Turner Jazz Center 8:00
Brother Trucker at El Bait 8:00
Double Penetration at Greenwood 8:00
Whitey Morgan & the 78s at Gas Lamp 9:00
Parranderos Latin Combo at Star Bar 9:15

Thursday, August 8

Troubled Lights, Annaliberra at House of Bricks 5:00
Brian Holtz Band at Valley Junction, WDM 6:00
Spencer Brown at Coda Lounge, Savery Hotel 6:00
Ben Wantland at Confluence Brewery 7:00
Iowa State Fair  - Budweiser Stage: Blue Oyster Cult 8:00 (Free)
Iowa State Fair Grandstand: Casting Crowns 8:00
Soul Searchers at Greenwood 9:00

Friday, August 9

Work Release party with Bob Pace & the Dangerous Band at Gas Lamp 4:30
Urbandale's Friday Fest: Throwing Toast at walker Johnston Complex, Urbandale 5:00
unWiNEd: Freestyle at Gray's Lake South Terrace 5:30
Exit 113 at Snus Hill Winery, Madrid 6:30
Matt Woods at Penoch Winery, Adel 7:00
Ron Burchett at Fire Creek, WDM 7:00
After Hours Band at Madison County Winery, St. Charles 7:00
Iowa State Fair - Budweiser Stage: Skid Row 8:00 (Free)
Iowa State Fair Grandstand: Happy Together Tour 8:00 
Owl City w/ Echosmith  at Nitefall on the River, Simon Estes 8:00
Evergreen Grass Band at Mullets (out behind) 8:00
The Malah w/ Kinfolk at Wooly's 9:00
JJ Express at 1st Avenue Speakeasy, Newton 9:00
Rick Burke at Greenwood 9:00
David Zollo at West Towne Pub, Ames 9:00

Van & the Movers play Byron's in Pomeroy Sunday 5:00

Saturday, August 10

Des Moines Farmer's Market 7AM-11AM
The Maniacs, Taih, Eden Stokka at House of Bricks 5:00
1st Annual Reggae Festival at Wooly's 6:00
Jerry Daze at the Briar Patch feat: Dark Royals, Truth Be Told, JB and the Smoothsayers 7:00 
Bill Matykowski at Smokey Row 7:00
C.W. Smith & The Word Green at Chocolaterie Stam 7:00
Iowa State Fair - Budweiser Stage: Blackhawk 8:00 (Free)
Iowa State Fair Grandstand: Dana Carvey, Dennis Nealon and Dennis Miller 8:00
A Scot Sutherland Production at Greenwood 9:00
Diet Folk with Kuke Fox at Star Bar 9:00
Crooked Mile at Gramercy Tap 9:00
Christopher the Conquered w/ Mike Borgia & the Problems at Gas Lamp 9:00
Item 9 and the Mad Hatters, Fuzzy Logic at Underground 9:00
Matt Woods at Mother's Pub, Ames 9:00
Steve Robinson & the Foundation at House of Bricks 9:30

Sunday, August 10

Caribbean Party feat: The Tropical Steel Band at Snus Hill Winery, Madrid 2:00
Flipside at Summerset Winery, Indianola 3:00
Van and the Movers at Byron's, Pomeroy 5:00
Iowa State Fair Budweiser Stage: The Outlaws 8:00 (Free)
Iowa State Fair Grandstand: Dierks Bentley 8:00