Hacienda Bros. w/Forumite Dave Zirbel On Steel In Northwest

Mark Eaton · Posted 9 Aug 2008 8:12 pm

I'll put in a plug for Forum brother, and fellow Sonoma County resident Dave Zirbel.

Dave will be playing with the Dave Gonzalez led tribute tour to fallen comrade and co-founder of one of the finest bands to emerge in the 21st century, the Hacienda Brothers. They are ending up the tour to pay tribute to Gaff and support the final Hacienda Brothers album, Arizona Motel, with four dates in Oregon and one in Washington beginning on 8/13.

I went to the show in Santa Rosa Thursday night that included Dave Alvin, and it was just killer!

Dave had dozens of opportunities to show his skills, and he did a great job. I'm really excited for him - he's gotten some other big-time gigs lately, and y'all need to get out to one of the shows, get blown away by the quality of the Haciendas unique brand of "Western Soul," and say hi to Dave.

Check out the schedule at: www.Haciendabrothers.com

The news earlier this year of the illness of Chris Gaffney, and his rapid deterioration and death from cancer hit me like a stomach shot from Joe Frazier (Gaff was a fine Golden Gloves boxer in his younger days). My wife and I just loved this band and saw them play live several times. And it was Dave Zirbel that turned me on to them after they came out with their first album, and I will always be grateful that he did.

Here is my post from another recent thread, concerning steel events in the Bay Area:

"Brother Dave Zirbel acquitted himself extremely well last night in Santa Rosa.

I highly recommend anyone within a not unreasonable drive of these remaining shows in Nor Cal and the Northwest, get your butts on down to the venue!

I'm on lunch break, don't have time to write a full report, but it was a fantastic show, and my wife and I got our money's worth big time. And a fine tribute to Chris Gaffney, some great stories from the stage.

Charlie Musselwhite, who lives nearby, and was playing his annual free concert on the Town Green where I live, came by after his show to enjoy the concert. I was hoping he brought some harps and would sit in, but he was content to hang in the audience.

There are many complaints on the Forum about the steel not being front and center with both live acts and on recordings these days, but that was not the case last night. Dave had his ZB set up stage left, and though he wasn't center, he was definitely front, and really got to show his skills.

He was set up in the exact spot where Sneaky Pete played for us a few years ago in his last gig in the area, with Burrito Deluxe. I told Dave that some of that Kleinow vibe was rubbing off on him! I also told him that while he was busy concentrating on his playing, and looking down, as steel players must, that he missed dozens of grins and smiles of approval from the other Daves: Gonzalez and Alvin. They were absolutely loving his playing - there was a lot of "call and response" interplay back and forth on the copious instrumental breaks.

I'm really happy for Dave - he is a fine steel player, a humble guy, and a true gentleman.

This music was the [i]real sh*t!"[i]
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Mark

Chris Schlotzhauer · From: Colleyville, Tx. USA

That gig is right in Dave Zirbel's wheelhouse. He's become the go-to guy in the bay area.
Dave Gonzalez picked up great players in Austin to do a recent regional tour. Dave Biller was the steeler in that configuration.
Congrats to DZ.
BTW, has anyone talked to DB? I hope he gets back out so we can enjoy his great work.

Let's see:
Dave Zirbel
Dave Berzansky
Dave Gonzalez
Dave Alvin
Dave Biller
Have I missed any Daves?

Mark Eaton · Posted 10 Aug 2008 7:39 am

I'm hoping that DB posts at some point to let us know what's up.

Any of us whom have followed this band have the greatest admiration for DB, as both a player and a really nice guy.

I asked Dave Gonzalez to sign the new CD the other night and I wished I had asked him. Dave Zirbel seems to think that DB possibly was recently married, and that he was fried from too much time on the road over the past several years, and declined to participate in this tour - but he wasn't at all sure about those things. I'm wondering if Gaff's passing just took the wind out of his sails and his heart wasn't in it.

I'm sure Zirb will be posting soon once he sees I have started a thread about the remainder of the tour.
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Mark

Mark Eaton · Posted 10 Aug 2008 7:40 am

duplicate post
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Mark

Billy Wilson · From: El Cerrito, California, USA

Dave's not here, man

Mark Eaton · Posted 10 Aug 2008 9:13 am

An appropriate response since Cheech & Chong are getting back together for the first time in many years! Wink

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Mark

Mark Eaton · Posted 10 Aug 2008 9:14 am

Billy - we missed you at the jam in Alameda, Dave Z. wasn't there either because he was doing a session at nearby Fantasy Studios - the big leagues!
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Mark

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Thanks for the plug Mark. Nice to hang out with you at the show. Dave Alvin is great guitarist. He can peel the paint off the walls with his blistering and loud Stratocaster tone!

As far as DB, I don't know how the true the "being fried from the road" part is. He's just settling down and has priorities but according to Dave G life is real good for him. I don't think he'll quit playing. The rest of the guys, Hank and Dale are settling down too. Dale doesn't have the flexibility with the day gig for touring any more and Hank has a 4 year old and stays home home with him while his wife works. Dave G has to keep going somehow. This is all he's done for the past 20+ years! I think he's got things cooking with Dave Biller and some other Austin guys.

As far as my involvement with this, I'm happy to help out with the cause. Chris had some other steel bros such as Gary Brandin and Chris Lawrence, and probably more, but they are either done with touring or unavailable. Chris's family still has hospital bills to pay off. Hat's shirts and cds are selling real well and fans are actually kicking in extra to help out. Chris's family members were showing up to the bay area shows.

I wish I was doing these shows for a different reason, and that DB and the rest of the gang would be at it again but it just didn't work out that way. Crying or Very sad

The tour is about celebrating Chris, not who's playing steel, but this is a steel guitar forum, so:

Dave Alvin and the drummer leave for LA today. Dave G and I drive to Portland to rehearse in a new drummer and Dave Alvin's guitarist Chris Miller for the remainder of the shows. MArk Barfield from a band called the Hollisters will be performing some of his tunes and other special guests will be sitting in on occasion. Wed, the 13th is the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. August 14th, and 15th we play Duff's Garage in Portland. I think the other band on Friday has a steel player too. I saw a pic of him playing a Bigsby! Whoa!

Should be fun. Then we have a few shows in Bend on Saturday and Sunday. Go to the Haciendas website for details.

No one can fill DB's big shoes. He is the man and was so locked in with the Bros. When this is over I hope I can say that I filled his socks! Very Happy

Here's a pic from Thursday's show.

No Forum for a week! How will I ever survive?! Whoa!

See you in a week.

Dave

Russ Tkac · Posted 10 Aug 2008 3:13 pm **Great gig Dave!**

Dave,

I see you're wearing your super cool, high definition steel guitar forum shades ... or are those readers? Very Happy

Great gig for a great guy with that ZB custom D-10. No problem taking it out with those Hatton split cases?

Have a great time Dave! Smile

Russ

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

The Hatton cases are great. My wife loves them too! Laughing

When she goes to the shows with me she always wants to carry my steel(no lie!) while I shlep the amps!

And yes, they are readers. My fretboard is out of focus if I don't wear them! Cool

I wish they were just cool shades.

dz

Bob Hamilton · From: California Central Coast

Love the fins in that photo Dave. Tone to the bone.

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Tractor(Seattle) in 3 days!! very excited about this show!!
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GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

"My fretboard is out of focus if I don't wear them!"

Smile

Thanks Dave, I don't feel so old now Smile

Hey, so glad to see you knocking the rust off that ZB! Knock 'em dead in the NW, and have some clams for me Smile

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter U12,7X7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.

Rick Hulett · From: Hood River, OR

Go say hello to Jeff Minnick on drums with those guys. We have a band together and I keep sending him links to cool things I've found on the Forum. He'll dig it if you say hello.

Rick
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Derby D10, Hilton, Peavey 112

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Hi Rick. I told Jeff you said hello, you'll probably see him soon. He was the right guy for the job. Great musician and darn fun to hang with.

Nice to to make some new friends in the northwest: Steve Norman, Doug Jones, Harley James, Russ Blake and Chris Miller.

I really enjoyed hearing Russ on his ShoBud Permanent through a Standel and Harley on his push pull. Both were fantastic. Hoping to hear Doug someday.

It's really strange, the few times (maybe 5) I've been to the Northwest there has been a heatwave! I always expect rain and damp weather.

Here's our tour bus. Laughing

Dave Biller · From: Texas, USA

the duct-tape cad is still rollin' strong! yeeeahhh!

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

That's right Dave. You got to ride in good ol' White Lightnin' too! Very Happy

Hope to meet you someday!

dz

Rick Hulett · From: Hood River, OR

Dave,

Jeff didn't tell me you guys were riding in style.

Rick
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Derby D10, Hilton, Peavey 112

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Dave it was great hearing and meeting you! I am still trying to get that lick down you showed me. Your lucky my wife had to go or I would still be asking you questions...Thanks for playing a great show!
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GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

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