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The Riff Raff with Shane Theriot — Music
The Riff Raff with Shane Theriot

The Riff Raff started as an idea I had a few years ago just to sit and chat with my friends whom I consider to be inspirational to me in some way- whether it be as a musician, artist or whatever the case may be. Over the years, as a working musician, I’ve been lucky to work with many amazing people and musicians and would like to share some of their stories with you.

I’m a professional musician. I like stories. I mean… I REALLY like stories. Oh, and I love jokes too. Luckily, I work with some of the best in the business, and they happen to have great stories (and usually great jokes as well). Anyway, i want to put these stories down for people to enjoy – it’s fun. Some people like to garden, or take photos, or collect magnets for the fridge… but me? I like to get these stories down for all to enjoy!

So this is a podcast about the creative process and, yes, being a guitar player, we do occasionally talk shop, gear, etc., but I’m not going to limit it to that as I get this thing going.

Oh yeah, we jam a bit too!

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Latest Episodes:

Episode 5 with Johnny Vidacovich (New orleans icon, John Scofield, Professor Longhair, James Booker, Astral Project etc...) May 29, 2016
Show notes

My guest today is Mr. Johnny Vidacovich-

In a town that is filled with great drummers, all with their own unique style and approach, Johnny Vidacovich easily qualifies as an institution in the New Orleans music scene. His career spans 5 decades and he’s played with a who’s who of New orleans music royalty- Danny Barker, Professor Longhair, James Booker, Johnny Adams, Astral Project, and many many others- as well as those from outside of New Orleans who have relied on Johnny’s signature street beat grooves - John Scofield, Joe Sample, Charlie Hunter and the list goes on and on.

He has also taught many students including Brian Blade and Stanton Moore.

Johnny is such a great person to chat with, and as you can hear in the interview he is highly animated and super passionate about life and music. He frequently gets up to dance or move his body in a certain way to illustrate a point. He is a highly musical drummer and one of my favorites- a real poet on the drums.

As you’ll hear in the interview, I first met Johnny when I moved back to New Orleans. We went on to work together here and there throughout the years recording and doing some gigs from time to time….one highlight I remember is getting to do a gig with both Johnny AND Idris Mohammed- that was fun! If you like the music in this podcast check out Johnny's solo works- Mystery Street, Banks Street, Vidacovich and my solo record The Grease Factor.

In the interview Johnny talks about singing what you play, phrasing, the music scene in 1950’s and 60’s New orleans, we go over some traditional New Orleans grooves together, his poetry, love of Paul Motian (sorry for mispronouncing his name over and over !), play a few tunes, how colors relate to sound and music and much more.

Hidden behind one of the more unique and quirky personalities that is Johnny Vidacovich is a treasure trove of wisdom learned from a lifetime of playing and teaching.

This interview took place at Johnny’s house in the Mid City section of New orleans, LA in Feb of 2016.
I hope you enjoy!

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Episode 4- with Mike Stern (solo artist, Miles Davis, Blood Sweat and Tears, Jaco Pastorius, etc...) May 05, 2016
Show notes

My guest today is Mike Stern.

Mike is one of my favorite guitarists and has been since I first got interested in jazz as a teenager. Mike cut his teeth playing in blues and rock bands like Blood Sweat and Tears before joining the Miles Davis Band in the early 80’s. His career with Miles, Steps Ahead, and also with The Brecker Brothers and Jaco Pastorious is widely documented. His solo career has produced 16 solo records and numerous Grammy nominations.

I like to think of Mike's playing like equal parts NYC sophistication and part “cobra” guitar player - he can bend your ear with the hippest be-bop lines played with flawless right hand technique or seduce you with that big piano sound he dials up (with that ancient Yamaha SPX 90) and then without warning he’ll stomp on his distortion pedal and slay you with screaming rock licks, building solo after solo up to an intensity like few guitarists can.

This interview took place at Mike Stern’s apt in NYC Feb 2016.

In this casual interview Mike talks about many topics including -
the importance of good time, what he learned from Miles Davis, singing what you play, some cool sax licks Michael Brecker showed him,what it was like playing with his good friend the late Jaco Pastorius- and of course lots of funny stories!

Mike is an inspiring guy to be around- he is always practicing and still hungry to learn after many years or playing. Even though he's at the top of his game he is a humble cat and it’s not beneath him to stop you to learn a lick or idea- He’s also a pretty hilarious guy as you'll hear- Enjoy!

MIKE STERN WEBSITE

Mike Stern and Shane Theriot NYC 2016

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Episode 3 with George Porter Jr. (The Meters) Apr 05, 2016
Show notes

My guest today is Mr. George Porter Jr. George is best known for being the bassist for the “architects of funk” - The Meters, the funkiest band to ever come out of New Orleans and, for that matter, anywhere. His basslines get under your skin and won’t let go. Along with Zigaboo Modeliste on drums, Art Neville on keys and Leo Nocentelli on guitar, The Meters invented a type of funk that has been widely copied (and sampled) for many years now.

The day this interview took place I was back in New Orleans recording on a couple of projects, and we just happened to be on one session together. I’ve known George for years and I mentioned how I started this podcast and wanted to interview him while I was in town for a few days. Knowing I was short on time, George graciously suggested that we do it that night after the session.

In the interview I ask George about his influences, what he looks for in a drummer, trivial questions on various Meters folklore, why Paul McCartney said George was his favorite bass player, Allen Toussaint sessions, the proper way to play “Cissy Strut”, unison guitar/bass lines,etc…OH…and we play a lot of stuff together. Hope you enjoy.

Recorded at the Parlor Studio, New Orleans, LA - Feb 2016.

On a session-
L to R- Shane Theriot (guitar), George Porter Jr. (bass), Johnny Vidacovich (drums) and Sonny Landreth (slide guitar)

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Episode 2 with John Scofield (solo artist, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, George Duke, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock etc...) Mar 31, 2016
Show notes

John Scofield or “Sco” as he is also known really needs no introduction. He’s one of the most recognizable voices in modern jazz guitar, and he’s played with everyone from Chet Baker, George Duke, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock and the list goes on and on…..His solo records (of which there are many) showcase his diversity and willingness to take chances with different groups all while continuing to push new boundaries in jazz guitar.

I had first met John in Europe backstage a few years back, but we didn’t really get to be friends until I moved to NY last year and we found out we were neighbors. I can honestly say John is one of the greats so when I told him about this interview and he was really into doing it I was really excited. So thanks John. We get together and play every so often and he even gave me a Ibanez Scofield model as a birthday gift last year.….anyway, enough talking…..let’s get into this interview. I ask him some things that I always wished other guitarists would have asked in interviews like “what are you thinking about when you play?” or "where did that crazy over the neck thing you do come from"? We also talk about Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, his use of the "Rat" distortion pedal, what he thinks about while phrasing and soloing over “Protocol”, and much more- (and oh yeah- we jam a little too..) This interview took place in Jan 2016 at my home in NY. (Special thanks to Jack Miele at Music Shed Studios for massive help on editing on this one and Ali and Brad at True Fire for creative opinions)

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Episode 2 with John Scofield (solo artist, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, George Duke, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock etc...) Mar 31, 2016
Show notes

John Scofield or “Sco” as he is also known really needs no introduction. He’s one of the most recognizable voices in modern jazz guitar, and he’s played with everyone from Chet Baker, George Duke, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock and the list goes on and on…..His solo records (of which there are many) showcase his diversity and willingness to take chances with different groups all while continuing to push new boundaries in jazz guitar.

I had first met John in Europe backstage a few years back, but we didn’t really get to be friends until I moved to NY last year and we found out we were neighbors. I can honestly say John is one of the greats so when I told him about this interview and he was really into doing it I was really excited. So thanks John. We get together and play every so often and he even gave me a Ibanez Scofield model as a birthday gift last year.….anyway, enough talking…..let’s get into this interview. I ask him some things that I always wished other guitarists would have asked in interviews like “what are you thinking about when you play?” or "where did that crazy over the neck thing you do come from"? We also talk about Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, his use of the "Rat" distortion pedal, what he thinks about while phrasing and soloing over “Protocol”, and much more- (and oh yeah- we jam a little too..) This interview took place in Jan 2016 at my home in NY. (Special thanks to Jack Miele at Music Shed Studios for massive help on editing on this one and Ali and Brad at True Fire for creative opinions)

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Episode 1 with John Oates ( legendary singer/songwriter -Daryl Hall and John Oates) Mar 13, 2016

Show notes

Hey everyone, welcome to my new podcast- The Riff-Raff with Shane Theriot.

The Riff -Raff started as an idea I had a few years ago just to sit and chat with my friends whom I consider to be inspirational to me in some way- whether it be as a musician, artist or whatever the case may be…. over the years as a working musician I’ve been lucky to work with many amazing people and musicians and would like to share some of their stories with you.
Who am I? I’m a professional musician. I like stories…. Luckily I get to work with some of the best in the business and they happen to have great stories. Anyway, I wanted to put these little anecdotes and insights into a format for people to enjoy…it’s fun. (Some people like to garden, or take photos, or collect magnets for the fridge..etc..)…Me? I like to get these stories down for all to enjoy!

So this is a podcast about the creative process and yes, being a guitar player we do occasionally talk shop, gear etc…but I’m not going to limit it to that as I get this thing going. Oh yeah,,, and we jam a bit too!

I’ve got some other great musicians coming up in the next month or so…John Scofield, Mike Stern, George Porter Jr. (from the Meters) and Johnny Vidacovich, Leni Stern and many others......so if you like this one- much more to come!!
FIRST UP ON THE LIST- Mr. John Oates

I decided to get The Riff-Raff off the ground right where I stood at that moment… which was on the road with Daryl Hall and John Oates- John Oates as you probably know already if you are listening to this…..is one half of the legendary duo Daryl Hall and John Oates- the biggest selling pop duo in history and a recent rock and roll hall of famer. He’s done way more interviews in his life than I can imagine so he’s a natural at it -and really easy to talk to. John is a great guitar player, something that I feel he doesn’t get enough credit for… I met John after I got a call to play on his solo record Good Road to Follow which I strongly suggest you check out. I was also lucky enough to get to work on his live DVD called Another Good Road that you may have seen on Palladia or VH1- which is a really great showcase of John’s songwriting and guitar playing abilities…. John is one of the good guys in the music biz and has become a close friend in the past 2 years.

this interview took place inside John’s room at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem PA. In it we talk Hall and Oates, inspiration, how he comes up with song ideas, guitars, pedals and some great stories from the road (wait til you hear about the giant star!) and yes, we even jam on a little ditty called Maneater. It’s my first interview and I hope you enjoy it-

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