The Magic Band

The Magic Band is a reformed version of Captain Beefheart’s former backing band, led by John French, who also performs as Drumbo. French plays vocals, harmonica and drums and is described as Beefheart’s drummer and musical organiser for much of Beefheart’s recording career.

Formation and line-up

The group is brought together at the urging of Matt Groening, a longtime Captain Beefheart fan, to play the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival he curates in 2003. The first line-up includes musicians who have all played in the original Magic Band at some point: John French on vocals, harmonica and drums, Gary Lucas and Denny Walley on guitars, Mark Boston, also known as Rockette Morton, on bass, and Robert Arthur Williams on drums for the vocal numbers. After the first London shows and the ATP appearance, Williams leaves and Michael Traylor replaces him. The band later reforms in 2011 with Eric Klerks and Craig Bunch replacing Gary Lucas and Michael Traylor, and in 2013 Andrew Niven joins on drums.

Performances and activity

Following its debut gigs in London and at Groening’s ATP, the band tours the UK and Europe and also appears at ATP Los Angeles in 2004. It disbands in 2006, then returns in 2011 for an ATP planned for that November at Minehead, England, curated by Jeff Mangum. Although that festival is postponed until the following March, the band still plays the other UK and Ireland dates arranged around it. It then returns for the rescheduled ATP and further UK dates in March 2012. The group continues to base later UK and European touring around All Tomorrow’s Parties events.

Repertoire and style

The band’s set is drawn mainly from Captain Beefheart’s classic albums Clear Spot and Trout Mask Replica. Many songs from Trout Mask Replica are performed as instrumentals, highlighting the instrumental detail that was often masked by Beefheart’s vocals or saxophone. The repertoire also includes songs from Safe As Milk, Mirror Man, Like My Decals Off Baby and Bat Chain Puller. French describes the set as something that can be brought out from time to time as a recurring performance piece.

Recordings

The Magic Band releases two albums and a live DVD. Back To The Front is recorded during rehearsals for the group’s first run of gigs and appears in 2003. 21st Century Mirror Men is recorded live on the following tour and released in 2005. The live DVD, Live In Concert, is filmed at the band’s debut show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London and also includes a documentary on the 2003 reunion.