Press Release: BANYAN

Banyan, the improvisational brainchild of Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins and Memphis Willie Waldman, will head to Maine for several dates this August, with a promising lineup including member of moe, Gent Treadly and Dark Star Orchestra.

Banyan, an art rock band with heavy jazz and punk influence, based in Los Angeles, California will make the long trip to Maine for its first performances in this state in recent memory.

The leader and co-founder of Banyan is Stephen Perkins, who first played drums for Jane's Addiction (1986-1991, plus later regroupings), and then for Porno for Pyros. The core members of Banyan were originally Nels Cline on guitar, Willie Waldman on trumpet and Mike Watt on bass. Both Mike Watt and Nels Cline generally play only west coast dates as they are very busy touring with Iggy Pop & The Stooges and Wilco, respectively, and so Perkins have transformed Banyan into a movable feast of great musicians. Over the past year the group has toured with a diverse case which includes giants like The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, Steve Kimmock, Rob Wasserman, Flea and the list goes on.

Banyan's lineup for the tour through Maine will include Perkins, Waldman and frequent collaborators Jim Loughlin of jam juggernaut moe as well as Greg Koerner of Gent Treadly on bass and Dave Berg of Dark Star Orchestra on guitar. They play Friday 8/17 at The Asylum in Portland, ME and then Saturday and Sunday 8/18-19 at the 26th annual Hempstock in Starks, ME.

Press Release: BANYAN

Just in time for Christmas!!

Banyan feat. Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, Ray White, Stephen Perkins and Willie Waldman @
Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom
 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday December 21st, 22nd and 23rd

Banyan played with Steve Kimock earlier this year  which yielded one of the best nights of music ever at Cervantes'.  This time we reunite Steve Kimock with a revamped Banyan bringing in some of his acquaintences from the past.  Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega were the inseparable dynamic duo that comprised Zero, KVHW and Missing Man Formation and then without warning they went their separate ways leaving everyone in a state of shock and bewilderment. Every since then people have wanted them to get back together as the guitar wizardry of Steve Kimock meshes so well with Bobby Vega's prominent bass stylings.  Add to this mixture the dynamic vocals of Ray White (Frank Zappa), the tribal drumming of Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and the interweaving web of Willie Waldman's trumpet and you have what appears to be the most explosive band on the planet.  This show is in the do not miss category as it promises to push the sonic envelope to the very limits.

The Winter Tour Poster