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Yid Vicious is a humble, hardworking klezmer ensemble based in Madison, Wisconsin. We perform regularly at special events, public venues, and private functions throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The band was formed in late 1995 in Wizard of Oz-like fashion through a serendipitous series of chance encounters. The music on our debut CD, "Klez, Kez, Goy mit Fez", consists mainly of klezmer standards. In recording these tunes, we have tried to put our own stamp ont hem, without stripping them of their traditional flavor. Mostly, we're just trying to have fun playing music that we really like. At that, we'realready a huge success. Our second CD, "Forverts!" shows off the new line-up (we've had some departures and additions) and shows us stretching out a little bit. You can hear tinges of country and modern composition as well as vocals (ourselves and Anna Purnell from the Reptile Palace Orchestra) and, of course, a huge serving of good old fashioned klezmer fun. Dig in! Band members: Christina Baade - clarinets Christina is a graduate student in musicology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Involved with classical music performance as well as klezmer, Christina has played clarinet more than half her life. She has been with YV from the start and appreciates its impact on her sanity. Daithi Wolfe - fiddle David was a Suzuki violin brat way back in the bad old days starting in Ann Arbor in 1968. After visiting Ireland in 1983 he changed his name to Daithi (pronounced Da-hee) which is Gaelic for David and changed his violin into a fiddle. He has played Celtic music in Madison for about 10 years, first with The Drones, and now with Far From Home (whose first CD, Tri, was released last March). Daithi joined Yid Vicious to take on a new challenge and because he used to jam on the front porch with Bob (on trumpet) when he lived next door in A2. When not playing music, Daithi plays schoolteacher at Hawthorne Elementary (4/5 grade), watches partner Sandy dance with Cycropia, listens to baby Fiona babble and toddler Mairead sing, and runs or skis (cross-country) whenever possible. His ambition in life used to be to become a politician, now it is to do away with them. Slaînte (Irish for Cheers!) Dave Austin - trumpet Dave is the stage name of trumpet player Marion Delgado. In spite of the growing success of Yid Vicious, he has kept his day job as a civil rights lawyer. Delgado is also active in Progressive Dane, the Madison, Wisconsin chapter of the New Party, an independent political party whose goal is to elect people with progressive politics into office. Raised Catholic in Southern California, Delgado appears at home playing Yiddish music popularized in this country on the East Coast. Asked about this incongruity, he replies, "What incongruity? I'm looking to build political and cultural space that's free from corporate domination, free of absolute uniformity enforced by those with power. When we play klezmer in Madison, we create that space by participating in an alternative cultural scene. When we elect progressives to office, we create a political space open to ordinary people. So I think of playing in Yid Vicious and getting progressives elected as two parts of the same struggle: they both lead to a better world. Like Emma G. nearly said herself: 'If I can't play klezmer, I don't want to be a part of your revolution.' And," Delgado laughs, "it makes my parents happy that I'm following in the footsteps of my namesake." "Marion Delgado, be like him; dare to struggle, dare to win." -1960s slogan of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) Jonathan Pollack - percussion Jon, Kalamazoo, Michigan's contribution to the klezmer cosmos, joined Yid Vicious after a long conversation with Bob Jacobson at the Madison airport. A former member of Kalamazoo's Piranha Brothers (1985-90), Jon has a Ph. D. in twentieth-century American labor and cultural history from University of Wisconsin, and has taught courses in American Jewish history there. He currently teaches at Madison Area Technical College. Mike Pollay - guitars A Wisconsin native who began his musical career at a very early age, as the son, roadie and engineer for the critically acclaimed singing and musical revue The Pollay's (They sing). After enjoying a brief stint in an unnamed rock and roll band during high school, Mike went on to form the Gulf War era blues and rock quartet, The Red Pick Band, soothing the frayed nerves of an entire socialist community in the holy land of Israel. He returned to the land of plenty, where he sold an old, not to mention cheap baritone horn to an unnamed (Bob) bearded man in a thick coat, thus infiltrating the Interdimensional Klezmer Conspiracy. By the way, Mike plays guitar... and is very handsome... He plays in a reggae band sometimes, but finds that klezmer gigs usually offer better food. Bill Solomon - bass Bill plays double bass with Yid Vicious. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA playing bass, some guitar and a little bad trumpet. Since sometime in the 1970s he has been in bands that play popular music- music for regular folk. These include bubblegum vocal-pop groups (one or two as a kid with his twin brother Bo), a Hawaiian group (complete with fire-eater, juggler and Hula dancers), and Big Bands. He teaches bass and guitar. Bill and Mike also play as The Locals, along with vocalist/guitarist Esther Marie. Bill has been sitting in with Yid Vicious since the departure of Matt Appleby, and is patiently waiting to be asked to join the group. Check out the artist's website: http://www.yidvicious.com Track List: 1. Vu Bist du Gevezyn fur Prohibish 2. Shpaykhler Tants (Barn Dance) 3. Vuszhe Vils Tu? (What Do You Want? 4. Lomir Zich Iberbetn (Let's Make Up) 5. Britishaner (Bulgar) 6. A Gleyzele Vayn (A Glass of Wine) 7. Forverts! 8. KoyanniSkocne 9. Terk in Amerike 10. Papir iz Doch Vays (Paper is White) 11. Metropolitan Bulgar 12. Araber Tants 13. Kammen Islands Medley 14. Der Gasn Nign (Street Song) 15. #91/ Sadegurer Khusidl 16. Der Muzinikal (The Little Youngest One Getting Married) Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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