Dave Matthews Band
FAQ 4.0b1
All there is to know about the Dave Matthews Band...
(must... have... more... information...)
 
Version: 4.0b1
Updated: 05 December 1997
Maintainance headed up by: John M. P. Athayde (eljuanbobo@list.org)

This document is continually updating. The newest copy of the entire project can be obtained by e-mailing eljuanbobo@list.org with "FAQ REQUEST" in subject. This document is intended for non-profit use. If anyone is going to make money off this, it's going to be us, the writers. Just kidding! Please feel free to distribute this document as you wish as long as you include it in it's entirety. If you include this page on your web page, or make a link to it, please drop me a line telling me where it will be available so that I can inform you of updates.
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.x BIOGRAPHY
1.1 About the Dave Matthews Band
1.2 Who is Carter Beauford?
1.3 Who is Stefan Lessard?
1.4 Who is Dave Matthews?
1.5 Who is LeRoi Moore?
1.6 Who is Boyd Tinsley?
1.7 Who is Peter Griesar?
1.8 Who is Tim Reynolds?
1.9 Who else plays with Dave Matthews Band?

2.x THE MUSIC
2.1 What albums have been released by Dave Matthews Band?
2.2 What is the current policy on recording Dave Matthews Band concerts?
2.3 What other original songs does Dave Matthews Band play in concert?
2.4 What original songs has Dave Matthews Band played in the past but no longer play?
2.5 What songs does Dave Matthews Band cover?
2.6 What other recordings have individual members of DMB appeared on?
2.7 What do the song numbers mean?
2.8 What was song #1?
2.9 What other songs currently exist that are called by numbers?

3.X THE TAPES
3.1 What is a Bagby?
3.2 What about live recording?
3.3 How do I get started in tape trading?
3.4 What about tape trees?
3.5 What about tape lists?
3.6 Is all this stuff legal? What about the live CDs in the store?

4.X OTHER
4.1 Who is Anne?
4.2 How did the name Dave Matthews Band come to be?
4.3 Where else can I find information on Dave Matthews Band?
4.4 What is ____________ about?
4.5 Books and Publications about DMB
4.6 Credits and Contacts



 

1.x BIOGRAPHY

1.1 About The Dave Matthews Band

The Dave Matthews Band draws on the widely varied musical interests of five musicians to create a uniquely compelling pop sound that combines the influences of folk, jazz, rock, world beat, and reggae.

David Matthews, the band's namesake and lead guitarist, began to ass emble the players in 1991 to accompany him on a demo tape of original songs. Then a bartender at a Charlottesville, Va. jazz venue, Matthews says he aimed high, approaching the musicians he respected most.

Seasoned jazz players LeRoi Moore and Carter Beauford agreed to help out. The trio then approached Stefan Lessard, who at 16, was already an accomplished upright bass player, about playing electric bass guitar for the band. When one of the tunes seemed to need violin, they enlisted the string expertise of Boyd Tinsley, and a band was born.

"Our music is written to be clear and simple," says David, who is the band's chief songwriter. "It's pop music with a pretty posi- tive message. I hope it's accessible to everyone."

Matthews says the band's vitality comes from the association of five strong individuals, each with his own interpretation of a given song. The band members agree: "We take a lot of different influences and make something new out of them by playing each song the best that we can play it," LeRoi Moore says. It is this blend of influences that creates the band's rich texture.



1.2 Who is Carter Beauford?

The oldest member of Dave Matthews Band at 38, Carter Beauford has been playing jazz drums since his childhood. His father played trumpet in a jazz band, and it seemed natural to Carter to play music. After playing the drums in college, Carter abandoned his first love for his second love, teaching history. But he soon went back to music. He signed on with a fusion band called Secrets, which lasted from 1984 to 1990. The band amassed a huge following on the Virginia jazz circuit, including one South African expatriate named Dave Matthews, who was very fervent in his support of the band. After the band dissolved, Carter went to California to try out for the Arsenio Hall Show. When he failed to land the spot, Carter came back to the east coast and landed a job on pianist Ramsey Lewis's BET jazz show, "Bet on Jazz". In January of 1991, Carter moved back to Charlottesville, playing random gigs and driving into Washington to tape the BET show. When Matthews heard Carter was back in Virginia, he decided to approach him about making the demo tape he had been dreaming about. Carter uses Yamaha Recording Custom Series drums and Zildjian cymbals, as well as Pro-Mark Signature Series sticks.


1.3 Who is Stefan Lessard?

Stefan Lessard was only 16 when approached by Dave, Carter, and LeRoi in 1991. But at that young age, he was already a very well respected bass player in the jazz circles of Virginia. Though his original instrument was the upright bass, he converted to the electric bass for the band. Sometimes, though, he'll pull out the good old upright for a show or two. Stefan plays a Guild Acoustic Bass, a Warwick Dolphin Pro 1 Bass, and a Warwick Dolphin 6 string Thumb Bass. He uses Trace acoustic RAH 600 SMX amp with a SWR SM 900 to power two 1044 4x10 Trace Elliott speakers and 2 1524 T2x15 Trace Elliott speakers.


1.4 Who is Dave Matthews?

Dave Matthews was born in South Africa on January 9, 1967. His family moved around the world a lot while he was young, explaining his unique accent. He finally settled in America. Without a high school diploma, there wasn't much he could do. He got a job as a bartender at Miller's, a Charlottesville, Virginia jazz club, and dreamed of starting his own band. He decided to make a demo tape of some songs he had written over the years. He and his manager, Ross Hoffman, approached his favorite jazz players to accompany him. He approached LeRoi Moore and Carter Beauford first, two musicians that he respected greatly. They were invited to his house to listen to a few songs he had recorded. They really liked them and decided to make a tape together. Dave's talent was so raw that before he and Carter got together, he didn't know what a time signature was. Dave plays a Gibson Chet Atkins Solid Body Guitar with D'addario Medium Gauge Nickel Bronze strings. He uses a Trace Acoustic TARPIR acoustic preamp which feeds Mackie Microseries 1202 Mixer followed by a Clark-Teknik NIK DN332 equalizer powered by a Crest FA1201 power amp with 2 wave force1201 speakers. He keeps it all in tune with a Korg DT-1 pro tuner.  


1.5 Who is LeRoi Moore?

LeRoi Moore and Carter Beauford were the first to join Dave in 1991. LeRoi plays many different saxophones on stage for Dave Matthews Band. Before joining Dave Matthews Band, LeRoi played jazz at the many night spots in the Charlottesville-Richmond area. LeRoi, like Boyd, was trained in the classics, one reason for the band's sometimes classical sound. LeRoi plays a Haynes closed hole C foot flute, a Yamaha Soprano saxophone, as well as a Selmer Alto Saxophone and Selmer Mark 6 Series Tenor Saxophone.  


1.6 Who is Boyd Tinsley?
Boyd Tinsley was a classical violinist until 1985, when he switched over to rock and roll. Since then, he has defined the rock 'n' roll violin. Before joining Dave, Carter, LeRoi, and Stefan, Boyd played with a few local outfits. He had his Boyd Tinsley Band, which he continued to play with until 93, and he played with Down Boy Down, an acoustic duo that played fraternity parties and college bars around Charlottesville. After jamming with the boys on the demo tape, he approached Dave and Carter and said, "I like what you're doing, I like your sound, so I'm going to quit my other bands and join you guys." Recently, an offshoot of the old Boyd Tinsley Band has formed, calling themselves Underfoot. Boyd has been known to jam with them from time to time. Boyd plays a Moggini Copy violin and a French violin with Schnicker bows. This summer he used 2 Trace Elliot 200 Concert Series Amps. His pedals include a Boss Digital Delay, Boss Octave, and Boss Reverb.  


1.7 Who is Peter Griesar?
Peter Griesar was the original keyboardist and harmonica player in Dave Matthews Band. He joined the band shortly after its inception and played with the band until his last show with the band on March 23, 1993. By all accounts, he left on good terms. According to legend, he didn't like the rock and roll touring life style and when DMB began to tour away from Virginia, he got out. Dave has said that the parting with Peter was amicable and that they are still friends. Peter wrote "People, People" and Dave has mentioned possibly recording that song for a future album.  


1.8 Who is Tim Reynolds?
Tim Reynolds is a guitarist and good friend of the band. He and Dave have played together for longer than DMB has played together. Tim plays on each CD, making him, for all intents and purposes, the sixth band member. He often joins the band on tour when not touring with his band, the TR3. Rumors have circulated since the band's inception that Tim would one day join the band, but nothing has ever become official.

Tim Reynolds and Dave Matthews frequently play acoustic shows, featuring DMB's music as well as several songs penned by Tim, including "Chatterbox" and "Stream." In early 1996 Dave and Tim did a several month long tour in the Northeast to Midwest at small venues and colleges, and these tours will probably continue in such a fashion. 


1.9 Who else has played with the Dave Matthews Band?


2.x THE MUSIC

2.1 What albums have been released by Dave Matthews Band?

Remember Two Things
Released 11/9/93 Bama Rags 001
1. Ants Marching
2. Tripping Billies
3. Recently
4. Satellite
5. One Sweet World
6. The Song That Jane Likes
7. Minarets
8. Seek Up
9. I'll Back You Up
10. Christmas Song -- Seek Up (reprise)

All of R2T, as it is commonly referred to, is taken from live recordings at the Flood Zone in Richmond, Trax in Charlottesville, and the Muse in Nantucket, Mass except Minarets and Seek Up.

Produced by John Alagia, who with Doug Derryberry have their own act which plays frequently in the Washington DC area.

Guest Artists:
Tim Reynolds: Minarets, Seek Up, I'll Back You Up, Christmas Song.
Greg Howard: Minarets.

This album is still available through Bama Rags (804) 979-9695 and is now available at stores everywhere.


Recently EP Promo CD

Bama Rags 002
1. Recently 3:31 (Radio Edit)
2. Ants Marching 4:36 (Radio Edit)
3. Tripping Billies 4:45 (Radio Edit)
4. The Song that Jane Likes 3:23 (Radio Edit)

A radio promo CD, released for the promotion of Remember Two Things. Cover is similar to the standard Bama Rags 003 release except the man is holding a pumpkin.

Rather hard to obtain.


Recently EP

Released Spring 94 Bama Rags 003
1. Recently (Radio Edit)
2. Warehouse
3. Dancing Nancies
4. All Along the Watchtower
5. Halloween

#2&3 were recorded at an acoustic duo show with Tim Reynolds at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. 4&5 were recorded live at Trax with the full band. This CD is available from Bama Rags Records (804) 979-9695 and is sold at DMB concerts.


Under the Table and Dreaming

Released 9/27/94 RCA 07863 66449-2
1. The Best of What's Around
2. What Would You Say
3. Satellite
4. Rhyme and Reason
5. Typical Situation
6. Dancing Nancies
7. Ants Marching
8. Lover Lay Down
9. Jimi Thing
10. Warehouse
11. Pay For What You Get
34. #34

Tim Reynolds (guitar, TR3) plays on every song.
John Popper (harmonica, Blues Traveler) plays on What Would You Say.
Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, NY.


"11 Song Radio Sampler" (RJC 66561-2)

1. Best Of What's Around (UTTAD)
2. Tripping Billies (R2T)
3. Jimi Thing (UTTAD)
4. The Song That Jane Likes (Acoustic Demo - 1991)
5. What Would You Say (UTTAD)
6. Typical Situation (Acoustic Demo - 1991)
7. Satellite (R2T)
8. Rhyme & Reason (UTTAD)
9. Dancing Nancies (Acoustic Demo - 1991)
10. Recently (R2T)
11. Ants Marching (Live Acoustic -- Birchmere, Alexandria, VA)

Released to radio stations as a promo for DMB. A bit hard to get ahold of, and frequently illegally bootlegged using similar artwork.


"What Would You Say" (RDJ 62994-2)

1. What Would You Say (UTTAD)
What Would You Say single.


"Jimi Thing" (RDJ 64258-2)
1. Jimi Thing (Edit)
2. All Along The Watchtower (Recently)
3. Christmas Song (R2T)
4. Jimi Thing (UTTAD)
Jimi Thing single.


"Ants Marching" (RDJ 64350-2)

1. Ants Marching (UTTAD)
2. Ants Marching (Live -- Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Providence, RI)
3. Ants Marching (Live Acoustic -- Birchmere, Alexandria, VA)
Ants Marching single. There is also another version of this single which has a shorter radio edit of Ants Marching in addition to the above tracks. (RDJ 64457-2)


Typical Situation" (RDJ 64324-2)

1. Typical Situation (Radio Edit)*
2. Typical Situation (Acoustic)**
3. What Would You Say? (Live Acoustic)***
4. Typical Situation (LP Version)*

** Recorded and mixed by Bruce Miller at Quad Studios, 1991
*** Recorded by Bill Wolf and John Alagia at the Birchmere, Alexandria, VA; Mixed by John Alagia at Rutabaga Studios, Arlington, VA.
*** Lead guitar by Tim Reynolds
Quite difficult to locate, even more difficult to afford once you do.


Crash

Released 4/30/96 RCA 07863 66904-2
1. So Much To Say
2. Two Step
3. Crash Into Me
4. Too Much
5. #41
6. Say Goodbye
7. Drive In Drive Out
8. I Let You Down
9. Lie In Our Graves
10. Cry Freedom
11. Tripping Billies
12. Proudest Monkey

Tim Reynolds (guitar, TR3) plays on each song.
Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville NY


"Too Much" (RDJ 64517-2)

1. Too Much (Album Version) (4:20)
2. Too Much (Edit) (3:45)
Too Much single.


"So Much To Say" (RDJ 64558-2)

1. So Much To Say (Album Version) (4:06)
2. So Much To Say (Edit) (3:05)
So Much To Say single.


"Too Much"

1. Too Much (Edit)
2. Ants Marching (Edit)
3. Jimi Thing (Acoustic Live)
Australian import version of the single Too Much.


2.2 What is the current policy on recording Dave Matthews Band concerts?

DMB Official Taping Policy:

This is current as of 4/26/96 and will be updated as changes occur. Dave Matthews Band allows taping at almost every live performance. There are no soundboard feeds given, and it is therefore the responsibility of the taper to bring their own equipment. Selling any recording is illegal and will jeopardize everyone else's taping privileges. Thank you for your loyalty and cooperation.

Until early 1995, the band allowed anyone that wanted to patch into their soundboard. But, a few unknowing fans ruined it for everyone. Bootleg CD companies bought these soundboard patches from these undiscriminating fans and even stupider fans went out and bought these bootlegs. The record company had little choice but to pull the plug on the soundboard patch. However, as it says above, the band still allows audience taping. So now, you can bring whatever recording devices you have to the concert and tape the show. But learn from your forefathers' mistakes and don't sell or purchase a live Dave Matthews Band tape or CD, unless it is released by RCA or Bama Rags, of course.


2.3 What other original songs does the Dave Matthews Band play in concert?

The list got considerably shorter with the release of Crash. The easiest way to identify a song is to check the lyrics in the lyric file.


2.4 What original songs has DMB played in the past that they no longer play?

The easiest way to identify a song is to check the lyrics in the lyric file.
 


2.5 What songs does Dave Matthews Band cover?
To find out which dates DMB played a specific song, consult the set list file.

Also Sprach Zarathustra                        Richard Strauss "2001"
All Along the Watchtower                      Bob Dylan "John Wesley Harding"
All You Need Is Love                             The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour"
Angel from Montgomery                        John Prine "John Prine"
Can't Buy Me Love                                The Beatles "A Hard Days Night"
Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire     Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song"
Chameleon                                           Herbie Hancock
Dancing In The Streets                          Martha And The Vandellas
Exodus                                                Bob Marley "Exodus"
Eyes of the World                                 Grateful Dead "Wake of the Flood"
Fame                                                   David Bowie "Young Americans"
Golden Years n                                     David Bowie "Station to Station"
Her Majesty                                          The Beatles "Abbey Road"
Hey Joe                                               Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced?"
Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago                    Soul Coughing "Ruby Vroom"
Janine                                                 Soul Coughing "Ruby Vroom"
Louie, Louie......................
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard  Paul Simon "Paul Simon"
Nature                                                 The Samples "The Samples"
Norwegian Wood                                  The Beatles "Rubber Soul"
On Broadway                                       The Drifters "On Broadway"
One (Singular Senstation)                      A Chorus Line
Once in a Lifetime                                 Talking Heads "Remain in Light"
Redemption Song                                 Bob Marley "Uprising"
Should I Stay Or Should I Go                 The Clash
Shortnin' Bread                                     Traditional
Stairway to Heaven                                Led Zeppelin "Untitled"
Sweet Home Alabama                           Lynyrd Skynyrd "Second Helping"
Sympathy for the Devil                           Rolling Stones "Beggar's Banquet"
Take Me To the River                             Al Green "Explores Your Mind"
Tangerine                                             Led Zeppelin "II"
The Maker                                            Daniel Lanois "Acadie"
Tomorrow Never Knows                         The Beatles "Revolver"
Three Little Birds                                   Bob Marley "Exodus"
Walk on the Wildside                            Lou Reed "Transformer"
Yellow Submarine                                 The Beatles "Revolver"
You Won't See Me                                The Beatles "Rubber Soul"  


2.6 What other albums do the members of the Dave Matthews Band appear on?

This is a running list, as is everything else on this FAQ, so any additions or corrections to this would be kindly appreciated and should be sent to bpace@student.richmond.edu.

Compliation Releases
All Access: The HORDE Festival CD-ROM (What Would You Say - live)
  Phillips 310691025-2 (1995)
Columbia Records Radio Hour, Vol. 2 (Tripping Billies - live) - CK 67498 (1996)
Dear Charlottesville (Halloween - Recently version, TR3's Coming After You)
  Super Duke (1996)
HORDE II Promo Disc (Recently - Recently version) - A&M 31454-8054-2(1994)
HORDE 96 Promo Disc (Two Step - Crash version) - NO SERIAL NUMBER (1996)
KBCO Studio C, Vol. 6 (Tripping Billies - Dave + Boyd) - KBCO-C-06 (1995)
Live at the World Cafe Vol. 2 (Ants Marching - Unplugged)  - WC9502 (1995)
Modern Rock Live (Jimi Thing, Dancing Nancies live on MRL) - Sony 1996
MTV Buzz Bin Vol. 1 (What Would You Say - UTTAD version) (1996)
ONXRT:  Live from the Archives, Volume 3 (Tripping Billies - 3/17/95 Tower)(1996)
White Man's Burden (Tripping Billies - Live at the Muse) - TAG 92628-2

Guest and Independent Appearances
Allgood - Kickin and Screamin EP (Boyd Tinsley) - A&M 31454 0229 2 (1994)
Aware II - Shannon Worrell's "Eleanor" (Dave Matthews) - Madaket 0012 (1994)
Code Magenta - Code Magenta (Leroi Moore) - ES-9551 (1995)
Cosmology - Word From The Underground  - Czational (Tim Reynolds) (1984)
Greg Howard - Shapes (Tim Reynolds) - ES-9451 (1993)
The Samples - Autopilot (Boyd Tinsley) (1994)
The Samples - Ten Wheels Rockumentary, "Feel Us Shaking" (Boyd Tinsley)
Secrets - Nine Sharp (Tim Reynolds) (1990)
Michael Sokolowski and Tim Reynolds - Common Margins (Tim Reynolds) (1993)
Sticks And Stones - Transmigration - ES-9101 (Tim Reynolds) (1991)
Sticks And Stones - Face of Sand - Espresso (Tim Reynolds) (1989)
Sticks And Stones - A Collection of Spontaneous Improvisations - Espresso (Tim Reynolds) (1987)
Tim Reynolds - Stream (Tim Reynolds) (1993)
TR3 - Light Up Ahead (Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds) - TR3 001 (1995)
TR3 - Shifting Currents (Leroi Moore, Carter Beauford, Tim Reynolds) - TRCD 101(1991)
TR3 - TR3 (Tim Reynolds) (1988)
Vertical Horizon - Running On Ice (Carter Beauford) - Rhythmic Records 9 7772-2(1995)
Shannon Worrell - Three Wishes - Super Duke 0001 (Leroi Moore, Dave Matthews,
   Boyd Tinsley, Tim Reynolds) (1994)


2.7 What do the song numbers mean?

Dave numbers all of his songs in the order that he writes them. To put it simply, #34 was the 34th song that he wrote (and so on for the others). Dave has often said that he has trouble coming up with titles for the songs he writes. For this reason, some of his song titles may seem elusive (for example, the title Granny was made more as a joke than a reflection of the song's meaning). In the absence of a good title, Dave might turn to soundman Jeff "Bagby" Thomas (who is credited with titling such songs as Heathcliff's Haiku Warriors and Blue Water [Baboon Farm]). When neither of them can come up with a title, Dave just calls it by the number that it was assigned when he wrote it. The first song to have its number be its name was #34. 


2.8 What was song #1?

Inevitably, this causes debate. The first complete song that Dave wrote (which is therefore most widely accepted as song #1) was "I'll Back You Up." The controversy comes in that Dave had the music (but not the lyrics) to "The Song That Jane Likes" written before I'll Back You Up. Since IBYU is the first *complete* song that he wrote, it is considered #1.  


2.9 What other songs currently exist that are called by numbers?
Beyond the released numbered songs (#34 and #41), there are two other numbered songs in existence. #36 is a song dedicated to the memory of South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani who was killed in his efforts to free South Africa. The main refrain of "Hani, Hani come and dance with me" was changed to "Honey, honey come and dance with me" because Dave felt that the song was too upbeat to have such a sad message of death. Consequently, Dave also dropped the original lyrics about Hani's murder for a more upbeat mix of scats, moans, and lines about love and happiness. #40 is another numbered song. It seems to be an enigma to the band when people request it because (though they only played it a few times) the band named it, but the fans don't know the new name. Some people also refer to this song as "Always". Efforts are currently being made to resurrect this song. As a sidenote, #41 was often referred to as "The Police" or "41 Police" in its early stages. The lyrics to this song also drastically changed so that it had nothing to do police at all. The name was thus dropped and exchanged with the number to preserve the continuity of the song and title.  


3.X THE TAPES

3.1 What is a Bagby?

Depending on the era in DMB history you are talking about, a Bagby can mean different things. Jeff "Bagby" Thomas is DMB's soundman. He runs the boards. He was responsible for allowing us to patch into the soundboard in the old days. In honor of his effort to make sure everyone had a feed, we called the tapes that we made from shows "BAGBIES". Somewhat recently on Nancies, we have begun giving away Bagbies at shows free to people with a message not to buy DMB live stuff because you can get them for virtually nothing. So, sometimes the term Bagby implies the giving away of tapes at a concert in an effort to end or curtail the sale of bootleg CDs.  


3.2. What about live recording?

For the most part, The Dave Matthews Band is very receptive to taping. The general way to go about it at this point is to walk to the front door of the venue and ask permission. Usually you will be allowed to, but it's best to arrive early to avoid being shut out by a preponderance of tapers. A member of the net was once promised by the band's soundman that there would always be a sbd feed of some sort available, but this has not always been the case.

What to bring: (Courtesy of Chris Buford cbuford@liberty.uc.wlu.edu)

Equipment:
1. Tape deck (obviously)
(at this point, if you have a portable deck with its own power source, you should go ahead and make use of it. things are getting quite crowded in the dmb taper's station.)
2. RCA cables
3. Flashlight
4. Extension cord or (preferably) a 6 outlet strip
5. Pen
6. Paper for setlists and trading phone numbers, addresses, etc.
7. Something to carry most of the stuff in
8. Blank tapes (more than you think you'll need)
9. "Y" jacks if possible. If you arrive late you can use these to split the signal so you don't get cut off by other decks.
10. {Since Soundboards have been eliminated (for the most part) a good microphone is crucial, preferably with a tall stand} 


3.3 How do I get started in tape trading?

An easy and popular way to start your own tape collection of tDMB is to post a message to either the UseNet newsgroup or the Dave Matthews Band E-mail mailing list explaining your "newbie" position and ask for help in starting your collection. Chances are, some kind soul will take you under his/her wing and agree to copy one or more shows for you if you send him/her the appropriate number of blanks and sufficient postage. Then, you can use the shows you received to trade for other shows, and sooner or later you have a pretty nice collection going.

Another great way to start tape collecting is to check the mailing list (and occasionally the UseNet newsgroup) for special "Newbie" offers by members of the list and also tree announcements for a particular show. You don't need any tapes to join a tree as a leaf since as part of generally accepted protocol the people above you in a tree will dub whatever the show is in question for blank tapes and postage.

Some landmark shows include 11/17/92 TRAX, 3/17/93 Flood Zone, 3/23/93 TRAX the "Big League Chew Show", 10/26/93 TRAX, 2/24/94 Roseland NYC w/ Trey Anastasio of Phish and John Popper of Blues Traveler, 12/31/94 Richmond Marriott, 12/30/95 Hampton Coliseum, and 12/31/95 Hampton Coliseum. 


3.4  What about tape trees?
(courtesy of Lee Silverman ST101137@brownvm.brown.edu)

A Tape Tree is a way of distributing a popular tape to a large number of people. By using a tape tree, rather than having one person make 75 copies of a tape, everyone gets their tapes faster & there's much less work involved for the owner of the tapes.

The basic premise is this: I have a tape that everyone wants. So I post to the net, saying that I'm running a tree. In that post I include a form for people to fill out & send back to me. (most of the information on these forms gets used, so always fill out the whole thing) After a week or more of waiting, I compile all the replies into a "tree," where I arrange to make copies for 5 or so people. Each of those 5 people is given a list of 5 other people whom they are to make tapes for. Each of them makes copies for 5 people, & so on depending on how big the tree is.

Usually the people who are higher up in trees are the people with the best taping equipment, so the tapes lose less of their sound quality. If you are on a tree you have one or two responsibilities: The first is to get the tapes (this applies to everyone). You do this by either sending blanks to or trading with the person above you. (Whether you send blanks or trade generally has little to do with your placement within the tree). The second responsibility you *may* have will be to copy the tapes for a certain number of other people. They may either trade with you or just send blanks. At that point your role in the tree has been fulfilled 


3.5 What about tape lists?
A tape list gives relevant info about the shows you have. A tape list is useful for two reasons: to let you keep up with what you have (which assumes that you have more than a handful of tapes) & to make it easier to let others see what you have (which assumes that you might one day be interested in trading for other tapes.) That is, even if you don't think one of these items is useful to have on your list, you ought to at least be able to give the relevant info on any particular tape.

There is no consensus on form, order, or meaning (especially generation determination). But, important info for each tape might include any or all of the following: band/performer, date, set(s), venue, location of venue, source (FM broadcast, audience, soundboard, monitor feed, suzy-Q, studio, board remix), generation, digital/analog, and some form of grading (try A, B, C; + or - for hiss & noise; try to be strict, especially with your first tapes--it'll come to you), & any other comments you feel are important.

Notes:

While it is perfectly acceptable to post tape lists onto the alt.music.dave-matthews newsgroup, posting them on the DMB mailing list "Nancies" is highly frowned upon and should be avoided.

It is not considered tactful to grovel for a show within a couple days of the show's performance. Give it at least a week before testing the waters and you'll likely have vastly better results. 


3.6 Is all this stuff legal? What about the live CDs in the store?

Trading tapes is legal. But, you may have noticed that in certain music stores, they carry "imported" live CDs of the Dave Matthews Band and many other artists. These discs are usually priced between $20 and $30 per disk, and quality ranges from acceptable to downright hideous on most of the disks for a given band. There are several convincing arguments on either side as to whether purchasing these discs is ethical. However, regardless of one's position on the ethics of the matter, buying DMB CD bootlegs is unconditionally plain stupid when one considers the cost and quality of these CDs compared to the cost and quality of tapes, - "Bagbies" as it were. Bootleg tapes are more often than not superior in sound quality, and always vastly cheaper (Maxell XL-II's normally run around $1.50-$2.00 per tape when you buy in any quantity, for instance) than $20-$30 per hour of music. Additionally, there are far more shows available on bootleg tape than will ever be available on "import" CDs! One solution that has been proposed is to make copies and trade all bootleg CD's in order to reduce their market value. 


4.X OTHER

4.1 Who is Anne?

Anne was Dave's eldest sister. She was murdered by her husband in South Africa in late 1993 or early 1994, who then shot himself. There are many questions surrounding her death, none of which are confirmed. Under the Table and Dreaming is dedicated to her.  


4.2 How did the name Dave Matthews Band come to be?

Story is that tDMB became the name because the guys, who had already cut a demo tape, were getting ready to take the stage and didn't have a name yet. For the time being, they figured they'd call themselves the Dave Matthews Band until a better name arose. One didn't.  


4.3 Where else can I find information on Dave Matthews Band?

The setlist project (attempting to provide every setlist 1991 to present) is currently underway with Matt McClure (mmcclure@minerva.cis.yale.edu).

The lyrics file (lyrics to every DMB song) is currently underway with Teresa Keck (isis26@aol.com).

The Dave-Speak file (Dave's utterances) can be found at
http://www.wpi.edu/~dmbfan/dmb

If you have access to UseNet, you can participate in discussion about Dave Matthews Band on the group alt.music.dave-matthews. There are also many discussion boards on AOL, Prodigy, and the like.

IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, is a multi-user virtual environment somewhat like the AOL chat-room system where people can meet and talk in "real-time." there are a growing number of Dave Matthews Band related channels on every major IRC network which provide a forum for general information, discussion, and the opportunity for tape trading. For a listing of these channels, answers to the most common questions abut IRC, and links to recommended clients, visit http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/3171.

The official DMB homepage is run by Red Light Management and is located at http://www.dmband.com. This page contains official setlists, tour dates, band-related multi-media, and other cool stuff.

Other good web pages devoted to Dave Matthews Band are:

Steve Conover's at http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~boyd/maindmb.htm
Adrian Bocwinski's at http://www.naples.net/~nfn01005/dmb
Erin Roney's at http://www.princeton.edu/~earoney/dmblinks.htm
Mark Maloney's at http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/2994

You can get on the official DMB snail mailing list by sending a postcard to:
DMB
PO BOX 1911
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903

At the time of this writing, the mailing list "Nancies" has replaced the "minarets.net" mailing list. Begun in October 1995 by John Viega at viega@list.org, Nancies seems to be a competant succesor to minarets.net. To subscribe, send email to nancies-request@dmb.list.org with subscribe nancies-digest in the body or visit http://listserv.redlt.com/mailman/listinfo/nancies. Mail messages go to "nancies@dmb.list.org". 


4.4 What is ________________ about?

Dave writes songs that are open to a lot of interpretation. Everyone should find their own answer to what a specific song is about. But through over analysis (and a few Dave quotes), here is what we've come up with:

#34- Originally written for Miguel Valdez (see above). Has words.
#36- Originally written for slain South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani. But they may have changed the lyrics (from Hani, Hani to Honey, Honey... ) The Best of What's Around- "This song is about y'all"
I'll Back You Up- If you can't figure this one out yourself...
The Song that Jane Likes- Dave's younger sister Jane liked the song before it had words. Dave has admitted the lyrics don't mean anything.
Tripping Billies- Supposedly a song about a day when him and his friends (when he was a teenager) were tripping and were being chased by police ("billies" is a slang term for police used in much of the British Empire). The lyrics don't necessarily point to this, but...
Warehouse- my hearts numbered beat still echoes in this empty room...Fear wells in me...But nothing seems enough to defend...So I'm going away
Two Step- See Genesis (the bible, not the band).
Jimi Thing- "This song is about getting hiiiiigh". And other things. One great theory from the net was that it was about condoms.
Lie in Our Graves- "This is a happy song" "This is a song about being dead and having no regrets."
Proudest Monkey- "About a monkey that gets proud of himself"
Say Goodbye- "This is a song about what's going to happen tonight..."
Too Much- Perhaps a reply to Tripping Billies "Eat, Drink and be merry", "I eat too much, I drink too much..."
Typical Situation- based on the poem: "Prayer in the Pentagon," by Robert Dederick



4.5 Books about DMB


4.6 Credits and Contacts
Please direct all comments and additions about the FAQ itself to:
John M. P. Athayde eljuanbobo@list.org
Brian Pace bpace@student.richmond.edu

Please direct all comments about the Setlist file to:
Matt McClure mmcclure@minerva.cis.yale.edu.

Please direct all comments about the Lyric file to:
Teresa Keck isis26@aol.com.

Please direct all comments about the Tablature file to:
John Athayde eljuanbobo@list.org

Please direct all comments about Dave Speak to:
Melissa Bianco mmb162@email.psu.edu or melissa01@juno.com
Scott Swinehart dmbfan@wpi.edu

Please direct all comments about the Nancies Netiquette Guide to:
Brian Pace bpace@student.richmond.edu

If you don't have access to the web and would like to get the newest FAQ e-mailed to you, email me eljuanbobo@list.org with "FAQ REQUEST" in the subject. We borrowed greatly from the original Minarets.net Frequently Asked Questions and owe a great deal to the writers of that document:

Rick Thompson
ellis of lemuria
Alex Crothers
Daniel Blanchat

This file was originally written during the first semester (Aug-Dec) of 1995 and has been continually updated by:

Brian Alderfer (alderfer@vt.edu)
John Athayde (eljuanbobo@list.org)
Kelly Bolton (kbolton@scuacc.scu.edu)
Creg Bradley (cgbradle@email.unc.edu)
Devon Cavanagh (cavanadj@jmu.edu)
Beau Colburn (rcolburn@emerald.tufts.edu)
Daniel Craver (drcraver@mailbox.syr.edu)
Angus Davis (angusdavis@ids.net)
Sasha Issenberg (sasha_issenberg@horacemann.pvt.k12.ny.us)
Perry Fatuova (perry@nic.com)
Cheri Feingold (crf3@acpub.duke.edu)
Paul Greene (greenpd0@seraph1.sewanee.edu)
(psjacobs@artsci.wustl.edu)
Teresa Keck (isis26@aol.com)
Justin Martenstein (jtm5@po.cwru.edu)
Pat McCarthy (ice@rio.com)
Matt McClure (mmcclure@minerva.cis.yale.edu)
Brian Pace (bpace@student.richmond.edu)
Justin Purnell (jpurnell@princeton.edu)
Paul Pultz (ppultz@vt.edu)
Michael Reed (lightnin@mailzone.com)
Sara Saunders (rrfssis@aol.com)
Steve Seremet (sseremet@moose.uvm.edu)
Scott Swinehart (dmbfan@wpi.edu)
Ben Shute (jwvw19b@prodigy.com)
Paul Smith (baboonfarm@aol.com)
Adam B. Stoffolano (abs@student.umass.edu)
Jaffray Woodriff (woodriff@esinet.net)
Ron Villanueva (ronv@eden.rutgers.edu)
John Viega (viega@list.org)
Josh Young (everettclu@onix.com)

Subsequent corrections have been made by all members of nancies.net and the Dave Matthews Band community.