“Honk + Wave”
Chapter 67
The Limbeck album “Hi, Everything’s Great” was and is a joyous and beautiful album. And I still play it almost every three months.
It was June 2003, and it was around my birthday. I was 17. School was out and me and Christopher Waller, my friend, got on a train, because we were going to New York City. We didn’t have a plan but I think we’re planning to go on a hunt for records. But it was 2003, so it’s CDs. Womp womp.
Two hours in, we stopped at Generation Records. And, also, with was a Saturday, so it was busy. We were looking around browsing. Christopher got a couple things, I have a couple of things, and we’re only doing the L’s. And back then I was fucking fast. Even before Scotti’s, I was really fast. Like old western fast. You know what I mean? I’m flipping through and then I just stopped for a second.
And then I stepped three CDs back. All of a sudden, this brand new album from Limbeck “Hi, Everything Great”. I was shocked, because I thought they broke up.I don’t know why I thought they broke up. and when I think about it there was no reason for breaking up but that’s what I thought. now it’s the internet but back then… it’s like a no man’s land for CDs. The first album was out print. But I bought it. The frist album, “This Chapter Is Called Titles”, was really great album. I used to play a constantly. It was SoCal Punk. So I thought the new album would be similar... but I did not.
When I got back to my house for the evening, I played the new one. It was the first song, “Honk + Wave”. I was floored. The guitar started and the vocals kicked in and I was like “This is not what I expected… but I love it?” Then all of a sudden the band kicked in and I was again floored. It’s kind of like SoCal Punk but with a twinge of alt-country guitar rhythms. And the voice… the other album was quiet. But the second album… he got it just right.
“Silver Things” is the second song. I loved it even more. Then the third song came on, “Julia”. It was a fucking hit. This whole album was a hit. And then some.
The next day I called Tom Galton, my best friend, about Limbeck’s new album. Because he was the only one like me. He got it and he had the exact same reaction. It’s simple but complex at the same time.
We saw them a thousand and one times. in every show they would be great. Opening act. Closing Act. Middle Act. We didn’t care, Limbeck was fucking awesome.
Five years later, we were almost on tour. We have this idea: what would Limbeck do? And honestly? They were right. We had an amazing time on tour. The crowds were… non-existent? It didn’t matter. We were having fun and exploring the universe… well, econoline van… but still. Just like our older brothers.
They were playing at the Knitting Factory in the fucking basement. I know this, because we used to play there all the time. I was shocked to be playing at the exact same time as Limbeck. The show was fantastic. Then, after they were done, I went up and I said “Hey! Great show!” And Patrick Carrie, lead guitar player, looked up and he said “thanks man!” with a smile. Then I smiles and then I also said “My name is Dan Maxwell and we’re on tour all the time and we would love to hear what you think.” Patrick took my CD and then he said “Dan Maxwell & His Band. All right, we’ll check it out! Thank you so much!” and then we shook his hand and left. He probably threw it, out but it’s the principle of it.
April 2020, I had a stroke. I was so fucking mad about everything. But the one thing that made me smile was my old friend Limbeck’s “Hi, Everything Great”. And it portaled me back to that day in the record store. The rush took me back. I still got chills to this day.
Now, this week, Limbeck put out two new songs. And it was so perfect. It felt fresh, but a tinge of old school things. I love it. I like “Hear Me For Free”. I don’t know what it is, but I just like that song so so much.
Limbeck is tried and true. I like that. Because, you know what, sometimes you need to smile. And honk. And wave.
top tune
“Michael Jordan.”