Runaway Gin – A Tribute to Phish to Showcase New Rhythm Section at Lofi Brewing
Runaway Gin, Charleston’s renowned Phish tribute band, announces a new rhythm section in advance of their Fall 2023 tour dates. We linked up with founder and guitarist Andy Greenberg for the exclusive scoop on the new lineup, which welcomes Karl Anderson on drums and David Katilius, or DKat, on bass.
The band will showcase the new lineup with a hometown show this Saturday September 9th at Lofi Brewing. In addition to the new lineup, Saturday’s show will also feature lighting from Michael Alexander, who has joined them on the road many times but never lit up a Gin show in Charleston. Tickets available here.
“In early 2023 we slowed down in booking Gin road shows due to the lack of availability of members,” Greenberg explains. “This pushed us to seek out a new rhythm section starting with Karl replacing Sean Bing on most gigs in late 2022 and 2023 and this summer DKat joining us on the road to replace Tim Khayat. So far the new lineup has only been seen at private events.”
Greenberg explains how the lineup change represents a full circle moment for Runaway Gin, in more than one way.
“The new rhythm section brings us full circle back to more of a traditional Phish Tribute band,” he says. “We have spent the last four months working in secret, adding new songs to our repertoire as well as running extensive jam exercises.”
Additionally, Karl Anderson joining on drums helps to bring Runaway Gin back to its roots, as Anderson was the original drummer whom Greenberg first started performing a Phish tribute with, circa 2012. This was done under the band name Buddhist Prodigies, “who were my first Phish Tribute and started the Sunday Phundays series at the Charleston Pour House,” Greenberg explains.
As part of an ongoing effort to keep things fresh, that the “Makisupa Police, Man” theme (performing music of the Police) and the “Brass Apparatus” theme (Runaway Gin with horns) they’d explored over the past year have been shelved for now, but Greenberg says it’s always possible to see that material return.
“While there is a chance we may play some of those songs again they will not remain part of our typical repertoire,” Greenberg explains.
Following Saturday’s show at Lofi Brewing, Runaway Gin has a full docket of Fall shows to look forward to, including a birthday show for Trey Anastasio in Greenville on September 30th, and Greenberg’s own birthday show November 25th in Charleston.
Runaway Gin isn’t the only thing keeping Greenberg musically occupied. This year we’ve also seen him writing and recording originals in Space Armadillo with early Trey Anastasio collaborator, The Dude of Life, plus performing around town with a number of acts including newly-formed Beatles Tribute Maxwell’s Silver Jammer and 80s tribute Dr. Smiley Face.
“When I’ve had downtime from Runaway Gin touring I have focused on building a few new projects as well as writing and recording original material with Space Armadillo,” Greenberg says. “We are about 8 songs into the album recording and have already written a bunch more. As we approach the 10 year anniversary of Runaway Gin in early 2024 you can expect some pretty extensive touring as well as local events from us!”
See Runaway Gin’s full touring schedule for the remainder of 2023 via the graphic below.
