HOUSE OF BLUES Ekoostik Hookah to visit Cleveland

The vocalist has said he will leave the band.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Jerry is still dead. Phish (for all intents and purposes) is, too. Leftover Salmon packed it in last year and now Columbus-based jam band Ekoostik Hookah has announced an extended hiatus and uncertain future.
"Obviously, there is a fork in the road, and everybody seems to have their own different viewpoint on what exactly it is," said Ekoostik Hookah drummer Eric Lanese, calling from Columbus.
For over a decade, Ekoostik Hookah has been a constant touring act in Northeast Ohio with countless shows under its belt. There is also its popular annual Hookahville festival, which at times has drawn more than 15,000 fans and has included the likes of Willie Nelson, RatDog featuring Bob Weir, David Crosby, Medeski Martin & amp; Wood, Umphrey's McGee, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, and dozens of others.
During its career, the band has sold more than 110,000 copies of its seven albums and performed more than 1,500 shows across the country and around the world. After averaging more than 200 live shows annually at its high point, the band has cut back to roughly 150 of late.
It was decided earlier this year that the group would take some time off, but then vocalist/rhythm guitarist Ed McGee announced he would be leaving the band after its New Year's Eve show in Columbus, thus freaking out the Hookah nation.
Not necessarily the end
"I don't think that people should be freaked out," Lanese said. "I think we'll still play in some manner. We just don't have any plans."
The drummer said the remaining members -- Lanese, Steve Sweney, Cliff Starbuck and Dave Katz -- wouldn't have a problem perhaps continuing on under the Ekoostik Hookah moniker, but no decisions have been made.
So with uncertainty surrounding the band, Ekoostik Hookah's upcoming last Cleveland date, Dec. 29 at the House of Blues, takes on even greater importance.
"Here's the thing, if I was out there, I would want to go to these last shows because this lineup and these songs aren't going to be played for a long time," Lanese said. "Nothing is out of the realm of possibility for the future but definitely for an indefinite amount of time, if you enjoyed these songs played by these people, this is your chance to see it. Who knows what the future will bring?"