“The focus and polish is an interesting counterpoint to the band’s satiric approach to music-making, that absurd aesthetic that now includes short films and tune-filled plays. Anything but the normal stuff.” - Style Weekly, 2008
“Virginian quintet (The Hot Seats) thrive on diversity . . . The action is virtually non-stop, the musicianship superb, with fiddle, mandolin, banjo and guitar coalescing with humour and speed and powered by a communally owned and played double-bass, drums and washboard.” - The Glasgow Herald, 2008
“The young five man acoustic band play with verve, vigour and a true feel for the roots of their chosen idiom. Which stilted critic-speak completely fails to convey the sheer fun and laughter of the show. If you like this sort of music, you must go. Everyone else should go and those who leave without having had a good time are just not the sort of people whom I would want to meet.” - BroadwayBaby.com, 2008
“BLUEGRASS, old-time, skiffle, jug band … stir them up vigorously, throwing in elements of zany vaudeville , add some unpredictable tics, then stand back and watch Special Ed & the Shortbus go.” - The Edinburgh Scotsman, 2008
“Their shows are veritable litmus tests for a crowd's sense of humor. If you've ever answered yes to Frank Zappa's question "Does humor belong in music?" then The Hot Seats are for you. They're straight-up nuts when they pick and sing, and if you can get past the lovely freakishness of their stage act, you'll find some real talent backing up the zaniness." - Haymaker Productions (www.haymaker.com), 2003
"Slightly disturbing dada-esque Va.-based string band that’s one part Beefheart freakout and two parts trad jug-band.” - Connect Savannah, Savannah, GA, 2006
“When you see better-known names pointing their cell phones towards the stage after calling friends and tell them ‘listen to this’ as a band they’ve never encountered before holds a big audience made up mostly of other first-timers spellbound, it’s a sign that something special is in the air. And that’s what happened when the . . . Hot Seats exploded onto the stage . . . One moment, it’s like listening to Spike Jones and his City Slickers, the next, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. And, when they choose to take that turn down a well-trodden bluegrass trail, those in the crowd who recognize the subtleties between good and great, turn and nod at each other ” - Maverick Magazine, 2007
The Bio
The Hot Seats are Special Ed & The Shortbus; they were Special Ed And The Shortbus, now they are the Hot Seats. The seemingly self evident motives behind this change – to shed an offensive name, make more fans, gain more respect – were not primary in the band’s decision making. Six years ago (January of 2002), the Hot Seats (nee Special Ed . . .) were formed in Richmond, VA as a good-time band between new friends, many of whom were exploring a genre unknown to them on equally novel instruments. It started with weekly gig, rapidly followed by trips out of town, festival appearances, longer tours, new music, new influences, competition-winning performances (both individually and as an ensemble), a loss of three members, a critically acclaimed trip to the UK, and four albums.
With each year and step forward, the band has moved further from scatological humor and stunts for shock-value and more towards a concentration on musical complexity, a focus on the traditions from which it draws, and a tongue-in-cheek irony more comparable to Jonathan Swift than to South Park. The band, while retaining the irreverence and fun loving character of its inception, does not resemble much the ragtag ensemble of the summer of 2002. For these reasons, they are the Hot Seats, a name that connotes the frenetic frenzy this band can whip up, and one they feel better represents their current and future musical intentions, as well as their desire to share this music with a larger audience.
These intentions are to keep the role of traditional musician as entertainer and commentator alive and kicking. Homer and Jethro, The Skillet Likkers, George Formby, Harry Reser, Woodie Guthrie, Gus Cannon, Phil Ochs, Tommy Jarrell, Arthur Smith, Uncle Dave Macon, Frank Zappa – these are pools from which The Hot Seats draw. Their original music is simultaneously hard to classify and instantly identifiable, combining the virtuosic soloing and tightness of bluegrass, the band-driven rhythm of old time, the jerky bounce of ragtime, and the swagger of good old rock and roll. Add some eastern melodies, a few modernist ideals, and an uncanny feel for comic timing, and you begin to approach this sound. While striving to push tradition forward, the band takes great pride in their ability to play within a style as well as without. Ultimately, the Hot Seats are most concerned with making the music that they want to hear and playing in the manner that is most entertaining to themselves; the fact that audiences and critics alike have embraced it is almost a wonderful coincidence.
Greetings The Hot Sears... Great Tunes Guys, You Sound Great! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for including me among your friends, and if you have the time, I would sincerely appreciate you listening to my tunes and sharing your thoughts. All the best to you, Bobby Snard... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪
HOLA..., VOUS ETES EN AVIGNON VENDREDI SOIR ?... REJOIGNEZ NOUS A PARTIR DE 20H30... CONCERT A LA TACHE D'ENCRE ( RUE DES TEINTURIERS) ET PRESENTATION DU NOUVEAU QUATRE TITRE " THE WORLD IS YOUR TONIGHT". FLIPKISS A TOUS ! A BIENTOT.
Feline Entertainment & Fanatique de Glam present: Burlesk! Freaky Friday the 13th w/ Viva le Vox and the Goddamn Gallows, freaks, geeks, and all kind of scary peeps! Burlesk! Freaky Friday the 13th will be featuring spooky and freaky performances by well-known local and traveling magicians, musicians, and burlesque artists to thrill and chill you!
Artistika 523 S. Elm Doors @ 7pm, Burlesk! Show @ 8pm $10, $8 if curiously clothed Bands Immediately Following Burlesk Revue The weirdest, creepiest, eeriest, most bizarre, peculiar peepshow you've seen yet!!!
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School returns to Richmond! Sketch models Mr. Grindhouse and Cherry Canarie at the Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., this Wed., Nov. 11 from 5-8 pm! Drink specials, munchies, tunes and tarot readings by Lonesome Liz. Art by Lonesome Liz, Wes Freed, Molly Crabapple and Katelan Foisy. Best 3 sketches of the models as skeletons win a Mr. Grindhouse t-shirt or one of 2 very cool books, "The Return of the Dead" and "Vodou Love Magic". Drawings will hang at the Camel through November. Come check it out! $5.
I am about half way done with my latest update to my page. Come take a peek and listen to the first song from my up and comming cd. Right now the release date is in December.
A new feature I have added is you can now post your favorite song from my playlist to your profile.
My theme is fall, with the songs having a since of wanderlust. I hope that you enjoy my pictures and songs, and you will return to my page when it's completed.
I am currently recording the other five songs and putting together the final touches.
I hope you will take the time to listen, look at my pics and post a comment (please, please, please) about your favorite song from my playlist.
Have a terrific fall, and take care Thanks, Jeff Moats
P/S "I get by with a little help from (you) My Friends"
We had a great interview w/ 'Bruce Hornsby' at 'The National' (RVA) this month ... You can check out our entire interview at: www.richmondmusicforum.com
Hello The Hot Seats, Whenever I listen to your music. I feel like singing too. But your talent is unmatched. How much time you spend to rehearse per day The Hot Seats? Love ya. Di PS:Follow Me Twitter at http://twitter.com/iaent
Hey Hot Seats, I've got a radio show for a few weeks - may play some Special Ed!!! - so, please tune into the Paul Hughes Show (filling in for Gordon Hotchkiss) on Celtic Music Radio this Wednesday between 7pm – 9pm. As well a Scottish, Irish and American folk/roots music I’ll be chatting with Paddy Callaghan about being selected for the finals of the BBC Young Trad Musician of the Year and hear him playing the harp and box. Celtic Music Radio is available in and around Glasgow on 1530 AM (MW) and you can listen anywhere else in the world on the internet at www.celticmusicradio.net and click on “Listen Live” in the top right of the screen. Thanks for reading down this far.
Hi The Hot Seats (formerly Special Ed & the Shortbus)! Just stopping by your page to see whats good! Keep me in mind if you need any high quality/low cost mastering. All the details and samples are on my page. Feel free to get in touch with any questions. Take care!
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