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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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