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The Spectator
AppleWagon Releases Self-Titled First Album
by Lauren Moon '10Features Editor
On Friday afternoon of May 1 the usually quiet happy hour crowd of math professors and Student Activities employees was interrupted by a special live performance from campus staple Applewagon and their following of wayfarer clad, flannel-flaunting groupies. This event marked the release of Applewagon's self-titled first album, comprised of nine original tracks. After various sessions in the studio over the past year, the culmination of the band's illustrious career is on sale now for $10. The album can be purchased on Amazon.com, iTunes as well as Rhapsody, or by contacting the band members.
These six handsomely heady fellas jammed from 5-7 p.m. in the main room of the Little Pub, playing their album in its entirety as well as a few of their fan favorite covers, including Roses Are Free (originally done by Ween) and Needy Girl (by Chromeo). All in attendance appeared to enjoy the show. Concertgoer Alice Popejoy '09 remarked, "The release party was dope, I danced my face off. Even Ellie Wertimer came."
The band agreed that the party went off without a hitch. "The release was a great success," said lead guitarist Sander Doucette '09.
"Yeah," added drummer Phil Tracy '09, "except for all the dirty hippies dancing around the maypole."
Last fall Applewagon received $1,500.00 from The Steven Daniel Smallen Memorial Fund for Student Creativity to help fund recording costs for the album. When asked what led the band, notorious for their live shows, to decide to head to the studio, Tracy simply states, "The question is more: why wouldn't we make a CD?"
Applewagon formed three years ago and started out playing covers in the now infamous former dormitory of 3 College Hill Road. "Some of the first songs we played together were Chameleon (by Herbie Hancock) and Just What I Needed (by The Cars)," said keyboardist Mason Fried '10. Soon after, the band started writing original music. One of the first tracks coined was "Icarus," which is featured on the album. Doucette insists, however, that the band "was making original songs when we came out of the womb."
Charismatic front man Dave Moroney '09 explains that each member has a hand in the song writing process, "All of our originals include representations from everybody in the band."
Being that half of Applewagon's members are upon their final weeks at Hamilton, the band acknowledges that their tenure will soon come to an end. Fortunately, for some lucky eastern New England residents, the majority of the band has made plans to live and play music together over the summer in Newport, RI. Doucette was quick to advertise their busy agenda, including a residency at Billy Goodes restaurant and bar as well as other scheduled gigs.
For most fans, however, their remaining opportunities to enjoy a live Applewagon show are numbered. The boys are set to perform at the Babbitt Pavilion on Class and Charter Day as well as on the steps of the library during Senior Week. With regards to their short time left together in their "hometown," Moroney laments, "We have the three to four year blues," referencing the title of another original song featured on the album.
The band mates went on to reflect on some of their memories of playing together. A true showman, Moroney admitted that at times he has gone through three costume changes during one performance, that is, when he hasn't decided to characteristically bare it all on stage. Last fall Applewagon also had the opportunity to go on tour, hitting up various New England colleges such as Brown and Connecticut College as well as Fried's hometown of Andover, MA.
Each member seems to have their own favorite song to play. Guitarist/bassist Brett Morell '10, a man of many hats, admits he loves to play "Down to Funk," whereas Moroney's favorite is decidedly "PLB." Doucette also cited "Burnin' the Candle," a known crowd favorite.
The band does admit to weathering some setbacks. One such plight can be likened to that of the illustrious mockumentary band Spinal Tap, who endured a succession of drummers after various unfortunate mishaps. Similarly, Applewagon's bassist position is frequently vacated. Although no bass players have suffered any bizarre gardening accidents nor have there been any spontaneous combustions, the inconsistent schedules of college life sometimes leave the group in search of revolving members. One does wonder, however, if it was this mysterious urban legend that caused Morell, originally a bassist, to make the switch to playing guitar recently.
Overall though Dave, Sander, Brett, Phil and Mason, joined by their newest addition, bassist Charlie Kaplan '11, are ecstatic about the success of Applewagon over the past three years. Their righteous experiences together as a band are aptly culminated in the new CD, perhaps Applewagon's last gift to their original fans.
Morell summed it up succinctly by saying, "It has been a cathartic three years. Though the jams are about to cease, the eternal dankness of Applewagon will live on."