Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck - photo by Paul Janovitz (2011)
Watching Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck performing “Eden” from their just released first live album Eden: Live at The Chandler (recorded during a January 2013 performance at the Chandler Center For The Arts in Randolph, Vermont) was a rather surreal experience. I had been blown away, along with the rest of those in attendance, by Bow and his band at the 2012 Boston Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble, which they ended up winning. To reconcile their down ‘n’ dirty (and quite marvelous) performance on the scrappy T.T. the Bear’s stage a few years ago with a seated audience in a lavish concert hall is to realize how far they’ve come. A bit of catching up is in order.
Bow started in Boston with rock/reggae band 7 League Boots, who toured with bands like Fugazi, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Pearl Jam. He relocated to Vermont fifteen years ago, took up slide guitar and immersed himeself in the Delta blues. He also started playing the banjo and performing with the bluegrass group, The Benders. His latest album, Eden, was released last year, examining man’s destruction of the planet. No doubt one becomes more sensitive to the callings of nature and the precarious state of the planet whilst living in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Appropriately, the live album was released on April 22, Earth Day. He also released a concept video for “The Tide,” which addresses the encroachment upon animal habitats by big business and industry.
It is said that he’ll be moving on from his work with Perfect Trainwreck to explore new musical terrain with drummer Jeff Berlin and some new bandmates, as he continues performing on his self-designed instrument, known as the “Bowjotar.” Having already performed with musicians such as Ringo Starr, Booker T, John Hiatt and Levon Helm, there are no doubt interesting journeys ahead.
Upcoming Shows
4/26 North Country Folk Festival – Canton, NY (Bow solo)
4/27 Musicians Against Child Abuse at Sweet Melissa’s – Montpelier, VT (full band)
4/30 Alternate Roots TV Session – Norwood, MA (w/The Mallett Brothers; full band)
5/1 Atwood Turns 8 Celebration – Atwood’s Tavern, Cambridge, MA (full band)
5/2 Tupelo Music Hall – White River Junction, VT (w/The Mallett Brothers; full band)
6/7 Cambridge River Festival – Cambridge, MA (full band)
6/28 Rockfire Festival – Barre, VT (full band)
7/9 Lyman Point Park – White River Junction, VT (Bow solo)
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