TheGoodRev

I've had the whole freakin Brown Album in my head all this morning...Look Out Cleveland, Jawbone, King Harvest, Jemimah Surrender...let's get this together ASAP!

"When they were on the road last summer, things were so impossibly bad, nobody could possibly do it again. It was like Yugoslavia after Tito. All these ego forces that had been contained by Garcia's reluctant leadership ­ long simmering ill will ­ broke loose. It was just a mess.

"I wasn't sure they were going to make it through the tour," Barlow said. Whether the band can regroup for a 40th anniversary concert later this year is doubtful, he said."I just don't think that's a possibility."

That's rough.

Badass shit is right! Nice work, briguy.

I was at the gig where these three first got together, and it was incredible. Have the recording, three discs, if anybody is interested. I guess Gordie has been friendly with Whipper and Tommy Shannon for a number of years, he was on the Stevie Ray tribute record in the late 90's and all. Big Ben played with the Phantoms of course, and was doing sound for Big Sugar for pretty much their final two or three years. Gordie and Ben would do these one-off gigs at Grossman's on Spadina in Toronto (did one or two at Healey's as well), call the band Big Ben, and play with whichever drummer was available at the time. The first few were with Al Cross, I saw at least three with Eric Paul, one or two with Nick DeTorro. Johnson's main focus was clear: to play a night of blistering, jammed-out riffs that were a return to the 500 Lbs album, as opposed to the somewhat slick radio act Big Sugar had morphed into. There was no rehearsal, these were all-out jams in front of whoever happened to get word to show up.

So the story goes that Whipper was in town to play a session, and Gordie just casually asks if he wants to jam, and Whipper says 'sure'. They get themselves into Grossman's a couple nights later, and only upon showing up does Whipper realize they're directly across the street from the El Mocambo, where he played with Stevie Ray one night in 1983, when CityTV cameras happened to be rolling, capturing a firey performance from the then-young trio from Austin (later spawning the incredible SRV home video/DVD Live at the El Mocambo). I get an e-mail saying "Gordie and Ben are jamming at Grossman's tonight, can't tell you who the drummer is but just fucking BE THERE." Next item in my inbox is from Ben's mailing list "Hey everybody, Gordie and I will be jamming with none other than Chris 'Whipper' Layton at Grossman's tonight, so everybody come on out!" Man was it a fun time. Gordie was always much humbler, softer-spoken at these gigs than with Big Sugar. He would take a moment to introduce the band and always introduced himself as Grady Johnson (hence the new band moniker). He would point to Ben and say "...and please give it up for your gracious host, our fearless leader Big Ben!" to which the crowd would always respond "SHIT YEAH!"

Anyway it looks like things have worked out for these cats. Was trying to find some pics of that original gig, to no avail. In place of that, how about this cut from that first show: listen as this sickatating trio tears Clapton's Motherless Children a new bloody asshole, then hammers down Big Sugar's Goodbye Train like they've been doing 15 hour shifts at Hilton Works. Good lord, if you're into the hard, heavy blues, this show is for you and your grandkids; they'll feel it in their goddamn bones long after you're gone, I tell you.

Grady - Motherless Children

Grady - Goodbye Train

From 2003-03-20 at Grossman's Tavern, Toronto

I hear these guys are good, my buddies are opening the Toronto show on Friday...would be interested to check them out, but have other commitments.

i know that the good rev probably has half the band already, i'm imagining a couple guitars, keys, bass, and two drummers, sort of like the lineup they toured in the 90's. snail, you have your bass by now, you still in?

Well let's just say I could handle any of the guitar, bass, and drums myself...though not all at once .

Seriously though, I have one drummer who is committed, to the point that since I mentioned this Cover Band to him, he's asked me about it at least once a week. I would be equally happy either playing guitar or bass. We have a piano/keyboard player who will be making his home in Hamilton as of September, haven't mentioned anything to him yet but I can assure you he would be down to take care of either Richard's or Garth's parts. Myself and the drummer both sing. Tim, what do you play? I don't remember. Do I recall correctly that Dr. Evil Mouse is involved as well, presumably on guitar? Dude, I'm ready to get this show on the road tomorrow.

Anyway, let me know exactly what role(s) you'd like me/us to play, and let's go from there.

I have to say, I never saw the GTB of old. I have seen them probably 4 or 5 times and thought they were alright, but they never really grabbed me enough to stay until the end of the show. Obviously I think they're good enough that I continue to come see them. The last Hamilton show, however, was the best I have ever seen them play, enough that I actually anticipate seeing them again. Was fucking loud though; they could stand to turn it down a notch and still rock hard.

Have to say as far as attitude, though, that they seemed pretty chilled to me. They even asked for a round of applause for KC, saying that for all the touring they've done, Ken at the Pepper Jack has got to be the nicest bar manager they've ever met. Gr8ful, I can understand how it is if you've become friendly with a band and you see their attitude change, how that can leave you feeling alienated. In truth, though, they're a band, and you pay your cover charge or CD cost in exchange for the music they play, end of story. Sure, you have the right not to go see them anymore, but understand that their attitude has no effect on someone like me, a casual fan who comes out simply to see what they have to offer musically. Of course it's a bonus when a band who has just blown your mind comes offstage and chills for a few beers and some good times; likewise, if I'm watching a band and get the feeling that they hold particular disdain for the audience or each other, it's a turn-off. All that means, though, is that I won't go back to see them again.

These guys are awesome, I'm there.

I'm with guigsy, quote boxes look fine to me. I think there is a display discrepancy here, here's what it looks like to me:

That is wild, SM, sorry to hear about it. We had a B&E a couple weeks ago (more like just an E I guess, our front door was unlocked). They were in the house while we were asleep, but we didn't see anybody...I can't imagine what we would have done if we had happened upon the burglars. Glad to hear he didn't get anything.

Grindig (prounounced Grin-dig). From Toronto. Now very defunct. Awesome live show. Saw them 25 times in a year and a half before they sort of faded away.

Songbird, man. When I first went in there I got a similar vibe to Steves; not in that they poo-poo customers only there for strings, they're usually quite pleasant even for the small purchases. I did sense a little bit of gearhead arrogance, but then I moved a block away and was in there 3 days a week. Traded a few pedals back and forth, bought a guitar, got to know the guys who worked there at the time and they helped me out a lot. Maybe it was because I had spent a little dough there, but they would consistantly give me their honest opinion when it came to effects, even if it meant me buying the $125 Boss tremolo instead of the $600 boutique one. They may not have the bass you're looking for, and I guess you've already bought one, but I get the impression that if you go in there actually looking for a bass (as opposed to 'just looking'), and you tell them exactly what you're looking for/need as far as sound, they'll pair you with the best match(es) in the store, and if you dig it, they might cut you a deal. Great place, wish I lived in that neighbourhood again...

Thrush Hermit - Clayton Park

- the heart and soul of canadian indie rock as far as im concerned. crunchy riffs, tasty licks, sharp lyrics, great arrangements, and balls out rock that flows perfectly from start to finish.

Awesome man! The 5 new/5 old thing is a good idea...I could probably come up with another 10 released since I was born that would be great. I can't say my 10 are my absolute favourite either...of course that changes all the time. But when I put together that list above and took a good look at it, I found it to be a pretty good cross-section of the albums that made me the music nerd that I am.

Clayton Park is a favourite of mine too. I've read more than one interview where Plaskett quips that they set out to make a completely self-indulgent album, and it strikes me that this statement implies that it's almost as if they were afraid of how good it would be if they just forgot about the critics for a moment and just made the record they wanted to make, so there's this tongue in cheek attitude on some of the tunes. By far a huge favourite of mine, but I could have done without, for example, the out-of-tune lick that runs throughout Songs for the Gang. That aside though, a modern Canadian masterpiece for sure. I love 'We Are Being Reduced'...Neil Young influence all over that one. I'm not heavily into lyrics, but great lyrics on the record too. "I'm wearing out my vocal chords/Because I am alone and bored/Can you take me up to 24,000 feet, Concord..."

A quick search indicates this topic hasn't been brought up recently. I know it's a little tired and/or uninspired, but I put together a top ten list for another message board and thought I'd share it here, and invite others to do the same. While I love live music and find it relevant and inspiring, I have a firm allegiance to the album format. Here's my list:

1. Jimi Hendrix and Band of Gypsies - Live at Filmore East (1970): No trio has ever surpassed their greatness. The special edition two-disc set is especially awesome, with tons of cuts that didn't make the original LP.

2. Pink Floyd - Animals (1977): Stunning, beginning to end; Gilmour's guitar on this album is one of my single greatest influences.

3. The Band - The Band (1969): The songs, the playing, the harmonies are all there...and a little more rockin' than Big Pink.

4. BB King - Live at Cook County Jail (1970): In my opinion, the finest blues recording of the era, in part because of its raw nature. BB's playing is quick but precise, his tone crystal clear, his voice rough but passionate.

5. The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969): What do you say? even the worst on this album are among their best work. Songwriting is there, playing is there, and they rocked it harder than ever.

+ =

6. Allman Brothers Band - Beginnings (1970): This is sneaky of me, because this was a re-release of their first two albums in one package. You get Duane's unparalleled slide playing, the loose Southern groove of two drummers, and Dickey Bett's progressive compositions to top it off.

7. Neil Young - After the Goldrush (1970): The sheer quality of the songs puts this one ahead of Harvest and Everybody Knows for me. Don't Let it Bring You Down and I Believe in You are my two favourites.

8. Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1971): The album that showed me the connection between blues and metal. Tony Iommi remains one of rock's finest riff writers in my mind...Fairies Wear Boots, Rat Salad and Electric Funeral are my favourites.

9. Frank Zappa - Hot Rats (1969): From the introductory Peaches En Regalia, through Willie the Pimp, Son of Mr. Green Genes et al, this album showcases Zappa's sickly quirkiness and his agressive, largely underated guitar playing. Zappa's impact on my own musical tastes cannot be understated; he showed me you can be humourous and still rock, and also be humourous without being an idiot.

10. The Who - Who's Next (1971): A parade of incredible songs, from the oft-covered opener through Bargain and My Wife (my favourite). Illustrates Townshend's massive guitar sound, Daltrey's rich and powerful voice, and the sound of classic Who without heavy themes weighing them down (though that is fun stuff as well).

Gross, indeed. Thanks, there are 4 or 5 more at different angles if you'd like to see them. Roomate Sean informed me that he disposed of the carcass today, in the ravine behind the house. Walking out the front door on the way to work today, though, I could swear I could smell the damn thing out front. Out front is where the outdoor bait station is. Our conclusion: there is another dead one around somewhere. Will keep you all updated.

Edited by bouche on Thu Jun 09 2005 12:56 PM. Reason for edit: ollie said the dead rat was gross - i guess it kind of is if you don't watch CSI

Hey man, I'm not offended, but there was ample warning...

Some of you may remember that I posted on the old board about a rodent infestation we were suffering at my house...can't call up the old thread because the old board is gone, but suffice it to say that one morning there was a corn cob - one that had been in the garbage the night before - wedged halfway underneath the refrigerator. That night we set up the video camera in the kitchen, and 8 minutes after the last person went to bed, here's what we captured:

Nnnnnngoooo, especially considering those tiles are a good foot long.

Anyway we've had all sorts of pest control assistance, basically everything except fumagation. We've never found any droppings, and never had another sighting or food movement. The pest people laid out lots of poison both inside and out, but we figured that we never actually had a rat living in the house, just coming in through the holes (it's an old house) and eating our garbage when it was particularly desperate.

I went online this morning and my roomate Sean messages me to check out what's on the back porch. I go out there and here's what I find (last warning, this is pretty gross):

Dead rat photo.

Yep, looks like our friend supped at the outdoor bait station, took an unfortunate turn for the worse (health-wise that is), then was likely supped upon by a cat or something, and then kindly left on our back porch for further consumption by all manners of insect and eventual discovery. I especially like the hardened tail. Do I sense a new Lazlo avatar?

The house they're talking about above isn't the same house as Big Pink...Big Pink was a rental, this appears to be something that Levon had built (see the website...I got that impression anyway). It's possible Big Pink was sold though...shit I'd live there.

I have definately talked up this book on the board numerous times, glad you're enjoying it Polkaroo. What an awesome read. Not Robbie friendly at all, but hey, Levon was there and that's obviously how it felt to him. Would be interested to hear Garth's take on the whole thing, but he is notoriously soft-spoken so I doubt he would ever publish his thoughts.

What's happening where you're at in the book right now Polkaroo? Just curious.

Happy birthday dude, and many, many more!

Meat n Potatoes

Chardonay or Merlot?

Caution Jam will be joined by none other than Ryan Morrison (Diesel Dog) on the keys.

Right on! I knew there was some talk about this...happy to hear it's been finalized.

Indeed bouche, the Moose lay a thick groove like honey on molasses...looking forward to catching them again.

Come one, come all, rock out to the thick bluesy grooves of Montreal's Bullmoose, then dig some jams provided by none other than the formidable Caution Jam. A mere 7 bones at the door, and I hear CJ might be featuring the odd guest in the lineup...

If you need any encouragement to come out a wee bit early to check out Bullmoose, let me say that these guys are a pure, unadulterated blues/rock trio. I hear plenty of Sabbath sensibilites in their writing, and plenty of Page in their riffs. Dig these two live cuts "Pray" and "Poor Man's Hash". The latter has such a great riff, one of the first tunes that grabbed me about the band.

Pray

Poor Man's Hash

Thank you Dr Evil Mouse. I second the gratuitous violence to be visited on the fucking bastard(s) who stole my guitars. Was feeling a little bummed about it again, but bnb2005-05-28 is cheering me up a little, thanks BradM!

Person I would least like to punch in the face at this moment: BradM. Just don't tell my girlfriend.

Yeah, Big Mike just cleared it up on jamhub. Band still together as always.

I quite like the JSB, caught them with the new drummer and quite enjoyed it. Yeah the host of the show is a little sappy, they chose a shitty song to play, but I'd like to hear the interview.