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I think everyone was expecting us to sound like Phish Jr., playing Phish songs without Page and Fish, which would be ridiculous. After Bonnaroo people realized we're trying to have our own identity. You have two guys from Phish in it and they're not going to change the way they play, so there are going to be aspects of Phish. As it goes on, people will realize we're not trying to be Phish.
-Joe Russo on G.R.A.B.
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Photo by Jeff Kravitz :: 6.17.06 :: Bonnaroo
GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME
Joe Russo by Kevin Quinn |
Russo's first drum love may surprise some, though if you've ever really watched him spaz out behind his kit, it'll make perfect sense.
"Peter Criss from Kiss. I love the fire. I love the makeup," says Russo, his voice more serious than it should be. "Then I got immediately into Zeppelin and loved Bonham. Then I did the traditional Jersey drummer phase of Rush, Yes, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. As I got older, I got hip to the real serious monster players like Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, Al Foster, and Elvin Jones. Beyond that, I got into all the New York guys like Bobby Previte and Joey Baron."
"I went through a huge phase when I played with Fat Mama, who were into all that (downtown NYC) shit. They took this cheesy metalhead guy from New Jersey and threw this shit in my face. I was like 'The Knitting what?' They took me to shows where I saw people playing the drums like an instrument, like a musical voice instead of just keeping a backbeat. That was definitely a life-changing thing."
Russo says he's come full circle and is spinning out in some new directions. "After years of that, I went back to rock again. Then you see where someone like Bonham and someone like Joey Baron have something in common. Bonham could have been a badass jazz drummer. These guys just have command over their instrument. Now the thing that freaks me out more is guys who can play a great drum part, like Phil Selway from Radiohead will have these amazing beats that lend themselves to song as much as a bass line, creating a sort of orchestrated rock."
JAMMING WITH FRIENDS
Gordon, Russo, Fishman by Trevor Pour |
At any festival featuring The Duo, you're bound to encounter Russo and/or Benevento during other bands' sets. And they've historically been one of the most welcoming pairs on the circuit, though that may be changing.
"Back in the day, we'd do a lot more sit-ins, but now it has to be a bit more planned. If it's people within our posse, it's cool. Like Brad Barr from The Slip - anytime he wants he can come up and play guitar. If they know the tunes, guests are welcome," comments Russo. "When we're out with friends, (the stage) is such a natural comfortable place to be. We took a few months off in the middle of the year. Marco played with Bobby Previte, and I got to play some shows with this amazing songwriter named Chris Hartford, who's part of the Ween camp. Those gigs were so fun because he'd never let me learn the music [laughs]. He'd say, 'Fuck you. Just get on stage and play.' Playing with guys like Mickey [Melchiondo aka Dean Ween] and Dave [Dreiwitz, Ween's bassist] and Chris is my favorite way to drop into a situation – by the seat of the pants and just listening and seeing how it goes."
Marco Benevento by Mike DiDonna |
When I suggest Marco shows less restraint than him by relating pleasant memories of Benevento sprinting between stages at High Sierra 2005, Russo responds, "He's a filthy whore [laughs]! Somebody give this man a beverage! That's why I stay in the artist lounge area. It's much easier."
Their impromptu daring-do has helped to build their reputations as musical badasses. It's something Russo is reluctant to fully accept.
"We try not to get too full of ourselves. But when you're surrounded by people like Skerik and Mike [Dillon], you do feel that you're doing something right. Those cats are on this upper crust of whatever this scene is. It's good to be associated with them and with people of their stature. Some of the cats that think they're the best suck. Anybody who thinks they're the best tends to not be that happenin'. If you look at Skerik or Mike D offstage, they aren't sitting there patting themselves on the back. They go out there because they love it, and they're just so pure about what they do. I think that's what makes them incredible."
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