Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Devotees to reunite at Cedars

By Katie Libecco

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YOUNGSTOWN - Dave Buker of The Devotees says Friday's reunion show is only a one-night deal.

But that means it's going to be good.

"It's something we're really into doing one more time," Buker says. "We're excited to do this one more time and really enjoy it."

The Devotees will play Friday at Cedars Lounge with And The Moneynotes (Scranton, Pa.), Readymade Breakup (New Jersey), and Holy Ghost Tent Revival (Greensboro, N.C.), who is partially responsible for the reunion.

Buker says sometime in the winter or late fall Holy Ghost Tent Revival played Cedars and had a good turnout. Following the show, Holy Ghost Tent Revival found The Devotees' album, "Further From Home," online.

The story goes that when Cedars contacted Holy Ghost Tent Revival to book another show, Buker says, they said, "We'll do it if you can get The Devotees to open."

Buker says that was about four months ago, and it wasn't until two weeks ago he was actually excited about playing the show.

"A lot of times when something ends, it feels like it's final and it's hard to get it rolling again," Bukler says.

He says they've only played a couple rehearsals but is "kind of shocked" at how easy "it came back."

Friday's performance will include the six members that played with The Devotees for about six months. That includes Eric Tharp on bass, Jake Pruitt on guitar, Jared Buker on drums, Justin Hite on keyboards and trumpet, Buker on guitar, banjo and vocals.

Also appearing with The Devotees is Nathan Welsh, who plays mandolin. Buker says Welsh is working in West Virginia but, by chance, is in town this weekend.

Buker says he's excited to play the last track from "Further From Home," "Amen."

"We never really play it live, except the CD release show," he says.

And while he's excited about this show, Buker says his focus is still New York and Youngstown-based The Depths.

"I'm moving to New York at the end of summer, moving our home base up there," he says.

His brother, Jared Buker, continues to play drums for Radio Back-Up. Tharp and Pruitt continue to perform with Oh, Empire.

Buker says this is a chance for The Devotees to play one more show without the tension of finality among the members.

That means it's going to be good.