• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

EVAN DANDO: LEMONHEADS FRONTMAN WEATHERS PANDEMIC ON VINEYARD, READIES FOR DRIVE-IN SHOW

Written by ROB DUGUAY Posted August 26, 2020 Filed Under: MUSIC

Evan Dando
Photo of Evan Dando by Michel van Collenburg

“I used to make a joke that recording in the studio felt like playing to people in their cars sometimes. We’ll see how it is in reality.”


It’s hard to name a better songwriter to come out of Boston over the past 35 years than the Lemonheads’ Evan Dando. He began with punk and steadily evolved his craft into an alternative rock force accented by hints of country and folk while echoing vintage guitar pop aesthetics.

Everyone knows the band from its 1992 hit cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” but originals such as “Hannah & Gabi,” “Tenderfoot,” “Rest Assured,” and “Alison’s Starting To Happen” are stellar examples of how Dando can write a song that sticks with you.

When it comes to Boston acts that have left a mark, the Lemonheads have legend status. So it’s especially exciting that on Aug 30, the Lemonheads will take the stage at the Yarmouth Drive-In on Cape Cod to play some hits as well as covers for an all-around rad time.

Dando and I spoke ahead of the show about living in Martha’s Vineyard during these crazy months, having fun with other songs by other artists, being happy to be playing a show, and planning a new album.

How has it been dealing with COVID-19 on Martha’s Vineyard? Did you feel isolated during the early months of the pandemic? Have you been avoiding the tourist crowds?

Over here I think it’s a good place to be for this time. I was scared at first when it started because when things like this happen, everyone gets it right away but so far, so good. Here you don’t really go out anyway. I don’t go to bars anymore, I just go hang out at the beach with friends, so it hasn’t really affected my life that much. A couple tours got cancelled, which really sucks, but it’s been a good place to be so far given the situation.

Last year, the Lemonheads put out Varshons II, which is the second covers album the band has put out along with being the band’s first album in 10 years. When it comes to choosing to do renditions of particular songs, how do you go about the process? Is it about the music that has influenced you the most as a songwriter or is it something different?

The first Varshons record was done with Gibby Hanes from the Butthole Surfers, and he picked the songs on that one. It’s probably a better record, but this one was just for fun. It’s mostly on a whim from when the time comes. We wanted to do another record like the one before because we weren’t quite finished with our next original one. We also wanted to tour, so we used Varshons II as a vehicle to tour on. I met my new drummer that way, this kid Lee Falco. It was just something to do and most of the songs on the album are old favorites of mine.

Putting your own spin on these songs … 

Yeah, it was very fun.

Is the upcoming show at the Yarmouth Drive-In going to be your first time performing in front of people in cars? 

Yeah, it’s funny because I used to make a joke that recording in the studio felt like playing to people in their cars sometimes. We’ll see how it is in reality, and it seems like a wild idea. Here we go, it’s a brave new world but we’re playing a gig and I can’t believe it. It feels good to be doing something, I’m happy.

Are you preparing yourself any differently for this type of show with it being a totally new setup? Or do you plan on approaching it like any other gig?

I really don’t have anything planned ahead of time, but that’s a good question; maybe I should think about that. As of now we’re probably going to run through the set a couple times, which we sometimes do; sometimes we don’t even do that. If we get a chance, we’re gonna bang out a rehearsal; we’re all pretty local and most of us live on the island here, so we get to jam all of the time. We’re gonna try to get Lee out here for a little vacation and go from there.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for the coming months? Have you been working on new music?

Definitely, I got a lot of ideas. I’ve had a weird block, but now I have a plan to finish the next Lemonheads album as soon as possible. I got a really good band together to do it with, so I’m looking forward to doing some recording in the fall sometime.


The Lemonheads at Yarmouth Drive-In. Sun, 8.30. yarmouthdrivein.com

ROB DUGUAY

Rob Duguay is an arts & entertainment journalist based in Providence, RI who is originally from Shelton, CT. Outside of DigBoston, he also writes for The Brooklyn Rail, The Providence Journal, The Newport Daily News, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, New Noise Magazine, Alternative Press and numerous other publications. While covering mostly music, he has also written about film, TV, comedy, theatre, visual art, food, drink, sports and cannabis.

More from author
  • ROB DUGUAY
    https://digboston.com/author/rob-duguay/
    SEE THIS WORLD: THE FUTURE IS 2020
  • ROB DUGUAY
    https://digboston.com/author/rob-duguay/
    TOUGH YEAR, TOUGHER TRACKS: 20 TOP BOSTON TRACKS OF 2020
  • ROB DUGUAY
    https://digboston.com/author/rob-duguay/
    DAN BLAKESLEE BRINGS MUCH CHEER WITH “CHRISTMASLAND JUBILEE”
  • ROB DUGUAY
    https://digboston.com/author/rob-duguay/
    THE DISPATCH DISPATCH: CHADWICK STOKES ON MUSICIANSHIP AND MORE

Filed Under: MUSIC Tagged With: Alternative Rock, Evan Dando, Martha's Vineyard, Music, The Lemonheads

WHAT’S NEW

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

Harry Brill. Photo courtesy of Gary Zabel.

RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL

Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi.

NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM

IT'S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT'S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi. NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM by MATTHEW ANDREWS
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • STATE LOOKS TO SPEND $75K TO PREVENT FUTURE STORROWINGS by DAN ATKINSON
  • IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL http RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL https://digboston.com/radical-and-relevant-the-life-of-harry-brill/ #obituary #organizer #radical #sociologist #democracy #politics @UMassBoston @BklynCollege411 @UCBerkeley #Boston #Massachusetts #NewYorkCity #Berkeley #California
NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON CO NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM https://digboston.com/no-honeymoon-for-biden-1-20-protest-on-boston-common-4-pm/ #opinion #progressive #left #action #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Jostling for position and influence are the disadv Jostling for position and influence are the disadvantaged candidates, existing industry participants, and municipalities … https://digboston.com/the-road-to-home-delivery-pt-5-dogs-in-the-fight-identifying-the-players/ #cannabis #politics #analysis #Massachusetts
The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Participants took to the streets in the hope of sw Participants took to the streets in the hope of swaying the Biden administration. https://digboston.com/on-national-day-of-action-protesters-call-for-eviction-moratorium/ #housing #justice #protest #national #Boston #Massachusetts
“They refuse to respond to this humanitarian cri “They refuse to respond to this humanitarian crisis where people really need them. We’re just ignoring this problem and it’s getting worse and worse.” https://digboston.com/its-harder-than-ever-to-find-a-bathroom-in-boston-whats-the-city-doing-about-it/ #politics #unhoused #homeless #bathroom #public #health #Boston #Massachusetts
Environmental #justice and #climate change advocat Environmental #justice and #climate change advocates are pushing for its passage. https://digboston.com/baker-urged-to-sign-game-changing-climate-bill/ #environment #globalwarming #legislation #politics #Massachusetts
In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the # In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the #video … https://digboston.com/video-night-shifts-tea-party-is-subtle-love-for-people-who-hate-most-hard-teas/ #review #fun #beer @NightShiftBeer
HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the Capitol attack and building a more democratic nation. The latest from DigBoston's @jasonpramas. https://digboston.com/how-to-defeat-the-hard-right/ #democracy #politics #Capitol #US #America #attack #Biden #Trump #grassroots #movement #analysis #strategy #MAGA
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]