Special Ed & The Shortbus and Dan Tedesco Thursday!

"A friend of mine asked me, "Are you sure you want Special Ed to play? Have you heard them?" Yes, I have. Multiple times. Special Ed and the Shortbus is a stringband that may seem a little hard to swallow for some. Much like the Fugs and Holy Modal Rounders before them, their shows are veritable litmus tests for a crowd's sense of humor. If you've ever answered yes to Frank Zappa's question "Does humor belong in music?" then The Shortbus is for you. They're straight-up nuts when they pick and sing, and if you can get past the lovely freakishness of their stage act, you'll find some real talent backing up the zaniness." - Haymaker Productions (www.haymaker.com)
"Special Ed and the Shortbus - what a great and politically incorrect name for a band. And Ed and cohorts are special indeed. This group of acoustic musicians from Richmond play a type of music that has been described as acoustic mayhem - a good thing, in this case. The group is a stylistic mixed bag, incorporating elements of vaudeville, jug-band music, bluegrass, old-time string-band music - and, naturally, various Eastern European musical traditions. It's careening, high- energy entertainment that is off the rails - but expertly performed. " - Relish - Triangle Area, NC

"Slightly disturbing dada-esque Va.-based string band that’s one part Beefheart freakout and two parts trad jug-band. Too bad that off-putting name will likely hold them back (pun intended)." - Connect Savannah, Savannah, GA

Special Ed and the Shortbus is a band that has fun, makes you have fun and sends giant fun bubbles wafting throughout the universe.

Bluegrass meets ragtime. Lots of stomp and swagger. Ridiculously funny lyrics. -- The Garage, Winston Salem, NC

I’ll tell you who I am. I’m a kid from the countryside of Illinois who saw something in rock ’n roll music, or I should say felt something in rock ’n roll music, that I’ve been chasing ever since. It’s led me to some pretty incredible places, and into the lives of some pretty amazing people. As a musician/songwriter/performer/person I’m hoping to carry on that wild, uninhabited spirit that the true rock ’n roll bands stood for. It’s that ability to conquer things most people would be too afraid or insecure to ever attempt. It’s taking the chance...and being satisfied with whatever the outcome is.

I’m also the guy trying to make music relevant again. In my opinion, there are a lot of great bands out there right now....but a lot of them aren’t relelvant to today. They may be a novelty act that is copping the sound of the ’60s or a grunge band more or less following the formula first concocted with needles and booze by Black Sabbath. But my goal is to somehow re-connect where music has come from with today....instead of just floating out there in the black hole of random music on iTunes. In other words, drink new beer out of old bottles.