Gin & Bear It

Posts Tagged ‘live music’

It seems like the only hangovers I am incurring lately are compliments of the dentist rather than one of my favorite cocktail houses. While I understand that these visits are important components of my plan to menace the surface of this planet for many more decades, they still suck. Especially the recent evening I spent with my face covered in ice packs, gracefully drifting in and out of a vicodin-induced haze on my couch rather than boozing at Quixote’s and checking out my favorite trumpet player, Willie Waldman, on his most recent run through Denver.

I have been fortunate enough though to have seen Wild Willie on several occasions and there are two things you should understand:
1. Whether there are six or six hundred people in the room Willie brings it every single performance.
2. Willie finds an artful way to work his trumpet into music from gansta rap to jam band improvisations; and it sounds like it was always meant to be there.

When I stop to think about it, I was probably listening to Willie Waldman years before I even knew who he was. You see, Willie Waldman, who now hails from LaPorte, IN, has wailed with some names you might not expect when you think of a trumpet player. Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Perry Farrell, just to name a few, ain’t no jazz bands. While you can read his whole biography here, one thing you should take away from it is that Willie has been out there playing music in bars, recording studios and who knows where else for decades. He thrives when the lights dim and there is a crowd in front of him and he will throw down with anyone. Wherever, whenever and with everything he’s got – that’s the Willie Waldman style that makes him a musical legend in my mind. As he will tell you himself, “Ain’t no party like a Willie Waldman party!”

Awhile back I tried to get ahold of Willie to ask him a couple of questions through a mutual friend Nicholas, who also provided all of the kick-ass photos you see here, with limited success. In fact, Willie taught me a lesson that 18 years of classes in the pursuit of an undergraduate degree in journalism couldn’t – Seize the moment; don’t wait for someone to call back. I had created a list of questions I wanted to ask Willie and gave him a call. He was in LA recording some studio work but was helping a friend pour some concrete when I got ahold of him. He told me that he only had a couple of minutes but to go ahead and fire away. I balked and told him that maybe he could give me a call later, when he had some more free time. I learned that I should have been better prepared; I should have rehearsed the questions and been ready to squeeze in whatever I could. Even on the road in the middle of concrete work, Willie was ready to go; I should have expected that.

While I have been trying to get home from the Big Appletini, where I found quite possibly my favorite bar in the world (more on that later), The Deedles have been back out on the road. On their last spin through Denver I had the chance to speak with my friend Adam Smith about what inspired him to spend his nights slaying stringed instruments in bars around the world. And tonight the Kansas quartet is returning to Cervantes’ Other Side in Denver to get the whiskey flowing and rattle eardrums with their gritty, powerful sound.
Just in case you missed them last time, The Deedles are composed of the husband and wife team of Jamie and Garret Briggeman who cover the guitars, Josh Finley in the drum cage and Smith manning the bass. Their ability to play just about anything ensures that their shows are always fresh and exciting; the perfect thing to accompany a hot summer night and a cold beer.
On top of that they are playing in one of my favorite Denver venues, Cervantes’ Other Side, which has become an institution in the Denver music scene. It’s got a great bar and plenty of space to shake your whiskey-soaked ass if the feeling arises. So get out there and start your holiday weekend early with some true rock and roll road warriors, The Deedles.
And if American Airlines can ever figure out just how they will get me home, I will be returning from NYC where I did lots of great bar research with my brother, LB, and my good friend Giant Panda that I am excited to share with you. Cheers – The Deedles and I will see you tonight!

This week Thursday’s Tipple is a double shot – Not only a great cocktail but also the perfect bar in which to drink one. As summer gets into full swing over the next several weeks the live music schedule in Denver and many other cities begins to really blossom. Suddenly it is no longer difficult to find a good show, but difficult to choose one from the many happening any night of the week.
I consider the Grateful Dead to be the originators of the summer concert series and all of the fun that entails. Some people love the Dead and some people hate them, but one thing everyone can agree on is that the cocktail named in their honor is delicious and packs a serious punch. The Grateful Dead cocktail is a take on the classic Long Island Iced Tea with five types of liquor.
And whenever I think of having a Grateful Dead or nine, only one bar comes to mind. Sancho’s Broken Arrow is a shrine to the Grateful Dead that happens to serve drinks, tucked into a tough section of Colfax Avenue. The aroma of patchouli, body odor and stale booze that hangs in Sancho’s will have you thinking that you are at a concert. The jukebox offerings are probably better than 90 percent of the concerts you have ever been to and the bartenders may appear spaced out, but they tolerate very little bullshit. I often head to Sancho’s by myself because I know that conversations with the colorful cast of characters around the bar will provide all of the entertainment I need. So throw on a tie-dye shirt, skip a couple of showers and head out for some summer music and a Grateful Dead – Cheers, Man!
The Grateful Dead

1 part vodka
1 part light rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 part raspberry liqueur
2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash lemon lime soda

While a Collins glass is generally recommended, at Sancho’s they pour Grateful Deads in a pint glass filled with ice. Add the vodka, rum, gin and triple sec to the iced glass. Next, add the sweet and sour and give it a splash of the lemon lime soda. Finally, pour the raspberry liqueur over the top and enjoy the psychedelic patterns it creates as it sinks through the glass – trust me it’s better than fractals!

I have mentioned before that I am a live music fan and that my favorite bartending jobs were always someplace with a band. Working in those bars I got to spend a lot of time with musicians and I really came to appreciate their dedication and desire. Many touring/traveling musicians, playing several shows a week, see more different bars in a year than most people visit in a decade. Music, booze and strangers; what a way to see the world! It is a roller coaster of a journey that I admire and envy, yet at the same time I know that I’m just not tall enough to ride that ride.

At any rate, I think it’s time to start introducing you to some of these bar-seasoned, road-tested characters. And, it just so happens that a friend and musician of face-melting caliber is bringing his roller coaster to Denver tonight. Adam Smith currently plays bass in the Kansas rock outfit The Deedles. This gritty quartet is composed of the husband and wife team of Jamie and Garret Briggeman who cover the guitars, Josh Finley in the drum cage and Smith manning the bass. This band incorporates a variety of experience and musical styles resulting in a something special for every listener. I first met Adam when I was behind a bar and he was behind a mandolin. It’s fair to say we both enjoyed working with a buzz and shared some truly epic times. Adam took a minute between sound check and show last night to talk to me about booze and bars. So, without any further rambling I bring to you, in his own words, Adam Smith of the Deedles:

What brought you to your current role as a musician?

I started playing guitar in the fifth grade. About the tenth grade, when I was 15, I started playing everyday. I had the realization that I wanted to do it for a living.

What has been the highlight of your musical career thus far?

My favorite thing, the coolest thing about it, is the friends all over the world and getting out to see them regularly. Really, being able to travel all over the country, to see all of America, and overseas, that is the best part.

Do you have a favorite bar or venue that you like to play?

I would have to say The Mousetrap in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It’s like a home away from home when we are on the road.

How many dates do you plan to play this year?

This year, probably about 150 to 200. It’s actually kind of nice because with bands I was in before we might do 200, maybe 250 gigs a year.

And on to the serious stuff, what’s your cocktail?

Mixed drinks? It depends on my mood, but usually a 7 & 7 or a vodka pineapple. I like my beer and you know I like my whiskey.

The Deedles are playing in Denver tonight at Cervantes’ Other Side and they are on the road with a whole new beast. This band doesn’t disappoint and I’m sure that the whiskey, beer and vodka pineapples (Seriously Adam? Vodka and pineapple?) will be flowing tonight. In addition, The Deedles are donating a portion of their merchandise sales to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Great music, booze and the opportunity to help out a great charity? You can definitely count me in on this one; hope to see you there!

This past Saturday I made my way through the throngs of drunks leftover from the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Denver to take in some live music. And, I ran into something that I have never before seen in a bar/live music venue. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I have seen it all in bars, but I rarely am as surprised as I was when I set foot into Casselman’s Bar & Venue.

I strolled in to a nice looking bar serving some of my favorites. With a whiskey and a PBR in hand, I headed past the bar into the performance space. A friend I was with stopped me after only a few steps and said, “Dude, when was the last time you saw a concert in a place with carpet on the floor?”

Travis was right. I really can’t ever remember seeing a show in a carpeted venue. Beyond that, Casselman’s had nice tables spread throughout the room with candles and padded chairs. I was starting to warm up to this venue. Turbine was already on stage and rocking out some unique music. Their sound was good; kind of a funky, folky, Phishy blend with some outrageous effects. Right after the lead singer had played a solo with a balloon and right before he started “scratching” with his harmonica, I noticed what may possibly be the most epic addition to a live music venue ever – a tire swing right in the middle of the dance floor!

Photo Credit: Lori Schneider

Soon everyone was indulging their inner child with some swinging and I somehow became the pusherman. (Add another line to the Skills & Abilities column.) If you are like me and haven’t ever spent an evening listening to rock and roll while swinging, you need to check this place out.

About the time I got really warmed up on the tire swing (a sincere apology to the woman who dared share it with me) the main act appeared on stage. It was my first time seeing The Deedles and I was very impressed. This four-piece wasted no time in getting down to business. Their sound is pure rock with lots of distortion, a sparkling pink guitar and heavy bass lines. My first Deedles experience left me hungry for more. Give them a listen, and Turbine too, I think you will be impressed. All in all it was a Saturday night full of firsts that I definitely needed.

Photo Credit: Lori Schneider

 Casselman’s Bar & Venue, 2620 Walnut St., Denver, CO; 720-242-8923

I do have one more bar in Philadelphia that I want to share with you, and we will get there because it is an incredibly unique and character-filled place. 49-cent beers and 99-cent shots, need I say more?

However, I want to get another topic opened up. As I have mentioned, I had the best time bartending in bars with live music. I am a fan of just about any musical style and like to see it all live. Throughout my time in these bars I have met quite a few musicians and think it will add some tasty variety if I can introduce you to some of these great people.

Photo by Dennis Faber Jr.

Friday night I visited a legend of Denver live music venues, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. Cervantes’ definitely deserves a post dedicated entirely to it, and it will happen. But for now let’s just say that Cervantes’ is a great space to see all kinds of music with a few well-stocked and well-staffed bars. Two great things about Cervantes’: There are no rules and they are dedicated to quality music.

The music Friday night was from a couple of local bands. The Gristle Gals were already on stage when I arrived. They are four folked-out ladies who can really get down. They describe their sound as “gypsy grass” but I recommend taking a listen for yourself because I don’t believe that term does justice to the depth of their music.

It wasn’t long before I began observing shots of whiskey accompanying every beer being poured at the bar; a good sign that Oakhurst is about to take the stage. How to describe Oakhurst? Five of the nicest, hardest-working and most grounded dudes you could ever hope to have a drink with is merely an anemic start. And their sound; is it folk? Americana? Bluegrass? I don’t know; I’m not a music critic. I just know that the music Oakhurst makes will have you dancing and singing, and it goes great with a glass of whiskey. Again, have a listen for yourself and odds are these guys will be coming through your town soon, don’t miss it!