Well today is the day I need to mow the lawn. Its gotten to be that the neighbors are now pointing at this grotesque mulch and shakin their heads. I guess I really enjoy the way the grass individually grows after it gets past about three inches...it sorta bends and sways in its own direction. Sometimes you can get that sorta ripple effect going if its variable wind conditions. After a while I suppose the lawn would start to dread up if you didn't cut it. Then what would the neighbors say...

I smoked on the the lawn of our fair State Capitol in St. Paul Minnesota this past July 4th. We played a show for our version of "the Taste of Minnesota". I feel like saying how many people were there but then does it really matter? The Taste of Minnesota is funny. I've been to the Taste of Chicago. With all the ethnic diversity that Chicago has, you can imagine the multi-colored aroma's that sneak into your nose past every booth. In Minnesota its a whole nother story. They've got the giant Turkey Legs, which you hear about on every morning radio show. The talk about these Turkey Legs like they are Duck-a-la-Orange or some kind of Pate. Call me crazy, but aren't the Turkey Legs the last thing standing on the serving plate at Thanksgiving Dinner? They go in the garbage along with the gizzards, livers, and hearts. Yet on our Nation's holiday, at the Taste of MN in St. Paul, you see everyone and their Grandmothers chowing down on these huge, barbarian snacks. Must be some kind of "git back to the caveman days" bonding experience that everyone is feeling. God forbid they let their lawns grow dreadies. Minnesota seems so dull sometimes, its the little stupid things that make it interesting.

What is Big Wu? We are a band that plays music and travels around the country. People dig it sometimes and sometimes they say it sucks. We are still around so I guess people are diggin it and coming back. That's about it in a nutshell. Its funny listening to bands on the radio doing interviews sometimes and how they say stuff like:

"This album for us is a departure from our previous material. We are now more focused outward and really feel connected to the world as we grow and mature. We really feel like we can sum up our music in one word: Deep."

....then you hear the DJ say: "Here's the new single from so and so: I'm Gonna Make You Give Your Love To Me..." Jeez...c'mon now! I dunno about ya all, but I'm searching for a little more reality in my music these days. That is one thing that really stands out for me with alot of Gobi bands *(Gobi meaning Jambands, but I love the word that came from an article by LA DJ Barry Smolin...thanks Barry, hopefully its catching!), it feels as though these musicians are giving us some honesty. But who knows where we are headed. It seems to me like this explosion of music is startin to spread all across the county. Seems like the next few years we could see a rise in the number of good bands on the radio. Not that the radio is any kind of gauge for success or something. It just would be nice to hear something other than another Stevie Ray Vaughn tune on our typical classic rock station. Some of us still only have radio's in the car...WE are the ones who need to stand up as one voice together and say! I CAN'T AFFORD TO UPGRADE MY CAR STEREO...WHY MUST MY EARS SUFFER BECAUSE OF MY POVERTY?

Radio. There is a controversial subject, but you know, we've been doing alot of radio interviews and stuff in the past couple months and there are some pretty good stations popping up all around the country. Madison has a Triple AAA Station called 105.5 and they play tons of good heady stuff, all different too. I called them and said, "you know, you are a great radio station. Keep it up...people wanna hear more music like this!" If ya all have a radio station that is gettin into this new format, please call and give em yer support. 105.5 Madison is an example of a station that listened to the people and made some changes.

Kay...Big Wu stuff. We are coming Eastward once again. October is west all month...but late July/August we'll be on the East Coast. Come down and dance with us if you can. Here are some fun dates:

THUR. JUL 27th

We are playing the Park West in Chicago. This is the first time for us playing this monster venue. We are psyched that this show is all ages and we hope to make this our home in Chicago for a while. If you are from Chitown and can help spread the word, we'd really appreciate it. If you are from Chitown and haven't seen us, please email me and I'll be happy to guest you for the night.

SAT. JUL 29th

WXRV THE RIVER is having an outdoor concert in Boston this weekend. I heard we are playing on a pretty cool stage later in the afternoon. So if you are a Panic Fan and seeing their show later than evening, come on down to the festival around 4pm and see us for free. We'll prolly cruise up and see the Panic show with ya all later....

TUE. AUG 8th

Incident in the Hills!~ We are very fortunate to be opening the night for our good friends The String Cheese Incident in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Thats Trip's Farm for those of you who've been there. We've heard nothing but magic happens at Trip's. This night is going to be awesome!!!

...Kay, nuff for this month. Next month I'll talk about a show we have at The Minnesota Zoo and some other fun stuff that is happening.

Oh yeah, Cari and I went to Alpine Valley to see Phish and had a great time together. It's weird, she and I have never danced together before, which seems really weird, but its true. We boogied down all night at Alpine! YES...so much fun was had that night by everyone in our row. We sat about twenty rows back from Page and it was mania. All night I remained so uncritical and just enjoyed myself. THIS IS THE SECRET! Just enjoy!!!!! Be Happy everyone!!!

Til' Later...write me if you want to know anything. phlaash@bitstream.net

Jason