Moe_Syzlak

WHAT! I have never heard of that before. Holy shit!

Here is a review I wrote for the show I saw in Denver in '07:

Well for anyone that isn't in the know, Bustle In Your Hedgerow is a (purely for fun) side project for the Benevento/Russo Duo, Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz and Rana guitarist Scott Metzger. It is an (almost) all instrumental tribute band covering the songs of Led Zeppelin. I had heard about these shows, particularly the ones in my old stomping ground of Chicago and always hoped I'd be around for one of their impromptu performances. While at Austin City Limits Fest last summer I was hoping I might get lucky seeing as though both the Duo and Ween were in town for the fest. Alas no luck (although I did catch a kick ass Duo show at Stubb's Indoors). So when I heard that Bustle... was going to be doing a little mini-tour I grabbed some tickets.

First, I'm not sure these shows were promoted at all. I definitely didn't need to buy tickets in advance. The place was probably only about 3/4 full. We hung out mostly on the balcony and pretty much had the whole balcony to ourselves. I'm curious as to whether the Fox Theatre show in Boulder the night before sold out.

Now like most people, I'm not big on cover bands, but with these musicians and their approach to the (much loved by me) music of Zeppelin -- not to mention the positive reviews I've heard from friends -- I was excited for this. The show opened with what I've always considered to be a great fucking opener: The Song Remains The Same. It totally rocked and I didn't miss the vocals at all, but it was a pretty straight version of the tune (i.e. no jamming). That was pretty much the theme for the night actually. Some tunes flat-out rocked, but they were so faithful that it at times sounded like listening to a Zep album with Plant's track turned down. Some tunes worked for this approach better than others. Not surprisingly, Kashmir was a highlight and came the closest to a full on jam.

One thing that made this a fun night was the obvious fun these guys were having on stage. Benevento and Russo ALWAYS look they're having too much fun, but the whole band was letting loose and seemingly taking a nothing-to-lose, let's-just-have-fun approach. At one point, Russo came out from behind the drums and Page/Lawn Boy-style sang the opening to Over The Hills and Far Away. This moment was just so much fun for everyone. The whole thing reminded me of when I first saw Dark Star Orchestra at Martyr's in Chicago when it was just a bunch of local musicians that loved the Dead getting together to play music that they loved on a Tuesday night. Just fun!

One thing I will note is that I was not impressed with Scott Metzger. I have heard that Brendan from UM has filled the guitar slot occasionally. I'd be interested to hear that.

In the end, I think the pre-announced dates of these shows created a different set of expectations in my mind. I had a blast, but I think I really would have enjoyed it a lot more if it had been an impromptu set. Good fun. If you get the chance I definitely would recommend catching them, but have your expectations set appropriately.

Set 1 10:15pm

Song Remains the Same

What Is What Should Never Be

Trampled Under Foot

In the Evening

Four Sticks

Out on the Tiles

Kashmir

Over the Hills and Far Away*

Moby Dick

11:15pm

Set 2 12am

Custard Pie

Heartbreaker

All of My Love

The Wanton Song

For Your Life (?)

The Ocean

Thank You

When the Levee Breaks

Good Times Bad Times

Immigrant Song

E:

Ramble On

Communication Breakdown>

It's Your Thing>

Communication Breakdown

Bring it on Home>

The CRUNGE>

Bring it on Home

1:20am

* w/ Russo on vocals for first verse on Marco's mic

Ha ha. Or cooking. He's an interesting dude.

 

I wish I could make it to one of these shows. The fact that Claude won't be playing sucks but this is a great lineup also: Scott Metzger (RANA) and Joe Russo (Benevento/Russo) are great musicians. It will be cool to hear their take on some Ween tunes. I bet this is going to be different than other GWB shows. Before they basically just played Ween songs and covers and didn't sound like they practiced much, basically just like a laid back Ween show without Glenn or Mickey. I would think Russo and Metzger might want to take things more seriously.

Have you ever seen Bustle in Your Hedgerow?

He had prostate cancer, right? He hadn't been doing too well for a while. Just a couple weeks ago Daley declared a day as "Johnny Red Kerr day" or something like that. At least he got some recognition before moving on. RIP Red.

Yeah he did have prostate cancer. I learned that after failing to find him in Denver. My dad was very close with John when he lived in Chicago, but had lost touch since calling it a life and moving to Florida. I remember a conversation I had with Red during Jordan's final season. He said Jordan was still the only player he was awestruck by. He knew him well, of course, but said you never got over that feeling that Jordan "was walking a foot above the ground." I always thought that quote was awesome as I am someone who worshipped Jordan.

ETA: nice article in the Trib.

John was a long-time family friend. He was one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met. He simply loved the game and LOVED the Bulls. He was an unabashed homer and I loved him for it. It frustrated the hell out of my friends that weren't Bulls fans and that made it all the better. He watched and called the game as a fan! I always went to see him before the game when the Bulls were in town to take on the Nuggets. I couldn't find him before this year's game and that made me nervous. I don't know if it was health-related that he wasn't there, but I had a hard time imagining him ever leaving "the booth." I'll miss you Red!

Yeah he played it at the show in LA. I think he closed with it if I remember correctly?

Yup he closed with it last night. Great show! Probably the best Andrew Bird show I've seen. The fuller band really serves his music well.

The spelling of one threw me too. But I still missed one. I forgot that one character was related to the Bluths.

Well I think Ben knew John had to die, but he needed Eloise's name first. Otherwise, why would Ben bring Locke back to island? He knows the island's properties and would have to assume Locke would be brought back to "life." I think there is a fountain of youth type of effect that the island has on its inhabitants, at least those chosen by the island/Jacob. Remember what Widmore said. I found this to be the most interesting thing about the whole episode. He said he was there in the woods when John returned to Richard's group to take command of the others. And for him it had been years. So presumably, he only really aged to his present age OFF the island.

Proof that even towards the end, when Jerry wanted to he could still bring it! Making his death even more tragic....

Yeah the Visions of Johanna from the final shows at Soldier Field is great too. It's featured on that Garcia Plays Dylan compilation.

Just saw this headline;

Breaking News: Obamas select First Dog. Markets down

Good to know we've got our priorities straight.

Tomorrow night! I'm going to take the afternoon off, get fitted for my wedding suit, head to Falling Rock Tap House for a burger and some Russian River Pliny the Younger and then head to the Ogden! Woohoo!

where the fuck is Deaner?

Fishing probably.

Here is a fan video for

its the same with Flaming Lips.... if it wasnt for this site, i wouldnt see past She Dont Use Jelly!

Yeah I was turned on to both the FLips and Ween around the same time with those two songs, but they have both done sooo much better stuff since. It was cool to see Ween and the Flaming Lips at the Greek and Red Rocks together a few years ago though.

have they actually had a career after Push the little daises?. they're referred to as one hit wonders in Australia

That's okay; that's the way we think of Men At Work and Midnight Oil.

Serioulsy though, check out Chocolate and Cheese through Quebec. They haven't made a bad album until La Cucaracha (and some people like that one).

My fiance made sliders for the Super Bowl, but they were no ordinary sliders. She used grilled cheese sandwiches for buns.

Does anyone know if Bird has been playing Tables & Chairs this tour? I love the song and feel it is perfect for the times we are in.

I know we're gonna meet someday in the crumbled financial institutions of this land

there will be tables and chairs

pony rides and dancing bears

there'll even be a band

'cause listen after the fall there'll be no more countries

no currencies at all

we're gonna live on our wits

throw away survival kits

trade butterfly knives for adderal

and that's not all

woah!

there will be snacks, there will

there will be snacks!

Getting psyched up for thursday!

The live version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird just came on my iTunes while shuffling my whole library and I was instantly transported back to 5th grade when I first got the "Gold & Platinum" album. I still dig it.

Cripes, you'd never know we were in the midst of a recession on by reading this thread...

Travel doesn't have to cost a lot. In fact, it can cost a lot less than staying at home working 40 hours per week.

I'll add doing a backcountry hut trip to the 10th Mountain Division Hut System in Colorado. We did a trip this weekend to the Betty Bear Hut and it was great. I've done a few of these huts and it is always great!

Here is the approach:

And the view from the hut's front deck:

P.S. I spent $30 this weekend.

Thanks good tips!

Panama was great. We really did our homework as we only had a week down there. We originally had planned to go to the Caribbean side, but in a few short years it has really exploded and sees a lot of tourism and, as a result, higher prices. We caught a cab form the airport in PC directly to the bus station and spent about 8 hours total traveling on three separate buses to get to Santa Catalina. When we were there, you couldn't rent boards, but Oasis had some they let us use, but only on the mellower surf right outside Oasis. My fiance went to law school in San Diego and has surfed more than me, but neither of us really had the experience to tackle the famous break in Santa Catalina. Because it is so sketchy, no one really wants to rent you a board. That may have changed. You could tell that expat surfers were beginning to invade the town. My guess is that the year and half has brought a lot of change to the town. As far as getting there faster, you can rent a car of course. There were certainly people there who had rented cars. There isn't much need for a car in town once you're there. I would guestimate that it wouldn't be that much less time in a car, though. The issue is not slow buses, it is the road from Sona to Santa Catalina is very slow, for buses or cars. If you're seriously considering a trip there and want to see some pictures, let me know and I'll give you access to an online album I have of the trip.

Pretty much what you stated here. He doesn't want to be typecast.

Of course the irony here is that his non-AD roles have done more to typecast him as George Michael than AD ever did.

We did three months including Belize, Gutemala, Ecuador, Galapagos (7 day cruise), inca trail, including a month in argentina and would have been able to stick to your budget for the time frame you are working with. Since our trip was "short" we flew a lot. After speaking to a bunch of folks down there, buses are a nice way to see the world and depending where you are, can be a much different experience than what you would expect stateside - in argentina the buses were fantastic.

 

 

There are cheaper ways to Galapogos than the flight, and if you have time - think of the adventure. Many folks get deep discounts just showing up and jumping on with what is available. This was most likely one of the most expensive per day segements of our trip, but not too bad when you broke it down.

 

regarding the inca trail - for less than $10 a day, hire a porter and grab some coca leaves. Did the trail and hyuanu piccu - yes was a little tired, but no worries.

 

Check out the lonely planet travel thorn discussion board - lots of great 411 on cheap places to stay, ways to get around etc.

 

50k is over 200 a day - many places that could buy you a week..... .

 

my advice - a few splurges placed strategically through the trip will be something you will never regret.......

 

Yeah, I'm guessing you were meaning to quote me. We definitely feel we have MORE than enough budgeted. If we can come home with more money than when we left, it will be a good thing. We will definitely splurge now and then. You need to. Both my (future) wife and I are experienced "vagabond" travelers, so we feel like we know what we're getting into. As I posted at the top of this thread, we did over a week in Panama in style (three days of two tank dives) for less than $400 for the both of us. I had one of the best meals I've ever had in a shack eating freshly caught snapper (I think it was snapper) that we saw handed to the cook by a local spearfisherman. Buses are definitely the way to go. They can be scary in places but you can get just about anywhere on a bus for basically nothing... if you have time to spare.

With regard to budgeting time, do you think two months is enough to do Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Bolivia right? We are then planning to do another month and a half in Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Cabo San Lucas:

We just got back form Cabo. Here is a whale just off shore from the arch.

worth every penny...

 

do a 7 day cruise - we did smaller boat, encantada... Trip of a lifetime.

 

If you got some time to kill, get out there and wheel and deal a last minute trip.

 

Okay well full disclosure time. I had an ulterior motive for starting this thread. My fiance and I are taking an ... umm... extended honeymoon. Eight months to a year to be exact. We leave in the fall and will be spending time in S. America, Africa, SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand and then wrapping it up on the beaches of Palau. We will be renting our house for the year and we have no other debt. So we will have no homeland expenses. We are budgeting $50K for the year for both of us. And, based on reports from friends who have done similar trips, that will be more than enough for the type of travel we want to do (i.e. not staying in fancy hotels and eating at expensive restaurants. This is also why Europe is not on the docket. Too expensive right now and is something we can easily do with kids later. So, while a 7 day cruise of the Galapagos sounds great, it is not exactly in keeping with our budget travel plans. But we do have time, so maybe we can negotiate something down there as you suggest.

I'll second this. No effin way in the world would I do that.. I'm not terrified of heights, but I stay away from them unless I have to for my job.. I would enjoyed the Guinness just as much on the ground.

Ha! Actually it is quite a different sensation than walking up to, say, the edge of the observation deck of the Hancock Building. You're aid climbing which is very slow moving, so you very gradually get accustomed to height. Plus, if you've been climbing for years, you trust your gear and your abilities (not to mention your partner). But I'm not really scared of heights either. The Buttress is about 1200 feet total and you bivy about halfway up. Free climbing it would only take a few hours to climb 600 feet, but aid climbing it took all day.

NP: Phish - The Epics (my own creation)

1. Stash

2. Fluffhead

3. Reba

4. Col Forbin's Ascent->Fly Famous Mockingbird

5. Guyute

6. Antelope

7. Divided Sky

8. Split Open & Melt

9. David Bowie

10. Harry Hood

11. You Enjoy Myself