Listen: Reggie Scanlan — Bass Lion

Music Inside Out with Gwen Thompkins

There's a reason why lions prefer the company of other lions. Just ask Reggie Scanlan. As a bass player, Scanlan worked with James Booker and Professor Longhair before starting a 33-year run with the Radiators. He's now in a band of all-stars called the New Orleans Suspects.

Scanlan tells Music Inside Out some of the lessons he's learned from playing, touring and recording with the best in New Orleans music. For instance: band tours last longer with separate hotel rooms. And if you can't sing... don't. To Scanlan, music is like any other business — except people applaud when he comes to work.

 

Upcoming: New Orleans Suspects @ Brooklyn Bowl

Doing The Radiators’ Last Watusi with Dave Malone & Reggie Scanlan

(via Jambands) 

READ THE INSIGHTFUL Q&A SESSION HERE

 

We talked to Dave Malone and Reggie Scanlan just prior to the band’s sold-reunion shows on January 18 and 19, celebrating both the club’s 35th anniversary and 35 years since The Radiators first formed. After the shows captured on The Last Watusi, Malone admitted to having to “chill for a while and let the end of the Rads sink in.” Since then he has joined forces with his brother Tommy of the subdudes as the Malone Brothers Band, along with forming Raw Oyster Cult with fellow Rads Baudoin and Bua (along with John “Papa” Gros on keys and Dave Pomerleau on bass).

Reggie Scanlan hit the ground running after The Last Watusi shows: he was on stage with the newly-formed New Orleans Suspects (drummer Willie Green, guitarist/vocalist Jake Eckert, CR Gruver on keys and vocals, and hornman Jeff Watkins) two weeks after the Rads’ 2011 good-bye shows. Scanlan’s full-speed-ahead attitude was meant with a serious challenge in early 2012: diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he underwent a 16-hour surgery followed by a month in the hospital. His fellow Suspects were waiting for him, however: two days out of the hospital, Scanlan was on stage at JazzFest – a true survivor, sitting on a stool and playing his beloved bass. Since then the band has released two albums (one studio/one live) with a third of all-new material on the way.

Both Malone and Scanlan cautioned that there were no Radiators plans beyond the January reunion shows. Scanlan, fully focused on The New Orleans Suspects, likened the “get-back-together” rumors surrounding the Rads shows as the sort of talk you’d hear when a divorced couple gets together for coffee to talk about the kids: “Everybody on the outside thinks they’re going to get remarried and it’s great – nobody knows what’s really going on except the people themselves.”
We conclude with some reflections from both.

Up From the Bayou: Fishhead Stew & New Orleans Suspects @ Beekman Beer Garden

Upcoming: New Orleans Suspects to play 3 area shows next week

Thursday. September 13, 2012 New Orleans Suspects @ Lucille's Bar at BB Kings - New York City, NY Presented by HARD Friday. September 14, 2012 New Orleans Suspects @ H on the Harbor - Port Washington, NY Presented by HARD Saturday. September 15, 2012 New Orleans Suspects @ The Home of Brad Gerla - Westport, CT Presented by HARD

Upcoming: New Orleans Suspects - Benefit for Reggie Scanlan @ Lucille's (BB King's)

THE NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS
A Benefit for Reggie Scanlan

September 13, 2012

Showtime @ 8:00PM
Doors Open @ 6:00PM

Tickets $30.00 in advance, $35.00 day of show

The newest super group from New Orleans, The New Orleans Suspects, features members of legendary veteran touring acts The Radiators, The Neville Brothers, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Tonight in Lucille's, this hot new outfit will perform a benefit show to help pay for extensive cancer surgery for bassist Reggie Scanlan.

Formed in the wake of the June 2011 breakup of The Radiators after 34 years, The New Orleans Suspects are comprised of some of the best, most highly respected players in New Orleans, including bassist Reggie Scanlan (Radiators, the Professor Longhair Band), drummer Mean Willie Green (The Neville Brothers), saxophonist Jeff Watkins (James Brown, Joss Stone), guitarist and vocalist Jake Eckert (The Dirty Dozen Brass Band), and keyboardist and vocalist C.R. Gruver (Outformation). The band combines original songs in the New Orleans style with hits and obscurities from the Allen Toussaint and Dr. John songbooks, as well as performing favorites from the repertoires of The Radiators, The Nevilles, and The Dirty Dozen.

Touring to strong crowds and press accolades since July 2011, The New Orleans Suspects recently released their eponymous debut album. Come out to Lucille's tonight and support a good cause with some good music!
The New Orleans Suspects Website
The New Orleans Suspects Facebook Page
The New Orleans Suspects Twitter Feed

Brooklyn Bowl 4-Night-Stand starts TOMORROW

Brooklyn Bowl 4-Night-Stand starts TOMORROW

Tomorrow night we kick of our third annual run of shows at Brooklyn Bowl.  This year we’re pleased to welcome special guests The New Orleans Suspects, John Medeski, The Pedrito Martinez Group, Steven Bernstein (of Sex Mob & MTO), The Dead Kenny Gs, Skerik, Mike Dillon and High and Mighty Brass Band!  Corey Glover (of Living Colour) and Corey Henry (Rebirth Brass Band) will be joining us as well, and you never know who else might show up.  Tickets are still available but going fast, so get yours now and don’t miss out.  As a special bonus, all advance ticket buyers will be automatically entered to win a signed copy of our new album Carnivale Electricos (choice of CD or vinyl).  Winners will be notified via email and provided with instructions on how to claim their goods, complete contest details are available on Brooklyn Bowl’s Website.

Upcoming: New Orleans Suspects @ Brooklyn Bowl

Hiro Ballroom: 88 9th Ave. | btw. 16th & 17th St | New York, NY Tix/Info


Brooklyn Bowl: 61 Wythe Ave. | btw. 11th & 12th St | Brooklyn, NY Tix/Info