April 13, 2007

Our friend Frances Greene had a unique experience this week. Now, show ‘n tell…

I had the honor of joining my friend as one of the privileged hundred (give or take a few hipsters) on Monday night to see Andrew Bird in an intimate venue, Union Hall in Park Slope. I’m not sure of the exact details, but after failing to procure a ticket the normal way, there was a charity auction, and my friend, from what I’ve been told, grew really competitive, and he won said charity auction.

Somehow, and I’m still not exactly sure about this part either, but maybe cause I know him for more than 20 years (oh no, am I old enough to know people that aren’t my relatives for two decades?), I became the recipient of my friend’s charitable-yet-selfish competitiveness. Either way, we both won.

For those of you who don’t know Andrew Bird, allmusic.com describes him thusly: “Chicago singer/songwriter/violinist Andrew Bird updates the traditions of small-group swing, German lieder, and New Orleans jazz, mixing gypsy, folk, and rock elements into his distinctive style.” But, as is often the case with small blurbs, that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of this prolific and original musician.

Read on for more of Frances’ review of Monday’s incredible performance…

Can you still have fun, Trey? Well, probably not that type of fun any more.

The population of Washington County, New York is about to increase by one: Former frontman for the popular rock band Phish, Trey Anastasio, will be required to move to the area as part of the guilty plea he just accepted.

And if all goes well for Big Red in the county’s drug treatment court, Trey could then cop to a reduced charge and remain out of jail on a long probation:

If [Trey] does complete the 12-month program, McKeighan will sentence him to 5 years of probation and would entertain a request by Anastasio’s lawyer to withdraw his guilty plead to a felony charge of attempted fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Instead, he would be allowed to enter a subsequent plea to a misdemeanor charge.

It’s a good thing Trey didn’t have all that much in the car with him at the time:

Anastasio spoke softly as he answered McKeighan’s questions. He admitted illegally possessing more than a half-ounce of the prescription painkillers Vicodin and Percocet, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and heroin when he was pulled over by Whitehall Police the morning of Dec. 15. He was driving through the village on his way to Vermont when he was seen swerving.

Is it me, or is that a lotta gum? That’s a lot of gum! We’re thinking this arrest was the best thing that ever happened to him, in the grand scheme. And he may have “spoke softly,” but at least he spoke at all — we figured the lack of stage banter post-hiatus would carry over into the courtroom. Eh, I say we all just mainline some smack and put this whole strange episode behind us.

Previously on HT: Now Trey’s a Real Rock Star; Full Timeline of Trey’s Ordeal
And read on for a couple of pics of Crimson Dego’s Courthouse Experience…

Mike Gordon has yet to be found. Ever since his buddy Trey informed us of Gordo’s supposed one-year hiatus from playing during his interview at the Y, Cactus has been

I like to kick cute puppies and punch little kids. But I’m a sucker for old people. So obviously I perked up when The Zimmers, the so-called oldest rock band in

Rush has been kicking ass for over 30 years, and this year the band returns with a new album and a full-length summer tour. These guys always keep their fans

Been feelin’ kinda evil lately and here’s the soundtrack: JB and John Keene with a smoldering little version of Me and the Devil Blues, Squirrel Nut Zippers with that creepy