"The Moby Grapes"

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:09 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r6eGG6Y-zs&mode=related&search=

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:02 am

Mike Douglass (and whoever on his staff wrote the cue cards) were of course completely clueless.

When I first got into the Jefferson Airplane and other San Francisco band music (a million years ago) I had heard very early on about a “mystery band” that former JA drummer Skip Spence had joined. Like a lot of other “underground” (unheralded) musicians, the Grape were supposed to be “it.” Forget the Airplane, forget the Dead, MG were supposed to be the best live band around. And I had always regretted not being around the Bay area at the time and not being able to hear first hand what these supposed inventive masters were doing.

Well, since then I’ve heard a few of their live shows that survived and almost all of their studio recorded material. And I have to tell you, I just don’t get it. I like Jerry Miller’s guitar playing … up to a point. His style, to me, is monotonous and boring after a while. It just sounds all too amateurish to me.

But then again, what do I know.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:03 pm

The Moby Grape are back together. They were scheduled to play the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, CA this month but cancelled their show at the last minute.

Maybe they will make a surprise appearance at the 40th Ann. Monterey Festival this year. ???

lyle_from_minneapolis · Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:01 pm

Yeah, Mark, there was a reason why they never caught fire. I've always felt they were Pretty Good But. Some great work, but very few songs that just jump out and grab you.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:09 am

Karl,
Jerry Miller's band is playing but not "Moby Grape."

Here is the list of performers:

http://www.summer67.com/performing.html

drumbob · Post by **drumbob** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:12 pm

This is a band I know a lot about, as they are favorites or mine. The first Moby Grape LP is one of my desert island discs, but after that, they never reached the same heights of greatness, although all their albums had moments of brilliance. Their initial publicity campaign hurt them; Columbia Records released five singles off the first album simultaneously and radio programmers and disc jockeys were so confused, they didn't play any of them! The band gradually fell apart. Skip Spence flipped out and was institutionalized. Drummer Don Stevenson became a successful realtor in northern California. To this day, their former manager, Matthew Katz, a slimey shyster, owns the name Moby Grape. Every time they try to go out and gig, he goes after them legally.

I saw the Grape at the Wetlands in NYC and they were awesome. It was a historic show that is now legendary. I waited thirty years to see them and was not disappointed.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:52 pm

"Matthew Katz, a slimey shyster, owns the name Moby Grape. Every time they try to go out and gig, he goes after them legally."

Katz was also the Airplane's manager.
Their lawsuit against him took twenty years to settle.

901. Wow. I need a life.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:09 pm

They should call themselves The Mungo Raisins!

lyle_from_minneapolis · Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:42 pm

Or maybe: Not Moby Grape.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:14 am

Didn't The Moby Grape recently get the rights back to their name legally from Katz?

I thought Katz was finally out of the picture. ???