Those arriving on time tonight for the big Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson/John Mellencamp show at GCS Ballpark might be surprised to see a fourth band included on the bill.
While not carrying the household name status of the rest of the bill, the Wiyos are worth the extra effort to get to the ballpark early tonight. The band, named after a notorious old Irish gang of New York, will play from 5:30 to 6 pm.
(TAKE NOTE: Willie Nelson starts early as well, going on at 6:10 pm.)
The Brooklyn quartet throws a lot against the wall — vaudeville, ragtime, jugband, blues, hillbilly and swing - and most of it sticks better than an Oscar Madison plate of spaghetti. Think Asylum Street Spankers without the raunch (after all, this is a family concert.) The Wiyos new album comes out July 13.
I caught up with guitar/banjo/ukulele player Parrish Ellis recently as the band geared up for it’s highest profile tour since forming in 2002.
RC: How did you get this gig?
PE: Dylan’s manager had received our record and liked it. We were all excited for this tour because you don’t get this type of opportunity every day. Also, all of us are huge Dylan and Willie fans. As a songwriter, Dylan turned my world upside down at age 12. And Willie’s Texas swing… he was a real icon for me. So this tour is a real childhood dream.
RC: I read you started out playing on street corners. Where?
PE: We were busking on the street all over the country, mainly New Orleans and New York. We’d make enough money for gas and food and go on the road. Now, we’re full time in theaters. Our washboard player has a theatrical and silent film background, so an element of our show is theatrical. We love the physical comedy of the silent film era. The band plays off one another. I’m the straight man, though.
RC: In Europe, were you surprised by the reception?
PE: Crowds were extremely enthusiastic in the UK, Sweden, France and Canada for that matter.
RC: Where do you buy your vintage clothing?
PE: Always at thrift stores, anywhere and everywhere. We never wear high-dollar clothes. The best finds are in very rural locations where the clothes haven’t been picked over. Our bassist (Joseph “Joebass” DeJarnette) has also been collecting 78s for a long time. The stock is dwindling though.
RC: Have you met Willie or Dylan yet?
PE: Not yet, and we’re not expecting to. We would love to, but it’s not that likely, especially Dylan.
Bob Dylan with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and the Wiyos
5 pm Tonight, GCS Ballpark, Sauget, Ill.
http://www.myspace.com/thewiyos
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