Chuck Garvey at moe.'s Big Lebowski Halloween, 2014moe.'sTin Cans and Car TiresTropical Throe.downWhen we interviewed you as part of the Jambands.com launch, moe. had just released Tin Cans and Car Tires. What are your thoughts as you look back on that album 20 years later?Do you ever listen back to the recorded versions of your stuff for a refresher on the original arrangements or the like?Nowadays when you're crafting a setlist, to what extent are you aware of the totality of your catalog? How cognizant are you of selecting songs that reflect the various eras of the band?Is there veto power?When you post your stage setlists, on any given night some of the songs are identified as NH for “No Huddle.” What is the idea behind that?You mentioned talking with other on stage. Again, looking at different eras of the band, there have been times where you’d talk to each other quite a bit to bust chops and other eras where the banter has been minimal.I can remember seeing The Replacements in the mid-80s when they were super sloppy and all over the place and then seeing them opening for Elvis Costello in an amphitheater towards the end of their initial run as a band. In the latter instance, all those great songs were still there but band members were much more restrained and it was almost distracting.Speaking of which, I recall seeing a special moe. gig at Boston College in 1997. It was supposed to be for BC students [Thanks to Jonathan Healey for getting me in] and for some reason, it took place at a campus bar where people had to be 21, so it was almost empty. At one point during the night you guys took requests where people in the audience could name a moe. song and a style of music and you’d attempt to perform the song in that style. Do you recall that night?On the other side of all that, I can remember seeing you at the Orpheum in Boston, three days after 9/11. When you encored with “New York City,” it was overwhelming. I get chills thinking about it now. That was a situation where the music said it all and nothing more needed to be verbalized.I imagine there was a unique vibe in the air earlier this year at The Cap, when you returned to the stage with Rob [Derhak, following his treatment for cancer].There are so many people who have made that special connection with you over the years. Somewhat along those lines, you’ve always taken the effort to spotlight other artists at your shows and you continue to do that, particularly with younger groups.Looking ahead, you’ll be traveling to Jamaica in January for another Tropical Throe.down event. Can you talk a little bit about that?Finally, in terms of Halloween, which once again is a special themed show, how long in advance will you think typically think about it and start to put something together?
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