Hooked on Creek

In episode 30 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson talks with Mark Mercier from Max Creek. Mark talks about his childhood introduction to music, his memories of joining Max Creek and his experiences performing in the band. Mark also talks about the meaning behind his song Said and Done, the influence of the Grateful Dead and John Archer's important contributions to the band.

This episode features the following live Max Creek performances:

Hard Love:
https://archive.org/details/mc1996-12-27.greg.sbd.masters.flac16/mc1996-12-27gregd3t03.flac

Said and Done:
https://archive.org/details/mc2000-07-01.DAT.Dave.44.1KHz.flac16/mc2000-07-01set3t02.flac

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 30 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2021/06/episode-30-conversation-with-mark-mercier-from-max-creek/

In episode 29 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson reviews Max Creek's performance on September 26, 2008, at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island.

This Max Creek show is available to download or stream here:
https://archive.org/details/mc2008-09-26.flac16f

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

This episode also features full performances of the songs Big Boat, Wild Side and Leaves.

Setlist from September 26, 2008

One set
1: You Let Me Down Again
2: Big Boat
3: Wild Side
4: Just A Rose
5: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
6: Blood Red Roses
7: Outside Of Home
8: After Midnight
9: Ashes Of Love
10: Leaves
11: Just A Rose Jam
12: For What It's Worth
13: Freeborn Man

Encore
14: Cities 

Read a transcript of episode 29 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2021/05/episode-29-reviewing-max-creek-performance-on-september-26-2008/

In episode 28 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson talks with Amy Goodusky. Amy was a vocalist in Max Creek from 1976 to 1983 and was known as Amy "Barefoot" Fazzano at that time. In this episode, Amy talks about joining Max Creek, her memories singing, recording and touring with the band and the influence Max Creek has had in her life.

This episode features the following live Max Creek performances:

Angel from Montgomery performed on February 19, 1978: https://archive.org/details/mc1978-02-19.KL.a.flac16/mc1978-02-19track02.flac

Heat Wave performed on February 23, 1983: https://archive.org/details/mc1983-02-23.LK.flac16/mc1983-02-23track04.flac

Blue Letter performed on September 4, 1983: https://archive.org/details/MC1983-09-04.MC1983-09-04CampCreek2JohnLombardiMaster/16BlueLetter.flac

Thought I Heard My Baby Calling performed on July 31, 1977: https://archive.org/details/mc1977-07-31.flac16/mc1977-07-31t08.flac

Water Woman performed on December 4, 1981: https://archive.org/details/MC1981-12-04.MC1981-12-04JohnLombardiMaster/03WaterWoman.flac

High Flying Bird performed on May 21, 1983: https://archive.org/details/MC1983-05-21.MaxCreekJonathanSwiftsTaperJonesCollection/06HighFlyinBird.flac

Love Me Like a Man performed on March 12, 1983: https://archive.org/details/MC1983-03-12.MaxCreekKayosPortlandTaperJonesCollection/11LoveMeLikeAMan.flac

Dead Cat performed on June 29, 1983: https://archive.org/details/MC1983-06-29.MxCreekMattoonsSpringfieldMaTaperJoneColllection/03DeadCat.flac

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link on the Hooked on Creek website: https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 28 on the Hooked on Creek website: https://hookedoncreek.com/2021/03/episode-28-amy-goodusky-discusses-singing-in-max-creek/

In episode 27 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson talks with Frank Messina. Frank is an award-winning and widely recognized poet, spoken-word artist and author. Frank has been a frequent guest on stage with Max Creek, performing his poetry with the band since the mid 1990s. In this episode, Frank talks about his introduction to Max Creek, his background as an artist, the relationship between music and poetry and his enduring love for Max Creek. Frank also shares some incredible memories of performing in Costa Rica with Max Creek and Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead.

This episode features music and poetry from Max Creek's live performances on:

• September 19, 1998: https://archive.org/details/mc1998-09-19.flac16
• January 21, 2011: https://archive.org/details/mc2011-01-21

To learn more about Frank Messina, visit:
http://frankmessina.com

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 27 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2021/02/episode-27-frank-messina-discusses-poetry-and-max-creek/

In episode 26 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson reviews Max Creek's performance on October 17, 2014, at Nectar's  in Burlington, Vermont.

This Max Creek show is available to download or stream here:
https://archive.org/details/mc2014-10-17.Valchy.flac16

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

This episode also features full performances of the songs Emotional Railroad, I Know You Rider and If You Ask Me.

Setlist from October 17, 2014

Set one
1: Jones
2: Fire & Brimstone
3: Wild Side
4: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
5: Emotional Railroad
6: Columbus Stockade Blues
7: Peaceful Warrior
8: I Know You Rider

Set two
9: Gypsy Blue
10: Old Stones, Broken Bones
11: If You Ask Me
12: It Must Be Nice
13: King of California
14: Helter Skelter

Encore
15: Werewolves of London

Read a transcript of episode 25 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2021/01/episode-26-reviewing-max-creek-performance-on-october-17-2014/

In episode 25 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson talks with Gary Backstrom. Gary first made a name for himself in the jam band scene as the guitarist and vocalist in the band Jiggle the Handle that played together from 1989 through 2001. But in addition to Jiggle the Handle, Gary's musical career has included a number of different projects and bands, including the Gary Backstrom Band. And over the years, Gary has been part of a variety of musical collaborations with current and former members of Max Creek.  In this episode, Gary talks about his musical career and his love of Max Creek.

Connect with Gary Backstrom:
Website: http://garybackstrom.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garybackstromband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garybackstromband
Live music recordings: https://archive.org/details/GaryBackstromBand?sort=-date

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 25 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2020/11/episode-25-gary-backstrom-discusses-max-creek-jiggle-the-handle-and-gary-backstrom-band

In episode 24 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson plays a collection of Max Creek songs that include stories from the band about the meanings and origins of the songs. These stories add another dimension to the music and help bring the songs to life in new ways. This episode features the songs Crystal Clear, Double Dare, The Field, Mama Are You Ready and Emerald Eyes.

Links to stream or download the songs:

Crystal Clear performed live on January 8, 1983:
https://archive.org/details/MC1983-01-08.MC1983-01-08JohnLombardi/05CrystalClearBanter.flac

Double Dare performed live on May 3, 2002:
https://archive.org/details/mc2002-05-03.flac16/mc2002-05-03d2t03.flac

The Field performed live on March 5, 1997:
https://archive.org/details/mc1997-03-05.scottness.flac.16

Mama Are You Ready performed live on August 22, 2003:
https://archive.org/details/mc2003-08-22.DAT.Dave.44.1KHz.flac16/mc2003-08-22set2t03.flac

Emerald Eyes performed live on August 21, 1999:
https://archive.org/details/mc1999-08-21.flac16/mc1999-08-21d2t03.flac

Emerald Eyes live on performed live February 23, 2002:
https://archive.org/details/mc2002-02-23.flac16/mc2002-02-23d1t04.flac

Greatest Story Ever Told performed live on October 9, 1989:
https://archive.org/details/mc1988-10-09.flac16/mc1988-10-09d2t08.flac

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 24 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2020/10/episode-24-storytime-with-max-creek/

In episode 23 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson talks with musician Scott Hall about his deep appreciation for Mark Mercier. In additional to being a huge fan of Max Creek, Scott is an accomplished songwriter, performer and recording artist who played keyboards in the Drunk Stuntmen for 20 years. In this episode, Scott talks about Mark's incredible piano playing, his unique approach to performing in Max Creek and his ability to reinterpret songs and make them his own. Scott also talks about Mark’s influence on his musical career and the opportunity Scott got to sit in and perform with Max Creek.

Connect with Scott Hall:
Website: https://scotthallmusic.net
Bandcamp: https://scotthall1.bandcamp.com

This episode also features the following songs:

Band from Chicago performed live by Max Creek at the West Hartford Ballroom in West Hartford, Connecticut, on February 13, 1987:
https://archive.org/details/mc1987-02-13.shn/mc1987-02-13d2t01.shn

Big Boat performed live by Max Creek at The Roxy in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 20, 2001:
https://archive.org/details/mc2001-03-20.sbd/mc2001-03-20d1t02.flac

Cruel World performed live by Max Creek with special guest Scott Hall at Pearl Street Nightclub in Northampton, Massachusetts, on March 13, 2009:
https://archive.org/details/mc2009-03-13.sbd.flac16/mc2009-03-13d2t06.flac

Wooden Wheel recorded on Scott Hall’s 2019 album Scott Hall Tries Technology:
https://scotthall1.bandcamp.com/album/scott-hall-tries-technology

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 23 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2020/09/episode-23-scott-hall-talks-about-mark-mercier-and-max-creek

In episode 22 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson interviews Bob Gosselin. Bob played drums in Max Creek from 1971 to 1985 and is one of the founding members of the band. Bob talks about the formation of Max Creek, his background as a classically trained concert snare drummer and his memories playing and touring with the band.

This episode also features the songs Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, The Field and Rainbow performed live by Max Creek. Stream or download the songs here:

Going Down the Road Feeling Bad live on Feb. 18, 1984:
https://archive.org/details/MC1984-02-18.MC1984-02-18JohnLombardiSbdMaster/

The Field and Rainbow live on Dec. 27, 1983:
https://archive.org/details/mc1983-12-27.flac16f/

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Read a transcript of episode 22 on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2020/08/episode-22-bob-gosselin-talks-about-playing-drums-in-max-creek/

In episode 21 of Hooked on Creek, Korre Johnson reviews Max Creek's performance on March 12, 1988, at the West Hartford Music Hall in West Hartford, Connecticut.

This Max Creek show is available to download or stream here:
https://archive.org/details/mc1988-03-12.aud

If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes, send a message via the contact link located on the Hooked on Creek website:
https://hookedoncreek.com

Setlist from March 12, 1988

Set one
1: Gypsy Blue
2: It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
3: Orange Sunshine
4: Stand By Me
5: You Can't Always Get What You Want
6: Windows

Set two
7: Willie And The Hand Jive
8: Ready To Burn
9: Dark Water
10: The Harder They Come
11: Just A Rose
12: Drums
13: Thought I Heard My Baby Calling
14: Not Fade Away

Encore
15: Trippin'

A full transcription of this episode is available here:
https://hookedoncreek.com/2020/08/episode-21-reviewing-max-creek-performance-on-march-12-1988/