News May 2004

31 May - Scott Supports John Wesley Harding on his East coast tour

JWH's ALL MALE THREESOME
feat: John Wesley Harding, Scott McCaughey and Dag Juhlin

JWH's All Male Threesome hits the road for the first time, and probably (for their own sake) the last time, in July. All three performers will play solo and "together". JWH's All Male Threesome features 25 minute sets by McCaughey and Juhlin (swapping the opening spot at will), followed by a movie length set by JWH, which will include various appearances by the other Males and, doubtless, by their few so-called friends across the country.

Fans of any one of JWH's All Male Threesome will doubtless have heard of the others. JWH is an irregular member of McCaughey's The Minus Five, and the two of them just completed dates in the NW. McCaughey and Juhlin were both firm favourites at Chicago's legendary Lounge Axe. Juhlin and JWH have played many shows together in Chicago, mainly unrehearsed, often featuring improvised cover versions. If the whole is as huge as the sum of its parts, it's going to be a big night out.

Contrary to popular misconception, John Wesley Harding is the only singer songwriter alive in the world today. His most recent album, Adam's Apple, is "the finest album of his career" (All Music Guide) and "a dazzling piece of popcraft that shows wide range and real heart... " (No Depression). JWH's All Male Threesome gives him a chance to tour with twice as many good friends as usual, and means he has the good fortune to watch Scott and Dag in action, from the bar. His novel, Misfortune, is published (under his real name Wesley Stace) by Little, Brown early next year.

You've heard of Scott McCaughey, and if you haven't you're weird._ Long addicted to rock'n'roll and its various sidekicks, McCaughey has particpated in the following debacles:_ Young Fresh Fellows (1983 to present); The Minus 5 (1993 to present); R.E.M. (1994 to present); Tuatara (1996 to present). With these groups, Scott has made many records (best seller: 5 million; worst seller: 450), and played many shows (highest attendance: 125,000; lowest: 8)._ Scott's acclaimed collaboration with Wilco, the Minus 5's "Down With Wilco" was released in March 2003, followed by "The Minus Five In Rock", reissued this year by Yep Roc._ Watch for a new Minus 5 and Wilco collaboration, the "Minus 5 At The Organ" EP, on Yep Roc, this fall.

For over two decades, songwriter/guitarist Dag Juhlin has been a regular man about town - the town being Chicago. From his first band, The Slugs (still ongoing), to his seven years in surging omni-pop collective, Poi Dog Pondering, Juhlin has entertained people with his great songs and Wildean wit on stages ranging from grand to gritty. Now a headliner in his own right, it's time to bring his solo act to a larger audience. "Into The Woods" will be released this year.

7:_ Maxwells, Hoboken NJ_ (with the Mendoza Line too!)

8:_ Makor, New York City NY

10: TBA

11:_ Beachland Tavern, Cleveland OH

13:_ The Ark, Ann Arbor MI

14: TBA.

15:_ The High Noon Saloon, Madison WI

16:_ Schubas, Chicago IL (early show)

17:_ Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines IA

18:_ Schubas, Chicago IL (one show)

19-24: TBA

28 May - YFF tribute night photos

For those who just can't get enough of it, or those who just missed the show and wondered how it al look, BlueDisguise Records has put up a bunch of pictures by Bradley Hanson up here from the Fellows show from May 7th. You might also wanna check out the shirts, poster and tribute album for the fellows in their store.
You also should take a look over at the Taco Wagon, which has some more cover songs for download, including two songs by the fellows themselves. Also their is a video too watch and more to come

27 May - Minus 5 detailed EP info

The Minus 5 EP that is scheduled for November 16 on YepRoc Records (CD-YEP-2080) will have 7 tracks and a video. The tracks are the bonus songs from the vinyl version of Down With Wilco, although most of them will be different mixes, and some more new songs will be revealed.

Track list:
1. Lyrical Stance (very different new mix from vinyl version)
2. Hotel Senator (new song, with Wilco)
3. Formerly Hail Centurion (same version as vinyl)
4. Film of the Movie (new song)
5. Town That Lost Its Groove Supply (new "electric" version with In Rock line-up)
6. Days of Wine & Booze (fast version, diff. mix/diff. vocal from vinyl version)
7. One More Bottle To Go (diff. mix from vinyl version)
8. Town That Lost Its Groove Supply (QuickTime video)

If you have some comments about this, leave them here in the forum

27 May - More about the Croatian dates

The Croatian dates Scott will be playing with The Bambi Molesters will be under the name of 'The Strange', The Strange is The Bambi Molesters with Chris Eckman (of the Walkabouts) on vocals. Their CD is out June 1st and is called ' Nights of Forgotten Films'. A website about the band is coming soon. Scott is not on the CD, but is more of a special guest on the tour.

19 May - Croatian Tour Dates confirmed

The Bambi Molesters have just confirmed 6 gigs they will be playing with Scott McCaughey. Scott will be a guest member of the band along with Chris Eckman of the Walkabouts. They will most likely play some Minus 5 songs each set. Here are the tourdates:

10.06. Osijek (Croatia)- city square (Trg Sv. Trojstva)
13.06. Rijeka (Croatia) - in front of Continental
14.06. Ljubljana (Slovenia) - KUD France Presern
15.06. Zagreb (Croatia) - Aquarius
16.06. Zadar (Croatia) - Forum
18.06. Split (Croatia) - Bacvice beach

15 May - Minus 5 EP?

It seems that there is going to be another Minus 5 release this year, over at YepRoc Records you can find a link to a Minus 5/Wilco EP. The release date is 16 November, most likely this will be a CD release of the extra tracks that will be put on the Down With Wilco LP that will be out June 1st.

15 May - YFF tribute setlists + photos

If you want to see how it all looked, go to www.acrevista.com, Tim Myrick posted alot of pictures of the Fellows. And Jane "the RAWk chick" kept notes of the entire evening, here are all the setlist of all the bands that played(thanks to brad for a few corections):

The Young Fresh Fellows:
Down At The Pharmacy
Middle Man of Time
Barky's Spiritual Store
99 Girls
I Might Get High Tonight
Taco Wagon
Picture Book
She's A Book
Hangin' In The Bank
That Letter
I Love You, You Pretty Thing
No Particular Place to Go
Carrotthead
Why I Oughtta
Equator Blues
Big House
Little Mystery
Hank, Karen, and Elvis
I Got My Mojo Workin'
I Don't Let The LIttle Things Get Me Down
Topsy Turve Theme
Young Fresh Fellows Theme
Ain't It Allright - NRBQ song

Persidents Of The United States of America:
Rock N Roll Pest Control

Superfan:
My Boyfriend Is In Killdozer
Hard To Mention
I Lose Control
Mr. Anthony's Last
Your Truth, Our Lies
Do You Care Theme

Combover:
Little Trip To Heaven
Do You Care Theme
Go Go Gorilla
Get Outta My Cave

Chicken Starship:
When The Girls Get Here
Young Fresh Fellows Are Teen Crimefighters

Jimm McIver, Ben Heege (BlueDisguise Records), Mark Guenther and Pete Hilgendorf (BlueDisguise Records):
This One's For The Ladies
Universal Trendsetter
No One Really Knows

Johnny Sangster, Conrad Uno, Emily Bishton & Others:
Take My Mind Away
Teenage Dogs In Trouble
Unimaginable Zero Summer
Don't You Wonder How It Ends
Do You Care Theme
Hang OUt Right
Sharing Patrol

Headache:
She Sees Color

SOB:
Hillbilly Drummer Girl
Deep Down & In Between
Tomorrow's Gone

Walter From The Silos & Others:
My Friend Ringo
How Much About Last Night Do You Remember
Family Gun -> Happiness is A Warm Gun
Love Is A Beautiful Thing
Backroom Of The Bar

Black Panties with Rachel Flotard from Visqueen:
Rotation
Still There's Hope
Go Your Own Way

The Minus 5:
Mr. Salamander's Review
I"m Not Bitter
Whole Lotta Pappies
Eat At Home
Strychnine

09 May - Fellows Show Review, 7 May

Where, really, can I begin? Last night I saw four of the most amazing hours of RAWK ever. I think something like 65 songs were played, counting the various renditions of the Do You Care Theme... I should state right now that I don't know the names to all the Fellows tunes... I was able to at least recognize them last night... but with over 300 songs to choose from, some of the titles go by the wayside

Well, the fellows were up first. I've seen various members of the band in various other bands before, but seeing them all at the same time on the same stage playing the same songs... it was a real treat. Especially since Chuck Carrol decided to show up so we got, as a friend put it, "the whole fellows enchilada."

They began with Down By The Pharmacy, then Middle Man Of Time, Barky's Spiritual Store and 99 Girls. During one of the songs, Tad got up from behind the drums, walked around the front of them to the keyboard set on the side of the stage, played one note then ran back to the drums and didn't miss a note.

Next up was a chant that went "I might get high tonight... I might get high tonight, I'm getting high tonight, I'm getting high tonight, I'm throwing up my drugs, I'm throwing up my drugs, I got too high last night, I got too high last night, I might get high tonight." Jim was the member to watch during this song as he looked like he was really considering all the options, looking ponderous and pulling at his chin... truly a great moment.

Where can you go from there? Obviously you launch into the crowd favorite Taco Wagon and Picture Book (a personal favorite of mine) followed by She's a Book. Next up was that song that goes "I was born, now I"m dead.... all my clothes are hangin' in the bank" followed by That Letter and a song that went "I love you, you pretty thing" and something about buying you a ring followed by a brief bit of a chuck berry song.

I should say that the band was crazy. Scott, Kurt, & Jim all did the "drunken running man" dance. Sometimes in unison. With various jumps and kicks thrown in for good measure. At one point, Chuck ran across the stage before he was on and wiped the sweat from kurt's brow. From my vantage point in the front row, I really wasn't able to see Tad too well. Jason says he got hit in the head with the Wok a lot and at one point was sitting on his floor tom and playing the other drums from there.

Carrothead was up next, with Why I Oughta close on its heels. Tad sang the "why I oughta" part, stoping his drumming to make fists as if we was going to punch someone.

Equator Blues was next. This is another of my personal favorites as I saw some video of it recently and I knew we were in a treat. Little did I know scott would throw himself around stage, knock over drinks, and wind up almost in the audience... well, on the audience, specifically on my husband, myself and a friend of ours... we don't know if we helped or hindered the show when we lovingly shoved scott back towards the stage. He also wound up pouring a beer over himself, possibly during this song.

Now, somewhere along the lines Chuck joined the band. Quite a treat. Big House, This LIttle Mystery, Hank Karen & Elvis, and I've Got my Mojo Workin' were played. My notes then say "little" so maybe that was Little Bell as it was played at souncheck.. bad note taking on my part

The song that goes "Everyone wants to be your friends" was next followed by Chuck doing lead vocals on teh Young Fresh Fellows Theme, and the fellows set ended with Ain't It Allright by NRBQ.

I took a ton of photos, but realized that I'd never be able to capture what I saw properly. I wished I had a video camera since it really was one of the most dynamic performances I've ever seen. So, photos will follow if and when I ever get around to playing with them.

The show was recorded from the soundboard. The taper said he'd get me a copy someday as he has a LOT of shows to put onto disc.

I also took notes on the rest of the show... wanna hear about it? it involves guys in chicked suits
-Jane McDonald

If you have some comments about this, leave them here in the forum

09 May - Minus 5 Show Review, 3 May

I was very happy when I got to the crocodile to find out admission was free. I knew I had to be put on a list to get it, but I was afraid that it would be one of those $100 a plate deals you hear about all the time. But! Admmission was free, there was open bar until 9pm, and about a minute after entering the club I saw friends of mine who had drove up from portland... I was flying solo.

I hung out for awhile, enjoyed my free beer and talked with friends (and talked basketball with Scott).

The first band took the stage, I missed most of their set due to talking with friends. But halfway through their set Scott came by and told us they were incredible and we needed to go check them out. So we did. And he was right, they were pretty cool. The lead singer resembled Glenn Kotche from Wilco, in a yonger way. The organization was auctioning off a guitar that was to be smashed during the final song of the Divorce's set. The guitar was won by an annie stevens for $25. Annie Refused to smash the guitar. She said she was taking it home for her son. The lead singer said Annie was a little too Agro to be smashing a guiat anyway.

I have a room full of guitars, I should have paid $30 and taken out some of the aggresion resulting from that room of guitars

Next up was John Auer. He looks different that when I saw him last. His hair is shorter, and he's a bit slimmer. In fact, the only way I was able to determine he was, indeed, John Auer was because of his guitar. He's got this one that the only thing about it that is original is the body. Its full of holes where other pickups and stuff have been... but it sounds good. He played a short set. Mentioned that he thought oprah should be president because he loves her book club, and really liked it when she put fear and loathing in las vegas on the list.

He finished up his set by dedicating three songs to Scott McCaughey (quote Scott: What did he say about me?). The first was a guided by voices track, possible Gold Star For Robot Boy, (quote scott: you have to get bee thousand) and the last song was swinging party by the replacements... I don't know where I was for that middle track... let's face it... this was monday night. JOhn Ended his set and my friends and I took our places at the foot of the stage.

Many REM fans will be happy to know that Peter no longer has a beard. Scott, however, still does. Ramberg (still wearing the flimsy loves you button I gave him six months ago), and Rieflin rounded out the members for the night.

They began with a loud, raucous version of "You Say That You Don't Mean It." which is the perfect way to star toff a show. John started Little Black Egg, which was dedicated to the man who wrote it, I think.

Twilight Distillery was next, and was lacking a sleighbell player. In fact, we pointed this out to scott after the song. He said the band was worse off for not having sleighbells, even though they had a sleighbell player present, but he thought they did allright anyway.

Where will you go was up next, and dedicated, as always to Christy and Nadine. When then segued into Courage Is The Smallest Bird, one of the best songs EVER!

The Town That Lost Its Groove Suplly was up next. While the song lacked in its flimsyness (i've always wanted to sing this song), it mad eup for it in RAWK. In the noise break just before the "you'll never know if she's in order" part, Scott started playing his guitar with the bottle of beer he had been drinking. Beer was foaming all over the neck of the guitar and making a mess. When Scott began to play again, I heard someone say "This is gonna be interesting" But he managed to play, beer and all... although Scott said he was gonna have to cancel the rest of the show because he got beer in his guitar.

In a lonely coffin was next, followed by a song dedicatcated to Alejandro Escovedo which turned out to be the song they did for the upcoming Alejandro benefit album. Great song, great choice for them, and I can't wait for the album to come out.

The next song was dedicated to Tad Hutchinson and scott said the title was Unnecessary Details... but it wound up being I'm Not Bitter, Followed by The Forgotten Fridays, and "the best song from our best record" I still Miss Someone.

By this point, the show became a blur. They played I don't' want to fuck off anymore, and LIes of the living dead. A guy from No Vote Left Behind joined the band to do lead vocals on Strychnine, and they finished with The Days of Wine and Booze which ended with a big loud climax and a microphone almost falling on me. fun stuff

actually, the show ended with Scott singing "Dear mr. president, fuck you" over and over over the din fron the feedback on the stage.

we wanted an encore, but didn't get one...

but we get the fellows on friday, and there's rumor the minus 5 might play too. Can't wait!
-Jane McDonald

If you have some comments about this, leave them here in the forum

03 May - Alejandro Escovedo benifit info

As reported earlier "The Minus 5" will be on the tribute record to Alejandro Escovedo. The Record entitled "Por Vida" will be released 13 July on "Or Music". The Minus 5 in their 'In Rock' line-up: Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Bill Rieflin, John Ramberg, will cover 'I Was Drunk'.

01 May - Scott tours with Bambi Molesters

In June Scott will go out on a 10 day tour with Croation surf band The Bambi Molesters. They will tour Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia. Scott met the Bambi molesters on the european tour of R.E.M. in 1999 and they stayed friends, Scott has played on their albums, and even wrote a tribute song to them on the last Minus 5 album 'In Rock'.
*UPDATE* according to Dalibor of the bambi molesters Scott will play keyboards with them and they'll do some Minus 5 songs together. So far there are already 5 gigs scheduled between 10th and 18th June.

01 May - Minus Five Rocks For Votes

The Minus Five, will play a private benefit concert on Monday, May 3rd, at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle. The gig will benefit No Vote Left Behind, a Seattle-based grassroots organization whose goal is to raise money for democratic candidates.

01 May - Pre Order DWW LP

You can now Pre-order your copy of the 'Down With Wilco' album at the Yep-Roc store. When you order before June 1st, they will throw in a radio single of "Retrieval of You" b/w an unreleased live version of "Lyrical Stance (I've Got A)" recorded live at Chicago's Abbey Pub with Wilco!