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Midwest Regional Report
Edited by Natalie Guinsler - dagny_esque@yahoo.com

Stop the Bus
Former Ekoostik Hookah drum tech and merchandise rep tells about life on the road
By Natalie Guinsler

Greg Frahn rises each morn at 5:15 to serve lattes and cappuchinos to the weary-eyed in Columbus, OH. But not too long ago, he was the road weary traveller crossing the U.S. with Ohio jamband Ekoostik Hookah. "I could be in Boston and the next night in Portland, Maine abd not know the difference," reminisces Frahn.

Frahn, who was Hookah's sole taper in 1992, distributed close to 10,000 dubs. His roommate, in reference to Frahn's constant dubbing, nicknamed him Dubba. Word got out to bandmembers and the name stuck. Those of you who attended Hookah shows around this time through 1995 may remember the Dubba Hut, Hookah's merchandise booth run by Frahn.

A friend and fan of Hookah's Dave Katz since 1989, Dave told Dubba about a position the crew had as drum tech. on a drive home from a show in Athens, Ohio in the fall of 1992. Despite Katz's warning, "I really don't think you want the job," Dubba hopped aboard the road crew for 3 1/2 years as drum tech, merchandise rep, and band archivist.

During his time on the road, Dubba watched Hookah's crowds grow and the band become tighter, musically and personally. In addition, through working the Dubba Hut, he became well-established in handling all kinds of people. "I got used to dealing with record companies, drunks, kids' parents, everything." And let us not forget the 5-0. Being on the road with a rock and roll band, "you learn how to deal with the police very well. I've not had to deal with a police officer since the day I got off the road." quips Dubba.

Finally, in 1995, Dubba had his fill of waking up in a different city everyday and decided to take a hiatus from the band. He took a year-long break from even seeing a show. When he came back, former front man John Mullins had been replaced with Ed McGee. "I wasn't really impressed," Dubba admits, when he attended his first show with McGee, having a hard time, lyrically, figuring out where McGee was coming from. However, "The first thing I noticed more than anything was that they (the bandmembers) all had a smile on their face...and that was the best thing ever." he said. Now, Dubba sees the addition of McGee as a positive thing. "Ed has brought more of an edge," where as John Mullins was more mellow and laid back, Dubba explains.

A self-proclaimed taping addict, "I am 100 percent for taping all of the time," Dubba has a tapelist of more than 230 DATs and 860 analog. Dubba contributes a portion of Hookah's success to their distribution of tapes. Now every show has anywhere between two to 10 tapers.

Dubba is again contemplating hopping back on the bus, however he is content just seeing his friends up on stage locally. "My biggest happiness about going to a show is not necessarily the music, it's about seeing all those guys and hanging out. They're a great bunch of guys." he says.

Check out Dubba's homepage for more Hookah information and vignettes from his life at www.dubba.com.

Ekoostik Hookah Homepage

Information is not knowledge,
Knowledge is not wisdom,
Wisdom is not truth,
Truth is not beauty,
Beauty is not love,
Love is not music,
But MUSIC IS THE BEST. --Frank Zappa

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Attention Bassists With The Groove To Move:
Bass Player Wanted

Not just a background sound, we want a bassist who plays it like a lead instrument and can create improv jams on stage. This is truely a unique band (all members are college educated and in their late 20s and early 30s). Two years yound, and now reforming, we are in the need of a strong bass player who wants to be part of a family, not just a sideman. Dozens of originals with meaning! Currently in Lincoln, Neb., but may relocate later. Dedicated to staying independent and building a touring machine. Contact mdolich@friedmanlaw.com, the band's lawyer and manager for more information and to exchange demos, or see www.binary.net/ripple-effect for band history.