Let's Swoop in for the Music 🎵
Thankfully Departed is Gratefully Jamming
Let's Meet the Band
Last month, I briefly discussed our first band, Thankfully Departed. They were jamming in New Bern a few weeks ago when I caught their show at The Brown Pelican. After researching who speaks for the band, I contacted singer and guitar player Vince Tricarico to learn more about how the band came together.
I learned that two of the players in this outfit have a long history of making music together. Tricarico met bass player Joseph Beamon in 2008 while working with a Folk/American trio. Beamon had been playing around Raleigh/Fayetteville in some blues rock-based outfits, but he wasn't in a band then. He was looking to produce and record a project, and we, The Cohee, were it.
Beamon and Tricarico hit it off musically speaking, and soon after the end of The Cohee, Vince started hosting an open mic. He needed a band, so he immediately called Beamon, and that started what would become Wide-Eyed Mischief. They were a self-identified Psychedelic Groove Rock band, an all-original six-piece jam band that included his wife on lead vocals and flute. They played and toured together from 2009-2014. Tricarico confessed, "Pursuing original music is a long road; sometimes, life gets in the way."
In 2015, Tricarico and his family moved to Greenville to do life. In 2022, Beamon moved to Kinston, which brought back the idea of starting another project. He had been playing with a trio that Tricarico and his wife would occasionally moonlight with called HoneyBee Kind. When that had run its course, it opened up the schedule to start something new.
Tricarico Tells me, "To me, the Grateful Dead has always had a timeless songbook. The songs span genres and the improvisation is second to none. Over the years, I had casually mentioned the idea of starting a Grateful Dead tribute act to Beamon, and he was always intrigued and willing to take on the monumental task of representing the low end. Playing Phil Lesh parts and inspired jams is no easy task. We now had two pieces to the puzzle. We needed at least two more to get off the ground."
From there, we meet Mike Bailiff.
Tricarico and Bailiff met through their kids. "They were in the same grade, and he noted some Grateful Dead-inspired shoes my son was wearing one day and mentioned it to my wife. It turns out the boys became quick friends, so we took it upon ourselves to get to know each other, which was in the best interest of our boys, of course. Mike has a solid background in bluegrass, a la Jerry Garcia, and an interest in the jam scene. He came at it through the Allman Brothers and Phish, which Beamon and I loved. We had also attended many shows ourselves. He was starting to dig into The Grateful Dead since Dead & Co was up and touring and was getting turned on to the music. I told him what I wanted to do, and he was more than willing to plunge into the deep end of the Jerry Garcia/Grateful Dead pool."
Once they had three aligned, Tricarico started posting that we were looking for a drummer and a keyboard player on local pages. He had no luck. "One day," he said, "I saw someone post that they were a drummer looking to play 'tight hot dirty jazz." I figured I'd take a shot and see if he was interested. I explained that the Dead had plenty of room for improvisation and that he should let me know if he didn't get any hits on the jazz. Sure enough, he'd seen the original Grateful Dead more than a dozen times and had seen Phish and the Allmans, too." That's where we find Craig Anderson behind the kit.
Tricarico tells me that Anderson played and recorded with a handful of bands based in Florida, all over the Southeast region, and beyond. These groups were more rock-based and heavier, but he was well-versed in all the musical styles and looking for something where he could play and be creative. I can hardly think of a better setting." Following the breakup of his last band, he moved to Asheville. In 2018, he moved to Greenville and had the time to pursue some musical interests.
From there, Tricarico said they put together a small list of songs to learn before our first rehearsal. He said, "You can learn much about who you play with at a first rehearsal. Did everyone learn the material? Are people actively listening to each other? Can you have a musical conversation with the others in the room?" So naturally, the first thing I set out for us to do, unbeknownst to the other members, was play a tune not on the list and see what would happen. It checked many boxes, and we all knew we had something."
Tricarico explains, "The Grateful Dead's music offers listeners a naturally conversational songbook for the musicians and audiences. The songs tell stories both lyrically and instrumentally. There are a lot of moving parts. It would take some time before we had upwards of four hours of music, which was our benchmark before we started booking. Grateful Dead fans expect, at minimum, a three-hour show, and we knew that as we are fans. Once we had that, we started booking and haven't stopped."
With an entire handful of gigs already in the books, he said, "Every show we've played has had its own set of highlights. Our two favorites thus far have been Club Swedish (our second show) and Local Oak Brewery (our fourth show). At Wally Palooza II, we decided that since we only had an hour, we might as well fill every second with music, so we ripped a one-hour set with nothing but songs that jammed into other songs. 3 pm - "Hey, we are Thankfully Departed." Sixty minutes of music. 4 pm - 'Thanks for coming."
One thing about what we do, which I think is necessary compared to other cover bands, is our attention to the equipment we use. Of course, if you can't play the song's foundation, it's a problem. We tackle that in our way concerning the song and the parts that need to be there and the parts the audience needs to hear, as there are plenty of Grateful Dead tribute acts out there, but there is a sound that is necessary to have to become immersed in it.
Don't get me wrong, the song's energy, the feeling you get from a band, and how they approach a song, set, and show are essential and valuable, but with what we do, we focus on the equipment as well. Our instruments use period-correct microphones, speakers, amps, and electronics. Whether people realize it or not, the Grateful Dead were cutting edge in the equipment world. Their live sound equipment was second to none, and the instruments were no different. Even Craig summons Mickey Hart's sounds and ideals with the other percussion instruments he brings to each gig. If you haven't heard about the "pianard" he brought out to Club Swedish, you need to.
As far as gigs go, we are keeping it organic. We want to play a few times a month but don't want to play in rooms just because they want to pay us. We want to play to fans of the music, and hopefully, we can bring in some newcomers along the way. We want to play rooms that sound good and spaces that have the right feel. The two gigs I mentioned before really stand out in that regard. Club Swedish, the people, the stage, the setting - it's perfect. We hope to work with them for a long time and put on some significant events down there. That place is magical. Local Oak Brewing Co. has a great setting with its outdoor space; we can cultivate our vendors, and it's a hometown show. We can build a special evening out there, and that's our plan for October 25th. Hopefully, it's a beautiful fall evening under the stars. They can light the big fire pit, and we can have vendors lining the green space, and hopefully, it's a great way to close out the outdoor music season. With all of that said, we're "grown-ups" with families and jobs and businesses, so we get it in when we can.
They are still waiting for that keyboard player to reach out, so if you are reading this and feel like jamming, check in with Tricarico; your opportunity awaits.
For band fans, mark your calendars for these upcoming fall dates. Catch them on October 25th at 7 p.m. for their Local Oak Brewing Co. show in Winterville, NC. They return to New Bern in mid-November for a show at The Brown Pelican on Saturday the 15th at 7 p.m. I will leave you with some jams from their last visit to the Dirty Bird below.
Bridge to Breakdown Live at The Brown Pelican
It was great to catch Bridge to Breakdown live at the Dirty Bird. I try to see these guys several times each year. The hard rock quartet got together back in the days of old, or around 2012, during their high school days. Like many teenagers, these guys have lots of energy and offer it in displays of rock ravishes, and sound the most incredible live.
Talyn Detmers fronts this band on guitar and vocals, Malcolm Matthews handles lead guitar and supporting vocals, Ethan Goeke handles the bass, and Taylor Cefalo keeps the beats. They offer a good selection of familiar rock classics and great original music blended into each set. Speaking of bands with moving parts, more than a dozen years in, this band has a lot of energy and gives it up to their audience.
I encourage all music fans to find and support them on the platform you use to support and listen to music. When I met them in 2017, Walk the Bridge was my favorite song. Now I enjoy all of their music. Another thing I love about the band is how they join forces with other hard rock bands from around the region to provide nights of powerful live performances featuring original music.
The first time I saw them host such a show it was at The Garage several years ago. All the bands had a merch station and a solid hour to perform. You can catch them in the days and weeks ahead with the other bands I met at that event in 2020.
They will be part of Roctober Fest with Death of Uriah at The Proof in Kinston, NC, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, and at The Garage on Saturday, October 12, 2024, with To Begin Anew.
If you want to hire a hard rock band for your next event, consider this quartet of hard-working boys from New Bern, NC.
The Michael Schott Band
News from Stella, NC to Nashville, TN
Wrapping up the trio of bands I saw at The Brown Pelican last month, I caught The Michael Schott Band there on Friday, August 30, 2024, and have been working on the words for his story since. I gave you a quick debriefing on the band when I met them at the start of last month in Swansboro, NC.
Since then, a true top story has developed. I wanted to take the time to catch up with Mikey Schott and dive deeper into his abyss as we watch this aspiring young country artist embark on a professional music career at 13. After his show on August 30, we spent a few minutes catching up. Since I met this distinguished lad on Monday, August 5, 2024, he had traveled to San Antonio, TX, to finalize the vocal tracks on a trio of songs for his debut release, which will be available later this fall. Consider buying first-run merchandise for the ones you love this holiday season.
Keep your eyes and ears on this boy for those seeking Christ at Christmas. He is walking among us with great purpose and intention. Last weekend,
Schott headed to Nashville, TN, where he played at The Wedge on September 7, 2024, with his producer and colleague, Tom Yankton. Later that weekend, he signed a record deal with Tri-Hymn Records. The label was founded by singer-songwriter and Nashville Recording Artist Michael Hosier.
As a result of the Nashville trip, life continues to be an exciting adventure for this 8th-grade music maker from Stella, NC. As the memorable three-day weekend journey ended, Hosier took the Schotts to breakfast on Monday morning, where he met and performed an impromptu gig for renowned songwriter and producer Jimmy Ritchey. Before departing, Hosier asked Mikey to grab a guitar and play a few songs for Mr. Jimmy. Making this the cherry on top, Ritchey agreed to walk alongside the young artist "to teach him things he didn't even know he could do."
As cool as that is, there is so much more to this story.
Though Hosier and Schott share the same first name, their lives have been lived on entirely different terms, and because of that, they found great hope and inspiration in joining forces. Mikey Schott is living his dreams right now because of the love and support poured into him by a loving family. Though Hosier heard of the American Dream, he never lived it and wondered if it existed. Instead, he walked through hell as a child and struggles daily to make a difference so other children don't know the evil and horrors of sexual assault and human trafficking.
In the middle of August, I contacted Hosier to learn more about his music journey and the label, and I must admit, I was unprepared for most of it. I thought I was ready. I checked his website, listened to his music, and researched him. But when we spoke ear to ear that hot August night, I was left emotionally charged and physically numb. He explained that he has a life story currently in the hands of a couple of writers who happen to be cousins. One writer works on the screenplay while the other writes Hosier's biography.
Hosier's first memory as a child is his mother trying to drown him in a bathtub. It does not get much better from there. His other first memories around the time you form memories and impressions of the world was being forced to perform sexual acts on his sisters and parents. Hosier had two sisters. His parents thought nothing about sharing their children with friends for sexual gratification at parties. The family split up when he was five, and child services stepped in to "rescue" the kids and arrest his parents. The girls were placed in one home while Hosier went to another. By the time Hosier was 10, the family he was placed with adopted him. His adoptive family always encouraged him to use his voice, precisely what he is doing now.
Hosier started a label to help aspiring artists (Tri-Hymn Records) and a non-profit for Society's Outcast And Rejects (SOAR). When I asked him about the name, he explained that as he got older and the kids at school learned why he was removed from his home, he was bullied by peers because of it. "I call it that because that is how I felt my whole life. I want others who have felt the same way to know there is a place they can go to feel safe and accepted." I noted that the singer had two sisters but lost one when he was 38. Sadly, his sisters were sexually assaulted throughout their lives, and as a result of drugs and addiction, his sister found peace in 2013. Hosier carries a lot of guilt around with him because he could not be there to save his sister, so after she died, he dove headfirst into the drug underworld and finds more betrayal after teaming up with local authorities. That did not surprise me. It might have shocked me 18 months ago, but not today!
We spoke for over an hour the first night and more than an hour since then. I am so honored to talk to this man who is not allowing his lackluster life experiences to hold him back but rather helping others rise to educate others of the existing realities. After the eldest Schott met Hosier, he decided to walk alongside him and help him build a foundation for his nonprofit. As tracks are being laid for Mikey's debut release, the bricks are being put in place for a solid non-profit that will focus on rescuing children and bringing awareness to the severity of this situation here, RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSE!
This partnership has the potential to blow the blankets off of the rape culture we comfortably exist in. When I spoke with Hosier last weekend, we addressed some of the potentials of such a mission. I explained that it's normal for people not to want to talk about these things and shove them aside, but we must make people aware that it's taking place everywhere. Human trafficking affects us all because we are living in the towns and cities where it is happening. Instead of this horror getting better, it is getting far worse. Many of the prisoners of this trade are often enslaved for the sex industry. The traumas and terrors they face daily are worlds apart from the serenity in life we think we know.
When Hosier opened up to me about his story, I found a few points in his story that I could relate to because I, too, was adopted. Also striking a nerve, I was violated and lost my virginity to a rapist when I was nine. Because of the latter moment, my brain has been rewired and has not been the same. The reason for that is that trauma is a terrible thing for anyone, but more so for a developing brain. At nine, I was getting my first sense of independence. Walking down to White Castle in Elizabeth, NJ, to buy my lunch was my favorite independent thing until we moved to Cranford in June 1978. Before we did, however, one late Winter's day after school, I was sprinting home from my friend's house and wanted to be on time for dinner. I never liked hearing my father "YELL," yet I caused him to do it A LOT, even more after that day.
As I rounded the corner, I was grabbed by a stranger and thrown down to the ground behind the corner store. The ground was frozen and cold. I remember the cars sloshing through the streets and seeing their headlights under the parked cars. I also recall the texture and smell of his glove that covered my mouth and the smell of stale whiskey as he spit on me and threatened me. The assault was quick but brutal. He cut my leg with a knife and told me he would kill me if I told anyone. I did what he said and got scolded for being late for supper. It was the first time I bandaged my wounds because I wasn't telling anyone.
When I connect with other victims, I explain that in my experience, I have more than I care to share; when I tell people about some of the things that have happened, they are left so stunned that often, no words come. I saw this more when I was 32 and went public with my date rape. That life-changing ordeal happened in early November 2001, where I was imprisoned, bitten, had hair ripped from my scalp, and was violated and assaulted for three hours. It only took about 50 hours for the numbness to wear off enough to seek help. Again, nothing about what happened, and my reaction to it made sense then, but I now understand why!
Since no words come, no one talks about it, and the statistics grow, and more victims suffer. Back in 1988, two in ten girls were reporting rape. Back then, it was a crime mainly focused on women and girls, while men and boys slipped right through the cracks. I have always wanted to end my suffering, so being an activist for crimes against humanity suits me perfectly. Today, one in five people are victims of sexual assault. The best thing we can do for this world is to leave it better for the next generation. Something that is a priority for the Schott Family. Which is why they are committed to making a change. Schott says he feels good about being a part of this, adding, "There is a kid locked in a basement somewhere that has no idea we are going to save them!!"
I apologize to anyone who felt I punched them in the gut with this post. I understand. My stomach has been in knots for weeks, and I wonder if this is not part of the reason. It's emotional stuff. I release it here in exchange for the hope of a brighter tomorrow. This union of bringing music and awareness to people thrills me. I also believe this will help launch a new mindset and open the floodgates on topics too shocking to speak about. Currently, Hosier is setting up two tours for 2025. One tour will be the 40 X 40 Tour. Forty stops along I40 from Wilmington, NC, to Barstow, CA. The second tour will follow roads from Hollywood, FL, to Hollywood, CA.
In anticipation of these tours, the Hosiers are preparing to hit the road in a revamped school bus. They will take the kids on a home-schooling journey across the country. They will host talent searches and collaborate with local nonprofits to help bring music and awareness to cities and towns nationwide. News is breaking daily as Hosier works hard to make this mission successful for those who suffer.
Sadly, these crimes blanket our nation because there is not enough support and safe places for victims to grow and heal from their pain. Instead, many stay locked away from life and exist in their suffering. If you wonder why the suicide rate is so high, consider this: most victims never come forward because of fear of not being believed. Hosier is building his label and creating a platform for victims of sex crimes to rebuild their identity and feel safe and accepted as well.
To learn more about Michael Hosier Music, visit his social media pages and website. To learn more about Society's Outcasts and Rejects, contact Mike Schott via the Michael Schott Band page.
The Michael Schott Band will next perform live at the Jones County Heritage Festival on Friday, September 27, 2024. Music will be offered from 7 to 10 p.m. They will be the first of three bands. He will perform familiar songs and the ones he wrote for his debut release. Be sure to come out and show your support. Advance tickets are just $10. Be sure to buy the merchandise and tip the band. They all count on our support throughout the journey.
Keep it here to stay in tune with music news that will potentially change the world, from here to Nashville and our country's dark corners and closets. Michael Schott Music is not a thing to be taken lightly, as this young man is taking us on important journeys with his family, his music and their motivations for keeping children as safe.
The Dirty Bird, Our Brown Pelican
Since opening its doors, this music bar has had heartstrings tied to its stools. It has become a cultivated music bar where you can grow as an artist and a place to call on your friends to come out and support you.
When they opened in October 2014, they were located downtown at 411 Broad St., New Bern, NC. That location closed in 2021. Today, the beloved Dirty Bird is six blocks west at 1017 B Broad St. I was starting to spread my wings on the music scene. My life was in a recreation phase. I was leaving my marriage and rebuilding my cleaning business while claiming my life. As part of that process, I returned to writing with the creation of this music blog and spent many hours brainstorming with former owner Heather Haiss.
After Haiss took hard hits, such as COVID-19 in 2020 and illness in 2021, the bar closed its doors in December 2021. It was the end of an era that the town folks didn't want to accept. Before too long, though it seemed like an eternity, investors Mike Krauss and Micah Grimes united, and the bar reopened in its current location one year later, in December 2022.
Since then, I've had many conversations with Grimes about the industry and what he is learning about it. He is committed to keeping the Brown Pelican a venue for live music. They host live music most nights of the week. Charlie Duzan sets up a recording studio each Tuesday where bands and artists can come out and capture their songs for streaming. Wednesdays are generally good jam nights, and weekends are when they bring in the bands.
Earlier this week, I stopped by to enjoy a tasty music snack. P B & J is a fun trio of local music makers from around the region who recently banded together to share familiar and original music. Drummer Jake Ross explained that their name resulted from their lack of creativity and pointed out that Phillip Alcock was playing bass, representing the P; Brian Burke offered vocals and guitars and represented the B; and he is the J. Together, they are P B & J. This past Wednesday was the trio's fourth gig and the last one they had on the books, but I can assure you that you will see them around the scene, which is exciting for music lovers. This is a talented group of creative players, and I expect good things will come from this union.
As for the bar that housed them in the mid-week, a few things have changed with the operation since moving a few blocks away from town. Besides new owners and managers, the bar can now ask the public to offer a cover charge. Venues within the city limits are not allowed to charge a cover. Let's take a minute to discuss that. Please don't turn your nose up at the cover charge. Pay it! Many music venues lack food, where a cover charge can help bands and owners offset costs. Let's not forget this is a business where meeting expenses is vital to survival. Besides, free music is never free, so please be generous with tips and pay the cover charges. All of those dollars help contribute to a vibrant music scene.
Tonight, The Brown Pelican will host New Bern's favorite jam band, The Hot Buttered Grits. This group has been together for nearly two decades and knows how to grow in a good jam. Come watch as they spread out and groove tonight. The music starts at 8 PM.
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Thanks for capturing and bringing us great music and behind the scenes info!