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By Robert Massie
ekoostik hookah by Robert Massie |
When you stop and think about it, it really was no surprise that ekoostik hookah decided that the beginning of 2006 would serve as an extended checkpoint on a marathon trek that has spanned fourteen years, nine band members, and an astounding 2,000 shows. Judging by current jamband standards, this decision was actually long overdue. Now, don't get it wrong – this isn't meant to insinuate that average fans, let alone the hookah insiders, weren't stunned by the news in the now infamous August 31st press release. This dreaded document told the media, online community, and hardcore "hookah heads" alike that Ohio's homegrown heroes "will take a short break from playing as ekoostik hookah before returning in early spring 2006." In reality, the news of the break from the road really wasn't as much of a shock as the fan reactions on several internet message boards. Behind the veil of the computer, several cyber fire starters authored posts like "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Hiatuses are SO Overrated." Although it's hard to say whether the band deserved a certain bit of razzing for taking a road so heavily traveled in recent years, the general public reaction focused less on the history and hard work that have gone into making ekoostik hookah such true innovators in today's music scene and more on politics and rumors.
Ed McGee by Robert Massie |
A few weeks later, just as the virtual gossip was dying down, the plot thickened when a September 28th announcement from percussionist Johnny "Starcatt" Polansky revealed that this wasn't just an extended vacation. Polansky stated "I can no longer go on as a part of this organization," and the band became a quintet overnight, after ten years without a lineup change. While many fans agreed that the loss had still left the creative core of the band intact, others started speculating about impending future changes. If Polansky's announcement was the match sparking the controversy, then Ed McGee's following statement served as the tanker truck full of gasoline that set the community ablaze. On October 24th, McGee released a personal message that stated "New Year's Eve will be my last show with ekoostik hookah." Once again, speculation about the factors leading to this decision and the resulting state of the band began to spin out of control. Many appreciative fans seemed to simply desire clarification, yet there are still questions that simply cannot be answered.
ekoostik hookah :: 12.31.05 by Scott Preston |
At this point ekoostik hookah's future is absolutely uncertain. But, like every bend in the river of life, the current flows the way it's meant to. For every change, there's bound to be a purpose and a reason. And, often times, these intents and meanings aren't revealed until the time is right. For ekoostik hookah, that time is just not here yet. However, with the arrival of the sabbatical, now is a great opportunity to fondly revisit many of the often-overlooked contributions ekoostik hookah has made to jam music in general. From the early days of the band, a prevalent do-it-yourself attitude set the groundwork for new thoughts about musical exploration, the music business, and the development of an entire hookah-centered subculture. They have served such an important role in the evolution of the Jamband Scene, the independent production concept, and festival culture that it's difficult to imagine how different things would be today without their impact. Simply put, ekoostik hookah has been touring and paving the way since members of many modern-day jam bands were in middle school. So, after no less than 627 passionate performances of fan favorite "Backwoods Rose," 24 successful "Hookahville" festivals, and literally hundreds of thousands of miles logged through over 30 states (and 3 countries), the band deserves to focus on their accomplishments without bothering to speculate too much about their future. One thing's for sure, whatever happens next, ekoostik hookah's legacy and contributions will live on unchanged through the impact of their music and the passion of their fans.
OHIO'S HOME GROWN HEROES
ekoostik hookah |
To understand the real significance of ekoostik hookah's role, it's necessary to be familiar with their history and the changes that have lead them to where they are today. The early 90's version of the group featured keyboardist Dave Katz, guitarist Steve Sweney, bassist Cliff Starbuck, singer/guitarist John Mullins, soon-to-depart drummer Steve Frye, and not-to-last-long percussionist Don Safrenek. Frye was replaced in 1993 by current drummer Eric Lanese, but the group decided not to replace Safrenek until Polansky joined up in 2005. From the early days of the band, ekoostik hookah seemed to tap into something that people truly savored. According to Katz, "Initially, it grew out of more or less an open stage type of thing. Did we have something special? I don't know, I guess it always comes down to the atmosphere created by the music, created by the fans – the people hanging out at the bar that night. It was always easygoing and fun, and I think that was special." Starbuck seems to agree. "I think it was a good combination of people, but I also think it filled a need in this area at that time. In 1991, there was nothing else really happening, no band of this kind that was original." The band proceeded to develop their repertoire, to gain popularity, and to gel into a position where they started to impact the local music scene and to become a great draw at local bars. Cliff Starbuck remembers it well. "I don't think we were conscious on any level about the popular music world at the time. We were just getting out there and playing the way we had learned how to play. We weren't consciously shaping our sound to fill any void – it just seemed to work out that way."
Cliff Starbuck by Robert Massie |
The band continued to gain steam, and touring became a real possibility. Thanks to Columbus, Ohio's location in "the heart of it all," branching out to a new major city was usually only a two or three hour drive away. That's the way Cliff Starbuck sees it. "We have a good central location here. We have like 12 major colleges within three hours of us here in Columbus. You're three hours from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. It's an ideal place to be." Dave Katz knew the right plan of attack at the time. "I think we took the right steps, in that we kind of circled out from Columbus. We didn't feel like we could take on the country two months after we started or anything like that. We took it naturally - we'd build Columbus, then build all the cities around Columbus and the college towns. Being so centrally located was great because our fans from Columbus could pretty much make it anywhere we played."
hookah fans :: 12.31.05 by Scott Preston |
Those fans in Columbus turned the corner and became hookah diehards, and just as things seemed to be taking off, an announcement changed the very face of the band. John Mullins had been let go, and ekoostik hookah had a huge decision to make. The next step was pivotal, and the decision to hire Ed McGee was made with confidence. The decision seemed to pay off rather quickly. Dave Katz recalls, "There was a steady growth all through the early 1990's to the end of the John Mullins era. We lost a little momentum when we let John go and we picked up Ed, but that was back soon. Ed writes songs that people can relate to, and that picked things right back up quickly." McGee was a hometown acquaintance who was very familiar with ekoostik hookah. "I was actually a big fan of the band long before I was in it," he recollects. "I was into Steve Sweney and Cliff Starbuck's former band Supplication in 1989-1990, and I knew Dave Katz from Local Color. Being as into the Grateful Dead as I was, I was attracted to the style of music. And I liked hookah's originals – I really got into them at their very start. I was blindsided when they invited me to join the band. I mean, it really was crazy and I was excited by the notion, but also a big part of me was upset that John Mullins was leaving."
Ed McGee by Robert Massie |
With McGee adding new life and direction, ekoostik hookah was starting to demonstrate a huge potential for success. With this new era, people began following ekoostik hookah all over the Midwest, trading their shows, and reciting the lyrics that impacted their lives in different forms of homage. According to Dave Katz, "It's hard to pinpoint when we became truly sustainable. From the get-go, people were latching onto songs – John Mullins and I wrote songs that people could relate to, and Ed McGee also does this so well. People would see us, and they would go home at the end of the night and remember the words, even though they'd only heard the song once. An obvious example would be a song like "Loner." People relate to that song. It's a very real kind of synopsis of my life in my late teens, and it's something that, the way it's written and the way I sing it, anybody can listen to it and say, 'Wow, that sounds like me and my parents.' I think it's a matter of relating to the people that are listening to you." McGee remembers this same phenomenon with humility. "It was tremendous the first time I noticed people singing along with my songs. I couldn't believe it, and it still means so much to me. To see someone in a state I've never been to singing the lyrics of one of my songs is just amazing – probably one of the best feelings that come along with this job, when I think about it." McGee does admit that these new experiences weren't without their share of new obligations. As fans started to keep set lists and pay much closer attention to new material, McGee felt some pressure. "I've always written songs at night, but now I had to write good songs at night. It was all about living up to this new responsibility – this was my business after all."
Steve Sweney :: Hookahville 2005
By Robert Massie |
That business was founded on a do-it-yourself attitude that set a new model for independent recording and event production. Cliff Starbuck explains, "It was always our philosophy to avoid paying someone else to tell us how to do the things we want to do our way. Also, we couldn't really afford to pay anyone starting out, and by the time we could afford to, we already had our organization in place. Dave Katz remembers deliberately leading the band towards self-sufficiency. "I had been in other groups before, and I had traveled to Europe. I had seen a lot of aspects of the music business including a very dark side. I absolutely went into this band with a very steadfast idea that I was not going to get signed or anything like that. Of course, I wasn't in it to become a rock star or anything like that. I just wanted to play the music." Then as the organization grew, certain consequences of the group's philosophies became evident. When the topic shifts to the advantages of this independent game plan, Starbuck recalls "The true consequence of our DIY approach was that things became more sustainable and lasting." Katz is a bit more specific. "The advantages are just having control over what you're doing. You play when you want to play, not when someone tells you that you have to. We have control of our music and control of our lives." Both agree there was also a downside. "I'm sure we limited ourselves in certain ways. I think we became more regional because of the fact we were learning things as we went along," admits Starbuck. Katz volunteers, "It's not the quickest way to the top. Money is harder to come across. You trade off the exposure when you take things in your own hands, but you get the control." As for Ed McGee, he joined after some of the framework had been laid down, but he still experienced all of the ins and outs of the organization. McGee believes, "The advantages of the DIY attitude were that we were so much closer to everything and were more aware of our successes. My philosophy has always been that music is for sharing. Maybe it sounds funny, but it's something I hold close to my heart. I think, for us, the way we went about things allowed us to share the music in a way we wanted to."
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Hookahville is ours... We run it the way we want it to run. We have the bands that we want to have, and we treat people the way we want them to be treated. There's no bigger company involved. It's definitely the crown jewel of what we've done. Over the years, besides the songs, Hookahville is the thing we can be proudest of. It's a great thing because we did it at a time when there weren't the same kind of festivals. No bands that I knew of were doing this. Nowadays, that's a different story.
-Dave Katz |
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Photo by Robert Massie
HOOKAHVILLE
This DIY attitude led to the first "Hookahville" – the event that would become the band's signature soiree. After 26 successful festivals and literally hundreds of thousands of attendees over the years, Hookahville is truly an institution in the festival world. Dave Katz explains, "Hookahville grew out of a very basic idea – 'Hey, it'd be fun to go and play out in the woods.' And I happened to live in the woods at the time, so we had it at my place. We had no idea there would ever be a second one – that wasn't even a thought. When people showed up and had such a great time at the first one, we decided that it made sense to do it again. Three months later, we did." Cliff Starbuck also remembers the festival's early innocence. "We were surprised when 800 people showed up. We weren't bringing 800 people out to any of the bars we were playing, so it was a great step for us. I never predicted anything about how big it would get. To me, Hookahville has felt like a natural progression." Ed McGee even attended the festival as a fan. "I went to every Hookahville before I joined the band. I thought it was just brilliant, because for me it was all about meeting new people. For the band, it was so classy – a smart move because it truly was a party that put the fans first." As successful as Hookahville has become, the larger crowds have had some downsides. Starbuck asserts, "Hookahville filled a vision and a concept, but there have been some road bumps along the way. We've really tried to create a family-friendly vibe and to take into consideration that we needed a place for families to camp where they wouldn't be kept up all night, so it's disappointing to see things like people's tents getting robbed. There have been a few times where we've been frustrated." But, these minor problems aside, Hookahville was a true innovation because it came at a time when independent festivals were new, especially ones thrown by such an independent band. Katz reflects, "Hookahville is ours. It's always been ours. We run it the way we want it to run. We have the bands that we want to have, and we treat people the way we want them to be treated. There's no bigger company involved. It's definitely the crown jewel of what we've done. Over the years, besides the songs, Hookahville is the thing we can be proudest of. It's a great thing because we did it at a time when there weren't the same kind of festivals. No bands that I knew of were doing this. Nowadays, that's a different story."
Ed McGee & Dickey Betts :: Hookahville by Robert Massie |
One of the best consequences of Hookahville's tremendous success was the opportunity for band members to meet, learn from, and play with legendary artists. The festival reached a landmark with 1999 and 2000's legendary festivals, which drew crowds of over 15,000 people to see legends like Ratdog and Willie Nelson. Playing with one's luminaries is daunting, but the members of ekoostik hookah have some amazing memories to share. Dave Katz excitedly recalls, "Sharing the stage with Bob Weir is probably the most surreal thing I've ever done, at least as far as music goes. There really are no words to describe the feeling – you just have to be there and feel it. I felt this way because back in the day I'd go to a Dead show and see Bob shoot a certain look over to Brent, and there I was getting the same look." From Ed McGee's perspective, "Sharing the stage with people like Bob Weir was just daunting and still blows my mind. I never took it lightly. It was hard just following someone like that, let alone collaborating. See, part of my responsibility was to stay sharp so I wouldn't be a mess onstage, so I got to see these other bands do what they did so well. I figured the only thing I could do, the professional thing to do, was to use this pressure to make our show better." Cliff Starbuck adds, "I started making a list of notable people I've been able to collaborate with, and it blew me away to look at it in its entirety. Getting to meet, let alone play with, all these people who are huge to me, just my musical heroes, is one of the greatest things I have ever been able to do. Katz remembers with great pride, "All the collaborations were great experiences. Playing with Arlo Guthrie, Jorma (Kaukonen), all kinds of people like that. It's amazing because it's something that conceivably wouldn't have happened if we hadn't decided to throw Hookahville. It might have, you never know, but we created that situation for ourselves. I also think we held our own. As far as I know, we never butchered any Dead songs or whatever else we were taking on at the time."
MAY THE SCHWA BE WITH YOU
Ed McGee by Robert Massie |
As much as Hookahville is the true signature event of the band, there is one other mythical element in the accompanying hookah-lore that may represent their organization and personalities even better. This identifying symbol was born from a natural enough place – the band's name. "I think the most important thing about a band name is that you don't feel stupid saying it," ponders Cliff Starbuck. Not only did people like the band's phonetically displayed namesake, but its first letter, the upside-down 'e', called a "schwa," struck a chord of individuality. Dave Katz explains, "Obviously, initially it was the first letter of the name. Honestly, it looked like a great marketing tool – something to set us apart. I mean, how many artists do you find in the 'schwa' section of the record store? We're the only one. But it's come to mean so much more than that, especially to the fans. They'll walk around and end their sentence to you with 'schwa,' meaning 'aloha, goodbye, shalom.' That's just one of its meanings; it has lots of meanings, all good meanings. I also wrote a song called 'Schwa' in which the words don't really mean anything – it was just something to shout in the song. But overall, it has so many meanings – it kind of stands for a little bit of everything. It's a marketing tool, a logo, our first initial, and some kind of parallel to relate to the band, but it's also got a meaning that's just an all-encompassing good vibe, a good feeling. To that extent it really represents everything we've done to this point." Starbuck continues Katz's sentiments, "At first, it was just our initial. We didn't think about it any more that that. Then we realized it had a quality like 'ohm' - the simplest components of a mantra. It's broken down, with all things stripped away. It's unstressed and stripped of all ornamentation. It's the seed of sound." Much like the Grateful Dead's "Steal Your Face" logo, fans proudly display this symbol on patches, stickers, shirts, cars, and even tattoos. To many, it's come to represent the spirit of the hookah community and that vibe that only happens when Steve Sweney's guitar neck is practically twisted around his head. To truly understand the fan's perspective, one needn't look further than Ed McGee. McGee says, "I thought the name looked interesting when I first heard it. I liked the phonetic spelling and thought it was a cool symbol. In fact, I had this Jeep at the time, and I actually had this homemade schwa spare-tire cover before the band even started using it officially as their logo. When they did, I was pissed and jokingly complained – I mean, I had thought of it first (laughs)."
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I would love to just tell the fans that it's been an honor to have been a part of this. I will definitely miss the feelings I got playing with these guys and for our wonderful fans. I truly appreciate their caring and support so much. Every time they sang along, it meant so much to me. I hope the fans don't forget me - I'll never forget all the great times.
-Ed McGee |
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Photo by Robert Massie
ONE LAST LOOK AROUND
All kidding aside, ekoostik hookah now faces the crossroads of change. Ed McGee, guitar case in hand, has embarked on a new journey with his new project One Under with percussionist Polansky and a new cast of characters. On the other side of the tracks, Katz, Starbuck, Sweney, and Lanese are beginning an extended break and some side projects. Change is in the air, and it's hard for the conversation to not turn towards how the band feels about this new era. "Change in general is something that I thrive on," says Cliff Starbuck. "You know, I start to feel like I need new ideas to thrive, and when I play with new people, I feel like I get a whole new musical vocabulary." Dave Katz also sounds confident. "I'm absolutely comfortable with change in the music business and in life in general. It's inevitable, and usually I find it works out for the better. Sometimes it doesn't, but it's just a natural part of life." As for Ed McGee, he reinforces the general attitude. "I embrace change in life. I actually intentionally move toward it. I have a little reluctance sometimes, but overall, I'm adapting." His decision was not something that was easy, but McGee feels he can share his feelings through song. "My song 'One Last Look Around' really summarizes how I feel about the end of my time with hookah – that idea of accepting and anticipating the change that's coming, but taking just one last look around before leaving. That song means a bit more to me these days."
Dave Katz by Robert Massie |
These days also find tremendous speculation on behalf of the entire fan base, and although curiosity is normal, some of the gossip and assumptions have gotten a bit out of control. Although Cliff Starbuck acknowledges only that "I stop and look at the sites," Dave Katz takes the opposite approach. "I never read online," Katz says. "People ask me about things, and if they ask me to my face, I'm happy to tell them. The answer is that if you've heard something and it hasn't been from one of us directly, then disregard it. The fact of the matter is we, as members of the band, haven't even discussed what we're doing yet. So, whatever you've heard, don't believe it. We don't even know." As for Ed McGee, he has a surprisingly positive outlook given all the questions his decision has created. "People's reaction to my resignation wasn't a surprise. I was grateful. I did make an effort to keep up with the online gossip because I truly felt bad about the impact my decision was having on the fans. Was I surprised? No. I was pleased with all the support I got. It made me feel really appreciated, like people trusted me to make the right decision."
Steve Sweney :: 12.31.05
By Scott Preston |
That decision has cast uncertainty over ekoostik hookah's future, but according to Cliff Starbuck, it hasn't managed to take away from the band's message. "A common theme in our music is to do your own thing and try not to be afraid about having to meet the expectations of others. We're following our own advice." That message, along with tales of heroism, heartache, and hash plants, has been successfully preserved before, mostly because of the things that stay constant through any change. "To me," Dave Katz asserts, "I would say one of the best things we've done over the years is that we've kept it very real. It was something people could relate to – musically and personality wise. I never felt like we were stars; we were just people doing what we do and trying to blend in with everybody else." Starbuck agrees but thinks it also has something to do with hookah's secret weapons – their ears. "I think we listen to each other really well, and we're able to follow each other. That makes a huge difference in our sound. When someone goes off, we pick up the structure and go with it. We do it in a different way then the Dead, but it's the same concept." That concept was proudly displayed for one last time with Ed McGee on New Year's Eve when ekoostik hookah took the stage at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (formerly PromoWest Pavilion) in their hometown of Columbus, OH. The band was excited about the performance but leery to give away any secrets at press time. Dave Katz shares, "I feel like there's always some pressure to make things special, especially with it being New Year's Eve, but the fact of the matter is we're a loose band and we rarely get into discussing too much. Sometimes we'll figure out what to do at sound check, but this year will be three sets without an opener and we'll try to play everything people want to hear – to get in as much of our music as we can. That's certainly a result of it being Ed's last show. Other than that, something might pop up in the next few days but you're not going to get it out of me."
ekoostik hookah :: 12.31.05 :: by Scott Preston |
After the lights went down on New Year's, 2006's hiatus and Ed McGee's departure became a reality. Cliff Starbuck is excited about his future plans but feels some pressure from the accompanying steps he still has to put in motion. "After the lights go down New Year's Eve, I'm probably going to feel more stressed because I have to leave on January 2nd for Colorado and my upcoming tour. I'm not going to have time to stick around and party." But being a traveling musician is something he seems to need. "I'm psyched to get back out on the road and to play with some new people, to see some new cities." Cliff Starbuck will be playing the low end in the Vince Herman Trio for a string of January shows. As for hookah's legacy, Starbuck can't pin down just one eternal ekoostik endowment. "I think the things we'll be remembered for are pretty diverse. People tell us all the time about how our music has affected their lives. Obviously the music will live on, but touching people that way is more important." Starbuck is hopeful that hookah will work everything out without too much conflict, and he looks forward to discussing future releases after the break. "We haven't talked much about releasing archives. I'm sure we will talk about it in the next few months. We do have a ton of great recordings. Every Hookahville has been multi-tracked, so it can be remixed and remastered and packaged beautifully. Personally, I've grown so much as a musician. I've just put so much effort into it, to become a good bassist and a singer. Looking back, being able to play all this great music for all these great people, it's just priceless." And, as for the future, he confidently wishes the best to his fans everywhere and offers some advice: "Don't worry. Don't be afraid of change."
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The one thing I can guarantee is that, in 2006, we will play. I don't know when, I don't know where, and I don't know how often. I don't even know with who, but we, the remaining four members of ekoostik hookah, will play somehow.
-Dave Katz |
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Photo by Robert Massie
Dave Katz is looking forward to spending time with his family during the hiatus (especially eight month old son Dash). But he doesn't downplay the significance of this transition period. "I'm going to feel like one phase of my professional life is ending and a new phase is beginning. There have been changes before. I'll miss playing with Ed, but I'll move on to the next phase and appreciate what I get to do from here on in. There will be a bit of sentimentality, certainly, but you move on and make the best of it. That's what you've got to do." Katz also wonders, "I don't know if we have a legacy outside of the whole band. The whole thing is a legacy. Hookahville was a huge accomplishment. Having virtually the same band mates for 15 years, that's probably longer that 99% of bands that start up. And to me, that's something to be proud of – that longevity and the music we created. Whether the end for ekoostik hookah comes in one year, five years, or ten years, the legacy we leave will be a positive one. It's all been a challenge but we rose to it." Katz adamantly contends that the fans need to understand things will work out. "First off, thanks for the last fourteen and a half years! Be patient. Let us figure out what we want to do. If people want to hear us play, we'll play." However, Katz is willing to go on the line and make a very special promise. "The one thing I can guarantee is that, in 2006, we will play. I don't know when, I don't know where, and I don't know how often. I don't even know with who, but we, the remaining four members of ekoostik hookah, will play somehow. It might be once, twice, thirty times, but I don't think any of us have a solid idea until we do what we set out to do and that is to take a break, a hiatus. The whole point of that was to step aside from it all, then get together and figure out what we'd like to do. Of course, we planned on it before Ed left, so that puts a new spin on things. It's another thing to talk about, but it doesn't override the fact that we still need a rest. We'll get together sometime, maybe like in February, and discuss what we'd like to do. By March, we'll figure it out. I fully expect that by the end of April we'll play our first gig back." To conclude, Katz urges fans, "Definitely don't listen to rumors – it's not worth your time. Unless you talk to one of us specifically, don't believe it."
Ed McGee & Dave Katz
12.31.05 By Scott Preston |
Ed McGee's last bow on New Year's Eve was most likely the last time he will ever set foot on stage with ekoostik hookah. Almost right away, One Under gets his undivided attention as they hit the road to get their name and sound out there. Yet, McGee isn't looking forward without taking the time to reflect back and to be thankful for the experience. "My biggest accomplishment in my time in hookah is my songs; I think the way I write my songs has improved. See, with hookah, I write the song and pretty much have it done when I show it to the rest of the band, so it's a much more personal process - as opposed to the collaborative method I'm a part of with One Under. I take so much pride in the material I have written during this time – I tend to see my songs as 'children.' They grow and change over time just like people do. Some get more attention than others, and some disappear for a while. But, at the end of the day, I can think of the songs I've written and feel a lot of pride in that. The fact that hookah provided an outlet for so many people to hear what I had to say is amazing." McGee isn't about to start worrying about the possibility of competing for fans or even experiencing a head-to-head showdown if a reformed ekoostik hookah and One Under just happen to play the same town on the same night. "As I said before, I really believe that music is for sharing. A part of that sharing is that there is plenty of room for all the music to exist and to be appreciated. Music should not be a competition. I hate it when someone's got an attitude like Panic is better than String Cheese or whatever. It's not that important, you know? Relax and go with the flow." McGee wishes his band mates all the best and wants to see them continue to play and to grow. "I hope Hookahville is the band's lasting legacy. I really hope it keeps happening." Finally, Ed McGee has an important message for the fans that have supported ekoostik hookah through the years. "I would love to just tell the fans that it's been an honor to have been a part of this. I will definitely miss the feelings I got playing with these guys and for our wonderful fans. I truly appreciate their caring and support so much. Every time they sang along, it meant so much to me. I hope the fans don't forget me - I'll never forget all the great times."
As absolutely uncertain as ekoostik hookah's future is, it's doubtful that fans will forget Ed McGee or any other member of ekoostik hookah anytime soon. Whether this hiatus serves as just a long, refreshing breather or the foothill to a more extensive break, it is undeniable that the contributions this band leaves behind permeate the whole scene of which they have been such a big part. It's certain that the other band members have their stories and insights, but Dave Katz, Ed McGee, and Cliff Starbuck seem to have reached a quorum. The consensus? Change is nothing to be afraid of because it is something one can never avoid. With change's inevitability, fear only causes lack of focus on the things that are truly important. So now, as the "Sun Goes Down" on this chapter in the story of this mainstay of Midwest music, Dave Katz alludes that "You always know there'll be another show" while fans and band members alike take "One Last Look Around." The fans have a chance to reflect on and to appreciate the all-encompassing good vibes and good feelings that these musicians have painstakingly provided for years. As Dave Katz explains, the very first letter of ekoostik hookah's name represents those vibes and all the band has accomplished. Take those sentiments and break them down to their simplest component, "with all things stripped away," like Cliff Starbuck says, and you get the core of what ekoostik hookah and the schwa signify – homegrown, heartfelt, honest music meant to be experienced live and shared with friends. Whatever happens, those vibes and that impact will never go away, no matter what the future brings. No matter what changes, the schwa remains the same.
JamBase | Hookahville
Go See Live Music!
EKOOSTIK HOOKAH JAMCAM VIDEO LINKS:
Dragonfly, Hookahville, Hookahville, Lady Vanilla, Rose, Schwa High, Spiders
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