2002.01.18 Tobacco Road, New York, NY

01.18.2002
Tobacco Road
New York NY

Juggling Suns - 1/1802 - Tobacco Road
Posted on 1/19/2002 at 03:15:27 PM by Taper Tim

Howdy Gang:

Late night in the big city. Cousin Fungus got things rolling around 9:30 and played til 10:40 - a fun band with some interesting jams and grooves. Next up was Scarecrow Collection - they played from 11:15 until 12:20. Another good band, featuring some nice work on acoustic guitar and mandolin, with electric guitar leads processed to sound like a violin - they reminded me at times of cross between String Cheese and Leftover Salmon and Phish.

Juggling Suns finally took the stage at about 12:50 and played one big long set until 2:45. By the end of the Jugs set, most of the crowd had cleared out, but the band kept up the marathon set.

After stopping for a quick encore and the apparent end of the show, the owner Dave said "why not keep playing, we're open until 4:00 am" After some hestitation, the band cranked it up for a nice little late set. At this point, Tim was finally able to sneak behind the soundboard and tweek the sound a bit :) - it was good to finally hear the vocals. Festival ended the night at 4:05 am, and we all were glad the long night had come to an end.

I must admit that there were times when I felt a bit out of place in this strange NYC environment. However, MAJOR KUDOS to the all fans - the Lancaster crew for the long long drive - the Jersey shore crew, and especially Andrea for rounding up so many new faces from the GOTV message board - and Mr. Shaggy for all of his hard work in helping to promote the show. The owner thought it was a big success and says we're welcome back anytime. I can't remember being so far away from home, and still being surrounded by so many familiar faces - the owner was well aware that we brought in at least 50 people for this show.

Next time, we simply need to adapt a little better to that darn "NYC time," where the main act is expected to play from 1:00 am - 4:00 am.

Funniest quote of the night - "yea, he's kind of a prick, and he's english"

On to the familiar ground of the Sawmill (if we can get through the snow), and then the acoustic show on Sunday. No rest for the weary.

Juggling Suns - 1/18/02
Tobacco Road - New York, NY

Set 1 (about 115 min)
Spin Song
Wicked History
The Coast >>
Hungry Moon
Circle of Light
When Everyone Knows >>
Sedona
Jump for Joy
Pwave
Table Rasa
Laced in Silver
Forbidden Fruit
Shelter
Jungle in My Heart

E: 008

Late Set (about 45 min): needs to be verified with Shaggy :)
Into Tomorrow
Restless
Shooting Tequila
Cats Are The Martians
Festival

Peas
Taper Tim

Juggling Suns - 1/18/02 - Tobacco Road - Setlist Correction
Posted on 1/20/2002 at 11:56:01 PM by Taper Tim

My Bad - thanks Gump and Shaggy!

E: 008

Late Set (about 45 min):
Into Tomorrow
Boy In The Bubble
Cats Are The Martians
Restless>>
Festival

Peas
Tim

Re(1): Juggling Suns - 1/1802 - Tobacco Road
Posted on 1/20/2002 at 04:02:08 PM by shaggy

Hmmmm.....don't remember them playing Tequila. I know I was sober 'cause the happy tooth drugs killed any chances for inebriation. Here's what I have written down:

Into Tomorrow
Boy in the Bubble
Mountain Marlane
Cats are the Martians
Restless>
Festival

That last transition knocked me for a loop. It was stunning. I've much to say about this gig, obviously, and I like what I'm reading from Grandfunk and Jim so far. I'm pressed for time, so I'll write more tomorrow.

Jugs + NYC = ??
Posted on 1/20/2002 at 12:01:49 AM by Grandfunk

On Friday six of us Dankaster folks made it to the Big City for Juggling at Tobacco Road. Four reasons: first and foremost it was Jugs; secondly, I felt the band needed our support there more than ever; the NJ crew put the pressure on to be there and lastly - what a way to kick off another year of Jugs but in the Big Apple! But it was the second reason that is key. Juggling needed the numbers at this show. All I could think about at Tobacco Road was that Jugs needs to make this a regular gig. Without the Wetlands this may be "the place." Nothing was outstanding about the venue, but there little things you noticed: they tend to book Jambands, the Allman's Great Woods video playing on the wall, pictures of ex-Deep Banana Blackout singer all over the place (turns out her and Warren Haynes are regulars there), and the 4AM curfew. Half of us Dankasters had to leave at 3AM because of next day obligations, but you have to love an owner who wants a band to play late! Its going to be a late night "Obsession" or something that turns the right promoter on and Jugs ends up where they belong! As a good reporter, I did a rough head-count before and after Juggling took the stage. During area-favorite Scarescrow Collection's set there were about 100-150 people there. During the first two Juggling songs, there were about 60-70. Then at 2AM I did my last count and there were exactly 42 people watching the band. Sure it dropped off, but of that 42 I would say there were a twenty or more new faces. I tend to think exposure of any kind will go a lot further in NYC then in lets say Chambersburg PA!!!! Never in my four years with Jugs have I felt better about the bands chances of turning heads. I'll always argue that this line-up is better than the rest. On average the crowds were no bigger back then then they are now. The addition of Ivan means so much more than "just having a steady drummer." During the musical drummer summer - I could have argued: we need Casey's energy and vocals, we need Charlie's chops, or Mike Greendfield can take us to a more instense level. But now - throw all that out the door, we need Ivan and we got him! The man is more solid than all those guys (and props goes out to all of them - hell they were drummers in the best band out there). But from a fans perspective, a fan who thinks about Juggling at least five minutes out of every hour of the day, the right drummer is Ivan. Never in Juggling history has the chances of smooth segues between songs been more possible. Case in point: When Everyone Knows -> Sedona on Friday. I saw the first time that segue went down. It was at the Vault in Baltimore last year and Mark turned around and looked at Ivan and gave him the seal of approval. No more Bruce and Mark turning their backs to the crowd and conducting the drummer through a song - the training wheels are off and now we can see the looks on the bands face when they nail a transition. And tell me I'm wrong, but aside from the intensity that builds during a jam, smooth transitions are the essence of good live music. (i.e. China->Rider, Help->Slip->Franklins, Coast->Moon ...) So the question is what did we all get out of the NYC city gig: exposure in the best market (some say the left-coast in the jam band country, forget it, its NYC), we also got a venue that seems to cater to our scene, a few new fans and I've waited until now to say this, but we got a whole Juggling show with ONE COVER! No cover debate here, cause I love them. But we all know that in the last two years new material was pushed aside and covers were popping up left and right. Good covers, tasty covers, covers that Juggling grew to own, but Juggling has so many great originals that we all want to hear. A few other NYC observations: Is the begining of PWAVE actually La Isla Bonita? If so, how about a La Isla->PWAVE->La Isla! Also PWAVE has this great part in the middle that could use of a horn or DJ Logic sound. I'd have to hear it again and show you where I mean, but its such a tight groove that the band could use it as a place to expand the song into one hell of a jam. And LACED REDEMPTION - after the New Year's Laced in Silver was so rudely interupted by a drunk fan, the Tobacco Road Laced made the trip golden. Here's a question: Some say the 2000-2002 Jugs was comparable to 1970-71 Dead (exploratory and raw), well where are we now? I think this lineup is '74 or dare I say it '77! If so - where will the band's Cornell be and how do I get tickets!

My feelings on the situation.....
Posted on 1/20/2002 at 03:16:28 PM by nlsuns

Ivan is the man!!! I have realized this over the couple of months when he has taken that so called haunted spot in the band. Now he is there and ready to take control. I have been listening to the discs with ivan on it and they are hot to trot. The band was totally on fire. They had that look of joy, that I love to see these guys have on their faces. This bar was a pretty chill bar. The next time they play there, we will totally have to make a day or two out of it. At least , get a hotel room that night. Big props to gump for his hardcore driving abilities on getting us home safe and sound. He did good. I was thinking about skipping that gig because i was feeling a little under the weather, but i tell you what, I am so glad i went. What a night it turned out to be. Like john, i think about juggling suns all day long usually. I love these guys. All my friends (not the juggling ones) think i am nuts going to all the juggling shows i go to, but i feel right at home when i am at a juggling show. All my family and friends are their, and of course my fav band. The scene is getting better and better everytime i see these guys. They are playing at the east end cafe 2 times each month the next 2 months. I know this isnt the best gig for them, but i feel like they do it for me ( not to be irrogant) but i really appreciate that alot. i would do anything for these guys. Every week, all i look forward to is going to see the suns somewhere. To the dankaster crew, i dont think it matters where we go. The next goal i have the suns doing is seeing them play at Red Rocks headlining. Man would that be sweeeet!!!
Well i guess i rambled enough for one day. Time to go play in some snow. I hope you all have a great week and until next friday at the ABC, i am signing out.

Jim Dawg

1/18/02 NYC - My thoughts on the Wacky Tobaccy
Posted on 1/21/2002 at 01:03:04 PM by shaggy

"Never in Juggling history has the chances of smooth segues between songs been more possible. Case in point: When Everyone Knows -> Sedona on Friday."

Hell, that was nothin' John. You shoulda seen the second set closer = Restless>Festival! Sweet mother of Manhattan, that thang rocked! And as I posted on the Vibes board, the crowd actually started to increase again, as some of the NYC clubbers who were booted from the other 2 a.m. spots hopped into TR to keep their groove goin' until sun-up.

Well, I have so many reviews and articles to write, so I gotta keep this quick. First off, a BIG THANK YOU to all the Dankaster folks who made the big drive up to the city from PA. I still think you're all crazy for turning around and going back again (but on the upside, my living room's never been more spotless!).

I'd also like to send a humongo THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to Nick Sette of Scarecrow Collection. He pulled the strings to get the Suns on the bill and has been more than generous with his praise for them on the Vibes board. He was genuinely ABDUCTED! Unfortunately, so was his guitar, and not in the good way. It was an awful thing to happen to such a great guy, and I think we should try and help him out any way we can. If you go over to http://terrapin.infopop.net and click on Community Message Boards, look for a post entitled "nicko fund" and it will explain the details of what happened and how folks can help out.

Ditto to what John said about regular gigs here. I spoke to the owner and he wants them back, saying "This was one of the best gigs we've had here in a while." Maybe if they get a foothold here, the soundman will let Tim plug into the board. It's a shame no one taped that show - individual songs may not have been the ultimate versions, but as John said, how often to you get to see a two and a half hour first set with ONE COVER. Which brings me to my next point:

I kind of needled the band a bit to steer clear of covers that night, and I cringed when I heard folks calling for "Terrapin" and "Cold Rain & Snow". My reasoning? In a competitive market like NY, particularly with album coming out, you've got to find your own voice and sell that. When I was studying art in school, I used to do portraits of musical groups like the Dead and Led Zeppelin, based on Herb Ritts-type photos. Every wrinkle, strand of hair, clothing fold, etc. was perfectly represented and my fellow students were blown away. My teachers on the other hand were less enthused. "It's great that you can do that", they'd say, "but it would be better if you drew something from life" (meaning in person and not from a photo). It's the same thing in rock n' roll. It's all well and good to play spot on versions of "Ramble on Rose" and "Sugaree", and you'll get a steady (to a fault) gig at some county highway roadhouse or boardwalk bar because the same twenty people that go there every Friday will want to hear the same twenty songs while hearing it with an intoxicated ear, but NOT listening with a critical ear. This will cover the gas bill, but it won't sell your album or buy you new equipment.

The Suns DO have a stunning repertoire that should be getting pushed to the masses. And at a hot word-of-mouth club like Tobacco Road, city crawlers with friends in the biz will be more enthusiastic the next day at the watercooler about "Tabla Rasa" and "Jungle in my Heart" then they will about yet another "Deal" or "Brown Eyed Women". The Zen Tricksters have already filled the limited niche of national Dead cover act, and even they're injecting more and more originals into their sets to keep from getting stale. Anybody can COPY Robert Hunter the way I copied Herb Ritts, but how many songwriters can sit down with an actual tabla rasa and come up with something as exciting as "Vortex in Sedona" or "Toll Taker" - from SCRATCH! That's what gets bands out of the bars and into the auditoriums. That's what gets albums from the used bins at Almost Live to the New Release section at Tower. And if you CAN get a regular gig at Tobacco Road, you can get industry insiders to take a cab or subway to see you at 41st St. a lot easier than you could get them to drive out to Garwood or Seaside. Hence my push for the originals that night.

Now then, the next step of course is the festival circuit. I won't speculate publicly about that, but I'm working hard here in NY to get some promoters to take notice. And while NYC is an important market, I would argue that in the jambands world, New England is the mother lode. More college kids with money to burn and more head-friendly clubs and halls per capita than any other place in the country. And the Suns already have a geographical advantage over Ohio's Ekoostik Hookah or WV's Yonder Mountain String Band. So if THEY can turn people's heads around Boston, so can the Suns!

Okay, I guess I didn't keep it as quick as I hoped. Oh well. Just excited about the prospects here. Overall, despite any shortcomings about time wasted between sets and feedback in the speakers, I think 1/18 was a great success and now that the snowball is rolling, we gotta keep pushing it down hill. Next big gig, no "I was meeting someone else at another bar first and it got late" or "I felt tipsy and had to get home" B.S. . Furey, if you're reading this, no starting drinking at 3 p.m. I told you to go to the museum! And I expect you all to hold me accountable as well. I WILL be at the Blue Star on the 2nd!

Okay, I have to go back to my life now. Do visit the Vibes board, see what folks are saying, and see if you can help Nicko out a little.

Photos by Pat Sellers