My Morning Jacket

In this week's Velocity Weekly, Danny tells all (or some,anyway):

 
All Rocked Out
My Morning Jacket gave Danny Cash a shot at fame and money. Then he walked away.

By Joshua Hammann

http://www.velocityweekly.com/sound/music.html

Photo by Matt Stone
"I don't think I'd ever want to go back," Danny Cash said.
 
Danny Cash has bonged Coors Light tall boys with Dave Grohl and slipped into the bubbling, milky-white waters of an Icelandic hot spring. He's been hugged by adoring fans and burned by music writers. He's done everything that anyone who ever picked up a guitar or wrote a song might envision as the ultimate fruit of their labors.

He has also decided that it isn't the life for him.

For almost five years, 26-year-old Cash played keyboards for My Morning Jacket, the Louisville band that has turned its brand of southern-inflected jam rock into a international sensation. He recorded a handful of EPs and two full-length records, including the breakthrough "It Still Moves."

But for almost a year, Cash had been souring on life on the rock 'n' roll fast track. This slow-building wave crested in a hotel room in London a few days before Thanksgiving.

Cash and guitarist Johnny Quaid met with the band and its manager and announced they were quitting.

"I don't think it was much of a surprise," Cash said. "When you tour with somebody and you spend 24 hours a day next to them for years on end it gets rough after a while. It could be Santa Claus but you end up hating them after a while."

Both members have since been replaced, and Cash has already begun life as potentially Louisville's own Pete Best.

"I thought doing the record and being home for a extended amount of time would be really nice, but doing the record, we were in the studio every day and I might as well have been on the road," Cash said. "And while we were still making the record we had to leave for the tour. It was a lot of nonstop touring and by the end of this year I had pretty much had it."

The band canceled the first few January dates of the tour. Rumors swirled around about a band member breaking a hand, but Cash said it was the band trying to figure out its next move.

Cash's next move is the Debutantes, a French pop, glam-inspired band started by some of his lifelong friends. Also, Cash is opening Kopilot, a toy and knick-knack art gallery at 618 Baxter Ave. that will feature works by local artists and items he picked up on tour.

Kopilot's grand opening is Feb. 6 and will feature the work of local artist Andy Sturdevant.

Cash had always been interested in art, but had also always dreamed of a life where music kept him from the bane of "a real job."

"It's cool to have fulfilled that and to have dropped everything and just gone out and played," Cash said. "That's obviously the life that Jim (James) and (Two-Tone) Tommy and Patrick (Hallahan) want, but for me and John, I think that lifestyle made us understand that we were home people."

Despite the timing, Cash said he and Quaid came to their decisions independently.

"John and I, I think, we were on the same page because we talked a lot, but neither of us really talked to each other about quitting," Cash said.

The band had been touring in England, Scotland and Sweden through November. It was cold, Cash said, and morale was not high. Then Cash heard that a close friend of the band was missing.

"One night, our drummer Patrick woke me up and told me that they found that he had killed himself," Cash said. "The tour really started to deteriorate from there."

Soon after, Cash and Quaid were gone.

My Morning Jacket's recent success has been massive. The band enjoys consistent coverage from the likes of Rolling Stone, Spin and NME. It has shared the stage with the Foo Fighters and Beck and appeared on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." It seems poised for only more greatness. But that wasn't the reality, Cash says.

"In the band, as much as I loved the music, we would record 12 or 15 songs every 21/2 years and then go out and play the same songs every night," Cash said. "You wake up, set up your gear, go do your interviews and eat and then come back and play and tear everything down. It's like (the movie) `Groundhog Day.'"

At home with his friends and family, Cash is more immersed in music than he was on the tour bus, playing with the Debutantes and helping record another band his friends are in, Your Black Star.

"I can be involved in a lot of bands and still be involved with the lives of my family and friends," Cash said. "That's perfect for me. I don't think I'd ever want to go back."

But there are things he will miss.

"Even where you are just basically playing the same set list of songs night after night, just getting up there, the vibe that all of us had, that was the best part," he said.

My Morning Jacket started with a brown van and five guys who were willing to drive four days to play one show. They would eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drink generic cola. When there was money, they would splurge on turkey and cheese. But there was a goal in sight that made sleeping in a van living on Jiff worth it.

Four years later, My Morning Jacket reached that goal — shot right past it, actually — and that was enough for Cash, so he walked away.

"In the band, as much as I loved the music, we would record 12 or 15 songs every 21/2 years and then go out and play the same songs every night," Cash said. "You wake up, set up your gear, go do your interviews and eat and then come back and play and tear everything down. It's like (the movie) `Groundhog Day.'"  

This is the only thing that I have ever been even moderately disappointed about MMJ.

Some bands you can see three nights in a row and never hear the same song twice. I can relate to what Danny is saying on this topic. It makes seeing more than one night on the tour less alluring..granted there might be a song or two that's different, but travelling 200 or 300 miles to the next town to see the same show is...well...still worth it. However, for as much talent as the band has...and as many good songs as they have..It would be nice if they would change up the setlists from night to night. I'll still go even if it is the same show.

I read you, otter. Saw the band twice in November and I was disappointed that they played the same set, even though there were 2 or 3 weeks in between. Hmm... This is not a very uplifting article. It does imply that Danny left on a sad note. But it is very understandable... Let's just say I'm going to want to hear more from those Debutantes.

danny and i are just hired guns in the debutantes.  dont let it stop you from seeing the band though because it fucking RULES.  but if your really interested in dcash music just hold on for a while.  i have a feeling a lot of his origional music will be recorded and released in the coming months/years.

 

 "Some bands you can see three nights in a row and never hear the same song twice."

yeah right. Some bands play a 2 hour show, 3 nights in a row, and NEVER hear the same song twice? Please name those bands.

Widespread Panic, Phish, The Dead. There were sometimes five or six nights in a row that the Dead would maybe only repeat a song or two.

I realize that My Morning Jacket is not a "Jam Band" (although in a different sense of the word they are "THE" Jam band).

That's why I never posted anything about it before, but when a band member talks about the repetition... that worries me for the long term.

well otter, I know widespread and the dead and all them play a lot of covers, too. I am sure MMJ could conjure up some covers to add to the festivities, or they could leave that to the "scene" bands (which is what they will do). You can't name a band that plays ALL originals and shakes up the set list too much. Any band that ever toured usually sticks close to home with a tour's set list, if they're playing their own music.

You asked. What's wrong with covers?

well, if I had to choose to see a band play originals or covers, I would pick originals. But that's just me. I don't really follow bands around, so I could care less if their set list is the same. When Cash says, "You wake up, set up your gear, go do your interviews and eat and then come back and play and tear everything down." That's rock and roll man. That's the way it's always been and not eveyone is suited for that lifestyle. You really can't say MMJ is any different from any other band playing their own tunes.

Hey now, we're all friends here.  

Remember, MMJ is barely in year 4 of touring, and probably only in year 2 of BIG touring.  (did year 2 ever stop?)

So, what I'm trying to say is that as time progresses, new material comes out, and whatnot, I think the show will evolve.  I know it has since 99 in a big way.

MMJ is certainly a band to go see multiple times, so I go regardless!

I hear you John. I was just trying to answer a question, not trying to cause an uproar. I am allowed my opinion, and so is everyone else.

Am I not allowed to speak on the board if it isn't a compliment to the band? I have made more than a hundred posts here and I think this is the first time I have ever said anything negative (barring the little incident with Cheddah Frank, but that was a little different).

I didn't say they sucked...I was just wishing for a diversified set. Ycarb I hope there is no animosity. I respect what you have to say.

Otter, of course you're allowed your opinion, be it positive or negative.  Everyone is entitled to say what's on their minds, I would never suggest otherwise.

I was just (ahem) trying to keep it civil, that's all.  Perhaps I was overstepping a bit...rock on man.

 ;D

np 8)

MMJ used to do such great covers ("Hot Legs," "Tyrone," "Easy").  They really helped shake up a setlist.  But I heard that Jim didn't like how much more attention the covers were getting vs. the original material, and so they toned it down.

I also appreciate it more when a band plays just, or mainly, original tunes. And I think Motorpsycho is about the only band that plays a different set of originals each night, but yes, they also jam a lot and they have been building up a catalogue of material since 1992! So you can't compare that. As about Widespread Panic, The Grateful Dead and Phish... maybe it's just me not being American, but I always found them pretty boring...

I agree with more diversified sets. It does depend on the band and kind of music, but given the amount of shows they play and the amount of quality material (including covers), it seems like MMJ could mix things up a bit more. They could easily play three nights in a row without repeating a song. But if they want to stick with the same sets, that's up to them. I'll still see them, but I'd argue that it would be more interesting if I didn't know what was coming. All the reviews I read from last year's shows seemed to note damn near the same set for all of them, which was kind of a disappointment, given all the great stuff in their arsenal. And while I'm a big Dead fan, that approach certainly doesn't work for any band. I've seen Interpol twice and it was exactly the same, not to mention exactly like the record. But it was good, so I wouldn't have expected otherwise.
And as far as negative comments...I'd have to argue that most of what I read about MMJ is way too positive. I love the band and all, but they can do no wrong to most people, especially the press. Maybe it's the nature of the media, but the reviews for the last record seemed to build on each other without offering anything new to say, only that it was great. They borrow the same phrases and list the same influences. The best review I read was from the LEO or C-J because it was actually somewhat critical, which I agreed with. Anyway...back to work.

I like what you had to say about Jeffrey Lee Puckett's review (Courier-Journal).  It was critical without being nasty, and had some constructive things to say.

As for general comments or reviews being "too positive", I guess it is just that hard to come up with something negative to say about My Morning Jacket.  Press darlings?  Maybe.  Critical acclaim?  You betcha.

Thing is, the good stuff is well deserved.  I get defensive (to my own pitfall, I must confess) when folks say nasty shit about the band that doesn't have any basis in reality.  I find myself protecting them here and elsewhere not just because I love their music, but I feel it is important to not allow the "1/2 empty set" find fault in what they are doing.  

Everyone is encouraged to post their own thoughts, of course-just be ready to be challenged by losers like me who spend 1000 hours a week here!  Muwhahahahhaaa!!  :o

I agree that these guys fully deserve all the acclaim they've been getting. My problem is that the media/public have a tendency to blow things out of proportion, to where the actual hype becomes something different apart from the band. In MMJ's case, it's only helped them, and I think they're smart enough to know that the tide could turn the other way very quickly. But some of the reviews/articles seemed to just perpetuate the flow of overwhelmingly positive coverage without adding anything remotely critical. I read Peter Buck say the same thing about REM's early critical success. It's like reviewers are afraid to go against the grain (although some do), like it's easier to copy the latest buzzwords and comparisons. Anyway, that's the media, not the band.

I would just like to say that Danny, and Johnny are awesome guys. Nobody can understand how they felt on the road for those 4 years except the guys in the band. I was lucky enough to meet the guys a few times, and Danny and Johnny were two of the nicest, most genuiune and humble people I've ever met. I'm going to miss seeing them onstage with the rest of the guys. But those guys deserve to be happy. I think all of us would agree that they're also welcome guests in our respective towns. God bless em'. They gave us as many memories as they took.
  

Oh yeah - and those guys can play whatever the hell they want. When I can put together a set as good as any of their's, then I might have room to criticize. And the reason they get good press and good reviews is because they've earned it. If you want to talk about a band that got tons of hype and good press undeservedly, talk about the Strokes! They hadn't even released their first album when the hype began. MMJ worked hard, and have earned their recognition.

true hip, but THAT is what happens when you have people on the inside of the industry.

but the strokes are still a kick ass band, hype or no.

what gets on my nerves is how it seems more time is spent on the hair and redneck references than the actual music most times when people write about them.

sorry, but playing the same set every night is BORING.  and if you think its boring as a fan you should try doing it in the band.  BUT, when you release an album on a major label you pretty much HAVE to play the songs off that album.  this isnt the good old days anymore.  you dont get a 3-5 hour slot to go crazy in.  there is a limit on your playing time and a record company to please.  thats just the reality of being signed sometimes.

im sure as time passes though, they will mix things up a bit more.  but maybe not. because once the next album comes out they will need to play THOSE songs and anyway, i like it as it is.  i HEAR what your saying though and im not here to diss you for your opinion.

i just cant wait to happen to run into them when im out on vacation again.  i LOVE seeing the jacket out of town.  it seems much better than here.  too many scene makers out to diss and be douchebags.

Quotetoo many scene makers out to diss and be douchebags

Hehehe

Seriously though, what do you mean by that, and do you have anyone in particular in mind with those comments?  ;)

Yes, DD, I hadn't even thought of the Major Record Company story... On the gigs I visited, they played It still moves entirely, except for "Rollin'Back"...

You guys need to relax. The fact that bands play the same material every night and most of it is off their newest release is not unique to MMJ. I can remember seeing Van Halen 3x on their 1984 tour (when they still rocked) and they did the exact thing every night, and it was not boring or trite nor did I get the feeling that they were under the spell of the big bad record company. Unless you follow some jam band, then you should EXPECT to hear pretty much the same material every night. That's how it works. Setlists are made up of songs for 95% of the crowd, which will only see the band ONCE during the tour. It's called hit em with your best shot and make them come see you when you return. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but that's just how it works, mostly. There seems to be this hip, Dead thing where people follow the band around as if they are part of the band, which is silly to me. The Dead could pull it off b/c that was that generation. I know Phish and Widespread have the same, but it was really sad when Jerry died and all those D'Heads looked at each other and went, "Now what?" I can't wait to see MMJ again, and I really could care less if they played OBH to open and close the show. If that what Jim wants to do, then so be it. If I don't like it, I won't go see them anymore. I can't imagine seeing Hendrix or Zeppelin (or any of my favorite bands touring today, MMJ being one of them) and being disappointed b/c of their redundant set list. It's just music folks, it shouldn't encompass your whole existence; leave that for the band members. I'm out. :)

You saw Van Halen in '84?! Holy shit, you're a lucky man. I read that they not only played the same set, but included several extended solo spots. True? I've got the Hagar video from '85 or '86 (actually not bad; Hagar can play some pretty good guitar), but the drum and bass solos are pretty bad. That's an example of having too much time to fill up for a show. I'll take the Dead flying off into outer space for an hour before any individual crap. And true, it is the norm to stick to one set, but I gotta say if I had my choice, I'd vote for a wider variety of songs. But I'm just a fan...
Back to MMJ...anybody heard if they're releasing more tickets for the Chicago show with Bright Eyes? I'm gonna hate missing that one since it sold out.

QuoteIt's just music folks, it shouldn't encompass your whole existence

So, I've been living a dream?  ;)

And as for Van Halen, they were EVERYWHERE back in those days.  They were the true kings of rock, heavy rotation on the radio, their videos played constantly...alas, I never saw them live.

But I did see (back in the day):

Twisted Sister   1984
Dio              84-85
Bryan Adams      85
Black Sabbath    83
Rush             82-87
Dead             87-88
Plant            88
Page             88

and countless others.  the five or so times I saw Rush, the setlist changed on each tour to reflect the new record, but they had a format where they opened with the same classic tune (Spirit of Radio) and closed with several encores of classic tunes (2112, Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, etc.)  Maybe MMJ could open with "Mahgheeta" and close with "Lil Billy"??  Hmmmmmmm.....

The classic concerts back in the day that were more than just experiences were 4 hour epics from Santana.  Now, THAT was a concert experience.  He wouldn't just play a standard setlist, he improvised from night to night well stocked with a catalog of recordings that would make Johnny Cash proud.  Not only is Carlos a gifted guitarist, he's a great bandleader who chooses bandmates with very different backgrounds.

What does this mean in relation to this thread?  I think I lost my point myself!

Tell me it wouldn't be cool to see these shows on consecutive nights.

Magheeta      
Dancefloors      
Hopefully      
Easy Morning Rebel      
Weeks Go By Like Days      
Heartbreakin Man      
O Is the One That Is Real      
Sooner      
Just Because I Do      
Phone Went West      
Picture of You      
War Begun      
      
The Way That He Sings
Evelyn Is Not Real
Lowdown
Honest Man
The Bear
Come Closer
I Will Sing You Songs
If All Else Fails
Strangulation
Call Tyrone
Bermuda Highway
I Will Be There When You Die
I Needed It Most
Run Thru

As far as the record company goes, I thought that's why they chose Dave Matthews label...For complete creative control over what where and when they play. Are we saying that MMJ fans wouldn't want to see this or that they don't have it in em' to remember it all?

I agree with those that would like to see the band mix up their live performances a bit.  I understand the whole record label all original songs hit em with your best shot theory... particularly at this stage in the band's progress.  They are on the cusp of becoming very big and are out there on the road sending home the message night after night in all its sonic fury.  The message is clear... they WANT TO BE ROCK STARS!  The focus right now is obviously not to cater to the loyal minority that will follow them from show to show... it's to get new bodies into the shows... new fans... new minds to blow.

That being said, I hope that this "Recruiting Phase" is temporary because they will eventually have to rely on their loyal fans to fill their shows... the press/music industry buzz won't last forever.  The fact that they have excluded doing any covers lately shows that they want to gain their notoriety playing their own songs.  That's admirable... but slightly egotistical if they only exclude them out of fear of upstaging their original tunes.  There are a lot of great songs out there that could mix nicely into MMJ's catalog.  Jim does covers at his solo gigs.  I can't think of any great bands that never covered another artist's songs.  It's a way of paying respect to your influences.  It's also a great way to add some variety to a show.

Another thing I'd like to see is Carl singing a couple of his songs.  Have you checked out his website?  'Just Enough' & 'We've been had' are great songs.  Some Carl songs would be a nice addition to the complexity of the MMJ experience.

I saw MMJ in DC at the 9:30 Club.  I'd have gladly gone back three or four nights in a row for the exact same show.  There is such desperation out here for some real rock n' roll, people care less about play lists than they do about what is played.  I was around when you could choose from a whole bunch of hot bands. Now this generation has crap like that moron (in-sink, or whatever) dancing with a woman old enough to be his mother (maybe it should be oedipus sink).  This is cultural deprivation!!!!  Actually, I'm hoping for MMJ spin offs, clones, etc. as long as we get some decent f...ing music!  

QuoteNow this generation has crap like that moron (in-sink, or whatever) dancing with a woman old enough to be his mother (maybe it should be oedipus sink).

What the hell? Who is that?  ???

Sorry to be obscure.  "That moron" is Justin Timberlake and the woman old enough to be his mother is the lovely Janet Jackson -- dancing together at Superbowl 1/2 time.  Technically, she's old enough to be his mother, although my researchers tell me she would have been 15.  I think that boy bands and any Jackson's music sucks.  I'm hoping that hot bands like MMJ start getting the big venues and that Justin and Janet get a gig at Pony Tails, Atlanta's amateur strip club.

Ah, okay, that makes sense. Well, Justin Timberlake is a clone of Michael Jackson in his good days, and let's admit, Michael Jackson in his good days was fucking awesome! But, err, yes, I get your point.