As a founding member of both RANA and Sam Champion, drummer Ryan Tugboat Thornton is no stranger to post-jam scene. Tonight, however, Tugboat is being pulled in two different directions, with RANA performing at New Yorks Knitting Factory Tap Bar and Sam Champion opening for the Benevento/Russo Duo at Atlantic Citys House of Blues. On this night Thornton has opted to play with RANA, while Joe Russo will pull double duty and play drums for Sam Champion before offering a set with the Benevento/Russo Duo.
After ringing in 2007 at Troy, NYs Revolution Hall, the Duo will focus on a variety of side-projects. On January 8, Marco Benevento will team with Stanton Moore, Skerik, and Mike Dillon for a performance as Garage a Benevento at Ft. Lauderdale, FLs Culture Room. On January 12, Russo will reunite with his former Fat Mama bandmates, keyboardist Erik Deutsch and guitarist Jonathan Goldberger, for gig a New Yorks Tonic. For more on the Duo, be sure to order the December/January issue of Relix and, to hear Sam Champions Noah Chernins thoughts on 2006, click here.