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The Jam Stampede with John Kadlecik | NYC | Review

April 27, 2012 in 10, 11, 12, 2, 25, 27, 28, 3, 50, 9, a, ACL, acoustic, after, Again, age, all, am, American, an, and, another, Arc, Are, around, as, at, attempt, ban, band, bands, Bass, black, book, bowl, Burn, but, by, Byrne, ca, can, cat, cc, center, charlie, classic, close, Closer, COMPLETE, covers, Crowd, cute, dance, Dank, dave, Day, dead, denver, does, dog, down, Drums, en, Encore, end, epic, eq, Eve, fake, Famous, Fat, fee, fi, final, First, fool, FOR, frank, Friend, From, gag, gain, get, Gf, gin, glow, golden, Good, grace, grateful, Groove, guide, Guitar, guitarist, hall, hampton, hi, high, Hope, How, ice, improvisation, in, inspiration, into, is, IT, jam, jammin, jamming, Jams, John, key, Keyboard, Keyboards, King, know, las, late, Led, let, life, light, lights, Like, live, live music, log, long, love, lover, luring, MA, Main, maine, Manhattan, Melt, MI, mike, miles, monday, moon, Mr, Music, My, name, Nat, nate, nc, New, new york, News, NH, night, NJ, no, nothing, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, Open, opener, opening, out, PA, Part, Phish, photos, picking, play, player, Pot, pro, Pt, rad, rain, rev, rock, row, rs, run, SC, scent, sci, second, set, show, Shows, Simple, smooth, So, solo, solos, song, Soul, sound, SPAC, spring, St, stage, start, Starting, state, stick, story, street, string, super, suzy, tab, talk, Taste, That, the, theatre, Thunder, times, to, Too, tour, Tribute, Twist, two, us, va, van, venue, view, vocal, WA, war, water, Way, ways, we, Web, Ween, Weigh, with, words, years, york, You, Your | No comments

Words by: Chadbyrne R. Dickens | Images by: Suzy Perler

The Jam Stampede with John Kadlecik :: 04.16.12 :: Gramercy Theatre :: New York, NY

John Kadlecik by Suzy Perler

John Kadlecik, widely known lead guitarist for Furthur and co-founder of Dark Star Orchestra, effortlessly proved to a small, loyal crowd on Monday evening at the The Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan, that he is a guitar tour de force. Following a set of solo acoustic rarities and covers, he joined in with old friends from the Zen Tricksters days. Comprised of veteran stalwarts, the headlining act, The Jam Stampede, booked this Monday night excursion to euphoria on Furthurs off-night from an extensive run at the Beacon Theatre for good reason. The timing of the gig afforded us the opportunity to witness Kadlecik open the night with an acoustic set, and wait with baited-breath in the hope he would take advantage of this opportunity to sit-in at this special Grateful Dead tribute performance.

Having recently caught a solo John show at Sullivan Hall, I knew what to expect from the opener. Johns sweet and clear voice delivered one eloquent song after another. Naturally, the crowd arrived in hopes of another Grateful Dead love fest, but he did not immediately answer their call. After a fresh take on a couple obscure Robert Hunter covers, the crowd was so entranced by his waxing musical deliver that John ribbed them, Wow. It is so, so quiet in here! Johns voice is crystal clean and clear. If Pigpens voice conjures up Thunderbird, Johns is a smooth flowing Molson Golden. Transitioning into a gentle rendition of Dylans Visions of Johanna, a tune the Grateful Dead covered a few times, the pleased audience, recognizing the sounds of a familiar tune, sang along to the parts they knew while growing visibly animated. Although John chose specific songs from his soul, it was obvious from the audience, although satisfied, that they were anticipating even more.

The Jam Stampede w/ John Kadlecik by Suzy Perler

Naturally, when one buys a ticket to hear John, who predominantly performs with the most famous jam outfit in history, one wants to witness what they perceive to be his most pronounced skill. Watching John play an entire set of mellow acoustic tunes is similar to a man being invited over to Megan Foxs house only to play Scrabble. One is so excited to hear John jam that is takes time to accept his subtle solo performances, regardless of how good a Scrabble player he may be. Placed near the back end of the opening set, highlights included John Lennons Watching the Wheels and a surprising, tasty rendition of Phishs Fast Enough for You.

Recharging between sets, I found JK straddling a doorway alone, savoring a few recharge moments before unleashing his fury on us. Knowing he has a very unique place on the music scene, he plays some of the most beloved songs in musical history with a band that has no equal in terms of passionate fan following. Naturally, I asked what many of my peers wanted to know:

With the vast Furthur catalog at your disposal, what song is the one you are always most chomping at the bit to play?

He reflected for a moment. If Johns reserved delivery yet often quirky speech arent reminiscent of John Denver, his bespectacled face hiding an innocent, boyish face certainly is. He replied matter of factly, Whatever song is next. Even after all the years and all the shows, he simply relishes the chance to shred his guitar with his innate prowess, picking on the strings with some old friends, all onstage buoyed by his presence. Kadlecik shared how he feels fortunate, due to his success as the lead guitarist for Furthur, to have an opportunity to play a setlist of songs of his choice that are not always Grateful Dead related because he may not otherwise have the chance to do so if not for his notoriety in recent years.

The Jam Stampede w/ John Kadlecik by Suzy Perler

Finally, Jam Stampede took the stage and immediately plunged into the familiar repetitive E and D chord exchange of The Other One. A veteran line-up with recent experience playing gigs like Brooklyn Bowl and Sullivan Hall, Wayne Scheller (keyboards), Tom Circosta (guitar), Klyph Black (bass), Dave Diamond (drums), and Mike Mizwinski (guitar) contagiously and confidently took over the Gramercy Theatre so effectively even the grumpiest curmudgeon would be compelled to tap a foot in unison. After a pass through the first verse, the band instantly reversed gears by slowing down and segueing into a solid Morning Dew. It was during this song, and guitarist Mizs guitar demonstration at the conclusion, that I was converted into a true believer in this band. The crescendo was so intense, involved and inspirational that I was instantly impressed with the talented musicians surrounding the stage.

The set progressed with familiar grooves, highlighted by a tightly conceived and melodious Unbroken Chain, complete with the requisite improvisational noodling after the second verse. Lizzy Friel, lead singer of the well-respected Jerry tribute act Reflections, joined the band to provide luscious harmonies on numerous songs. Having recently become engaged, Lizzy exuded a radiant glow which only facilitated better vocals during her guest turn.

There are 324 Grateful Dead cover bands in the U.S. according to www.gratefuldeadtributebands.com, which included those quality outfits I have seen like Reflections, Ship of Fools, Splintered Sunlight, Wig Jam, Dead Sessions, Reckoning, Cosmic Charlie and Dark Star Orchestra. By the end of this entertaining and engaging evening, I was convinced that Id just witnessed the most rewarding tribute experience. Jam Stampede tackles each and every number with an altered angle offering a unique take on timeless classics. Rather than replicate and spit out versions as a Jerry wannabe act, the band utilizes the Grateful Deads song structures as a foundation or starting point to then explore the vast musical landscape around it. By accentuating new and original points within a tune, varying the chord structure, and even changing the crescendo spots, they effectively maintained interest from an audience who remained surprised at a show where one has heard and sang along to all the songs so many times previously.

The Jam Stampede w/ John Kadlecik by Suzy Perler

Three members of the band played with one another with the old school jam outfit The Zen Tricksters, and the chemistry still translates well. All the players are masters of their domain, lifelong veterans who respect their craft and put forth the due diligence necessary to play this music right. Mr. Black, the bassist set up center stage, with the physical appearance of Ron Wood meets Peter Wolf upon first glance, but ultimately one can hear and see more of a reincarnation of Rick Danko. Despite the band being comprised of such quality players, it was Mike Mizwinskis virtuoso guitar work that was the impetus for most of the crowd talk between and after sets. I dont doubt that anyone in attendance now acquainted with Mizwinski would ever pass up an opportunity to see him own his guitar with such authority, passion and skill again. Not a household name yet, but without question, Miz has the chops to be a superstar.

Having witnessed the first sets talent, people were angling for a better view, competing for a closer spot near the stage in anticipation at the start of the second set. Help > Slip > Franklins was a tight and energetic place to start. John Kadlecik had graced the stage for numerous songs throughout, and watching as he often leaned back to allow Mike to take over the patented Jerry solos was reminiscent of a baton being passed. The music was so energetic and together, even the usually mundane Playin > Uncle Johns pairing took on an interesting dynamic due to the band playing with a mutual purpose and connection, with Lizzy again joining to add to the myriad of voices, which collided in a wonderful harmonic melting of sounds. However, it was the encore of Bertha that culminated a most surprising and special night of celebration amongst old friends. JK and MM alternated spots to improve, inspire and demonstrate each others virtuoso guitar work.

The Jam Stampede w/ John Kadlecik by Suzy Perler

With the intensely loyal Grateful Dead fan base, it is sacrilegious to offer up any true analysis or constructive criticism about any aspects of a show. If one suggests anything negative about the Dead, one is ostracized with a dunce cap in the corner without water. However, we all know that nothing delivers absolute perfection. Cognizant of the high quality jamming by Furthur, having seen over 100+ shows with Garcia, I remain challenged when forced to separate the current incarnation to the epic heights they once managed to attain. Its similar to someone dating a beautiful 20-year-old lover. They may still love this person at age 60 for all the right reasons, but most likely wont feel the same passion they did for them at 20 because the older version is simply not as alluring when the two ages are juxtaposed. Perhaps this latest round of Furthur shows best demonstrates that point to any old school Head. When witnessing Jam Stampede attack the same songs with renewed vigor and a fresh, renewed energy and approach, one cant help feeling as equally passionate at this $15 gig as at a $200 Furthur one. Just because no one named Weir or Lesh is onstage it doesnt mean they cant deliver epic versions of the songs those legends have played hundreds of times for decades.

I vividly recall occasionally spotting a bumper sticker on 80s Dead tour that simply stated: The Fat Man Rocks. Although meant in endearing levity, I never accepted this misguided attempt at humor. Chastising another about weight, even if one respects them, never demonstrates good taste. Intelligent men know that if you mention any similar remark to your girl, you are destined for a night in the dog house. Similarly, I never could comprehend how anyone so blatantly competent and proficient would consistently garner the moniker of Fake Jerry. Considering that Fake Jerry could never be a proper label anyway, as there is no mortal presently strumming a guitar who can approach the talent and icon status of Garcia, ultimately, it was a catchy, cute if not an accurate moniker. After this intimate showcase of guitar talent, I discovered first hand there is a John and a Mike, and fortuitously for those in attendance, they are both very real originals in their own right.

John Kadlecik Setlist
Down to Eugene, Givin’ Me the Business, Yellow Moon, American Spring, It’s Alright, Visions of Johanna, The Light That Has Lighted the World, Watching the Wheels, Seen Love*, Sister Smiles*, What’s Become of Mary*, Fast Enough for You*, Illegal Smile

* – with Lizzy Friel on harmony vocals

Jam Stampede Setlist
Set I: Other One > Morning Dew > Box of Rain*# > Simple Twist of Fate# > China Cat > Rider* > Unbroken Chain# > Other One > Deal*

Set II: Help > Slip > Franklins > Playin*# > Uncle Johns*# > Playin*# > Lovelight# > Bertha#

# with John Kadlecik
* – with Lizzy Friel on harmony vocals

The Jam Stampede Tour Dates :: The Jam Stampede News

JamBase | Shakedown Street
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Tags: acoustic, black, dank, end, entertaining, famous, girl, light, moon, photos, run, Too, years

Foster The People: Summer Tour

April 26, 2012 in 10, 11, 12, 17, 2, 25, 27, 28, 29, 3, 30, 50, 6/27, 6/4, 9, a, age, all, Alpharetta, Also, am, Amphitheater, amphitheatre, an, and, Are, around, as, at, Austin, ban, band, bands, bank, beach, Berkeley, blossom, blossom music center, bonnaroo, boston, Boys, Burn, but, by, ca, can, center, chicago, Cities, City, color, colorado, Columbia, COLUMBUS, Cuyahoga Falls, Day, deer, detroit, down, en, Encore, Encore Park, fall, fee, festival, fi, FOR, four, get, great, Greek, hampton, hi, home, How, ice, in, is, IT, IX, jam, Lake, las, live, long, MA, MANCHESTER, MD, Merriweather, MI, Music, My, nc, New, new york, New York City, News, night, no, North, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, Open, opening, out, PA, Park, Pavilion, philadelphia, Phish, play, Police, post, Pt, rad, rock, rs, Say, show, Shows, So, SPAC, sporting, St, stage, Summer, Summer Tour, tab, the, theater, theatre, to, tour, Tv, us, va, vegas, verizon, Video, view, WA, Way, we, wireless, with, york | No comments

SUMMER TOUR TO INCLUDE
ICONIC AMPHITHEATRES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

Foster The People

Foster The People will kick off their Summer tour on May 29 including three sold-out nights in New York City’s Central Park playing to 17,000. The band will also make their debut at this year’s Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival. Foster The People will go on to play multiple sold-out shows in major cities around North America, including nights at Chicago’s Congress Theatre, the Gibson Theatre in Los Angeles, and a performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado (see all dates below). Support along the way will include The Kooks, Tokyo Police Club, Mayer Hawthorne & The County and Kimbra.

During their summer tour, Foster The People will reunite with The Beach Boys in Cubbie Fink’s hometown of San Diego, CA at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, as well as in Mark Foster’s hometown amphitheater, Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

A month shy of the one year anniversary of Torches, Foster The People have released the video for their fourth single, “Houdini.” The video premiered worldwide today on MTV and is streaming on MTV.com. Directed by Daniels (The Shins, Chromeo, Battles), the video for “Houdini” is a darkly comedic take on the age-old saying “the show must go on.”

Foster The People on tour:

5/12 Carson, CA KIIS FM Wango Tango

5/25 San Diego, CA Cricket *Opening for The Beach Boys

5/29 New York, NY Rumsey Playfield (SOLD OUT) &*

5/30 New York, NY Rumsey Playfield (SOLD OUT) &*

6/1 Columbus, OH The LC Pavilion (SOLD OUT) &*

6/2 Kansas City, KS Livestrong Sporting Park

6/4 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre &*

6/5 Austin, TX The Backyard (SOLD OUT) &*

6/7 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park &*

6/8 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

6/10 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion &*

6/11 New York, NY Summerstage (SOLD OUT) $*

6/12 Montreal QC Lachine Canal $*

6/13 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom *Opening for The Beach Boys

6/14 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts $*

6/15 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion (SOLD OUT) $*

6/17 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit (SOLD OUT) $*

6/19 Toronto, ON Downsview Park $*

6/20 Chicago, IL Congress Theater (SOLD OUT) $*

6/21 Chicago, IL Congress Theater (SOLD OUT) $*

6/22 Minneapolis, MN US Bank Theater at Target Center $*

6/25 Burnaby, BC Deer lake Park

6/26 Seattle, WA WaMu Theatre AT Qwest Field @*

6/27 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Amp (SOLD OUT) @*

6/29 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre Berkeley (SOLD OUT) @*

6/30 Universal City, CA Gibson Amp. (SOLD OUT) @*

7/1 Universal City, CA Gibson Amp. (SOLD OUT) @*

7/3 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amp @*

7/5 Magna, UT The Great Salt Air @*

7/6 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre @*

7/7 Las Vegas, NV Cosmopolitan @*

& The Kooks opening

$ Tokyo Police Club opening

@ Mayer Hawthorne & the County

* Kimbra is supporting all dates

Foster The People Tour Dates
::
Foster The People News

Tags: age, ban, boston, boys, cricket, fee, festival, hampton, manchester, opening, play, spac, Video, view, wireless

Meet the Fulero/Lehe Band

April 25, 2012 in 06, 10, 11, 12, 17, 2, 25, 27, 3, 30, 50, 9, 99, a, access, after, age, aka, all, Also, am, an, and, another, Arc, Are, around, as, at, attempt, away, Back on the Train, Backstage, Ball, ban, band, bands, Bass, beginning, big, blue, book, brother, brothers, bud, Burn, but, by, ca, can, cat, cats, cc, center, Chronic, classic, classic rock, close, dave, Day, dead, Deaf, disease, down, Drop, Edit, en, end, epic, Eve, Fat, FEAT, fee, festival, fi, First, FOR, four, Friend, From, Genesis, Genre, get, gin, golden, Good, grateful, great, Groove, ground, Guitar, guitarist, Gus, hall, hampton, hi, high, home, How, ice, in, into, intro, is, IT, IX, izabella, jam, jam band, jammin, jamming, jazz, key, Keyboard, Keyboards, King, know, Labor, las, Last, late, Laugh, Led, life, light, Like, LITTLE, live, live music, long, lot, love, MA, Made, Main, MI, Michael, mix, mixing, mj, mod, Much, Music, My, Myself, Nat, nate, nc, New, News, night, no, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, Open, opener, opening, out, PA, Park, Part, Phish, play, player, Pot, pro, problems, producer, psychedelic, Pt, quartet, rad, radio, radiohead, rain, rare, read, recording, rock, roll, row, rs, run, Saw, Say, SC, sci, second, set, Shine, show, Shows, So, solo, solos, Something, song, Soul, sound, SPAC, St, Stab, stage, start, step, steve, studio, tab, Taste, That, the, Thursday, to, Too, tour, track, Train, trey, Tribute, tries, tub, Tube, two, uic, us, USA, va, Valley, venue, vocal, WA, Walk, war, water, Way, we, Weekend, whiskey, with, years, You, Your, zappa | No comments

By: Dennis Cook

Fulero/Lehe Band Debut Album

This Thursday, April 26, the Fulero/Lehe Band will make a rare live appearance at the new Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA. Its a pity that this new group only gets onstage once in a while due to circumstances because they are jam band gold, the sort of energetic self-starters that helped establish the genre as a stylistic stew pot that mellowed and mingled rock, jazz and more into something flavorful and new. Fulero/Lehe are descendents of proto-jammers like Steely Dan and Golden Era prog like Yes and King Crimson as well as jam archetype Phish. However, the fates have conspired to keep this project the brainchild of keyboardist Asher Fulero (Scott Law Band, Everyone Orchestra) and guitarist Sean Lehe (Izabella, Poor Mans Whiskey, 10 Mile Tide), both West Coast festival/jam circuit veterans from taking full flight when originally Fulero/Lehe was to be a hard touring, wild setlist kind of band in the classic H.O.R.D.E. sense.

Recently, Lehe was officially diagnosed with Mnire’s disease, which means he is losing his hearing in a big way and will need to drastically alter his career plans in the days ahead. Its a tough blow but one that makes this bands debut, Cocoon (receiving official release at the Sweetwater this week and available online here), all the more special. Rounded out by the rhythm section of bassist Mark Murphy (Izabella, Huckle) and drummer Zach Bowden, the Fulero/Lehe Band has the feel of a beginning of something special, a combination that allows hitherto unknown talents to shine, a collaboration that sparks the best in those involved.

Everyone Orchestra at 4 Peaks (2008) by Michael Weintrob

We met at 4 Peaks [Festival] during an Everyone Orchestra performance. It was a really cool night where Matt [Butler] ended up conducting two stages simultaneously. Asher and I connected musically onstage right away a click kind of a thing and we both have obvious Phish influences from earlier in our lives. That band was hugely influential on both of us and made for another quick link, says Lehe. Then we discovered we shared a LOT of the same musical influences beyond Phish, including 70s British prog-rock, which wed both found it hard to find people to jump on that vibe with. When you play in the Bay Area its easy to get someone to play some country influenced, jamming rock n roll influenced by the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead, or even something a little more World Beat. But its hard to find cats who will really fly the prog-rock flag [laughs]. Its a male dominated music to begin with, but now its a male dominated music from 30 years ago! Its pretty much the peak of musical dorkdom, but Asher and I really connected over it.

The prog thing is there, but it was really that epic night with Everyone Orchestra that created an instant connection. We walked away thinking, I want to play more with that guy! Then, I saw Izabella not long after that and thought they were a good band, but more, I thought, That guitar playerand that bass player are fantastic! I want to steal them away and do a rock band! [laughs]. The more we hung out the more we realized we had exceptionally similar listening tastes, says Fulero. Im a little more classically trained than Sean, and hes a little more of a psychedelic warrior than I am. In that way, we push each other a little bit. Its really great finding somebody along the way that you feel that kind of kindred connection to. It just seemed that everywhere we went we would run into each other High Sierra, some show in Seattle and after a while we said, We need to do something together. Ive dreamed of having a rock band for ages. After playing with Scott Law for so long, I was really missing that classic rock quartet thing.

Lehe (left) w/ Izabella by Susan J. Weiand

When we first met at Everyone Orchestra, before the performance backstage, Matt Butler asked, What should we play? Can we do a song? Sean and I were both, We should do a Phish tune! and we ended up playing Back On The Train, and it was the highlight of the show. At that point, I was thinking, That guy can really pull off that Trey power guitar lead, and he was thinking, That guy can really play jam band keyboards and back up a ripping guitar solo. Or so I imagine [laughs]. Its a skill like being a support player on a basketball team. The lead player is only as good as those guys back him up. Its a very different skill than being a slaying lead keyboardist. The idea of being a rhythm player geared to supporting a guitar solo is a very jam band thing. The bands that really translate in this field are the ones where the rhythm section is really tight.

Cocoon finds the band putting a lot of this theory into practice. The songs working in the studio setting but suggesting in classic jam band fashion the scintillating live extrapolations to come hiding in the notes.

Asher Fulero

Every sound on the record was laid down in three days over a short weekend studio session. Asher then put in a ton of time going over it and making it right. Its nowhere near as prog as wed originally envisioned. However, our second effort will be far less accessible, chuckles Lehe. The first track [on Cocoon] is so Steely Dan, but then it roams around from there. Asher has some compositions that are really, really involved on par with Gentle Giant/Genesis type stuff. I have a new tune for the Fulero/Lehe Band that could have come right off a Yes album, though I generally like a song to be ready to be performed after three days of rehearsal instead of 30 [laughs]. Some of the stuff I totally loved at 16 I put on now and find really obnoxious. I can put on King Crimsons Discipline every six months though, no problem.

I had never worked with the drummer before but Sean and he had worked together in The Bumptet. So, we didnt have a full-time drummer. Wed worked with a bunch of different drummers including Dave Brogan (ALO). But when it came time to do the record it just made sense to use Zach, says Fulero. I had never actually met Zach before the first day of recording, but hes such a talented guy that it went well. He has such a natural feel for all the general grooves in the book. We were looking for some fairly classic things, so he was able to go to his natural tendencies.

[As producer on the album], I didnt add as much as it seems. I mostly worked and reworked the mix and fixed some vocals, but other than that all of it was laid down in the original three day session, says Fulero. We didnt fix any solos or backing parts. I might have done a few editing things to tweak timing here and there, but it was mainly mixing. We didnt have a big budget to go into a big studio and spend a bunch of days getting mix right, so I kept at it at home. After three or four tries, I hit upon a feel that was fairly classic but also had a modern energy. I wanted it to be modern rock with a classic feel.

Opener Time Goes By has an unmistakable Steely Dan feel, the jazzier end of rock explored delightedly, but Fulero explains that their influences haunt the entire album.

Fulero/Lehe

All the songs are tributes, in a certain way, says Fulero. The second track [Cocoon] is Phish meets Zappa, where the beginning is a very Phish-y, floaty jam and the end is very Zappa Shut Up And Play Your Guitar. Track three [One More Move] is very much Wilco influenced. Track four [Life Inside The Blue] is The Who with some other tendencies, maybe later Phish. The Radiohead tune [In Limbo] was just an attempt to do something unique with it. Track six [Youll Know Why] is a little bit Jerry Garcia Band with a bit of Mose Allison mixed in. And the last one [Sugartooth] is Genesis meets Yes [laughs]. I have to say, the whole synthesizer part on that song appeared during the recording session but had never been a part of live performances in the year leading up to the session. Listening back during mixing, I said, I have an idea! and the whole synthesizer part just transformed the song.

This is also a chance to step up and be a lead singer as well, continues Fulero. Both of us are singers and songwriters who love the power of the voice. I dont either of us are the greatest singer in the world, but that never stopped lots of people [laughs].

Despite their gusto for the project, Lehes health issues have drastically altered the original vision for Fulero/Lehe.

Fulero/Lehe Band by Steve Kennedy-Williams

Since I was 17 Ive gotten dizzy spells and vertigo attacks, and they were very intermittent, says Lehe. When I was 17, one of the doctors I saw diagnosed me with Mnire’s disease and a second opinion thought I just had some residual vertigo problems due to tubes put in my ears as a baby to help with chronic ear infections. So, I just rolled with theory number two because Mnire’s disease is really messed up for a musicianor anyone really! For a musician, though, its a rock n roll death sentence. As the years went on I had more attacks but none of them were so severe I ever missed a show or tour because of this issue. But then in the past 18 months its become more and more of a problem, and I now have an official diagnosis of Mnire’s disease from my ears-nose-throat specialist. I only have 44-percent of my hearing remaining in my right ear – Im going deaf in my right ear. 40-percent of people get it in their other ear, too, and Ive already noticed things in my left ear that mirror what was going on my right ear 10 years ago.

At this time, Im getting two or three vertigo attacks per week, where I have to grab something and ease myself down to the ground. Theyre called drop attacks. Its definitely a scary thing, continues Lehe. It makes it hard to tour, but Im a performer – thats where my heart and soul are at. Its what I do. I play live music. But what I think is in the future Im done playing loud, drunken bars. Thats not going to be part of my life anymore. Ill be moving into quieter instrumental music. I have a new project here in Sacramento called Wires and Wood with my good friend who plays mandolin and Weissenborn, and we have a stand-up bass player and percussionist. The instrumentation is almost exactly the same as the Garcia-Grisman group, but were leaning more towards instrumental stuff. Im also doing this thing called The Bumptet, which Ill be releasing the debut for in a few months, which is a tribute to my brother, who passed away last year. In the future, Im going to need to rely more on direct connections to get my music out to people. My time of playing 120 gigs every year is coming to a close. But if I am going deaf then Im going to get in as much playing as I can before then.

The Fulero/Lehe Band performs Thursday, April 26, at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA with special guest Garrin Benfield opening the show.

Fulero/Lehe Band Tour Dates :: Fulero/Lehe Band News

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