Anyone interested in the fall 2000 tour (and van wreck) he mentions at the end should read “The Final Dark Days of Don Caballero” by Fred Weaver. It’s a pretty gripping story written by the guy who toured with them, you can find scans online of the zine it was published in. American Don is my favorite Don Cab record and one of my favorite records period. Damon, you’re one of the greatest drummers ever and I think you’re best playing is on this one. Ones All Over the Place is your magnum opus in my opinion. Really awesome to see you speaking on these records and telling the story of your legendary music.
I was at a show in Louisville in 2000. Wasn't that one mentioned in the zine? It seemed like no one was enjoying themselves. Damon was trying to do something, Speaking Canaries I assume but kept getting shocked by the mic. Ian did some stuff, I think Erich did some stuff. Once they actually played it was phenomenal but getting to that point was a struggle
I have the distinction (maybe?) of being at both the disaster of a Don Cab show at the Eye Drum (shithole of a basement venue that thankfully is no longer a thing) in Atlanta (where the show ended after three songs when some asshole got on the microphone to shout something about inviting Damon over to your place to punch holes in your wall) and the infamous Belini show at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens, GA (where opinions differ as to what happened during the second song and who might or might not have left whom stranded and drove back to Pittsburgh, ha ha). I have to admit that a small part of me wondered whether I was just doomed to witness Damon's bands break up every time I came to see them play. As luck would have it, I got to see Don Cab Mk 3 four times without incident (once in Athens, again, twice in Atlanta, again and finally at Richard's on Richards in Vancouver, BC). So it turns out it wasn't me at all. Shit just happens sometimes, ha ha.
To me "Details on how to get ICEMAN on your license plate" is easily the best song on the record and has one the best melodic phrases in any song ever and to me is Don Cab at their best
Just went up to detroit from toledo yesterday. Passed the mile marker where the crash happened. Nice to have them on my mind and see these fresh interviews!
This album blew me away when I was 13... I couldn't understand it when I first heard it but I knew it was some magical stuff. Thank you for all of the great music and for opening up in these interviews. Hope you are doing well, Damon.
I remember you guys playing Afro Pop when I saw you live on the world class listening problem tour and again on the punkgasm tour. I always loved that song. Especially when the bass kicks in towards the end and just totally switches up the attention of what the listener is hearing. I also really enjoy ones all over the place.
gosh man your drum sound on american don worked some savaged magic on me to the point that I chase it, haven't come close to it, but have started to find my own thing along the way. thanks for the contribution to the cannon of outsider music. god bless 💥🌺🧬🙏🦊🙏🧬🌺💥
I've never owned another album that I can listen to so much, step away, and then come back and still be as enthralled. Ask me for my top 5 list, and I'll spin in circles trying to figure out what makes the cut. But I have no such reservations about calling American Don my favorite album of all time.
Don Cab was a huge milestone for my music appreciation and musical development. I had been playing guitar for some years by then but I knew I had to start drumming after listening to you and a few other great drummers of the time. First came as a recommendation by way of a drummer pal I looked up to while at Edinboro college up north of Pburgh probably around 1995. I heard Don Cab 2 first, blew my damn mind, and then went and found For Respect. Didn’t catch you live until the What Burns tour at the old Euclid in Cleveland, and that was the only time, unfortunately! Saw you at the Trans Am show at the Smiling Moose some years back after I moved to Pittsburgh but my tendency is not to bother people I admire while they’re just trying to live their lives lol. Anyway, hope things are going good for you, and you’re feeling inspired to get back into it again. Crazy to see the legends you’ve become as new generations find your music. Be well! Love these vids!
American Don is one of my favorite albums of all time, even though Math-Rock evolved past this album and became far more polished, complex and popular, American Don, to me is unbeatable in that regard, the intro of Peter Criss, the Looped Basslines of Haven't lived Afro Pop all these tracks to me signify the beauty of Math-Rock, and despite it all it still has that Punk vibe to it, despite sounding nothing like Punk.
Afro Pop's a great song. I think what's great about the songs on American Don, and showcased very well on that track, is that the sections all blend together seamlessly. You'll have the guitar playing a line for the next section while the current section is still going on, and the rest of the instruments join in later. Or the drums will shift to another time feel while everything else stays the same. The effect is a uninterrupted but constantly changing flow of music.
So cool to watch this. We're a two piece band and I can relate to the loop pedal issues with recording. Often did them track by track but somehow it would be cooler to do it as done live. Maybe a ABY switch linked to multiple amps in multiple booths could do the trick.
'Haven't Lived Afro Pop' is the ultimate somehow... there's just a density and mounting excitement to that whole end section, the Glorious Five Minutes, it just doesn't let up, continually fresh ideas on each instrument until the final climax. THE BEST. Also it sounds incredible, definitely the right decision to overdub the guitar parts one by one.
I'm also curious about Damon's thoughts on Fred Weaver's Chunklet magazine article, "The Final Dark Days of Don Caballero". It was from Fred's point of view, but was it really that bad on the road and getting along? Or was it written from a producer reality TV perspective for entertainment reading?
There’s an interview from the World Class Listening Problem era Damon did where it got brought up, and he basically said that Fred didn’t exaggerate the tour and that shit was really hitting the fan back then
man, great to hear damon let us know about how they recorded american don. i didnt realize it was all taken outta the headrush like that. i donno if anyone wants to check it out, but on tuesday i uploaded a playthrough of p-p-pantless on my channel and i break it down in a way that shows it part by part. maybe we can get damon to confirm the parts over there? heres the vid. keep these interviews coming! th-cam.com/video/3LORnMbVslc/w-d-xo.html
I remember seeing you guys play at Kilby Court, Salt Lake City. Must have been 2002-2003? A drummer myself, I was amazed that you toured with this huge unfolding wooden board with hinges. Areas in the wood were cut for Damon's drum hardware to sit perfectly in. Was this idea scrapped? I thought it was brilliant. Perfect template. Kick drum doesn't move around.
American Don is my favorite album of all time. Thanks for uploading this.
Been obsessed with Havent lived Afro pop since the moment ive heard it. Such a beautiful and perfect piece of music!!!
me too
Lol, that last movement of the track when they all come together, just fucks me up to this day.
Anyone interested in the fall 2000 tour (and van wreck) he mentions at the end should read “The Final Dark Days of Don Caballero” by Fred Weaver. It’s a pretty gripping story written by the guy who toured with them, you can find scans online of the zine it was published in.
American Don is my favorite Don Cab record and one of my favorite records period. Damon, you’re one of the greatest drummers ever and I think you’re best playing is on this one. Ones All Over the Place is your magnum opus in my opinion. Really awesome to see you speaking on these records and telling the story of your legendary music.
Awesome thank you very much!
I was at a show in Louisville in 2000. Wasn't that one mentioned in the zine?
It seemed like no one was enjoying themselves. Damon was trying to do something, Speaking Canaries I assume but kept getting shocked by the mic. Ian did some stuff, I think Erich did some stuff. Once they actually played it was phenomenal but getting to that point was a struggle
plus Fred Weaver was meant to open and various shows wanted to shove a local band on as well.
I have the distinction (maybe?) of being at both the disaster of a Don Cab show at the Eye Drum (shithole of a basement venue that thankfully is no longer a thing) in Atlanta (where the show ended after three songs when some asshole got on the microphone to shout something about inviting Damon over to your place to punch holes in your wall) and the infamous Belini show at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens, GA (where opinions differ as to what happened during the second song and who might or might not have left whom stranded and drove back to Pittsburgh, ha ha). I have to admit that a small part of me wondered whether I was just doomed to witness Damon's bands break up every time I came to see them play.
As luck would have it, I got to see Don Cab Mk 3 four times without incident (once in Athens, again, twice in Atlanta, again and finally at Richard's on Richards in Vancouver, BC). So it turns out it wasn't me at all. Shit just happens sometimes, ha ha.
I would kill for an hour of this
PLEASE, more on the American Don record/era.
Damon Che is amazing and I'm glad that these interviews exist.
Awesome to finally have this in record before ya know? Were all dead? Thank you Damon and Ash.
Most welcome! more to come!
More playthroughs please
We're working on it. Logistics etc. Should be tracking some stuff in September
@@DonCaballeroOfficial cool. Thanks for replying
To me "Details on how to get ICEMAN on your license plate" is easily the best song on the record and has one the best melodic phrases in any song ever and to me is Don Cab at their best
Just went up to detroit from toledo yesterday. Passed the mile marker where the crash happened. Nice to have them on my mind and see these fresh interviews!
Thank you
My Favorite Don Cab record, the most hardest and aggressive rock album with oddly no distorted guitars.
This album blew me away when I was 13... I couldn't understand it when I first heard it but I knew it was some magical stuff. Thank you for all of the great music and for opening up in these interviews. Hope you are doing well, Damon.
I remember you guys playing Afro Pop when I saw you live on the world class listening problem tour and again on the punkgasm tour. I always loved that song. Especially when the bass kicks in towards the end and just totally switches up the attention of what the listener is hearing. I also really enjoy ones all over the place.
gosh man your drum sound on american don worked some savaged magic on me to the point that I chase it, haven't come close to it, but have started to find my own thing along the way.
thanks for the contribution to the cannon of outsider music.
god bless
💥🌺🧬🙏🦊🙏🧬🌺💥
Legitimately the best album ever made
Thank you!
I've never owned another album that I can listen to so much, step away, and then come back and still be as enthralled. Ask me for my top 5 list, and I'll spin in circles trying to figure out what makes the cut. But I have no such reservations about calling American Don my favorite album of all time.
Don Cab was a huge milestone for my music appreciation and musical development. I had been playing guitar for some years by then but I knew I had to start drumming after listening to you and a few other great drummers of the time. First came as a recommendation by way of a drummer pal I looked up to while at Edinboro college up north of Pburgh probably around 1995. I heard Don Cab 2 first, blew my damn mind, and then went and found For Respect. Didn’t catch you live until the What Burns tour at the old Euclid in Cleveland, and that was the only time, unfortunately! Saw you at the Trans Am show at the Smiling Moose some years back after I moved to Pittsburgh but my tendency is not to bother people I admire while they’re just trying to live their lives lol. Anyway, hope things are going good for you, and you’re feeling inspired to get back into it again. Crazy to see the legends you’ve become as new generations find your music. Be well! Love these vids!
American Don is one of my favorite albums of all time, even though Math-Rock evolved past this album and became far more polished, complex and popular, American Don, to me is unbeatable in that regard, the intro of Peter Criss, the Looped Basslines of Haven't lived Afro Pop all these tracks to me signify the beauty of Math-Rock, and despite it all it still has that Punk vibe to it, despite sounding nothing like Punk.
Afro Pop's a great song. I think what's great about the songs on American Don, and showcased very well on that track, is that the sections all blend together seamlessly. You'll have the guitar playing a line for the next section while the current section is still going on, and the rest of the instruments join in later. Or the drums will shift to another time feel while everything else stays the same. The effect is a uninterrupted but constantly changing flow of music.
I saw 2 shows on that tour. It was so much fun. Thank you for the tunes.
Our pleasure!
still love your drumming!!
So cool to watch this. We're a two piece band and I can relate to the loop pedal issues with recording. Often did them track by track but somehow it would be cooler to do it as done live. Maybe a ABY switch linked to multiple amps in multiple booths could do the trick.
'Haven't Lived Afro Pop' is the ultimate somehow... there's just a density and mounting excitement to that whole end section, the Glorious Five Minutes, it just doesn't let up, continually fresh ideas on each instrument until the final climax. THE BEST. Also it sounds incredible, definitely the right decision to overdub the guitar parts one by one.
Good point
I'm also curious about Damon's thoughts on Fred Weaver's Chunklet magazine article, "The Final Dark Days of Don Caballero". It was from Fred's point of view, but was it really that bad on the road and getting along? Or was it written from a producer reality TV perspective for entertainment reading?
would love to hear his thoughts on that article.
There’s an interview from the World Class Listening Problem era Damon did where it got brought up, and he basically said that Fred didn’t exaggerate the tour and that shit was really hitting the fan back then
Consider uploading the entire conversation unedited. Great stuff!
Man I love the repeater bass chord action going on in this album too
man, great to hear damon let us know about how they recorded american don. i didnt realize it was all taken outta the headrush like that. i donno if anyone wants to check it out, but on tuesday i uploaded a playthrough of p-p-pantless on my channel and i break it down in a way that shows it part by part. maybe we can get damon to confirm the parts over there? heres the vid. keep these interviews coming! th-cam.com/video/3LORnMbVslc/w-d-xo.html
I remember seeing you guys play at Kilby Court, Salt Lake City. Must have been 2002-2003? A drummer myself, I was amazed that you toured with this huge unfolding wooden board with hinges. Areas in the wood were cut for Damon's drum hardware to sit perfectly in. Was this idea scrapped? I thought it was brilliant. Perfect template. Kick drum doesn't move around.
Aw i wish you asked how they made Cold Knees in April off Don Cab 2, since you asked about the opening to Peter Criss
I been trying to transcribe "ones all over the place" for sometime, I think I'm making progress on it now. Does it start in 5/8?
goat
DON CAB IS LOSER MUSIC
Happy to be a loser