Switchback

EW at Quixote's in Aurora, Colorado, 1999.

In 1999, around the time my son was born, I started playing in a jam band in Denver. The band, dubbed Switchback by my friend Doug Goodwin, included rhythm guitarist Steve Jemison, bassist Chris Wangelin, drummer Rich Chavez, & myself on lead guitar. All save for Rich sang, though Steve handled most of the vocals. We all shared a love for the music of the Grateful Dead and covered some of their songs as well as songs by Neil Young. The majority of the music, however, was original.

Steve, a gifted songwriter, wrote most of the songs although Chris contributed tracks as well. We played extended jams that were free and energetic, funky and psychedelic. We weren't always brilliant but we were pretty fearless. Steve and I both played acoustic-electric guitars but I used a few effects on my leads. Chris played fretless bass. Rich, a muscular, former-Marine, played with great skill and boundless energy on a kit that seemed as big as Carl Palmer's. (Our load-ins and breakdowns were famously arduous.) Our music was once described as "energetic acoustic groove". The band did not remain together long, perhaps six months, but it was a pretty fun ride while it lasted. During our time together, we played several times at Quixote's in Aurora, which was then the foremost Dead-centered bar on the Front Range. Lots of tie-dye and long hair. Our gigs lasted over four hours and people danced to the end.  We also played once at The Buffalo Rose, a legendary biker-friendly venue in Golden. A few days after us, the headliner was Blue Oyster Cult.

The track featured here, "Neighbors", was recorded at The Bluebird, a well-known venue in Denver. We were performing as part of a four band showcase. The song is a funky instrumental composed by Chris Wangelin, whose dynamic bass playing is the centerpiece. I loved playing this one am happy to have this recording.