What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
Ty: Growing up, every year at Thanksgiving was family time. Every relative within eight hours would drive to us and bring food, drink and music for dancing. There was always turkey, ham, roast beef, fish, mac and cheese, rice, mashed potatoes, stuffing, every vegetable, every dessert, every drink….I am not sure how we got through all the food but we did. When I went to college I would stay on campus and do the orphan thanksgiving potluck. That was always so much fun because you were able to “cuss” at the table and smoke weed between courses. Now that we are on the road with The Who this year we will celebrate and cook with the band and our tour promoters, AEG. This should be cool because we never have enough down time to get to know the folks we are rolling down the road with. Breaking bread together should fix that.
Richard: Thanksgiving has always been about family for me. Of late, we’ve been on the road, so it looks like another Vintage Trouble thanksgiving this year. And that is nice, as we have so much to be thankful for as a family unit.. So, again this year, good food, good company, good times. This new tradition that is shaping up here will be to find a place to eat whilst out on the road in countries that may not celebrate this feast. Last year it was Thanksgiving in England. This year we will be in Canada, so we’ll have to see what that looks like.
Nalle: I’m from Sweden so I don’t generally celebrate Thanksgiving. Although by brothers in arms (Vintage Trouble) are quite happy about it so I join them for a happy day, thinking about all our good friends, family and loved ones.
Rick: Thankfully, as of late, it’s been spending it with my brothers in some foreign land and “breaking bread” together. I think last year, for example, it was “breaking Naan” together, Indian food style, in Lincoln, U.K.. I think anywhere we are, that’s also home and that’s really nice.
How did it get started? How many years has this been going on?
Ty: As a band, we have only been together for a couple of years. Each year we have spent Thanksgiving in completely different ways. I’m sure once we find something we love we will do it year after year. Hopefully the tradition will always include a playing show. That’s what I’m most thankful for…the fact that we get play a lot.
Richard: Yes, speaking of a new tradition being started here, this will make the second year in the a row away from our old traditions. It’s kind of nice starting a whole new family tradition with a whole new family and friends. But I know that we all miss our homes and families at this time. But we have each other and it feels right.
Nalle: Since we got the band together about 2 1/2 years ago.
Rick: We have been a band for around 2.5 years now so this should be year 3. Love it.
Give us a rundown of the food involved. What are the go-to dishes?
Ty: Mac and Cheese! I usually make the ol Taylor/Hunter family recipe. It’s won many awards. There are a couple of special ingredients in it. Nothing fancy. Traditional mac and cheese. No peppers or mushrooms or other things to make it “special.” Just a lot of love…and butter…and the secret ingredients that my family would kill me if I told you in this article.
Richard: Thanksgiving without Turkey would be like Christmas without the tree, or Easter without the eggs. We’ve had to make due out on the road. But this year we are definitely going to seek out some traditional foods. Tradition for me besides turkey would be good old cranberry sauce, and a cornbread stuffing, and we cannot leave out the pumpkin pie—a must. These a the standard go-to dishes, but they are the cliche because they are so perfectly combined.
Nalle: Ty’s mac and cheese is a must and then pretty much whatever we get around will be good enough. We are usually on the road so we rob the catering from the show night before.
Rick: Again, it could be anything, as long as we are together. Indian, Chinese, traditional American turkey if we are in the States. This year we will be in Canada touring with The Who so I might vote for Thai or Sushi.
What are you washing it all down with?
Ty: Washing it down with vino and some Christmas egg nog if it’s on the shelf in the market already. I love egg nog. Wish it wasn’t seasonal.
Richard: Yes, VIno or course. And if the egg-nog does indeed come out the some added whiskey would suffice.
Nalle: VINO, baby!
Rick: Definitely wine or sake.
What’s your stance on gravy? On turkey? On everything? Abstaining?
Ty: Gravy on everything that will accept it.
Richard: Not big on gravy. Kind of a health thing I guess. I give into enough junk on this day. One must draw the line somewhere.
Nalle: I’m pretty picky with my gravy but once I taste a good one, just pour it on everything!
Rick: Wait…are we talking about food still?
Do all of the family members like this tradition?
Ty: I know we all love to eat and be together so I guess that would be a “yes.”
Richard: What’s not to like? It would be kind of fun and rock ‘n’ roll to have some family disfunction going on. But there is none of that happening. Just a festive spirit and excuse to eat way too much.
Nalle: Vintage Trouble is my family so I must certainly say, yes they do.
Rick: Thankfully, I would have to say yes. This is family and if we are lucky enough to have any of our Trouble Makers or blood family out with us too…well then its just that much more special.
