This is for all the people who complain about there being nothing to do in Buffalo on a Tuesday night. I was one of those people until I found myself at the Rendezvous late one Tuesday, with nothing to do but listen. And so I experienced Rhubarb, the progeny of Nick Gonzales, Mark Stojanovich, and Bill Wachowiak; a rather eclectic trio.
The group was formed in 1995, when Mark and Nick were introduced to one another, and began working together as what would later become Rhubarb. Over the years, Rhubarb graduated from a jam band, to open mics, and finally to a touring act; along with a regular time slot at Tim’s Rendezvous, every Tuesday around 11pm. Drummer Bill Wachowiak joined the band later on, when Rhubarb’s previous drummer failed to show one evening. Bill was drafted from the audience that evening and has been a member of Rhubarb ever since.
Nick likes to play dress-up and bass, and is the source of Rhubarbs vocals. Mark plays guitar, banjo, organ, tongue harp, cowbell, and another instrument that I don’t think I can spell correctly. As Rhubarb, Bill, Mark, and Nick enjoy taking long walks in the park, where they discuss the finer points of sketch comedy, like that given to us by those loveable lugs, The Kids in the Hall. Outside of Rhubarb, Nick, Mark, and Bill each enjoy various aspects of this great society (Buffalo). Nick is a beer connoisseur, who enjoys fine dining, skateboarding, sketch comedy, and the company of tattooed women. Mark has an undying passion for carrying the band’s equipment, playing acoustic guitar before getting drunk, getting drunk and falling down after playing acoustic guitar, and remote controls. Bill is a non-smoking, professional snowboarder, who, having perfected the game show host laugh, is now an aspiring game show host.
These Renaissance men are also musically talented, offering all original, sometimes improvised music, guest performers (from such local talent as The Waz), and an excellent live act. Rhubarb’s sound is based in funk, Latin and traditional jazz, along with the individual styles of its three members. Combining all original, primarily instrumental music, improvisation, special guests, and mild drama, Rhubarb’s shows are always an event not to be missed. On any given Tuesday, you can expect the unexpected, with spur-of-the-moment developments such as the improvised ‘Bill’s going to the bathroom’; a song that Nick and Mark made up when Bill had to go mid set.
Having played at many outstanding venues, including the famed CBGB’s in New York City; and in many festivals, including the Blind Baby’s Holiday and the Hippie’s Ball, Rhubarb is focusing on completing post-production work for an upcoming live album, to be followed by a studio album (currently in pre-production), which will be available on Loose Life Records. With the help of their emphatic agent, Carl Hungus (who books every one of Rhubarb’s shows while on the toilet), Rhubarb is currently touring throughout the upstate NY area, with aspirations to tour the east coast this coming summer.
Rhubarb plays every Tuesday night at Tim’s Rendezvous, located at 511 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY. So stop whining and complaining that there’s nothing to do in Buffalo on a Tuesday night, and go see Rhubarb. If you like good music and a good show, you won’t be disappointed. Rhubarb would like to thank: The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Green Jeans of Howdy Doody, Fraggle Rock, Optimus Prime, Skeletor (for his undying affection), loudspeakers, the laws of physics, all imported and some domestic beers, and especially ‘North American’ Fletcher.
