Borderland All-Stars: News

The Borderland All-Stars tore the roof off the world-famous Red Parka Pub in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire this past weekend (Jan.8th & 9th). Two spectacular nights of live Rock & Roll were expected by the apres-ski vacation crowd and the All-Stars did not disappoint. Those that waited in line outside in five-degree weather were rewarded upon entry by the welcoming fullness of the music, and by the intense heat generated on the crowded dance floor. In addition to the funkiest cuts from their latest album "MILK MONEY", highlights of the weekend dance-a-thon included Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved?", and of course, the Marvin Gaye classics "Let's Get It On" and "Sexual Healing". Drummer Jefferson Woods was simply spectacular on both evenings, executing seemingly effortless dynamic variations that allow no one to sit still.

The band seemed to enjoy themselves, as exhibited by the cheerfulness emanating from their speakers. They are increasingly including sets in which horn-man Jason Buhl switches over to bass and bassist Chris Houston plays guitar & sings along with frontman David Spagone (Chris & Dave often gig as a duo called "TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD"). The result proves to be a delightful and welcome variance in timbre that is somewhat necessary when you play marathon sets like the All-Stars do. Some of the best grooves provided by this switched configuration were "In the Morning Hours" (from "MILK MONEY"), the Stones' "Sweet Virginia", and a wild-walkin' version of the classic "Bad Leroy Brown" that had normally mild-mannered people dancing on the tables. Much to the Saturday night audience's enjoyment, stunt guitarist Jay Aptt joined the band for a one-night-only of hypnotic string elements that only intensified all things. His vocals on several rockin' blues classics were superb and exciting, but when asked if he would be performing with the All-Stars more frequently in the future, he only shrugged and gestured obscenely.

After Saturday's show, Woods ignored my inquiries about Aptt, but commented on the band's performance: "Yeah, they were excellent shows...as Dave would say 'the pleasure principles were expanded'. I guess as long as Dave's happy they're always good shows. If one little thing throws him off -- like if he's not happy with his outfit or if the audience doesn't applaud vigorously enough or if Houston looks at him the wrong way -- it can be a long night. It used to happen more often, but reminding him to shut up and stay positive has helped immensely of late"....OUCH!

-Harv Clokey

Fans of the Borderland All-Stars can rest assured that, despite recent public harangues and feuding, the core members (Jason Buhl, David Spagone, Chris Houston, and the incomparable Jefferson Woods) do not have plans to end their musical partnership for separate horizons. In fact, the band is energized by the success of their most recent album of songs entitled "MILK MONEY" (available at cdbaby.com) and have been performing with renewed vigor since the end of the Summer. In fact, featured guitarist Jay Aptt has been present for a few recent Fall and Winter shows, contributing to a greater sonic fullness every time.

Side projects and extracurricular activities abound (Buhl's work with the horn-heavy Macrotones being the most exciting of these), but the Borderland All-Stars have lately vowed to never stop playing together. Spagone also intimates that Aptt will be present "a little more often" in 2010. Let's hope Dave's not just yanking our chain again.

-Clint Westwood

Multi-Instrumentalist and co-songwriter Jason Buhl was mysteriously absent from the Borderland All-Stars concert on August 15th at the Wollaston Yacht Club. Lead Guitarist Jay Aptt joined the group for an absolutely magnificent performance of most of their "MILK MONEY" album (Aptt wrote the two instrumentals "Nosebreaker" and "The Long Arm of the Claw", and his slithering guitar is featured on the entire album). The All-Stars played for three and a half hours, during which the dancing on the deck never ceased. Drummer Jefferson Woods gave yet another riveting percussion performance in which his polyrhythms had ladies twirling on the dance floor. Highlights included his molten samba during the band's Santana-like interlude to Freddie King's "Ain't That I Don't Love You", and also the unrelenting funk drive he provided for "Tonight Or Any Other Night" (from the new album). His hand percussion was brilliant during the acoustic set of originals and vintage favorites played by Chris Houston and Dave Spagone. Houston's acoustic guitar and vocals are becoming increasingly featured at Borderland shows (he and Spagone have been gigging heavily all Spring and Summer as TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD).

As for the absence of Jason Buhl, the All-Stars provided no comment after Saturday's show, and did not express any overt concern. It is known that Buhl appeared with his other group, THE MACROTONES, on both August 14th and August 15th in New York. Buhl has not yet responded to inquiries, and only Houston shed a speck of light on this enthralling and important mystery. When reached Monday, he would only say "Buhl will undoubtedly play with us at the Yacht Club concert on September 12th, and Aptt will not". He described my attempts to unravel band inner truths as "utter silliness". Thanks Houston.

-Harv Clokey

The Borderland All-Stars have unofficially released their newest album "MILK MONEY" by unveiling it at the annual Oxford Music & Grass Festival on July 11th. Like their previous release, "ONE SPORE FOR THE ROAD", the tunes are derived from and evoke a multitude of musical styles. Twelve new songs primarily feature the voice of frontman David Spagone. Bassist Chris Houston and drummer Jefferson Woods set the bedrock tone early. There is high-powered 70's-style Rock & Roll mixed in with country and funk grooves. Two of the twelve songs are instrumentals, written by lead guitar player Jay Aptt; the entirely molten funk "Nosebreaker" and a haunting reggae called "The Long Arm of the Claw". Horn giant Jason Buhl, who recorded, produced and mastered the album "on a Grade D milk money budget" sings lead on two songs as well; a snappy rocker entitled "WhereWhenHowOr Why" and an almost menacing "At Every Turn" which features a chorus written by Spagone, Houston and Woods. "Bangin' In", "Always Ready", "Look Out, Love" and "In the Morning Hours" are brand new tunes Spagone brought to the band shortly before these initial sessions; they are two hard rockers and two country-tinged tunes respectively. Long-time fans recognize funk stuffs "City of Champions", "Tonight or any Other Night", and "Info-tainment" as long-time live-show staples originally tested by Spagone and the band during the never-released-but-widely-bootlegged "CORDON BLEU" sessions of 2004-2005. "No One Loves Enough" is a tune worked out by Houston and Spagone that features fabulous Jefferson Woods drumming. The wide variation of musical styles is kept cohesive by the steadiness of the rhythm section and the quilted soloing of Jay Aptt and Jason Buhl. Spagone was asked about the new album while recently laughing and drinking champagne cocktails. "It's a collaboration sweetened by the presence of extreme focus on the musical pleasure principles, and the use of actual instruments that actually get played by the actual band members. When there's true instrumental and vocal creativity, it can sometimes prove to be splendour in the ears." Word.

-Harv Clokey

At long last, the Borderland All-Stars latest collection of original songs entitled "Milk Money" is expected to be released on or about July 11th, 2009. The subject of much anticipation, rumour, conjecture, and even violent infighting among the band members (due to various production delays), the album serves as a snapshot of the group's brief collaboration with lead guitarist Jay Aptt. Former frontman of North Shore jam-band Tonekat, Aptt departed the All-Stars' regular live-show lineup in late 2008. "Milk Money" includes two songs originally penned by Aptt, as well as a few Borderland tunes that fans will recognize from the band's live repertoire. Also included are several songs that originated during the never-officially-released (but widely bootlegged) "Cordon Bleu" sessions of late 2004. "We went in and laid down better versions of the best stuff from that (Cordon Bleu) album" explains singer/guitarist David Spagone, "and were real pleased with the results on things like 'Info-tainment' and 'City of Champions', which we're releasing on this disc. There's plenty of brand new stuff on there, too. I'm excited as hell about it." Spagone wouldn't elaborate on recent reports of various arguments and even violent confrontations (some in public) among the core band members, except to admit that tensions over production delays ran high from time to time. He added that production breakthroughs have resulted in "a karmic simmer-down" within the group. Certainly, there seemed no evidence of infighting at the Wollaston Beach show last weekend, and Spagone and Chris Houston have been performing frequently as an acoustic duo lately. The band members were extremely upbeat immediately after the Wollaston Beach concert, talking up the release of "Milk Money". "It's the best thing I've ever done", said drummer Jefferson Woods. Spagone touted the style variations employed on the album (a major theme of their "One Spore for the Road" disc), adding "we purposely diversify the styles of music because variety is the spice, maing".

-Clint Westwood

As expected, the Borderland All-Stars did not disappoint the fun-loving crowd of fans and friends that attended their show at the Wollaston Yacht Club in Quincy last Saturday Night. The band jammed for over 3 & 1/2 hours, turning the club's observation deck into a teeming open-air dance floor. Once again, the All-Stars "applied the pleasure principles" (as they like to say) by seamlessly combining sets of brilliant original music with many vintage rock & roll and reggae covers. Long-time fans received a special treat when the band included re-worked versions of early-era originals such as "Luscious Luther's Lament", "Limp-A-Long", and "Bring It" (from their "It Ain't That Type of Party" album). Several tunes from the group's upcoming release were also performed, and these received overwhelming approval from the lively audience. This new release (rumoured titles overheard include "Where the Music Lives", "Milk Money", and/or "Traffic Jam Lane") is expected sometime in July. Also notable was the absence of any violent or heated infighting between the band members, as tensions over release delays have been flaring up like a pack of hemhorroids lately.

-Clint Westwood

Just like you and everyone else, the Borderland All-Stars are excited about Summertime! Especially exciting is the band's return to the historic and hospitable Wollaston Yacht Club located at the beach on Quincy Shore Drive. On Saturday June 13th, the fun begins early at 7:00 PM. Ladies' admission is only $5.00 for a night of dancing with funky Rock & Roll and soulful love songs played by REAL MUSICIANS!

-Harv Clokey

Close friends and fans of the All-Stars are all too aware of the recent bickering and infighting among the bandmembers. This is almost certainly due to the production delays involved with the release of their next recorded project (we hear that it's working title, "Squandered", has been dropped). "The music is finished and mastered" says David Spagone icily, "The delay comes from another department. I'm eager for the collection to release because I'm sure our fans will like the songs." He did not go into detail about recent public arguments (he and Jeff Woods almost coming to blows at a Boston club in April, and more recently, Spagone deliberately dumping a plate of linguini on bassist Chris Houston at a very posh restaurant, Jason Buhl's increasing frequency of side projects). Despite the recent friction, Spagone reports that release is imminent (as he's been saying since Fall 2008) and that the bandmembers' spirits have been "lifted as of late". Only several days ago however, Jefferson Woods was quoted referring to Spagone as "a cotton-headed ninny-muggins". This reporter is confused.

-Harv Clokey

The band members of the Borderland All-Stars want to extend their thanks to the giant mob of fans and friends who attended the show at Kings DeVille Lounge in the Back Bay (Friday, March 14th 2008 www.backbaykings.com). We were both overwhelmed and humbled by the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm you all continue to give. Extra special thanks are due to the crew that willfully converted the main dining area into a dance floor. We will surely return to perform at that magnificent little venue in the very near future. Until then, keep in touch with yourselves.

Hey, you fans who've been requesting Boston appearances: On March 14th, the All-Stars will perform at Kings Lounge. There is NO COVER CHARGE and it's the best little room for live entertainment in the whole city...Also, catch the Borderland All-Stars Saturday March 29th at Club Aurora in Taunton MA, performing in an event titled Musicians for Mitochondrial Awareness, along with two other bands: Steve Lanza Jr. & Friends, and Richmond VA artist John Moosa