It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. I guess you could say that I’m
not the type of guy who is very much into self-promoting. I don’t know if I’d ever be any good as
a “famous” person, as I like being alone and working on music. I always felt that stage was the place
where you let loose, but where you are prepared so well that you can still hold
a group together and get through a pleasing set even if everything on stage is
going wrong technically. My idea of going on stage was always to present exciting
music that was well-crafted and rehearsed, so that people who pay their
hard-earned money for a ticket aren’t watching a bunch of people just jamming
away. Not that improvisation and
spontaneity aren’t great, but unless there’s a nice solid framework of music,
it can become a pointless exercise in futility.
The Magic Band – or a new incarnation of such – is playing
at the ATP 10th Year Anniversary Festival in Minehead, England. Gary Lucas was previously booked, so
Mark Boston, Denny Walley and I put our heads together and decided that the
best guy for the job was Eric Klerks – one of my “Drumbo” band guitarists. Eric plays slide and uses metal
picks. He’s familiar with the
music of Captain Beefheart, and so will be a great addition to the lineup.
Michael Traylor, Magic Band drummer from 2003 to 2006 has
been through some tough times this year.
Apparently, a co-worker attacked him a few months back and the result
was several fractured ribs, multiple contusions, and a badly damaged knee
ligament. Although optimistic at
first about being able to play, he later decided that he wouldn’t have enough
recovery time from the ACL replacement surgery before the demanding and
rigorous practicing that he would be doing for this upcoming event. We all wish Michael well and hope to
see him quickly back on track.
The best man for replacement of Michael is Craig Bunch, my
Drumbo band drummer. He has been
familiarized with my style already and is a fantastic drummer. We have spent a lot of time together
some with two drumkits – just going through drum patterns. It has been a lot of fun to work with
Craig and he will be a great asset to the band.
In the photo of the band on the MySpace photos page, Eric is
on the far left and Craig on the far right.
We plan to do some old favorites interspersed with new
additions to the set list. I will
be playing soprano sax on a few pieces for a change of sound. The big problem has always been getting
together to rehearse. Barry Hogan
of ATP has arranged for us to have two rehearsal days on the festival site,
which is really a fantastically generous thing to do. If there a “top guy” to thank for the Magic Band reunion
becoming a reality, it is Barry who deserves a medal. He came up with many creative ways to solve problems and not
only that, but treated us like Kings.
He’s a true gent.
So needless to say, we’re pretty excited. We may try to get in a few other
concerts while in the UK, so, if any venue owners are reading this – GET IN
CONTACT!!! We’re looking forward to
seeing Britain once again.