Dispatch From Around The Globe:
Mike Stingle is the guitarist for Ameripolitan, Vintage Rock and Rockabilly outfit, Mighty Joe Castro and The Gravamen. The Philadelphia based quartet are set to release their debut LP, Come on, Angels! July 31st.
What’s your favorite song that reminds you of summer? I’d have to say Anywhere I Lay My Head by Tom Waits. That song just feels like the open road is about to rip you out of your work chair and never let go.
We are always looking for new film and television to check out. What’s your favorite thing you’ve watched over the past few months? I don’t really watch too much TV, but I love movies. My favorite movie that I’ve seen recently has to be Jojo Rabbit.
Your vacation plans probably got thwarted due to the global pandemic. Where had you hoped to travel to this summer? Where are you planning to do some fun, summer things this year instead? Yes – our summer trips definitely had to get cancelled. We were scheduled to play Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston-Salem, NC over the 4th of July weekend but that had to be shut down. The whole band was so pumped for that one. We’ll have to see how the world looks at the end of the summer, but I think I may be hitting up Maine, which would be sweet. I’ve never been there and I’ve only heard awesome things about Maine.
Can you recommend a local, Black owned business that we should check out? Yes, Buutchiis Grille in Ambler! It’s an African/Caribbean restaurant that, among other awesome things, has the best couscous and grilled snapper you’ll ever eat.
What’s your favorite shore town? Margate. What’s better than getting to look at a huge house that’s shaped like an elephant while being on the beach?
Lots of people have been releasing music over quarantine. What’s your favorite release that came out since March? Hands down my favorite release has been Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between by Man Man. I’ve pretty much had that album on repeat and just got a pink vinyl copy which I love.
What’s your favorite summertime tradition? I think hiking in Fairmount park is probably one of my favorite things to do but especially in the summer. There’s really no place else on earth like it.
What’s your favorite summertime treat? Eating ice cream or peanut butter right before going to bed and telling myself I deserve it because every day should be cheat day.
You’ve probably sharpened your cooking skills since quarantine began. What’s your favorite thing to make for a meal these days? Eggs will always and forever be my go-to meal. But since quarantine, I’ve been pretty much mixing Beyond Meat ground beef with almost anything and calling it a day.
Best summer concert you ever saw? What’s your favorite venue to see a summer concert in? The best summer concert I’ve ever seen was Tenacious D during their Rise of the Phoenix tour. Although that summer I also saw Roger Waters do The Wall at Citizens Bank Park and that was pretty unforgettable. The Festival Pier which used to be on the waterfront was my favorite place to see summer shows. I saw a bunch of great acts there – Gorillaz being the last before it got shut down for good.
Favorite Philly bands right now? Sheer Mag and Man Man hands down.
Favorite non-Philly bands right now? My favorite non-Philly artist right now is definitely C.W. Stoneking. He’s one of the most creative song writers I listen to. And he’s the guy who turned me on to calypso music which led me to artists like Wilmoth Houdini and Carmen Miranda. A close second favorite would be Charley Crockett.
Favorite Summer Blockbuster(s)? Did you see it in the theater? Most of the movie theaters have been closed near me but a movie I saw in theaters just before they got shut down was 1917. The whole movie is one camera shot! It’ll blow your mind. Go see it.
Current summer reading? All time favorite summer read? Currently I’m reading a book on the mysteries of medieval gargoyles. All time favorite has to be Fahrenheit 451.
What’s your favorite summer jawn? My trusty pair of jorts. They’re practical yet comfortable. Just watch – jorts are going to make a huge comeback.
Find Mighty Joe Castro & the Gravamen Online HERE:
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