Above: Bassist Rob Derhak in the attic of a Buffalo/LaSalle apartment. moe. was recording its first demo: “Code name Weaselshark,” 1990.

moe. will kick off its 20th anniversary
tour with a two-night run at New York’s Roseland Ballroom from January 22-23. The band’s January 22 performance at the venue will be a special benefit for WHY (World Hunger Year), a non-profit organization that was founded in 1975 to fight poverty in the United States and around the world. A number of special guests will perform with the group throughout the night.

moe. first played Roseland in 2000 and has performed at the venue numerous times since, including a 2005 Tsunami benefit that featured appearances by Trey Anastasio, John Medeski and Sam Bush, among others. Throughout the year moe. plans to participate in and host events to bring awareness to World Hunger issues, as well as continue its work with Headcount, Freedom for Burma and many other charities.

In addition to its January New York City shows, moe. will celebrate its anniversary with shows throughout the Northeast, including stops in Boston, Ithaca, Rochester and Pennsylvania. The band will also head to the West Coast, the Midwest and Southeast.

In other news, on March 26, 27 and 28 moe. will host another Snoe.down event. The popular winter sports and music festival will take place in Killington and Rutland, VT. The band will also host an island getaway to the Dominican Republic from April 21 – 25.