Guitarist Scott Metzger of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and a variety of other projects will assemble WOLF! to headline Freaks Ball XXI at The Bell House in Brooklyn on September 22. Rounding out the bill are the Brass Queens, a nine-piece brass band with a sound rooted in the New Orleans tradition.
Freaks Ball was put on annually through 2020 by members of the NYC Freaks, an email list devoted to live music in and around the New York City area. The event finally returns after a three-year hiatus on the 22nd.
Scott Metzger is no stranger to the Freaks Ball stage having performed at nearly all past installments as well as other events put on by the NYC Freaks. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead was put together initially for one night only to play the 13th annual Freaks Ball on January 26, 2013 at Brooklyn Bowl. The reaction was too good to keep it to a single show and the tribute act celebrated their 10th anniversary with help from Bob Weir at the same venue on January 26, 2023.
Metzger points to Weir’s surprise guest spot as one of his many memorable moments from the past year. The guitarist mentioned a number of others in an email interview. “JRAD headlining the Newport Jazz Festival with Branford Marsalis joining us (three feet to my left!) was totally surreal and beyond incredible. I’m still feeling that one,” Metzger noted. “Playing Red Rocks always stands out, but this year with JRAD was extra special. My wife Katie (Jacoby) joined the band on violin for a few tunes. She absolutely brought the house down and her whole family was there to see it, so that was really meaningful.”
Photo by Jefe
It wasn’t only Joe Russo’s Almost Dead who provided highlights for Metzger in 2023. “There was also a benefit gig I played in Hopewell, NJ with Joe Russo, Dave Dreiwitz, Dean Ween, Andrew Weiss and Chris Harford (who are all heroes of mine) that was x-factor from the first note,” he recalled. “The LaMP (with Russ Lawton and Ray Packowski) gigs we’ve done so far this year have all been awesome — really looking forward to fall tour,” the Brooklyn resident added.
“There’s a gig in December that I can’t talk details about since it hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s with some of my favorite musicians of all time — that one will definitely make my 2023 highlight reel,” Metzger noted.
Show Info & Tickets
Sep22
Fri
WOLF! is a “telecaster rock trio” that at Freaks Ball XXI will find Metzger joined by regular bassist Jon Shaw and Little Feat drummer Tony Leone. “The biggest thing I’m looking forward to this gig in particular is that my old friend Tony Leone (Little Feat, Anders Osborne, CRB) will be filling in on drums. Tony’s one of my favorite local drummers. We were in Anders Osborne’s band together from 2013 to 2016 or so,” Metzger said. “We made some good records with Anders in that time. The last few years Tony has been touring with Little Feat. They stay really busy and since I’m always traveling for gigs too, we don’t get to play together too much these days, so that will really be great.
“Plus the Freaks Ball is always a great time. I’m sure I’ve played more of them than anybody else at this point,” stated Metzger. “It’s a great group of people who take their live music SERIOUSLY. The NYC Freaks are a real New York institution. You’re either in or you’re out. I’m proud to call myself a card carrying member.”
Tickets to Freaks Ball XXI are on sale now. Buy Freaks Ball XXI tickets via Eventbrite.
Scott Metzger will keep busy this fall with both Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and LaMP. View a full list of tour dates by scrolling below.
