God Street Wine
Encyclopedia
God Street Wine was a jam rock group from New York City. The band broke up in 1999. The band toured the U.S. with H.O.R.D.E.
four times and opened for the Black Crowes and Allman Brothers. The band played a large part in developing the jam rock scene of the early 90's initially playing Nightingale's and The Wetlands Preserve
in New York City with the likes of The Spin Doctors
, Blues Traveler
, Jono Manson and the Dreyer Brothers. Numerous bands and musicians had opened for them over the years ranging from Dave Matthews Band
, Sheryl Crow
and Hootie and the Blowfish to the Ominous Seapods and G. Love & Special Sauce
.
The band was originally composed of Lo Faber
(lead vocals, guitar), Aaron Maxwell (lead vocals, guitar), Tom Osander
(drums and percussion), Dan Pifer (bass), and Jon Bevo (keyboards). Faber and Osander were high school friends and had played in bands together previously.
In 1998, after 2 failed record deals, frustration with management and the general feeling that things were going nowhere, Osander and Bevo decided they'd had enough and left the band. They were later replaced by Peter Levin (keyboards), Jason Crosby (keyboards/fiddle) and Aubrey Dayle (percussion). They continued touring with this new lineup until the band collectively reached the decision to finally dissolve itself in 1999.
A three night group of farewell shows featuring all members of God Street Wine (both new and old) was performed at New York City's The Wetlands Preserve
in December 1999. Special guests joined the band onstage, including John Popper
of Blues Traveler during the second night's show. The band would go on to release a live album commemorating these shows entitled, "Good To the Last Drop."
September 3, 2001, the band would return to The Wetlands with its original lineup intact (Faber, Maxwell, Osander, Pifer, Bevo) to play a reunion show; a farewell show to The Wetlands which was closing later that month. The show appropriately began with "Home Again" from Bag
, their initial release from nearly a decade earlier.
From 2000-2007 Tom Osander
played drums for Irish singer songwriter Damien Rice
. Currently he works with the singer Lisa Hannigan
. He also played with Herbie Hancock
on the album Possibilities
.
Lo Faber has since developed solo projects which include the rock musicals Henry's House (2001) and Friday Night Freakshow (2003).
Aaron Maxwell AKA Aaron Lieberman is now a member of Metropolitan Hot Club, a band playing in the style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France.
On March 8, 2010, God Street Wine announced on its website, God Street Wine World, that it would be reuniting its original lineup for two shows at New York's Gramercy Theatre. The concerts will take place on July 9 and 10, and all proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
. These will be the first "public" GSW shows in nearly 9 years and the first shows of any kind since they regrouped for two memorial performances in Ridgewood and Wyckoff, New Jersey on May 30, 2009.
H.O.R.D.E.
Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere or H.O.R.D.E. Festival was a touring summer rock music festival originated by the musical group Blues Traveler in 1992. In addition to travelling headliners, the festival gave exposure to bands, charities, and organizations from the local area of the...
four times and opened for the Black Crowes and Allman Brothers. The band played a large part in developing the jam rock scene of the early 90's initially playing Nightingale's and The Wetlands Preserve
The Wetlands Preserve
The Wetlands Preserve was a live music venue in Tribeca, New York City, that closed in 2001. The club was located on Hudson and Laight Streets, near the Holland Tunnel...
in New York City with the likes of The Spin Doctors
Spin Doctors
Spin Doctors is an American alternative rock band formed in New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits, "Two Princes," and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong," which peaked the Billboard Hot 100 charts at #7 & #17 respectively....
, Blues Traveler
Blues Traveler
Blues Traveler is a rock band, formed in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987. The band has been influenced by a variety of genres, including blues-rock, psychedelic rock, folk rock, soul, and Southern rock...
, Jono Manson and the Dreyer Brothers. Numerous bands and musicians had opened for them over the years ranging from Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
, Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
and Hootie and the Blowfish to the Ominous Seapods and G. Love & Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are known for their unique, "sloppy", and "laid back" blues sound that encompasses classic R&B. The band features Garrett Dutton, better known as G...
.
The band was originally composed of Lo Faber
Lo Faber
Lo Faber is a musician and who founded the influential New York City jam band God Street Wine. Faber was the creative center of the band and wrote or co-wrote most of the songs with Aaron Maxwell, with whom he shared vocal duties.His mother Ellen Faber played in a bluegrass band when he was young...
(lead vocals, guitar), Aaron Maxwell (lead vocals, guitar), Tom Osander
Tom Osander
Tom Osander is a percussionist who is most often associated with Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan and God Street Wine.Born in Princeton, NJ Osander was a member of the New York City jamband God Street Wine from 1988-1998 , recording six albums and performing more than 1,000 shows across America and...
(drums and percussion), Dan Pifer (bass), and Jon Bevo (keyboards). Faber and Osander were high school friends and had played in bands together previously.
In 1998, after 2 failed record deals, frustration with management and the general feeling that things were going nowhere, Osander and Bevo decided they'd had enough and left the band. They were later replaced by Peter Levin (keyboards), Jason Crosby (keyboards/fiddle) and Aubrey Dayle (percussion). They continued touring with this new lineup until the band collectively reached the decision to finally dissolve itself in 1999.
A three night group of farewell shows featuring all members of God Street Wine (both new and old) was performed at New York City's The Wetlands Preserve
The Wetlands Preserve
The Wetlands Preserve was a live music venue in Tribeca, New York City, that closed in 2001. The club was located on Hudson and Laight Streets, near the Holland Tunnel...
in December 1999. Special guests joined the band onstage, including John Popper
John Popper
John Popper is an American musician and songwriter.He is most famous for his role as frontman of rock band Blues Traveler performing harmonica, guitar and vocals...
of Blues Traveler during the second night's show. The band would go on to release a live album commemorating these shows entitled, "Good To the Last Drop."
September 3, 2001, the band would return to The Wetlands with its original lineup intact (Faber, Maxwell, Osander, Pifer, Bevo) to play a reunion show; a farewell show to The Wetlands which was closing later that month. The show appropriately began with "Home Again" from Bag
Bag (album)
Bag is the first album by God Street Wine. It was released independently by Ripe & Ready records, containing many of the songs that would become staples of their concerts for years to come. -Track listing: All tracks by Lo Faber except where noted...
, their initial release from nearly a decade earlier.
From 2000-2007 Tom Osander
Tom Osander
Tom Osander is a percussionist who is most often associated with Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan and God Street Wine.Born in Princeton, NJ Osander was a member of the New York City jamband God Street Wine from 1988-1998 , recording six albums and performing more than 1,000 shows across America and...
played drums for Irish singer songwriter Damien Rice
Damien Rice
Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion....
. Currently he works with the singer Lisa Hannigan
Lisa Hannigan
Lisa Margaret Hannigan is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. For several years she was a member of Damien Rice's band before beginning her solo career in 2008. She has been the recipient of various award nominations and critical praise both in Ireland and the USA...
. He also played with Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
on the album Possibilities
Possibilities
Possibilities is the forty-fifth studio album by American jazz musician Herbie Hancock, released in the United States on August 30, 2005 by Vector Recordings. The album features a variety of guest musicians such as John Mayer and Carlos Santana...
.
Lo Faber has since developed solo projects which include the rock musicals Henry's House (2001) and Friday Night Freakshow (2003).
Aaron Maxwell AKA Aaron Lieberman is now a member of Metropolitan Hot Club, a band playing in the style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France.
On March 8, 2010, God Street Wine announced on its website, God Street Wine World, that it would be reuniting its original lineup for two shows at New York's Gramercy Theatre. The concerts will take place on July 9 and 10, and all proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a United States-based non-profit organization, and its network of chapters nationwide promote research, educate, advocate on issues relating to multiple sclerosis, and organize a wide range of programs, including support for the newly diagnosed and those...
. These will be the first "public" GSW shows in nearly 9 years and the first shows of any kind since they regrouped for two memorial performances in Ridgewood and Wyckoff, New Jersey on May 30, 2009.
Discography
| Release date | Title |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Bag Bag (album) Bag is the first album by God Street Wine. It was released independently by Ripe & Ready records, containing many of the songs that would become staples of their concerts for years to come. -Track listing: All tracks by Lo Faber except where noted... |
| 1993 | Who's Driving? |
| 1994 | $1.99 Romances $1.99 Romances -Personnel: *Jon Bevo – Organ, Piano, Vocals*Lo Faber – Guitar, Vocals, Mixing*Aaron Maxwell – Guitar, Vocals*Dan Pifer – Bass, Guitar , Vocals*Tomo – Drums, Vocals, Trap Kit-Production:... |
| 1995/6 | Red |
| 1997 | God Street Wine |
| 2000 | Good to the Last Drop |
External links
- God Street Wine World
- Lo Faber's Website
- Tom Osander's MySpace
- God Street Wine collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - The History of God Street Wine
- Bring Back God Street Wine Facebook Page
- Brung Back - God Street Wine Reunion Video by Lynn Kestenbaum