Creative differences, exhaustion from extensive touring, boredom or an inability to get along – bands break up for a variety of reasons. Jam-pop college favorites Dispatch, who played its final show in 2004, hit all of the above.
There was one cause important enough to the entire band, however, to get them to play together again – if only for one more time.
But what started as one benefit concert for Zimbabwe at Madison Square Garden in New York turned into two shows, then three and finally a fourth, the final show last Wednesday at New York’s Webster Hall. By the end, the band had sold out three nights on America’s grandest stage in a matter of days – the first independent band to do so. On July 14, Dispatch played the third show of the series, the one which the band had originally planned as the only show.
But how did an independent band manage to sell out MSG, let alone for three straight nights? Formed at Vermont’s Middlebury College in 1996, Dispatch – who mixed acoustic guitar rock with reggae, funk, rock and Afro-beat influences with three-part vocal harmonies – built its fan base through heavy touring up and down the east coast and a word-of-mouth following.
Differing musical directions, personal tensions and many other factors – which are somewhat revealed and explained in the documentary film Last Dispatch – eventually caused the band to burn out. After an indefinite hiatus in 2002, the band announced a final show on July 31, 2004 – a free concert at Boston’s The Hatch Shell. While no official numbers were ever tallied, an estimated 100,000-plus fans showed up to bid the band farewell as the band ran through an almost 4-hour set. The fans sang along to the lyrics – “Go now, you are forgiven” – of its most famous song, “The General,” in what seemed like a fitting goodbye, most wondering if singer/guitarist/bassist/percussionist Chad Urmston, singer/bassist/guitarist Pete Heimbold (who goes by Pete Francis as a solo artist) and singer/drummer/guitarist Brad Corrigan (Braddigan solo) would ever play together again.
Almost three years to the day later, those fans wishing for a reunion got their wish. But this time the focus wasn’t on the band – it was on the problems occurring in Zimbabwe, a country Urmston worked in during his 20s. There Urmston, who now fronts reggae-punk rockers State Radio, met Elias, a man who would become the focus of one of the band’s most popular songs bearing his namesake. “Dispatch: Zimbabwe” as the concert series was dubbed, was born as a benefit concert, with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards fighting disease, famine and social injustice in Zimbabwe, according to the event’s website.
During Saturday’s show, it was evident Zimbabwe was the focus. Pre-show, MSG’s video screens splashed information about the ongoing problems in Zimbabwe: Poverty is over 90 percent, unemployment is over 85 percent and inflation is at a staggering 1,281.1 percent and rising. It also offered fans a chance to donate money by sending text message donations from their seats.
The show began with an African Children’s Choir dancing and singing native songs, giving way to the first of a series of video vignettes documenting Elais, his family and Zimbabwe’s problems. Corrigan emphasized the importance of the shows beneficiary throughout the evening.
“I think it’s important for you to know that all the footage you’re seeing here tonight was shot in Zimbabwe,” he said. “A handful of us went there about eight weeks ago and spent time with Elias, spent time with his family, spent time with a lot of people on the ground who have a story to tell you. So while you’re here to listen to our music please listen to the message in our film as well, all right. We want you to leave with both. It’s very important to us tonight that this is more than a rock show.”
But it didn’t mean the rock show couldn’t, well, rock. Ripping through 25 songs during the band’s three-hour set, the band hit highlights from its catalogue, as well as a song each from each member’s post-Dispatch careers.
Fittingly, the band opened with the anthemic “Here We Go,” jump-starting the night with Urmston’s almost rap-like singing delivery. The show also featured a number of guests including a four-piece horn section on the rarity “What Do You Wanna Be,” and the Heimbold solo song “Ride A Tear.” The band also brought out a guest drummer and percussionist, allowing Corrigan to flex his guitar muscle from center stage on “Passerby,” “Past The Falls” and “Fallin’.” Zimbabwean band Bongo Love also made an appearance on “Flying Horses,” transforming the song from a fast-paced acoustic guitar driven song to a slower Afro-beat-like song augmented by xylophone.
The most impressive guests, however, were the African Children’s Choir, whose young members added their voices to fan-favorites “Bang Bang” and “Elias.” The group’s addition to the Heimbold sung “Carry You” was an emotional highlight. Heimbold handled the verses, while the choir took over the chorus, emotionally belting out “I will carry you” along with the 20,000-plus fans. It was just one of the many chill-inducing moments of the night.
The band’s most ambitious and unique portion of its show was when – midway through – the band’s former tour van, Wimpy, was driven into the center of MSG. The band climbed up top with acoustic guitars as Corrigan said, “We thought we’d bring it to you in an old school way.” What proceeded was a three-song mini-acoustic set, above the van. While the rarity “Questioned Apocalypse,” seemed slightly off, it was still amazing to see the band performing in its most natural acoustic state – even if it happened to be on top of its van in the middle of MSG.
After closing the show with “Elias” the band re-emerged for an encore of “Cut it/Match it,” a song featuring Urmston and Corrigan rapping over Heimbold’s acoustic guitar. The performance was a fitting example of how much these three guys still enjoy playing together. They were smiling throughout and Urmston and Corrigan even did a slightly synchronized dance while Heimbold laughed. It’s obvious they still like each other and the songs they wrote together – there was never a moment during the show where it looked as if someone wasn’t having fun.
Fittingly the band closed the show as they closed its “final show” three years ago, with “The General” as 20,000-plus voices united as one.
Dispatch: Zimbabwe may have not been about the music, but the band proved they still have what it takes to be a force in the industry. And unlike some other high profile reunions (Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland – that means you) Urmston, Heimbold and Corrigan showed a band can reunite as one for a purpose and a cause – not to fill their own pocketbooks.
Audio of all three of Dispatch’s MSG performances can be downloaded via Snocap at myspace.com/dispatch for $14.99 each or $0.99 a song with all the proceeds going to benefit Zimbabwe. The July 14 show is also video streaming on a constant loop on Myspace until July 20. For more information and to donate please visit dispatchmusic.com/Zimbabwe.
Contact reporter Rudi Greenberg at rudi.greenberg@gmail.com
