| The Breeders – Drivin' On 9 Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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First "wicked imp" correctly attributes songwriting credits to Dom Leone. Dom's cousin Dani (nee Dan) was a founding member of Ed's Redeeming Qualities, along with Nino Perrotta and Carrie. Second, they are/were at that time (and forever in our hearts) a New Hampshire band. Without the University of NH Durham graduate writing program there would be no Ed's. I knew all the "band" from UNH and because they were friends with my friend Dave, band leader of N.A.F.T. and No Such Animal, who was also in the writing program. There was a party at our house on Hunking Street in Portsmouth NH (thanksgiving 87?) and Dani showed up with a ukulele and Neno and Carrie showed up and they played some calypso in the living room. As far as Route 9 goes... makes sense to me that the reference is to Ohio State Route 9 which is an old north/south route that has as it's northern terminus Salem Ohio, just down the road from Youngstown area where Dom (and Dani) grew up. But wait just a minute! Steve Hickoff got co-writing credit? Well, now. Steve was also there at UNH in the writing program. And there is also a Route 9 ( A US route I believe) that those of us who have lived around the Piscataqua River basin of New Hampshire and Maine are very familiar with. It's a well traveled road. Could be that the inspiration for that reference is either or both highways. Especially given that Steve and Dom both had a hand in the lyrics. Steve lives in the area and ..."writes about the outdoors for Foster’s Sunday Citizen." And you can find his books on Amazon. And the connection between Ed's members, Ray Halliday (then a member of No Such Animal) and the Breeders was forged at the Tree Cafe in Portland Maine. Somehow I booked NSA the opening slot for the Pixies. It was winter of '88. I came down with flu, had a fever of 104 and had to stay home. But both bands were on fire that night and I know that Carrie and Dani were there as well. ERQ were devoted friends and fans of NSA. Ray would know.... So would Dani. RIP Dom. |
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| The Breeders – Drivin' On 9 Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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The song was written in the late 80's by Dom Leone and performed by ERQ- check the link -http://www.oocities.org/soho/5953/erqbio.html. Not sure exactly where in the Seacoast NH area Dom was living when he wrote it. And I haven't been to Youngstown. But I've driven through to Pittsburgh. It's a long drive across Pennsylvania and New York and Route 9 (now re-badged NY 7) runs from Troy through Vermont to Keene NH. By the time I get to Albany when going home from Pittsburg I am ready to get off the interstate. Route 7 out of Troy to Route 9 in Bennington heads through the mountains to Brattle boro then to Keene NH where you can stay on Rt9 to Dover or jump on to Rt 101 to head straight east to the coast. Parts of the route are beautiful and lonesome too. Good songwriting territory. I'll bet you a donut and cup of coffee that Dom drove between Ohio (Youngstown area) and NH more than once. I like to think that he took the scenic route. |
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