The Magic Band
URL: http://theduchessyork.co.uk/whats-on/detail/853
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The Magic Band History Early in the year 2001, John "Drumbo" French had a vision of re-uniting the original band that had recorded Captain Beefheart's ( aka Don Van Vliet) Trout Mask Replica and adding Art Ed Marimba Tripp on marimba and drum kit. The vision was primarily to do instrumental versions of the earlier material of Don Van Vliet - especially from the albums Trout Mask Replica and Lick My Decals off, Baby. Being encouraged to pursue this effort by BBC producer Elaine Shepherd and contacted by Paul Smith, an investor and former owner of an independent UK label, French began to contact the members. Mark "Rockette Morton" Boston was interested for sure. Bill "Zoot Horn Rollo" Harkleroad was mildly interested, but neither Jeff "Antennae Jimmy Semens" Cotton nor Tripp were the least bit interested. Undaunted, French contacted Denny "Feelers Rebo" Walley, who was greatly enthused with the idea. After a trip to Oregon in August 2001 to meet with Harkleroad and Smith, a decision was made to organize a rehearsal of three compositions - Hair Pie, Steal Softly Thru Snow, and My Human gets me Blues. The rehearsal was scheduled for Oct. 26th - 29th for Bill, Denny, Mark, and John at French's house in Lancaster, California - location of the former childhood homes of both Don Van Vliet and Frank Zappa.
All this was planned before that fateful day - 9/11/01 - in which the worst terrorist attacks in US history happened on our home turf. With all the new airport security measures in place, things were questionable for a time, but the guys still flew in from Georgia, South Carolina, and Oregon to LAX and drove the two-hour drive to Lancaster. After the three days of rehearsal, it was determined that we could still play the material, and so we settled in to write down a repertoire. Beginning work on the project happened simultaneously with changes in plans and offers by the promoter. It became more questionable with each offer what the actual offer was going to be, so French withdrew from the project until a year later when promoter Barry Hogan of All Tomorrow's Parties stepped into the ring in August of 2002.
Hogan made a good solid offer, put it in writing, and asked French if he and the rest would be interested. Harkleroad withdrew, but Boston and Walley remained ready to commit. Soon, former MB guitarist Gary "Mantis" Lucas replaced Harkleroad. After deciding upon a repertoire, it was evident that many of the songs needed a singer and French auditioned for the job. This left filling the drum position for over half the repertoire. French voted for Robert Williams and this was agreed upon.
A rehearsal CD was funded by ATP so that the group - scattered all over the country - would have the funds to rehearse for about 6 days in a small studio in Palmdale called Paradox Sound owned by John Sweeney in late January early February 2003. The CD was called "Back to the Front," French both playing drums and singing, as the contract had been signed before the inclusion of Robert Williams.
Performances in UK that Spring included the ATP Camber Sands Festival, and Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. That November - five weeks after French broke his back in a fall, The Magic Band played the Queen Mary Ship in Long Beach California - Michael Traylor replacing Robert Williams on Drums. The festival was curated by Simpson's creator Matt Groening, who introduced The Magic Band as "my favorite band." All the crowds were enthusiastic and receptive.
The Royal Festival Hall followed in January 2004, with The Fall opening for The Magic Band, and a quick hop to Edinburgh, Scotland followed for a night at The Liquid Room to a sellout crowd.
A UK tour was then offered the following Spring / Summer starting with one date in Amsterdam at the famed Paradiso, and which included performances at Glastonbury Festival and the John Peel ( famous UK DJ who had "discovered" Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band at Hollywood's Whiskey a' Go Go in the mid sixties) Maida Vale radio show - thus affirming The Magic Band as a "valid" reunion group. Sadly, John Peel passed away the following October.
Malcolm Mills of Proper Records, having heard the band at Glastonbury, released a live CD in 2005 entitled 21st Century Mirror Men and The Magic Band had another successful tour of the UK in 2005. In 2006, after a booking agent failed to come through on a promise of a European tour, the band played two performances in Sweden. One was at the M.A.D.E Festival in Umea and the other in Club Fasching in downtown Stockholm. This was preceded by a early morning Television appearance on Swedish television, which was initiated by Ralf NygÂrd.
After this, due mostly to scheduling conflicts with guitarist Gary Lucas - who is constantly touring and performing - The Magic Band disbanded in the Fall of 2006. An offer from Barry Hogan in the Summer of 2009 sparked a resurrection of The Magic Band with Eric Klerks ( guitarist) replacing Gary Lucas, and drummer Craig Bunch replacing Michael Traylor, who was unable to commit due to knee surgery. Both replacements are from Drumbo's band who was formed to promote his CD "City of Refuge" - an album "in the tradition of the Magic Band featuring other prominent Magic Band members released November 2008.
The Magic Band is scheduled to play ATP in March and further UK tour dates around this.
Please note you must be 14 or over to gain admittance - read our ID policy.
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