Like the roster for the Pistons or the “spring” weather we experience in Ann Arbor, the Macpodz are a bit unpredictable. But they never intended to go about things like other bands – they live and breathe their spritely concoction of jazz-rock “disco bebop” and tour the country in a van that should have died out sometime during the Reagan era. That is, until a member recently sold the van without alerting the band, which was fine because “we’re mostly playing local shows for now.” But make no mistake – the wheels of the Macpodz will keep on turning.
But you may see some smoke rising from the engine when they stop at the Blind Pig on April 6 to lead Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash After Party. They’re bringing friends with them – Ray White of the legendary Frank Zappa and local guitar king Laith Al-Saadi will become temporary members of the ever-evolving Macpodz family for that Saturday night. The Macpodz are serious about throwing an after-party – it isn’t just a fill-in term for “concert.”
After a rousing set at last year’s Hash Bash where band members shared a joint on stage with John Sinclair, it became somewhat of a “why mess with what works?” situation when planning this year’s festivities. For Brennan Andes, bassist and one of the founding members, this is somewhat of a dream lineup. From early comparisons to the late Frank Zappa’s band to a memorable backstage introduction to its famed blues guitarist, sharing a stage with Ray White is like legend overload.
Al-Saadi joined the bill after Andes realized “It’d be really sweet if we had a raging lead guitar player to do Frank Zappa’s music justice,” and the lineup was complete. “It really all came from a bunch of musicians digging on each other through years of respect and collaboration,” says Andes. The tunes will be a trifecta of musical showmanship, consisting of original songs from all three acts.
This is the Macpodz fifth year playing Hash Bash, which makes them a musical imprint in a cherished and longstanding part of Ann Arbor’s culture. “It’s important for us to honor the tradition of Ann Arbor,” Andes says. “It represents Ann Arbor in a way that it’s always been represented, which is as a very cool, liberal, music-based town.”
Andes, who has been going to Hash Bash since he was six years old, remembers when the city would fill with upwards of 20,000 people. “The city of Ann Arbor almost single-handedly killed the damn thing,” he laments. After a slew of permit revocations, it became illegal to convene in the way people used to. For a band that thrives on adaptation, keeping the spirit alive in any way possible is a natural and eagerly accepted task.
“All of 2012, we had a different lineup every weekend,” says Andes. But the comings and goings of band members wasn’t crippling – it was a process built into the band from the beginning. “For a magical six years we had the same cast, but it was never intended to be like that,” says Andes, who explains that the band supports the individual pursuits of its members and welcomes old bandmates back with open arms.
They recently saw the return of their drummer, Griffin Bastian, who had spent 2012 with the rising Detroit-based rock band The Hounds Below. He realized the Macpodz were a better fit upon taking a break to play a gig with them earlier this year. Flutist/vocalist Nick Ayers and keyboardist Jesse Clayton are flying in from California and, with Ross Huff present on trumpet, it’ll be a happy Hash Bash reunion. “We’ve often found ourselves staring down the last days of the Macpodz, but then we’ve always found ways to continue,” says Andes. “We all recognize it’d be a shame to let it go.”
The 42nd Ann Arbor Hash Bash After Party will take place on April 6 at the Blind Pig. It’s 18+ and doors open at 8:30. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
