Special Dental Team: Spirit Journey 2008 (8/11/08 DAAC, GR, MI, USA)

From 2002 to 2003 I (the editor of “The Eyeslit Crypt”) participated as the bassist for a band called “Special Dental Team.” Earlier this week, five years after disseminating across the globe, we converged for a special night of indie-country-punk-prog spirituals at the DAAC (Division Avenue Arts Cooperative) in Grand Rapids, MI, USA. Those who have followed my musical journeys (Lapdancer, Friend AKA Furendo, DJ Nightspore, Sorror, etc.) may have been informed of this show, but to those readers spread out across this vast globe checking local zines and other publications, we kept this show somewhat secret, relying on local grassroots marketing and word-of-mouth. Luckily, the word spread far and wide.

Video and audio footage captured the splendor of the evening and for those die-hard Dental Team fans, I’m sure video and/or audio footage will be available in the near future. I will post the set-list for your future reference:

Spirit Journey 2008 Set-List

My Baby’s in School (new)
Pickle Pocket (new)
Under the Gun (remix)
Hello Sunny (banjo remix)
Purple Horse/Purple Pony (extended mix)
Spank Party Pillow Fight
Hemogoblin (restructured)
Soft (w/violin bow soundscapes)
Skinnydippin Dub
Dress Up Dress Down
Rooster Killer
I’ve Always Only Wanted to Love You (w/spoken word intro)
Sweet Home Alabama/The Star Spangled Banner

ENCORE (20 mins. after show): The Murls are Spurling (for Saunders)

After the show finished and after waiting about 20 minutes, spurred on by GR’s own “Mr. Squid,” we performed an intimate version of “The Murls are Spurling.”

We performed with two amazing acts. The first, “Clear Days Always”, provided a blissfully blistering beginning to the evening, complete with vocal harmonies and jaggedly beautiful psycho pop songs ala Self-Satisfied Records’ frontman Levi Bailey. The second act, “Animals in Bed”, gave a lush beautiful atmosphere, which calmed the kiddies while simultaneously entrancing everyone with expertly executed voice percussion and soaring female vocals. The yin and yang of the first two acts perfectly paved the way for the Special Dental Team “Spirit Journey” performance.

Thank you to “Clear Days Always” and “Animals in Bed” for mesmerizing music and complete professionalism. Levi: I wish you would have stuck around longer as your original artwork is amazing. Also, thanks to Animals in Bed own Alex Hamel for providing live sound support. Thank you to the lovely man who purchased the rare “Spirit Journey” poster. We love you. Also, thank you to all who came to make the night air come alive and for lending us your ears and allowing us to show you what we have been working on. Finally, thanks to Sam (Hot Tapes for Teens) for discussing noise and for doing a great job. We will be in touch.

Links of interest:

Special Dental Team
Animals in Bed
Clear Days Always
The DAAC