"Once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme."
-- Seamus Heaney 1939-- : "The Cure at Troy" (1990)
What follows is an interview with the McGoostock '09 promoter, Otis Huffenpuff. The dialogue took place in the offices of the "Liberal Student Dispatch," located in Gwinn, Michigan on June 28, 2009.
LSD: Tell us, Mr. Huffenpuff, what is McGoostock, and why has there been such a groundswell of interest in attending this ev
ent?
OH: First off, call me Otis. McGoostock is a two day benefit taking place in Big Bay Michigan on the evenings of Friday July 24th, and Saturday July 25. It will feature a number of performances by a variety of talent from all over the world. The Hendersons will all be there, late of Pablo-Fanques square, as well as a number of drag cheerleaders led by one Mr. Howard Beach. But seriously, McGoostock '09 is an effort to assist a citizen of the community who needs our support. Although this is specifically for our friend, Tim, it's really about the enactment of what we would all want done for ourselves should we be the ones in need.
LSD: What do you mean by "enactment"?
OH: Enactment simply means exhibiting a concrete rather than symbolic expression of sympathy. In other words, we do something as well as feel something.
LSD: The poster pitches this as a benefit for Tim McGee. What, exactly, is Mr. McGee struggling with?
OH: Unless one is independently wealthy, or has a strong employer provided health plan, having a serious illness is financially devastating. So leaving aside the material burden of sickness, Tim's physical struggle has been with Laryngeal cancer, a malady that, suffice it to say, affects an area of the anatomy directly involved with breathing, eating, drinking, and speaking. Given the importance of these bodily functions, you might imagine the myriad forms of suffering this disease can visit on those afflicted with throat cancer. He's been through heavy radiation and multiple surgeries. Now he's on the mend, and we're having this musical gathering to help out.
LSD: One of the questions we've been asked concerns FUBAR's coming to perform. Is the entire band really going to be there?
OH: To that I offer an unequivocal, that is to say, unvarnished, yes, and further, as a Medical Orchardist and amateur veterinarian, I would offer this on the kind of species friendly group this diverse unit offers. FUBAR is probably the first rock combo in the world to have 5 band dogs: Mogli, Lucky, Sarge, Jackson, and Shadow. These noble canines are an integral part of our band chemistry. Sharing our knowledge in a collaborative way on the best methods of pet care inspires an, at once, creative and synergistic kind of solidarity that most bands only dream of.
LSD: Oh come on, you goofy son-of-a-bitch, be serious.
OH: Regarding the music, I just spoke with Derrell Syria (the Conga Se Menne dude), whose name I misspelled on the poster, and he tells me Friday the 24th at 10:30ish PM, he and his mates, which includes Dave Zeigner, whose name I also misspelled, will be having at it for a set. Michael Stadler, who, of course, informed me of the previously mentioned misspellings, will be coming in from San Francisco to grace us with his multiple talents. His CD, "North Country," is a joy to hear and a heartfelt expression of Yooper angst. Mike turned me on to Dave Van Ronk.
LSD: Tell us a bit about the "Flat Broke Blues Band' and Lorrie Hayes.
OH: Here's some info from their website, and embellished by moi. Lorrie has toured Japan twice, sang with the latin jazz group, Combo Caliente, and provided background vocals on the Conga Se Menne CD (Finnish Reggae). She has recorded a variety of commercial jingles, and opened for many national acts in Marquette: namely, Buddy Guy, James Cotton: Blues, Mike Stern, YellowJackets:Jazz. She has also jammed with Billy Branch, Pinetop Perkins, "Big Eyes" Willie Smith, and Sugar Blue, in addition to playing most of the major stages in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, blues clubs in Detroit, festivals in down state Michigan and Rosa's blues club in Chicago. Walt Lindala is the founding member of the Flat Broke Blues Band. He has been through the group's various incarnations since it's inception as a duo in 1991. A veteran of the Upper Michigan music scene, Walt brings a more rock-influenced guitar style to the group. His musical influences include Buddy Guy, Albert King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Walt also cites David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler and Eddie Van Halen as some of his rock-oriented guitar influences. Ok Walt, here's my take on a cool song by each of your influences: "Somebody done Hoodood the Hoodoo man," "Crosscut Saw," any of Claptons playing with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and Derek and the Dominoes, and "Riviera Sunset." Where's the Malmstein dude?
LSD: Whats the scoop on Fast Eddie?
OH: He'll be playing, and he'll have his musical way with us. What Eddie wants, Eddie gets. Eddie is so fast that when he goes to sleep at night and switches off the light, he's in bed before the room gets dark. Eddie channels Little Walter on a regular basis. He's the 4th Sonny Boy and the seventh son. He was born under a bad sign and soon became a backdoor man. He raises little red roosters, and works until his back ain't got no bone, and the chicken juice runs down his leg. As the years go passing by Eddie's established himself as the principal wang dang doodler in the Marquette Blues Society Symphony. He's bad like Jesse James, and always uses a crosscut saw when building camps along Ventura Highway! Say what? Ventura Highway? (Otis, you've been drinking too much, so why don't you and that horse with no name you rode in on get the fuck outta here) Eddie is good, real good, and he's got a way cool soulmate, Mona. Hear that Bo Diddley drumbeat, that's Mona, and she's cool. Walt Lindala and Mona are a big part of the success of the Marquette Blues Festival (see Marquette Blues Society), or whatever it's called.
LSD: Who is "Chemojunkie"?
OH: The personel are Don Kuhli on drums, Kim French on bass, and me on guitar. The set will begin with 5 songs on the accoustic guitar: "Delighted" (Etten & McKelvy), "Stop This World" (Mose Allison), "Without You" (Byrds), "Norwegian Wood" (George Harrison), and "With a Little help From My Friends" (Ringo Starr). The electric guitar will then be donned for 6 songs: "Rock & Roll Part 2" (Gary Glitter), "I Used to Love Her" (Bobby Womack", Yellow Dog Stretch" (Randy Tessier), "One Way Out" (Sonny Boy Williamson), "Slow Magic Sam Blues," "Murder in My Heart for the Judge" (Moby Grape). Wow! That doesn't sound like a guy being interviewed. Like, I didn't mean to sound so...like...informational, but I'm practicing hard so McGee will be proud of us. French and I practice with a drum machine. I do have to prod him somewhat, but once he's seated, with bass and beer nearby, he's like the energizer bunny, sort of. If French were paid by the note, he'd be a millionaire in a happy hour. The musical approach to Chemojunkie is exactly what the name implies. Just as chemotherapy applies a shotgun approach to killing cancers, our music offers a full-choke, thrill ride that will leave you begging for more and gasping for strong liquor. Just before taking the stage the Lumberjack will be handing out waivers absolving chemojunkie of any responsibility, lest the melifluous exhilaration should overcome certain patrons, like Roger Mason.
LS
D: What about the venue? Tell our readers about the LumberJack Tavern.
OH: I just got a recent update from Mcgee's Blog, and his throat is getting better. Cool. about the Lumberjack. An unnamed source had this to say about why the Lumberjack is too cool, right Beamer? The film, "Anatomy of a Murder" inspired by a 1952 Big Bay Lumberjack Tavern murder trial in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was adapted by Wendell Mayes from the novel by Robert Traver (pen name of John D. Voelker, a Michigan Supreme Court judge from 1957-1959). It was filmed in the Upper Peninsula (Big Bay, Marquette, Ishpeming, and Michigamme). Some scenes were actually filmed in the Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay, Michigan, one block from the Lumberjack Tavern, the site of a murder that had inspired much of the novel. This jealous Army dude staying at Perkins Park walks up to the Jack and blows away a local. It all happened in the Jack, man. What better place to kick out the jams. The close proximity of the big shiny sea water and glorified mud puddle makes this, Big Bay, and by extension, the Jack, a place where one can play a little pool, oogle Russian waitresses, and talk to Jackala, no relation to the Jack. Stage in the backyard and inside, accoustic and electric, Billy D. Brew keeping us guessing as to what the hell's goin on, can you say "horse show"! I think that mean thanks in Russki. Horse show, horror show, what the hell's the difference, it's gonna be a good time.
LSD: That concludes the first of the two interviews we've scheduled with Mr. Huffenpuff.
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme."
-- Seamus Heaney 1939-- : "The Cure at Troy" (1990)
What follows is an interview with the McGoostock '09 promoter, Otis Huffenpuff. The dialogue took place in the offices of the "Liberal Student Dispatch," located in Gwinn, Michigan on June 28, 2009.
LSD: Tell us, Mr. Huffenpuff, what is McGoostock, and why has there been such a groundswell of interest in attending this ev
ent?OH: First off, call me Otis. McGoostock is a two day benefit taking place in Big Bay Michigan on the evenings of Friday July 24th, and Saturday July 25. It will feature a number of performances by a variety of talent from all over the world. The Hendersons will all be there, late of Pablo-Fanques square, as well as a number of drag cheerleaders led by one Mr. Howard Beach. But seriously, McGoostock '09 is an effort to assist a citizen of the community who needs our support. Although this is specifically for our friend, Tim, it's really about the enactment of what we would all want done for ourselves should we be the ones in need.
LSD: What do you mean by "enactment"?
OH: Enactment simply means exhibiting a concrete rather than symbolic expression of sympathy. In other words, we do something as well as feel something.
LSD: The poster pitches this as a benefit for Tim McGee. What, exactly, is Mr. McGee struggling with?
OH: Unless one is independently wealthy, or has a strong employer provided health plan, having a serious illness is financially devastating. So leaving aside the material burden of sickness, Tim's physical struggle has been with Laryngeal cancer, a malady that, suffice it to say, affects an area of the anatomy directly involved with breathing, eating, drinking, and speaking. Given the importance of these bodily functions, you might imagine the myriad forms of suffering this disease can visit on those afflicted with throat cancer. He's been through heavy radiation and multiple surgeries. Now he's on the mend, and we're having this musical gathering to help out.
LSD: One of the questions we've been asked concerns FUBAR's coming to perform. Is the entire band really going to be there?
OH: To that I offer an unequivocal, that is to say, unvarnished, yes, and further, as a Medical Orchardist and amateur veterinarian, I would offer this on the kind of species friendly group this diverse unit offers. FUBAR is probably the first rock combo in the world to have 5 band dogs: Mogli, Lucky, Sarge, Jackson, and Shadow. These noble canines are an integral part of our band chemistry. Sharing our knowledge in a collaborative way on the best methods of pet care inspires an, at once, creative and synergistic kind of solidarity that most bands only dream of.
LSD: Oh come on, you goofy son-of-a-bitch, be serious.
OH: Regarding the music, I just spoke with Derrell Syria (the Conga Se Menne dude), whose name I misspelled on the poster, and he tells me Friday the 24th at 10:30ish PM, he and his mates, which includes Dave Zeigner, whose name I also misspelled, will be having at it for a set. Michael Stadler, who, of course, informed me of the previously mentioned misspellings, will be coming in from San Francisco to grace us with his multiple talents. His CD, "North Country," is a joy to hear and a heartfelt expression of Yooper angst. Mike turned me on to Dave Van Ronk.
LSD: Tell us a bit about the "Flat Broke Blues Band' and Lorrie Hayes.
OH: Here's some info from their website, and embellished by moi. Lorrie has toured Japan twice, sang with the latin jazz group, Combo Caliente, and provided background vocals on the Conga Se Menne CD (Finnish Reggae). She has recorded a variety of commercial jingles, and opened for many national acts in Marquette: namely, Buddy Guy, James Cotton: Blues, Mike Stern, YellowJackets:Jazz. She has also jammed with Billy Branch, Pinetop Perkins, "Big Eyes" Willie Smith, and Sugar Blue, in addition to playing most of the major stages in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, blues clubs in Detroit, festivals in down state Michigan and Rosa's blues club in Chicago. Walt Lindala is the founding member of the Flat Broke Blues Band. He has been through the group's various incarnations since it's inception as a duo in 1991. A veteran of the Upper Michigan music scene, Walt brings a more rock-influenced guitar style to the group. His musical influences include Buddy Guy, Albert King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Walt also cites David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler and Eddie Van Halen as some of his rock-oriented guitar influences. Ok Walt, here's my take on a cool song by each of your influences: "Somebody done Hoodood the Hoodoo man," "Crosscut Saw," any of Claptons playing with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and Derek and the Dominoes, and "Riviera Sunset." Where's the Malmstein dude?
LSD: Whats the scoop on Fast Eddie?
OH: He'll be playing, and he'll have his musical way with us. What Eddie wants, Eddie gets. Eddie is so fast that when he goes to sleep at night and switches off the light, he's in bed before the room gets dark. Eddie channels Little Walter on a regular basis. He's the 4th Sonny Boy and the seventh son. He was born under a bad sign and soon became a backdoor man. He raises little red roosters, and works until his back ain't got no bone, and the chicken juice runs down his leg. As the years go passing by Eddie's established himself as the principal wang dang doodler in the Marquette Blues Society Symphony. He's bad like Jesse James, and always uses a crosscut saw when building camps along Ventura Highway! Say what? Ventura Highway? (Otis, you've been drinking too much, so why don't you and that horse with no name you rode in on get the fuck outta here) Eddie is good, real good, and he's got a way cool soulmate, Mona. Hear that Bo Diddley drumbeat, that's Mona, and she's cool. Walt Lindala and Mona are a big part of the success of the Marquette Blues Festival (see Marquette Blues Society), or whatever it's called.
LSD: Who is "Chemojunkie"?
OH: The personel are Don Kuhli on drums, Kim French on bass, and me on guitar. The set will begin with 5 songs on the accoustic guitar: "Delighted" (Etten & McKelvy), "Stop This World" (Mose Allison), "Without You" (Byrds), "Norwegian Wood" (George Harrison), and "With a Little help From My Friends" (Ringo Starr). The electric guitar will then be donned for 6 songs: "Rock & Roll Part 2" (Gary Glitter), "I Used to Love Her" (Bobby Womack", Yellow Dog Stretch" (Randy Tessier), "One Way Out" (Sonny Boy Williamson), "Slow Magic Sam Blues," "Murder in My Heart for the Judge" (Moby Grape). Wow! That doesn't sound like a guy being interviewed. Like, I didn't mean to sound so...like...informational, but I'm practicing hard so McGee will be proud of us. French and I practice with a drum machine. I do have to prod him somewhat, but once he's seated, with bass and beer nearby, he's like the energizer bunny, sort of. If French were paid by the note, he'd be a millionaire in a happy hour. The musical approach to Chemojunkie is exactly what the name implies. Just as chemotherapy applies a shotgun approach to killing cancers, our music offers a full-choke, thrill ride that will leave you begging for more and gasping for strong liquor. Just before taking the stage the Lumberjack will be handing out waivers absolving chemojunkie of any responsibility, lest the melifluous exhilaration should overcome certain patrons, like Roger Mason.
LS
D: What about the venue? Tell our readers about the LumberJack Tavern.OH: I just got a recent update from Mcgee's Blog, and his throat is getting better. Cool. about the Lumberjack. An unnamed source had this to say about why the Lumberjack is too cool, right Beamer? The film, "Anatomy of a Murder" inspired by a 1952 Big Bay Lumberjack Tavern murder trial in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was adapted by Wendell Mayes from the novel by Robert Traver (pen name of John D. Voelker, a Michigan Supreme Court judge from 1957-1959). It was filmed in the Upper Peninsula (Big Bay, Marquette, Ishpeming, and Michigamme). Some scenes were actually filmed in the Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay, Michigan, one block from the Lumberjack Tavern, the site of a murder that had inspired much of the novel. This jealous Army dude staying at Perkins Park walks up to the Jack and blows away a local. It all happened in the Jack, man. What better place to kick out the jams. The close proximity of the big shiny sea water and glorified mud puddle makes this, Big Bay, and by extension, the Jack, a place where one can play a little pool, oogle Russian waitresses, and talk to Jackala, no relation to the Jack. Stage in the backyard and inside, accoustic and electric, Billy D. Brew keeping us guessing as to what the hell's goin on, can you say "horse show"! I think that mean thanks in Russki. Horse show, horror show, what the hell's the difference, it's gonna be a good time.
LSD: That concludes the first of the two interviews we've scheduled with Mr. Huffenpuff.
2 comments:
Billy D. Brew here. Holy Wah, Mr. Huffenpuff has provided all the introductions I'll need! Now all I have to do is introduce everybody, get the Hell out of the way, and go shoot the breeze with that fine thing in the shades that all the fuss was about back in '52. See ya.---Billy D.
i simply hope you huffed and puffed and blew the house down! be well brother, a
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