Whether you are describing ekoostik hookahs music, birth or shows the "creativity of being spontaneous", as drummer Eric Lanese describes it, is what drives this band.
At the core of Hookahs music is the jams- and experimentation of sounds and rhythms thrown in an improvisational blender of American styles including, folk, funk, bluegrass, blues and rock. Their hair is long, the attitude is laid-back. Their growing fan base is a mixture of hippie lids sporting dread locks and flowered dresses (and that is the men-j:) and birkenstock wearing college students forming a sea of bodies riding the celebration of the jam. Energy is shared between the band and the crowd. In fact, since Hookah does not use a setlist, a crowds spirits and participation level will usually dictate a show. "As a band, none of us can stick to a set list", explains Lanese. "We feed off what the crowd is doing". They never play the same show twice and they only practice to learn new tunes.
Jamming, Lanese says poetically, " is what we do. There's never any mention of 'let's play this this way'. the repetition of it would kill us."
we're lazy is how pianist and singer Dave Katz explains why no regular practices are held. While he admits practicing could make them a tighter band, "keeping things fresh' is important. "We never sit down and coreograph it. We let things develop on stage."
Friends from playing together at open mic nights in Columbus, members of Hookah were playing in a living room at a party in 1991 when a stranger with a little extra money on his hands informed the guys that he liker their music so much, he'd give them the finances to record and album. Although not officially a band at the time, the group went into the studio armed with songs developed from their open mic jams. "It was a good feeling", says Katz. "We came together easily, which was important. We didn't have to work hard at doing what we do." "Under full Sail" was released later that year, and Hookah was born. Two other CD's have subsequently been released "dubbhabuddah" in '94 and a live double disc, know as Hookah's distinctive upsidedown and backwards letter "e" (schwa!-J) in '96.
From Fredricktown(hookahville-J), Ohio Hookah consists of Katz, Lanese, Ed McGee (vocals, rhythm guitar), Cliff Starbuck (bass), and Steve Sweeney (lead guitar). McGee who shares the songwriting duties (and singing-J) with Katz, joined the team last August after their original member John Mullins was asked to leave. the bans was internally unhappy", explains Katz, and would not have been able to go on without the change.
"We knew from the begining (Ed) would be a good fit," says Katz. McGee who had opened for hookah a few times in the past was already friends with the band, and despite fan concern about the new guy mucking up the chemistry, the change has been smooth. "We still sound similar, we just have some different songs now," adds Katz. "we're a little more fun, at least visually. There's no more turmoil."
Hookahs strong bond with their fans has been the key to their success. Playing nearly 200 shows a year, the band has built up a steady following. "It's still odd to go out somewhere and have a huge crowd and read email from around the country," Lanese says. Audience Taping (oh yeah!-J) of shows is allowed, which has helped spread the music around the country. "It's the single thing that's helped us get to the point were at," says Katz. (double oh yeah!-J)
And then there's the bi-annual Hookahville. Started fours years ago "as and innocent' let's go do this in the woods' party." Hookahville has grown from a 800 person (i heard 728-j:) soire, to this past Memorial Day Weekend's extravaganza in Alpine Hills in Dover.
"We'd like to take hookahville on tour,"says Katz "hold it every weekend, add not just in Ohio." When the concept was conceived, Katz continues, the band decided to make the party "as big and as fun as possible. We throw all our resources into one show to give back to the fans. I think it is our crowning achievement so far."
--ROBERT MIHALEK-freetimes article vol5, issue 44.