Weeds of Eden
The Weeds of Eden are a folk-rock group from Gainesville, Florida that have been performing together since 1994. The group plays shows ranging from festivals to weddings, street performances to dog shows, foul smelling bars, and an endless string of political and bleeding heart fundraisers. Just show us where the electrical outlet and snacks are and we’re good to go. They travel with a full PA system and lights.
The Weeds’ sound is folk-rock over a world beat foundation. In addition to the original compositions, they cover hundreds of traditional, folk, R&B, Celtic, seasonal, and rock standards. The dudes in the band particularly like Cowboy and Filthy Pirate songs, but we substitute cute lyrics over swear words if children are in the audience.
The Weeds have appeared on the PBS television series “CD Highway” and several of their recordings are in the sound-track of the award-winning documentary “Fish-Soup”. The Weeds have played onstage with rock legend Bo Diddley, Nashville singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis, and New York folksinger Joe Crookston.
Songwriter David O’Keefe’s music deals with social, environmental, political, and personal issues, often in bitingly satiric style. All members of the band are forced to sing. O’Keefe plays guitar though a dozen effects pedals. Robert Hutchinson plays synthesizer and provides tech support and pizza. Aaron Colverson plays violin and actually has a degree in music. Rocky Draud plays electric bass and vocal impressions, and Noah Hinrichsen plays electronic drums. Josie Davenport plays flutes and an aerophone, which is a wind synthesizer. With little regard for experience, talent, or sobriety, the Weeds’ often coerce guest performers into joining them.
The group’s first studio recording, “Spirit Soldier”, was released in 1996, and contains 12 songs from their repertoire of more than 50 originals. The group released their second recording “Geronimo and the Last Passenger Pigeon” in 1998. The third album, released in 2003, is titled, “Donut Town.” The Weeds of Eden have dozens of recent recordings in the “New Music” section of this website and on Facebook.
Weeds of Eden Personnel
Dave “Dr. O.K.” O’Keefe (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, clave)
Josie Davenport (vocals, flute, aerophone)
Aaron Colverson (vocals, violin, and guiro)
Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson (vocals, keyboards, alto and tenor wooden toads)
Rocky Draud (vocals, bass guitar)
Noah Hinrichsen (drums)
Weeds of Eden Press:
“What kind of music do you guys play?”
“. . . folksy…world beat”
~ Colin Whitworth
Moon Magazine
“. . . tribal pop at the terran fringe”
~ Bill Hutchinson
Theater of Memory
“. . . earth rock”
~ 97-X Prairie Creek Jam promo
“. . . percussive, intellectual rock”
~ Codi Lazar
Moon Magazine
“. . . inventive, humorous lyrics . . . ”
~ Joe Courter
Civic Media Center
“. . . rich vocal harmonies, and percussive character, that is Weeds of Eden.”
~ Jim Doherty
Gainesville Scene
“. . . off-beat and wickedly easy going message of affirmation from Weeds of Eden.”
~ Bill Templeton
Jam Magazine
“Talking Heads lo-fidelity funk transformed into free-form percussive jams; story-telling folk traditions meandered over B-52s-style pop replete with drumming from a traditional African djembe, and Irish jigs writhed under Jefferson Airplane acid rock.”
~ Christopher R. Weingarten
Florida Alligator