The EGB will return to the Grog in Newburyport this coming Saturday night (January 31st).  The Daily News of Newburyport is running this article on the band (A big big thank you to Richie Victorino for the interview).  And, below is a video of our last show at the Grog (the night before Thanksgiving). Hope to see you there on Saturday!

ARTICLE: By Richie Victorino 
“EVAN GOODROW AND THE NEW LINE-UP”

One of them credits Mr. Miyagi for his musical success (John); another
considers his train-wreck performance in Japan as a career highlight (Phil).
And the third – the ringleader – can’t seem to sing without wearing a hat
(Evan).

Three different personalities with three different histories – all with one
commonality … the number three suits them just fine.
The EGB (Evan Goodrow Band), who perform at The Grog this Saturday, January
31, are focused on a mathematical equation that may baffle some but is
logical and natural to them: 1+1+1= …1.

For years, the EGB, led by guitarist/songwriter Evan Goodrow, boasted a
robust 4-piece sound (guitar, bass, saxophone, drums, with everyone
singing). It was a sound that helped create funky, jazzy energetic music
that made you dance like a fool without a care in the world. Recently the
band shed some weight, after the departure of their bassist and saxophonist.
They may be lesser in pounds, yet EGB touts a larger sound than their
slimmer form suggests. As drummer Phil Antoniades realized, a diet can give
a man, or even a band, a new perspective on life.

“It really helps with bringing out Evan’s … guitar playing style, and his
writing style,” Antoniades said. “So it comes out more. That’s what I’m
hearing. ”
Antoniades, who cherishes his abysmal performance in front of 14,000
Japanese fans (the big band he was performing with “train-wrecked”
mid-song yet the crowd believed it to be a beautifully executed artistic
statement) as a life-altering moment (”it’s like getting over the fear of
screwing up”), has played with Goodrow off and on since EGB formed.

“I loved that band,” Antoniades said, referring to the former EGB quartet
that won the 2007 Boston Blues Award. “But there’s something different going
on with the trio. Everything has its own space.”

Antoniades isn’t the only one excited about the three-piece band. Goodrow,
the face and name of EGB, barely wanted to talk about anything else than
“the trio.” For a band leader, as Goodrow is, sharing the limelight might be
difficult. But for him, it’s necessary.
“The less of me the better,” Goodrow said, referring to the content of this
article. “I’m looking for this to be more focused on them.”

Focus seems the mantra for the three of EGB. Focus is why Goodrow whittled
down his band. “I made it a trio because the trio has a lot of space for
songs,” he said, echoing Antoniades thoughts. “There’s more focus
happening.”

Goodrow shows pride in his band, much like a general manager might tout his
sports team. In a similar fashion, Goodrow scouted, and plucked, the right
pieces to his musical puzzle. He lingered around the Boston music scene last
year to discover organist John Cooke, a 22-year-old Berklee graduate who
Goodrow thought fit his criteria. Aside from needing a talented organist
who’d have to assume the role of bassist as well, Goodrow needed someone
willing and able to travel the way rock and rollers do.

At the time he found him, Cooke had been playing with Bruce Katz, whom he
refers to as the “Mr. Miyagi of Berklee.”
Cooke had little time to acclimate to the new band. Soon after being told he
was in, he found himself on the road toward York, ME, for a gig at Inn on
the Blues with little knowledge of the songs he was about to perform.
“I had no idea what I was going into,” Cooke said. “I was handed a binder
with a bunch of charts and was told ‘here you go.’ It was sort of a shock
for me as a young rookie. This is serious music. These guys are serious
musicians.”

In talking with Cooke, one can hear the rookie in his voice.  ”Thank you
very much for allowing me to talk,” he said before ending our interview. The
nicety is welcome, but rare. It’s a slight contrast to Goodrow, who’s
seasoned in the art of rock and roll. He has interviewing down pat - he
weaves responses like he does his lyrics, with a cadence, confidence and wit
that keeps us intrigued. He’s got the stage-presence mastered – he dons a
Moroccan-style hat, called a “Kufi”, for every show. It’s his signature,
like Bono in black, or Kiss in makeup.

“I wear it because … I can’t seem to sing without it,” he said, jokingly.
“It allows me to get into the role. Bono’s always in black. Jagger always
wears something flashy. Everyone has their thing.”

It’s been more than a year since EGB put out an album.  After making four
albums in 2007, the band decided to “give it a second and let 2008 come to
them,” as Goodrow said. 2008 came and passed without an album, the first
time that 365 days passed without the band making a record. But 2009
promises to be different. The band is sifting through dozens of songs to
find the perfect fit for their debut trio effort.  They plan on recording
the album at Antoniades’ barn-turned-recording studio in Hopkinton.
See them live at the Grog in Newburyport this coming Saturday night.

Sat, Jan. 31 2009 9:30 PM Doors open at 9:00 PM
The Grog
13 Middle St.
Newburyport, MA
978-465-8700

 

 

Just got back from the little Island of St. Barths this past week (that’s in the French West Indies, Caribbean for all of you who may or may not be familiar with it). (ISLAND WEB CAM HERE).

This is the place I take the band down for a month to do the Christmas/New Years Eve run at Le Bete A Zailes (more commonly referred to as the “Bazbar”: a small sushi/live music spot that has become “THE” place for live music down there).

The most common response I get when people find out “Where I just was” (Caribbean) and “What I just came back to” (Snow, ice, and cold) is something like: aww man, that s$%ks!

THE TRUTH? It doesn’t.

Actually, I’m happy to be home, because I’m a New Englander at heart. And there’s something about constant snow and sub zero temperatures that make the writer/musician in me get wrapped up in my little apartment, turn the laptop/cell phone off and write music without paying any attention to the clock.
In fact, anyone who knows a bit about this side of me, will tell you that I have a hard time creating (writing music or lyrics) in warm climates, or even when I’m on the road in general.

Now, I’m home in Boston, AND by choice, AND here to stick out the weather (climate and economic!) with all my Boston peeps!
E

I suppose it’s not hard to believe with the financial “gloom and doom” that parades across the headlines every morning that there will be plenty of casualties in the music and arts department. Still, I’m quite saddened at this news.

The North Shore Music Theater was not only the theater where I witnessed my first concert (and decided, man, I want to be on that stage!), but also a break through venue for myself and the band. Starting with a B.B.King show in 05′ and then Peter Frampton in 06′, Eddie Money in 07′, and finally the B.B.King show that “just” happened this past November 29th, I’ve been happy to call the NSMT my home, filled with friends and supporters.

There’s a full story HERE if you want the details (I’m not going to re-iterate them here lest I start shedding tears all over my laptop).

My summarization of it is this: 2009 may seem a strange and ever-changing year, and it’s important to stay positive even in light of catastrophic changes. To all the employees, families, and patrons of the theater, my
heart goes out to you all. Remember to keep your heads up, and know that there are people out there that think as highly of you as I do.

I’ve posted a few photos from the concerts (mentioned above) at the NSMT that I was both honored and lucky to be a part of. If you were at any of these shows then you might remember the spirit of the staff, and the effectiveness that they exhibited at their jobs. Truly wonderful people, contributing to a beautiful moment in time.

In love,
Evan

  With B.B. 11/28/08

 With Frampton 06′

 First show at NSMT (B.B. 05′)