moe. Takes On The Masses

-Mookie Singerman

moe., the ever-touring jam-band, has created a massive following with little recognition from the mainstream. On their new album, "Tin Cans And Car Tires," moe. has dissproved the theory that jam-bands suck in the studio.

"Having a little more experience in the studio helped us a lot. We weren't as rushed as we were with 'No Doy' and since the songs for the album have been around for a while, we perfected them before we went to record," says drummer Vinnie Amico.

It seems that it is impossible for a jam-band to get big nowadays, but moe. has managed just that. While Phish were busy ruling the scene, moe. snuck up and have started to sell out gigs all over the country. With basically a non-stop touring schedule, moe. barely rest, but not to worry, Amico assures us that they'll be around for a long time.

"Although we don't like being in the public eye as much, we don't see ourselves stopping the extensive tour schedule for a long time. I mean, you look at bands like Dave Matthews Band and Phish and you think, those guys didn't get there with their albums, they put on incredible shows and they didn't slow down. That's basically what we're all about."

With larger and larger venues, moe. still manages to keep close contact with their fans, which is exactly what worries thaeir fans. Will moe. ever sell out Madison Square Garden or have that hit song on MTV or the radio?

Says Amico: "Our fans shouldn't worry. Sure, we'd like that hit song; hell, everyone would. But if they really like us for our music, and not for the whole scene that surrounds us, we won't lose any fans. If anything, we'll gain them; which isn't always a bad thing."