Mikey and Us, Volume Two: Jeff’s Picks

Just a few short days ago, we remembered the fifteenth anniversary of Michael Houser’s passing. It seems like yesterday, doesn’t it? This week, we look back at Mikey’s career with several selections curated by Jeff. We start off where we often do, way back in 1996, this time in the heart of the fantastic fall tour at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI. Go ahead, find a better a “Pilgrims.” Next, we share a selection that will likely raise some eyebrows, the epic (perhaps for the wrong reasons) “Airplane > Diner” from the infamous March 1997 in Santa Cruz, CA. Was Sunny on cough syrup? Did Mikey make the show better or worse? No matter, his playing in the transition between these two Panic classics is worthy of mention. Before we jump back into some Mikey rarities, we make a stop in Champaign, IL, for the start of the second set on a chilly November night in 2000. While the Carbondale show two nights later is widely revered as an all-timer, this Champaign show has some incredible moments, including this massive nine-minute “Sandbox.” We close it out with a demo version of “Humpy Galumpy,” which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

25 October 1996 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre

Pilgrims > Papa Legba, Jack

Source: AKG 451 > Kirk Supply > SBM-1 > D8

26 March 1997 - Santa Cruz, CA - Civic Center

Airplane > Diner

Source: AKG 391

29 November 2000 - Champaign, IL - Assembly Hall

Sandbox, Driving Song > Breathing Slow > B of D

Source: FOB AKG 482 > Apogee AD-1000 > Sony D8 by Jeff Frank

Late 1992 - “Mikey and Me” - Michael Houser and John Bell

Pickin’ Up the Pieces, Banter

Source: Unkown (multi track analog recording)

9 March 1989 - Athens, GA - Severe Driving Problems - Michael Houser and John Bell

Country Sex Song

Source: Unknown

August 1995 - Studio Rehearsal

Humpy Galumpy

Source: Unknown