____________________________________________________________
With a stunning lineup consisting of The Dave Matthews Band, The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, Bob Weir, The Mars Volta, Trey Anastasio, Jack Johnson, and The Allman Brothers, to name just a few, it was Southern favorites Widespread Panic that were fortunate to headline Bonnaroo 2005, twice. After taking close to two years off, due to the tragic death of original guitarist Michael Houser, Widespread Panic seem poised for another chapter in the bands history. With new guitarist George McConnell, the band is all set for their fist tour in years, kicking off with a double headline slot at Bonnaroo. We caught up with bassist Dave Schools to find out how the band feels about playing Bonnaroo again after two years apart, if the band has seen the festival grow since its inception four years ago and how the bands hiatus helped heal their wounds.
"It's definitely an honor. The first Bonnaroo we did two out of the three nights as well. And that was different. It was more of a jam band scene/festival. And since then it's sort of exploded exponentially. And grown to embrace, well there's a comedy tent, which is awesome. But bands like Mars Volta, The Frames, Flaming Lips, last year, The Polyphonic Spree. So to come back around and be able to do two nights is really an honor and we couldn't be more pleased."
Schools went on to talk about the emotional experience in losing Michael Houser to cancer and how the two year hiatus helped the band heal. "When Mike Houser was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we put off the break because he wanted to play until he couldn't play anymore. It was one of the most courageous things I've ever seen and it was an emotional experience to be a part of. So we couldn't take a break then. So we decided to bring in George McConnell, not as a replacement lead guitarist, but as a new lead guitarist and to give him some footing. To sort of reestablish ourselves and have a foot hold before we did take the break. And we took a break and it's probably been the greatest thing we've ever done because it's been like 18 years."
With stops at Bonnaroo, Red Rocks, Lollapalooza, Aspen's Snow Mass Festival, The Gorge and Austin City Limits, Widespread Panic's 2005 Summer Tour is perhaps one of the most anticipated tours of the summer. Check out a clip of the bands performance on the last night at Bonnaroo, June 12th.
Related Articles
:
- BONNAROO READY TO KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND
(VIDEO) Bonnaroo just might be the biggest festival in the U.S., and it features many of the same tried-and-true performers as past years... Dave Matthews comments... here!
- BLACK CROWES LOOK TO SPREAD VIBE AT BONNAROO
(VIDEO) One year after Chris Robinson played Bonnaroo with his solo band, he finds himself back with his full arsenal in The Black Crowes. Find out about how Chris Robinson looks at the fest....here!
- BONNAROO SHOWS COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT
(VIDEO) Bonnaroo showed its true collaborative spirit with Warren Haynes joining Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer joining Herbie Hancock... See what Mr. Mayer had to say.... here!
- INTERACTIVE REVIEW: BONNAROO 2005, PERHAPS THE FESTIVAL'S BEST YET
(VIDEO) Bonnaroo 2005 brought just under 80,000 music fans to rural tennessee for the grass roots festivals fourth annual event. Find out why this was perhaps the festivals best yet!
- RATDOG SPITTING FIRE, WEIR PUTS DEAD ON HOLD
(VIDEO) Bob Weir and Ratdog are in the midst of a scorching summer tour. Find out what Bob thinks about Bonnaroo, Ratdog's summer tour and The Grateful Dead's 40th Anniversary right here.
- MY MORNING JACKET'S JIM JAMES DISCUSSES NEW ALBUM AND BONNAROO
(VIDEO) Jim James of My Morning Jacket discusses the new album, and what has made the Bonnaroo Music Festival such an endearing and vibrant event... see him here!!
- WARREN HAYNES REFLECTS ON BONNAROO
(Video) Warren Haynes, perhaps the hardest working man in the jam band community reflects back on Bonnaroo after all these years. Find out what are some of his favorite memories right here.
- STEEL TRAIN LOOK TO BUILD ON MOMENTUM GAINED FROM BONNAROO
(Video) Is Steel Train one of the next up and coming bands to take huge steps after Bonnaroo. Find out which legends thought Steel Train sounded a little like The Grateful Dead, right here.
- JACK JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT MANGO TREES, STUDIOS AND PARKING
(VIDEO) Jack Johnson, flanked by Bob Weir of the The Dead, discusses Mango Trees, Studios, and Parking... See the video clip, here!
- BLUE MERLE MAKING HONEST MUSIC BASED AROUND GOOD SONGS
(Video) Blue Merle continues to build a steady following headlining packed shows around the country. The band is just making honest music based around good songs. Hear how waiting for the right offer from Island Records was an intense experience.
- PANIC HITS US SUMMER FESTIVAL RUN
(VIDEO) Widespread Panic talk about America's rising Summer festival circuit, as they prepare for Lollapalooza this weekend (July 23 & 24). Hear what Dave Schools has to say about the bands 2005 summer festival run, right here.
- JACK JOHNSON DOES HIS BEST HENDRIX FOR VEGOOSE
(VIDEO) While Jack Johnson was having fun dressing up like Jimi Hendrix for Vegoose this past weekend, Johnson told our cameras he wants to give to organizations that help victims, like giving to those helping with Katrina.
- VEGOOSE CREATES FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESSFUL VEGAS FESTIVAL
(VIDEO)Building on the annual success of Bonnaroo, Vegoose in its inaugural year in Las Vegas can easily stand out in a growing list of festivals in America.
- WIDESPREAD PANIC REDISCOVERING THEMSELVES IN NEW ENVIRONMENT
(VIDEO) Widespread Panic are back with a brand new album. Bassist Dave Schools and Guitarist John Bell talk about how the band is rediscovering themselves in a new environment, right here.
- WIDESPREAD PANIC CONTINUE TO HEAR LATE GUITARIST HOUSER ONSTAGE
(VIDEO) Widespread Panic, currently getting raving reviews on their tour in support of their latest release, 'Earth to America,' are bringing back some of late guitarist Michael Housers songs to their live show. The band admits they sometimes still hear Housers guitar onstage during some intense jamming, right here.
- WIDESPREAD PANIC REPLACE GUITARIST ADD JIMMY HERRING
(VIDEO) Widespread Panic have replaced guitarist George McConnell with Jimmy Herring formerly of The Dead and Aquarium Rescue Unit to name just a few. Dave Schools talks about seeing Jimmy play guitar for the first time, right here.
- HERRING ORIGINALLY PANICS FIRST CHOICE AFTER HOUSER
(VIDEO) Jimmy Herring has taken over as lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, find out all the details, right here.
- TOOL, POLICE ANCHOR BONNAROOS MOST DIVERSE LINEUP YET
Bonnaroo once again practices diversity as where else can you find a 24 hour festival featuring bands from The Police to Tool to Widespread Panic.
- BONNAROO 2007: CEMENTS ITSELF AS THE CLASSIC AMERICAN FESTIVAL
With a diverse lineup featuring The Police, Tool, Widespread Panic, The Roots, Ben Harper & The Flaming Lips, find out why Bonnaroo is 'The' American Festival!
- BEN HARPER, JOHN PAUL JONES AND ?UESTLOVE GET THE LED OUT AT BONNAROO SUPERJAM
Ben Harper and ?uestlove team up with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones in one of Bonnaroo's most legendary Superjam's in their 6 years of existence.
- PEARL JAM, METALLICA, ROBERT PLANT, PHIL LESH SET FOR 2008 BONNAROO
Bonnaroo once again brings a diverse lineup which includes Pearl Jam, Robert Plant, Jack Johnson and Metallica's first U.S. show in 3 years.
- PEARL JAM, PLANT, LESH, METALLICA CONTRIBUTE TO WIDESPREAD BONNAROO SUCCESS IN 2008
With perhaps the most diverse festival lineup in 2008, Bonnaroo organizers have to be pleased with the continuous success of America's Best Festival
- WIDESPREAD PANIC FREE SOMEHOW TO RETURN TO THEIR EVOLUTION
Widespread Panic talk about the band finally being able to evolve again with songwriting with guitarist Jimmy Herring for the first time.
- SPRINGSTEEN, PHISH, BEASTIES, NINE INCH NAILS HIGHLIGHT EIGHTH ANNUAL BONNAROO
Another heavy weight lineup is in store for Bonnaroo fans as Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment host their 8th Annual Music and Arts Fest
|
