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Morrisville, Pa — As the name suggests, The Stir Fry Music Revival served up a heaping portion of good times and music with “a little bit of this and a little bit of that.” Whether it was some bluegrass and funky folk or rock mixed with reggae and roots, the bands were cooking.

A festival can offer a unique opportunity. For a regular show, the band comes in, does their thing, packs and goes home; however, a festival allows bands to interact with each other. There were many of these amazing interchanges at Stir Fry. One of them occurred as soon as the first band finished their set. DotMan was on the main stage MC-ing between bands. Tin Bird Choir was setting up for their set on the second stage. DotMan started singing what appeared to be an impromptu song, “The Stir Fry Blues”. The lead singer from Tin Bird Choir turned her soundcheck into a harmonizing session with DotMan. Not only were two great musicians having a cosmic collision, it was also made available for an audience to experience.

Another example of what can be found in a Stir Fry mix is “Josh The Bassist”.
Q: How often does a musician get to play three sets with three different bands for the same audience?
A; Only at an event like Stir Fry.
For the Friday evening crowd, Josh played bass with Tin Bird Choir, Manatawny Creek Ramblers and Frog Holler. When he was finished, I caught up with him to shake his hand, “That must be tough. Most people can not make it through one show. You did it with not just one or two, but you did it with three different bands. And, with Manatawny Creek Ramblers, you played a stand-up bass!” Josh replied, “Thank you. I suppose that is unusual to be able to play that long with diverse bands. And, yes, you are right. The hardest part was carrying the stand-up bass through the parking lot.”

There are so many simultaneous things going on at a festival. It is difficult to take them all in, yet that special Stir Fry ingredient could be found throughout. If you were performing and looked out, you could see your idols in the audience. J.R., keyboardist for Wide Eyed Mother Brothers was performing when he spotted someone in the audience. He stopped and pointed out to the crowd, “Do you see this guy? This guy right here? He taught me everything I know about playing keyboards.”

These kinds of cosmic collisions happened all weekend long. You might have witnessed Si Senorita in the audience being “wowed” by DotMan’s harmonica playing, spotted Steal The Breeze in the audience dancing to Si Senorita or heard the Dirty White Boys playing unplugged in the campground at Bob’s Country Bunker. It did not matter exactly where at the festival you were. You were bound to enjoy an experience like these. All that mattered — you were there.

It is too bad every day can not be stir-fried, at least we can look forward to next year.

Photos, Videos, Reviews and Interviews

by Mudman

Blacksburg, VA — Sometimes, a band totally flops.  The artists are not into the concert, and consequently, neither are the fans.  These shows can be painful to sit through no matter how much you love the band.  On the other hand, sometimes you see a band that is totally into the show. Their passion fuels the audience.  Then, the audience’s enthusiasm enrages the bands desire. Suddenly, you have the type of concert that you will remember forever:

August 28th, 2009, Soja performs for Virginia Polytechnic Institutes’s Gobblerfest.  It was one of the more epic shows that I have ever seen, and one of the only where I lost my hearing from the audience’s cheers rather than the blaring speakers (which in this case were cranked up to 11).  Soja is a reggae/rock band which has recently started to get some attention.  This was my first time hearing their music. The first thing I did following the concert was run out to but two CD’s.  There is something about the way these seven people carried themselves that just created an out-of-this-world stage presence (trumpet, sax, bass, drums, bongos, guitar, lead singer). By far, the highlight of the concert was “Can’t Tell Me”.  Listening to the lead singer lilt, “You can’t tell me who I am. Cause I’m working on that to,” made my night. They have a very unique sound comparable, only slightly, to the Expendables. I give them an 8 out of 10… they blew me away for an up-and-coming band.

by Mudman

Blacksburg, VA — Tucker Max: sexist, womanizer, masochist, or just a funny asshole? For several years now, I have been following the… er, a… interesting tales of a man named Tucker Max. He has a detailed website with most of his stories online (www.tuckermax.com) for free, but the full stories are only available by purchasing his book, “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”. Max claims that all of the stories are true accounts of his life. He even makes the point to say at the beginning of his book — if he is untruthful in recounting his stories , that he could be held accountable for libel and now even slander after a few interviews.

Mudman with Tucker Max at Virginia Tech

Max claims he is but one thing, and that is an asshole. He takes pride in getting drunk at the wrong times, saying the wrong things, and sleeping with the wrong girls.

When asked how many girls he has slept with Max answered, “… I’ve lost count.”
The questioner responded, “Triple digits?”
Max laughed manically, “What am I, 21?”

Reading his book was one of the funniest experiences I’ve ever had. Every chapter contained some gut busting material that stunned and amazed me. His stories are too crazy to make up, such as, “The Austin Road Trip”. “The Austin Road Trip” is the story used as the premise for his new movie which is based on the book. The book is a series of short stories and the movie puts these into an order and gives them a quasi-plot. The movie is being premiered in several cities before its release next month (September 25th). Max has chosen to produce the movie himself and is doing it the way he wants; to quote Max, “Fuck Hollywood.” Last night the movie was shown in Blacksburg, Virginia right outside the Virginia Tech campus. Max’s crowd is mostly, but certainly not limited to, college age students. His stories relate to everyone… well, everyone who doesn’t have a stick up their butt.

With the exception of the Kansas showing, every premier is sold out. If you aren’t fortunate enough to see the premier, the movie will be released nationwide. Because Tucker himself oversaw the movies making, it’s guaranteed to be a good laugh, as well as, teaching a good lesson thrown in there… somewhere… I think. Honestly, this movie is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. For the old folks, it’ll bring back memories from your past. For the younger crowd, it’ll help you remember last night before you passed out. It is a MUST see, so get off your ass you lazy fuck and go see the goddamn movie next month. Support of this movie will lead to a sexual sequel, which Tucker already has planned. Following the movie there was a Q and A and a meet-and-greet. Then there was an after party at one of the local bars which is where Tucker gets a lot of his new material.

The movies story is centered around Tucker and his two friends, Codenames: Slingblade and El Bingeroso. El Bingeroso is engaged to the b-e-a-utiful Kristy, and their wedding is scheduled for the end of the week. Tucker, always the trouble maker, plans a crazy bachelor party that will take them several hundred miles away from the “wedding planning” to a strip club. After getting excessively drunk and committing multiple illegal acts, El Bingeroso’s marriage is put to the test as his cognitively impaired brain tries desperately to keep him alive through the night. You had better bring a surgeon to this film because god knows your abdominals will be killing you from laughing so hard. Several times the screen became blurry from the lack of oxygen getting to my brain as I erupted in laughter.

WARNING: This movie is not for the weak of heart; socially prude; disgruntled bitches; or any other people who can’t take a joke.

Now, go buy the book, and brush up on your badassness (yes, it’s a word). Let me leave you with one final piece of mind, as you go throughout your days remember to ask yourself, “WWTD?” What, would Tucker Do?

Tucker Max Autograph

Philadelphia, PA — Collective Soul brought their tour to the Theater Of The Living Arts (TLA) in Center City Philly. For those who have not been, South Street is a world unto its own. Make sure you visit in this lifetime and if you can see a concert it’s an extra bonus.

There are not that many bands that I want to see, yet have not seen. Collective Soul was one of those bands. I am not sure why it never worked out. After I fell in love with “Shine”, they were a band I longed to see on stage. Then, the years past, and I figured it was too late. Even if they came around, they would probably be past their prime?

As destiny would have it, I saw they were playing at a local venue. The beauty of it was they were playing at a small theater. Maybe their decline in popularity would work to my benefit? Wait! Not so fast. I refresh the webpage on my web browser, and it says the show is sold out. What? So, I call the box office. Yes. They tell me the show is sold out. Dag-nab-it! I can not accept this situation and drive down to see with my own two eyes. Indeed, it is sold out. There are a couple guys from 93.3 WMMR there doing a promo. Why not ask them if they can get me a ticket? No dice. How about a scalper? No tickets to be found. While I am standing by the line to get in, a fellow comes over and asks if it is the line for Collective Soul. After verifying that it was, I ask if he might have an extra ticket. YeeHa! He does… but, at what price? Ahhhh… he tells me a reasonable price. He had been stuck with an extra ticket by a friend who backed out. Perfect!

I explained that I was a writer and had wanted to review the show. He was an avid fan and told me how good of a show they put on. I explained how sometimes I interview bands, sometimes I review bands, and sometimes I do not write anything. He said, “because there is nothing to write.” Exactly. Nevertheless, he peeked my interest in how the show would rate. The adrenaline was pumped, now. First, I thought I was going home in disappointment. Next, I was thrilled at getting a pass through the door. Plus, I met a father and son that were just as excited to see the show.

It was with much pleasure that the “warm-up” band turned me on with an instant music fix. Black Stone Cherry rocked the house. Black Stone Cherry rocked my world. (See the
Black Stone Cherry Review and Photo Gallery)

Luckily, the next band, Safety Suit, was not that hot. If they were, I do not know how Collective Soul could have followed them.

When Collective Soul took the stage, the crowd was primed and pumped. It seemed fitting that they started off with “Welcome All Again”. They played a couple more new songs in the middle of the set. Before “You”, Ed Roland related that it was the first song they ever wrote as a band. There was quite a bit of interaction and audience participation throughout the show. Introducing “Gel”, Ed shared that he and his brother/guitarist Dean were the sons of a preacher. “Gel” is about what they grew up with on Sunday mornings:

Color me any color.
Speak to me in tongues and share.
Tell me how you’d love to hate me.
Tell me how you’d love to care.
Well I just want to shake us up.

Let’s mingle
And make it well.
Come together now.
Yeah let’s gel.

All in all, the lights, the sound, the audience, the songs and the band added up to a spectacular performance. On the way out the door, the fellow who had sold me the ticket caught up to me and said, “Write something good.” I replied, “Oh, yeah. I will.” For this was one show worth writing about. Make sure they are not always one of those bands you wished you had seen!

THE BAND
Ed Roland – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Dean Roland – rhythm guitar, vocals
Will Turpin – bass guitar, vocals
Joel Kosche – lead guitar
Cheney Brannon – drums, percussion

THE SETLIST
Welcome All Again
Heavy
Listen
Tremble
Why Part 2
Needs
Dig
You
December
Shine
Hollywood
World I Know
Anymore Friends
Gel
Better Now

ENCORE
Staring Down
River Flows
Run

Collective Soul Concert Photo Gallery

Philadelphia, PA — The Collective Soul tour came to the Theater Of The Living Arts (TLA) in Philly. They brought with them two other bands, Safety Suit and Black Stone Cherry. Safety Suit did nothing for me; however, Black Stone Cherry rocked my world.

Not having heard of Black Stone Cherry before, they were a surprise attack of sound and movement. Black Stone Cherry has a heavy southern rock band sound coming from Edmonton, Kentucky. The band members are:
Chris Robertson — lead vocals, guitar
Ben Wells — guitar, backing vocals
John Lawhon — bass guitar, backing vocals
John Fred Young (son of The Kentucky Headhunters’ rhythm guitarist Richard Young) — drums, backing vocals

Their music is clean and hard. The band’s energy is through the roof with jumping and head banging. They are one of those bands you have to see live as their is no way to capture their sensual stimuli. The set included “Please Come In”, “Soul Creek”, “Lonely Train”, “We Are the Kings”.

Black Stone Cherry Photo Gallery

Old Pool Farm, Schwenksville, PA — The Philadelphia Folk Festival is an interesting experience. You never know what you will see… or hear. This works both ways — from the audience looking toward the stage or from the stage looking at the audience. It probably has the largest ratio of musicians that are in the audience than any other concert venue.

Thus, my surprise to see Get The Led Out scheduled for the special Thursday evening “Exclusive Camp Concert” that is put on for the overnight campers. What the heck was a band that bills themselves as the American Led Zeppelin doing at the Folk Fest? The must have been intimidating for the band:
1) They play songs that people know, so they have to play flawlessly.
2) They are to perform heavy rock music to a folk crowd.
3) Many in the audience are talented musicians.
4) They followed two talented folk bands, Jill Sobule and Deer Tick.

You would think that they would go over like a lead balloon? No. Le contraire. As soon as they started playing, people began flocking to the stage. Before long, there was standing room only. The crowd joined in and sang every song. Looking at the people standing next to you would cause you to pause. A mother dancing next to her daughter. People of all ages having the time of their life. In fact, it’s the only Folk Fest performance that I can remember hurting my ears.

As the show progressed, it felt like the audience and performers were feeding off each other. The crowd’s energy feeding the band, and in return the band’s energy feeding the audience. Only at the Folk Fest could such a miracle take place.

Get The Led Out Concert Photo Gallery

Stir Fry Photo Gallery

The Stir Fry Music Revival will take place August 28 and 29 at Snipes Farm in Morrisville, PA. (890 West Bridge Street)

The line up of bands includes:
Brothers Past
Frog Holler
Turbine
Splintered Sunlight
The Hustle
Si Senorita
The Coyotes
Psychedelphia
Old Blotter
Manatawny Creek Ramblers
Steal The Breeze
Dr. Fish & Friends
Tin Bird Choir
Newtown Creek
Dirty White Boys
Pete Kranz & the Wide-Eyed Mother Brothers
Members Of Sage
American Babies featuring Scott Metzger, Kevin Kendrick, Jim Hamilton, Joe Russo and Tom Hamilton
Strange Sun
Dirk Quinn Band
The Godinez Brothers
Jay D Clark

For more information visit: stirfryproductions.com

EVEN MORE SURPRISES FROM THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL

The Decemberists and The Derek Trucks Band added as headlining acts performing August 14-16, 2009 at Old Pool Farm!

Special Thursday night “Campers’ Exclusive” concert added
featuring Jill Sobule, Deer Tick and Get The Led Out!

PHILADELPHIA – Organizers of the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are putting the finishing touches on an impressive lineup for their 48th annual event with the addition of The Decemberists, The Derek Trucks Band, Jill Sobule, Heartless Bastards, and other noteworthy acts.

The British folk revival sound evident on The Hazards of Love, the recently-released 5th album by the Portland-based The Decemberists, will be highlighted with their Saturday afternoon (August 15) Main Stage performance. Guitar sensation Derek Trucks with his band, touring in support of their most recent album, Already Free, will bring their blend of jazz, rock, blues, Latin, East Indian and other world music to headline the big Sunday night (August 16) concert.

Festival organizers have added a special treat for early-arriving weekend campers with a Thursday night (August 13) “Campers’ Exclusive” concert on the site’s Camp Stage. Jill Sobule, whose songs are at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and derisively tragic, is the featured artist. She first gained prominence with her 1995 song “I Kissed a Girl.” Also performing for this more intimate showcase is the quirky country/folk flavored Deer Tick, on the road with their just-released 2nd album, Born on Flag Day. Both acts will be featured at this event for David Dye’s “World Café” syndicated NPR radio show, heard locally on WXPN-FM. Get The Led Out will close this special Thursday night concert by performing acoustic versions of Led Zeppelin songs.

Other exciting recent additions include Heartless Bastards, the irresistible Buskin & Batteu, Eastern European folk music purveyors the West Philadelphia Orchestra, the foot-stomping Celtic exuberance of Burning Bridget Cleary, and the more traditional Celtic ruminations of Shannon Lambert-Ryan & RUNA. They join an outstanding and diverse lineup that already includes Tom Rush, Iron and Wine, and the Del McCoury Band.

“We wanted to shake things up even more this year,” asserts Festival Chairperson Pat Gourley referring to the FOLK FESTIVAL’s emphasis in recent years to reach out beyond the traditional folk music audience. “By featuring The Decemberists, The Derek Trucks Band and more of the contemporary, cutting-edge acts, we’re boldly going after the younger audience needed to sustain the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL over the next 20 to 30 years.” Philadelphia Folksong Society Executive Director Levi Landis concurs, adding, “This 48th annual event will help break new ground and further the Folksong Society’s legacy among the vanguard of folk music innovators. We’ve responded with a roster of performers that appeals not only to dyed-in-the-wool folk music enthusiasts, but also to the next generation audience.”

The PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL will be held August 14-16 at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, PA and tickets can be purchased online at www.folkfest.org. Daily event tickets with early bird pricing (through July 19) start at $44.00 – attend all three days and camp for just $145.00 in tent camping or $170.00 in vehicle camping! The perfect family event, concert admission for children under 12 is FREE and “youth rates” (ages 12 to 16) are only half the adult gate price.

For complete information about the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL and tickets, visit the website at www.folkfest.org or call the festival office at 800-556-FOLK.

PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES STELLAR LINE-UP FOR 48TH ANNUAL EDITION

Sonny Landreth, Del McCoury Band, Iron and Wine, Tom Rush, Rebirth Brass Band, Justin Townes Earle, Tony Trischka, Langhorne Slim,
Enter The Haggis, Ellis Paul, Sara Hickman, Alela Diane
Among Featured Acts Performing August 14-16, 2009 at Old Pool Farm

TICKETS ON SALE NOW WITH EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!!

PHILADELPHIA – At a press conference held this afternoon, the organizers of the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL unveiled the impressive line-up for their momentous 48th edition unfolding
August 14-16 at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, PA. After a very successful showing last year, Point Entertainment’s Rich Kardon and Jesse Lundy have been brought back to provide artistic direction. “We are excited to again work with the Philadelphia Folksong Society and the Philadelphia Folk Festival to build on the foundation that was crafted last year,” said Kardon. The resulting roster reads like a Who’s Who in the music buzz today, offering a collection of both superstars and rising stars who will join together for this three-day extravaganza of traditional and contemporary music, dance, crafts, camping, and children’s activities.

Among the top attractions at the 48th annual PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are Sonny Landreth, Del McCoury Band, Iron and Wine, Tom Rush, Rebirth Brass Band, Justin Townes Earle,
Tony Trischka, Langhorne Slim, Alela Diane, Joe Pug, Works Progress Administration,
Ellis Paul, Sara Hickman, The Low Anthem, Women in Docs, The Folk Brothers, Erik Mongrain,
Frog Holler, Caravan of Thieves, Enter The Haggis, and Marissa Nadler.

Local musicians that have been garnering tremendous praise will also be featured throughout the weekend including Adrien Reju, Boris Garcia, Chris Kasper, Zach Djanikian, Wissahickon Chicken Shack, and Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka.

As if this amazing line-up weren’t enough, Jesse Lundy hinted that there were more surprises yet to come. “We have a couple more world-class acts; I mean major headliners, that we can’t announce just yet, so stay tuned!” teased Lundy.

Returning for his 48th consecutive year as host is WXPN-FM DJ Gene Shay who has been called the Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music. Shay has delighted Folk Festival audiences for years with his silly jokes and warm, friendly style. He’s been the same golden voice on the radio, playing folk artists every Sunday night, for most of our lives. He also helped put together the very first PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL in 1962 and has been the emcee every year since.

The campground at the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is considered the Ultimate Folk Festival Experience. Settle into the “40-acre living room” where jamming and camaraderie is shared; where friendships and memories are made that will last a lifetime. Exclusive to All-Festival Camping Ticket holders, there will again be the Thursday Night Concert on the Camp Stage where legendary World Cafe® host David Dye will welcome some unique musical guests, as yet to be announced.

The PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is a perfect family event, too. You will find an unrivaled selection of attractions for the kids, especially in Dulcimer Grove, the shady area between the Crafts Stage and the Camp Stage, where puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, hands-on crafts and of course, kid-oriented musicians make it a haven for folk fans 12 and under. Older kids, 12 to 16, will again be eligible for the special “youth ticket”, allowing them into the grounds for half the regular gate price, when accompanied by an adult.

Tickets for the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.folkfest.org. Daily event tickets with Early Bird pricing start at $44.00. Attend all three days and camp for just $145.00 in tent camping and $170.00 in vehicle camping!

For complete information about the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL and tickets, visit the website at www.folkfest.org or call the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL office at 800-556-FOLK.

Philadelphia, PA — Jason Marz played an upbeat and energy filled show to a sold-out crowd at Festival Pier in Penn’s Landing. It turned out to be a beautiful evening with the sun setting behind the stage. At any given moment, you could look to the audience and see everyone dancing and swaying to the music.

Setlist
The Sunshine Song
Traveler
Make It Mine
Coyotes
Anything You Want
Curbside
Man Gave Names To Animals
Live High
Reggaedy / The Remedy
The Dynamo Of Volition
Beautiful Mess
I’m Yours

Encore Part I
Audible Band
Lucky with Alysse Fisher
Audible Duo / Geek In The Pink

Encore Part II
Cop Chase
Fall Through Glass with Bushwalla
Butterfly

The crowd seemed pleased with the song selection knowing all the lyrics and singing with great volume. “The Remedy” was a highlight of the show as it was transformed into a reggae dancefest (retitled Reggaedy); however, the best part was the first encore. Since it was a general admission show, the massive crowd was pushed up against the stage. After the last song of the set, Jason and three other members of his band came out to the sound mixing tent and set-up facing the rear of the audience. There they played three real groove based songs — percussion, a bass box, bass and Jason on guitar. The vocals and backing vocals were wonderful and clear. For the song “Lucky”, they brought out Alysse Fisher to sing the duet. “Geek In The Pink” left Jason alone on stage with Noel “Toca” Rivera on percussion.

You could not ask for anything more pleasing than to be able to fill your senses with this intimate climax.

Jason Mraz Photo Gallery