Honor Among Thieves (November 2007)

Date of Performance: September 16, 2007
Venue: Willy Street Fair, Williamson Street, Madison, WI, US

Honor Among Theives are a Wisconsin based group who got their start some 25 years ago, with 5 CDs, 1 LP and a 45 to their credit (you remember what 45s are, don'tcha?). The band are: Andy Ewen - lead vocals, guitar; Doug DeRosa - bass, vocals; Randal Harrison (aka Randy Hoecherl) - violin, vocals; and Joey B. Banks - drums. Joshua Turner filed this report on their opening performance at the 2007 Willy Street Fair in Madison, Wisconsin.

I saw this band a few years back at the Harmony Bar and Grill. At that time, I thought they were exceptional. Since then they've left an impression. Not only did they adhere to the spherules in my brain; their concert also generated a keepsake for the scrapbook.

When a local magazine called The Isthmus made them their cover story, they included a photo with an on-stage perspective. As luck would have it, I recognized a shadow off in the distance. This individual's legs were bare. Only a single patron in attendance wore shorts, so the identity of this alleged suspect was clear.

To satisfy your curiosity, the blurry dot in the corner was me.

I saw them one other time. While this didn't result in a fuzzy snapshot of my knickerbockers, it still confirmed my approval.

Fast-forward; on this fine September day, they were an opener to a fair, and it marked my third interaction without a single opinion on record. For this reason, I felt they earned attention from my pen.

Believe it or not, lighting strikes again. This may have been their best audition to date. It was also most impressive how they were so chipper at noon.

Judging by the crowd's enthusiasm for this band, they were unquestionably suitable for the popular block party.

The poster described them as Rock & Blues Roots with Klezmer, Jazz, Funk & Beyond. It's hard to pigeonhole them into just one genre, but that diverse portrayal is pretty close. Actually, on MySpace.com, it comes from the angle that they are creative, spontaneous and infinitely-danceable.

Initially, I had confused them with a band on the Culture Stage. To give you an idea of what those minstrels entailed, the members wore costumes. That outfit of sorts was called Yid Vicious. It was hard to tell, but it looked like Lion-O and the rest of the Thundercats. If I were to be completely objective, they were probably super-sized munchkins from the Wizard of Oz and they weren't alone. They were chaperoned by all of Dorothy's closest friends.

Unlike Dumbledore, they had little style. Still, they were intriguing musicians that came in an odd arrangement: bass, clarinet, singer, guitar, tuba, accordion, and drums. I hadn't planned on mingling with maidens, knights, and men in tights. It was like the Middle Ages all over again. To be honest, I was half-expecting Shakespearean fireflies, fairies, and nymphs to pour out of the ground.

Since this event preached cultural diversity, I think it's only fair to make mention of this colorful end of this festival's spectrum. I was quite fond of them but had to go, because I came exclusively for Honor Among Thieves.

Due to this distraction, we were slightly delayed, but I was glad I stayed even if it were only for a spell. Then again, I was also happy I moved on when I did. You could say Yid Vicious was both awesome and weird at the same time, and I could only handle so much of their inhibited display.

When we finally made it over to the Rock Stage, we discovered that the thieving had already begun. The muscular bass and gristly violin were quick to steal my attention. Additionally, the drums were fun. While most pitchmen are hidden, this one was front and center, and he used his percussive office to dispel attitude whilst peddling his sticks.

When I took my eyes from the stage, I noticed a blockhead that had strayed from the Culture Stage. This is not a sleight against the man, but actually an accurate description. He had on a black and white tuxedo, and a giant facemask shaped and formed with papier-m?ch? to look like a skull. On his lapel and tail-feathers was an assortment of painted skeletons as well. He and his girlfriend - who was equally hideous and dressed as a menacing Raggedy Ann - were no doubt throwbacks to groupies of the Grateful Dead.

In general, there was a hippie vibe about the crowd, which meant the people were peaceful and passive. For example, while there was erratic dancing, the mosh-pit allowed for personal space.

To lighten our spirits, MG&E [Madison Gas & Electric] provided a truck that spewed soapy bubbles and foam. To go along with the pimped ride, the "Bubbleman" appeared in glitzy attire. In some ways, this was a Mini-Mardi Gras. With everything taken into account, this would certainly rattle my conservative and East Coast friends.

The next song stole the thunder from its gassy predecessor. While I cannot remember its first decedent, this one was easy to recall. It was a dead-ringer for Warren Zevon's "Werewolves Of London."

Subsequently, there was a composition called "The Vision And A Friend." It had a lot of personality as it was peppered with riffs from Prince. This was a great song that featured a section referred to as the Randal Harrison trio. It was delivered with screams like Little Richard and cheers along the lines of, "Go Andy!" It was clear this band was local. Was Andy Ewen's family in attendance?

This soulful piece made me think of The Charlie Daniels Band. To make this comparison stick, it even had a bona fide hillbilly moment.

Afterwards, it seemed as if they got some external direction. One of the band members said, "You just get warmed up and you get the five minute warning." Another stated, "We planned this before some of you were even born."

Not wasting a second more, they dedicated the remaining suite to the self-attributed godfather of soul and the hardest working man in the business. In other words, they ended on a James Brown tribute.

I am very fond of a funky bass. Ultimately, I received her affection. This was easily my favorite song and even the dancing was watertight. You couldn't really laugh at anyone who got down and boogied to this mix. It was excellent pulp fiction in the Jungle Boogie sense.

Alternatively, it highlighted the violin's strings as well as the bopping feet of its operator. The finale had all the elements of the other songs, plus scat. As it turned out, mamma has a brand-new purse to match papa's bag.

When they were done, we made the acquaintance of a very articulate MC who asked us to, "Please patronize fair sponsors."

The festival was political and grassroots. It had a potluck of food and people from all walks of life. This made me wonder: "What if George W. Bush showed up for this shindig?"

Likewise, the Willy Street Fair lucked out when they elected to have Honor Among Thieves sprout with the rest of the early-bloomers on Sunday. The group set a positive tone and an upbeat mood that carried us well into the afternoon. So soon, I knew we were in for a good day.

Though there were many acts to go; already I could say I was a satisfied patron. As long as I call Madison my home and there is no blockage in my date-book, I'll return to this fair.

[Not to be confused, by the way, with the Christian rock band of the same name from Knoxville, Tennessee]

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