Reed has bent over backwards to assimilate his sound and styles into tea leaf green music and for the better if you ask me. You want the funk, go see parliment. You want sparkling harmonies go check out the fleet foxes. you want to rock the fuck out stay right here, but figure it out and let us work.
This is not an overnight process. When Tea Leaf Formed Ben had been playing the bass for less than a year, I the guitar for three,scotty on the kit for four, and Trevor had just begun to explore his songwriting talents. Fortunately we had great fans with patience to allow us to develop individually and collectively, simultaneously granting their support. Here I ask you of this again.
I know this is a public forum, but this is also our house. show some respect. Dont shit where you eat.Reed has been changing his life completely and putting up a great deal of sacrifice to help make Tea Leaf Green the best band in the land. He’s here to stay and I expect him to be welcomed as one of four and kindly at that.
Don’t be Hatefull, Be Gratefull.
Respectfully,
Josh Clark
Reed Mathis is tremendously talented and I thought his playing would’ve propelled the bands improvisation but apparently some on the TLG forums don’t think that’s the case. Josh took a pretty unorthodox step in dressing down some of his fans but so far the responses have been incredibly positive with even some of those who had been hating on Mathis apologizing.
When Ace and I first started this blog nearly three years ago TLG was at the height of their popularity. Each time they’d come back to NYC they would sell out a bigger venue than the last. I talked to a lot of people at the time who told me the band was about to blow up and would be the next jam band to play arenas – I shit you not. Now, it seems that most of the people who couldn’t stop fluffing them to me don’t even see Tea Leaf when they come to town let alone travel.
I was never a big Leafer but I do enjoy ’em when they come to town. Old bassist Ben Chambers didn’t do much for me and I think Reed has been a significant upgrade. Yet, I understand that talent alone doesn’t ingratiate one to fans of a band. Are you a TLG fan? If so, what do you think of Josh’s letter and the current state of the band. If you’re not a fan, what do you think about band members addressing their fans like this? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this drama.
17 Responses
Reed Mathis was GREAT with the Marco Benevento Trio.
not a TLG fan but really dug Reed’s work with JFJO. He is a fine bassist, probably the best they could have asked for.
However:
It’s been stated time and time again: “KEEP THE BAND OFF THE MESSAGE BOARD!!!”
Thank God that the members of Umphrey’s McGee don’t read the Bort anymore! Or, if they do, they’re able to do so without chiming in.
I think it is this dynamic which makes this band special unlike others. Some may say not to frequent the message board, but why not. The TLG forum has traditionally been very positive. One of the big reasons why I am so into this band is because all of the quality people who share in this music. The TLG forum allows us all to share other parts of our live along with the music. The fact that Josh took the time to share his opinion is special and honest. Just like their music. Many people lift these bands on a different pedestal, when they aren’t any different than you or I.
I love that aspect of this band and I believe they are still steps away from getting bigger. My two cents is the production. If the production increases…so will the fans.
Cheers to Josh for being honest…and cheers to TLG continue doing what they do best….ROCK.
I have LOVED 3 bands in my life – the GD, the Ph and TLG. So understand where this comes from. I’m also a big proponent of free speech on the internet. Especially when it is in the minority.
“The reward is not mansions, lambourghinis and caviar,”
No, it’s the getting laid everynight………..by someone different 🙂
“The demands of constant touring are not easy to survive under and its your support that makes life on the road bearable.”
He oughta try working in a cubicle 50 hours a week for a year
“This constant stream of petty criticisms and comparisons is juvenile and embarrassing. Ben left the band. We want to keep playing, let this forever be the light above the door if you want to go with him.”
This the equivalent of saying “we can’t handle criticism”, “this band has been on a downhill slide and I don’t know why”, and then definitely – “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”
“When Tea Leaf Formed Ben had been playing the bass for less than a year, I the guitar for three,scotty on the kit for four, and Trevor had just begun to explore his songwriting talents”
Kind of a weird thing to admit in this letter. Is the point supposed to be that Reed is the only polished musician among you or are you just throwing Ben under the bus?
“I know this is a public forum, but this is also our house.”
Knock knock knock, hello? Josh, this is The Internet, Internet – I’d love you to meet Josh
“show some respect.” “Dont shit where you eat.” “Don’t be Hatefull, Be Gratefull.”
Here I 1) think this is just a wee bit hypocritical and
b)he is going straight to hell for linking this thought with the GD because, I could really see Jerry Garcia writing this, couldn’t you? (rolls eyes)
Don’t forget who butters your bread Josh. Even the meager amount you receive on the road 😉
Shit, if TLG fans don’t want Reed that’s fine by me. As a full on card carrying freak for the Marco Benevento Trio, that would just mean more of Reed with Marco…although I will say I’m excited to see Ween’s Dave Dreiwitz with MB Trio this September.
message boards are always negative. pt is awful. this site even got pretty negative for a while during the save the date thing. can’t stand the negativity, if you don’t like the band, go do something else, but there does have to be room for critiquing.
I was into JFJO, and more specifically a RM fan, before I knew who TLG was. I’m still not a fan, but the fact that Reed deems them worthy gives them major cred. While he can’t show his true range playing poppy jamrock songs, if he lends the talent in his pinky fingernail, TLG is the better for it. Serious upgrade indeed. Josh should’ve written, “WTF is with the criticism? Reed’s one of the best bassists of our generation. And he wants to play with US! Now stfu before he turns the Duo into Trio.”
I like TLG a lot… Its not the same, but its still really good.
alex,
“don’t be hateful, be grateful,” while maybe a little bit of a reference to the dead, is a lyric in a tlg song (by benC!) so your bit about him going to hell and JG writing something like that is kinda bullshit.
~ bexy
Not sure why this is gaining so much attention on music websites, because this is a response to a small minority of fans IMO.
Reed has been a welcome replacement to Ben C (who was a great player/person), and yes it may be hard for some fans to accept the change. The fact is, however, that Reed has brought life back into a band that quite possibly was running on fumes as one member decided he wanted out (for personal/familial reasons I might add).
TLG has a much better sound than all of the bands they get compared/lumped in with, and Reed’s playing has only pushed the boundaries and will help propel these guys to their rightful place.
Maybe Josh shouldn’t have posted this on the band’s website forum, but I think that all of the websites making this a news event shows that they are all looking for some drama, and don’t care that they are misrepresenting the situation completely.
TLG has a large fanbase that goes much further than the few hundred people that spend their days on the message board, so why blow Josh’s simple message to the vocal minority out of proportion?
The main message of this should be: Reed Mathis has joined TLG permanently. And, TLG is poised to take over the world.
Now, go listen to Raise Up the Tent, or 1/16/09, and marvel at their ability to make incredible music together.
This band is growing strong.
I think P Groove should win the “battle of the band- cover war Naive Melody edition.”
It’s agreed:
P Groove does the best version of Naive Melody.
Phew, glad that is over!
Hi Ace.
This was indeed brought about by a small portion of the fan base. The majority of TLG fans that I talk to are thankful that such a great bassist stepped to the plate when Ben left. I miss Ben. I prefer to look forward instead of back though. If you think TLG is on a decline now then you just haven’t been paying attention. Since Reed has committed to TLG full time the old feeling is coming back. The feeling that every time you see them was better than the last. I talked to a lot of folks at All Good that said TLG was their favorite set of the weekend and there was some really good talent there. If you don’t like the music that much, fine. Just do some homework before you insinuate that the band fanbase is declining. It’s a tough economy out there and most bands are seeing less than full venues at their shows.
Anyone else think this dude is a whiny baby? STFU and do your job, if you can’t handle criticism, go play in your basement. People pay to see you play so just do it already and handle your time in the spotlight.
I wasn’t a big fan of TLG but liked them alright. Josh Clark just lost any chance of me paying to see him by making this lame announcement. Seriously dude, stop crying and play. Welcome to the critical fans of jam music. We aren’t teenies and aren’t gonna praise everything you do.
Whoa, first off “Josh clark is lame” Josh was merely putting a stop to rumors that Reed was not a full-time member of TLG and the fact that people were criticizing his mistake on a song 1 night.
I don’t think he, or anyone, expected the Jambands/Jambase/Glide/whatever gossip mag would pick up the story and make it a big deal. The issue was small, and local, and Josh (and many others in the strong TLG community) were growing tired of whiners who were nitpicking Reed as if he was not a true member of the band.
Reed is Right, he’s fully committed, even moving to SF to be closer to his comrades, and expect a full assault on your weak support of TLG. Look out. It’s on.
I have been looking for you guys everywhere………….now get on home ( http://www.tealeafgreen.com/phpBB2/ )