Today we look back to March 4, 2002…

Jason Newsted to Perform with Govt Mule

Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted will join Govt Mule for four shows in April. The band, which is currently not touring, hits the road again on April 11 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools will tour with the group through April 17 at the Beacon Theater in New York City, after which he will be unavailable due to Widespread Panics schedule. Newsted will perform with the Mule April 18 at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, MI, April 19 at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago, IL, April 20 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN and April 21 at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI. Guitarist Audley Freed, formerly of the Black Crowes, will also join Gov’t Mule for those dates.

For the complete itinerary, visit www.mule.net.

John Medeski, Eric Kalb to Tour with Club dElf

Organist John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Word) and drummer Eric Kalb (Deep Banana Blackout) will tour with Club dElf later this month. The line-up will also feature Mike Rivard, Brahim Fribgane, Mat Maner and Mister Rourke. I write the charts out and send them to the musicians,’ says Rivard. ‘But before the performance takes place, nobody quite knows what all the different elements will be, so it all gets mixed live. I like to compare it to the creation of a movie, where I’m the director, and I’m using special effects.’

The band will perform March 24 at the State Theatre in Falls Church, VA, March 25 at Starr Hill Music Hall in Charlottesville, VA, March 26 at the Asheville Music Zone in Asheville, NC, March 27 at the Echo Lounge in Atlanta, GA, March 28 at the Georgia Theater in Athens, GA, March 29 at the Cats Cradle in Carrboro, NC, March 30 at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA and March 31 at the Mercury Lounge in New York City.

Club dElf will also release a studio album this summer. Special guests to appear on the CD will include Medeski, DJ Logic, Maneri and the late Mark Sandman (Morphine).
For more information, visit www.clubdelf.com.

Robert Hunter Announces Tour Dates

Former Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter has announced plans to perform this spring. Hunter will take the stage April 23 at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis, TN and May 4 at the Beacon Theater in New York City. More dates in Oregon, Washington and Illinois will be announced soon.
For ticket information, visit www.gdtstoo.com.

Members of Psychedelic Breakfast Sit in with Max Creek

Members of Psychedelic Breakfast took the stage with Max Creek Saturday at the Paradise in Boston, MA. Keyboardist Jordan Giangreco and drummer Adrian Tramontano joined the group for Louisiana Sun’ midway through the second set.
Max Creek plays March 16 at the Living Room in Providence, RI. For more dates, visit www.maxcreek.com.