Bub & Pop | Episode 3: Anton Milioti (recorded January 7, 2026)

Join music journalist Matt Hoffman at ⁠the Boom Room⁠ in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood for this conversation with ⁠Anton Milioti⁠ about ⁠Crickets and Cicadas⁠, his beloved regional Grateful Dead project, ⁠⁠⁠and his original music, including his forthcoming solo debut, as well as a side project with ⁠Jeff Mann⁠ (⁠Consider the Source⁠) and ⁠Brian Elliot⁠: Elliot, Milioti & Mann.

An audio-first version of this podcast is available here.

Anton Milioti | Instagram | Crickets & Cicadas @ Tonewood Brewing w/Aron Magner

Bub & Pop | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | X | Threads | LinkedIn | Audio-first

Host: ⁠⁠⁠Matt Hoffman⁠⁠⁠ | Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Tedd Kanakaris

TRANSCRIPT (minimally QCed)

00:00:01:08 - 00:00:20:06 Matt Hoffman Hi, I'm Matt Hoffman, and this is the Bub & Pop podcast where we talk about music, careers in music, life, the universe and everything.

00:00:20:08 - 00:00:49:21 Matt Hoffman Hi. This is Matt Hoffman with the Bub & Pop podcast where we talk about music, careers in music, life, the universe and everything, and we touch on all of those categories today with our guest, Anton Milioti. You might know him from his ongoing Grateful Dead covers oriented project Crickets and Cicadas. He's also begun to focus on original music with a trio with Jeff Mann of Consider the Source and Brian Elliott.

00:00:49:23 - 00:01:09:28 Matt Hoffman He talks about the music that inspires him, the path he took to being a full time working musician, and what's in store for him going forward. I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you also will see you grew up in Cherry Hill, right? I did Cherry Hill East or West. The big question across the street from Cherry Hill East.

00:01:10:00 - 00:01:33:17 Anton Milioti So like so yeah. So I went to east, but literally 8 or 9 houses from the front door of that building, which was like awesome and horrible at like the same time because I hated high school. And so like, you know, I would always be like seeing people, like walking through my back yard when high school would get out to like, go smoke weed in the woods, like in the back.

00:01:33:17 - 00:01:50:12 Anton Milioti And I was like, no, like, that's my hang. Like, this has always been my hang. Like, I don't want you people here like you don't invite me to your parties like, you know, but now. But I was literally scared. Did did you study like, did you take music at all in high school? Not at all. I was not a musician in high school.

00:01:50:15 - 00:02:19:01 Anton Milioti I my path to. Well, I mean, I guess kind of I was, but like, not like in the way I would. Describe it. Sure. I you played but you didn't like, play like you do now. Not even really like it's so my villain origin story. Yeah. Yes, I yeah, I took drum lessons when, God, it was probably like 11 or 12.

00:02:19:04 - 00:02:43:27 Anton Milioti Wanted to play the drums. My dad is a musician and was a sound engineer. Oh, at, Alpha in Philly, which was the number two. The Sigma? Yeah, that's just funny. And, but, yeah, they were he was a audio engineer there from like, I want to say like 1978 to like 80, 81, something like that.

00:02:44:00 - 00:03:08:05 Anton Milioti So like big disco stuff. Like, I got, like, a bunch of, like, his LPs back at my house are amazing. And some access to some really incredible, like, Philly funky soul stuff to like in that. Yeah. So he's always, you know, been a big, like, musical presence, like in my house growing up. And so, you know, he didn't really, like, force me trying to play an instrument.

00:03:08:05 - 00:03:33:14 Anton Milioti But, you know, obviously you play a lot of music. So I was like, I want to be a drum, a drummer, I guess, because that's just. Yeah, in my mind it was like hitting stuff, banging on the screen. No. Yeah. And so I took drum lessons and, like, maybe about like a year didn't really pay attention or, like, stick with it because I was just like, you know, 11 and 12 and had like, zero work ethic and didn't want to practice and would just want to play video games.

00:03:33:14 - 00:03:57:21 Anton Milioti But I at least like got a semi foundation of like rhythm and like time kind of then I got a bass for my 13th birthday, which was the same thing. Took like six months worth of lessons, didn't do a damn thing with it, and then put it away. And then, I was like super into skateboarding and was that was like my love.

00:03:57:24 - 00:04:24:15 Anton Milioti And I actually used to, like, travel the country and like, compete and like, do all kinds of. I had my own skateboard company when I was like right out of high school and like built boards and sold them like all over the world and like, so I like skipped college and just like did that and then, had like a ton of injuries in like a year span and like, effectively ended my skateboarding career or at least like making money, like doing it.

00:04:24:15 - 00:04:47:07 Matt Hoffman Yeah. And so, yeah, I didn't really know what to do. And I had, a couple of friends of mine who, still stayed in Cherry Hill who did not go off to school. And, so I started hanging out with them and, they were all musicians and, you know, they were just, like, jam in the basement and stuff, and you know, like, there it all.

00:04:47:10 - 00:05:07:14 Anton Milioti There would often be times where we'd be like, together, like drinking out of, like plastic bottle of vodka or whatever, and cherry brandy or, something or something awful. And, and it would be like, all right, well, like, like he plays bass and like, he plays guitar and like, like you said, you played drums for like, five months.

00:05:07:14 - 00:05:54:04 Anton Milioti Like when you were in, like, sixth grade, right? And I was like, yeah, that's how you know, just like, kind of like he got back into playing like that and then, you know, my dad had like ukuleles and guitars in the house. So I started picking those up and started like learning like rhythm, kind of playing and all of this at the same time, kind of, crossed with my discovery, psychedelics and, the Grateful Dead, which completely just changed my life and made me want to just, like, actually become a musician and, like, learn, and so, yeah, so I started doing that and then, you know, probably about like a year

00:05:54:04 - 00:06:18:07 Anton Milioti or two of kind of bopping around and just, like, playing it like open mics and coffee houses and like learning rhythm parts and stuff. The guy who plays played bass all the time, but started to be like, I don't want to play bass. I want to like he got really into, like, solo folk music and like, wanted to, like, just learn all kinds of crazy Appalachian instruments.

00:06:18:07 - 00:06:46:02 Anton Milioti So they, we had no bass player at the jams. So I was like, well, it's kind of like playing the drums on, like a big guitar. Yeah. So I then started doing that at like 19 when I really got back in earnest into it. And then it just that I felt like I found my footing. Like I was like, oh, this is like what I should be playing or I mean, not full time, but you know, this is what I should be like pursuing as my main instrument.

00:06:46:07 - 00:07:16:29 Matt Hoffman What, what what told you that? What was it about the bass? I, I, I think there's, a lot of power in the bass as far as, I mean, not just like being able to, like, physically, like, feel it, but as far as, like, I don't want to say controlling where the music goes or like, controlling the band or whatever, but it definitely kind of has, like, you know, you gotta like, I have a lot of responsibility.

00:07:16:29 - 00;07:40:06 Anton Milioti It's like, I can be as simple as possible and just, like, slug it out, just real like simple things too, just like its roots. And to just, you know, fill out the low end. But you could also, you know, be percussive with it and like kind of get a like a drums situation or you could get really melodic and crazy with it and get like a guitar, kind of like piano thing.

00:07:40:13 - 00:08:20:09 Anton Milioti Or you could do all of that at once. And also to like, you know, the bass is so integral and like, you know, the tempo and, you know, even more so than the drums, in my opinion. Like, I feel like the bass player has like the power to slow things up or speed things down. Or I guess I flip that around, but you know what I mean?

Yeah. So I don't know when I started, like, jamming out with people because, you know, we have really had no where, like a band or anything. It was more just like, you know, like, oh, like, these are like two chords and we're just going to, like, smoke a bunch of pot and then just like, kind of like just hang out and like, do this.

00:08:20:15 - 00:08:45:10 Anton Milioti So it kind of like, let me figure out where the bass fits in, both where it's supposed to fit, and then kind of where maybe it's not supposed to fit by, like the book, you know. So I felt like that, like the freedom of really getting to experiment with it before I ever played a show with the bass.

00:08:45:12 - 00:09:12:09 Matt Hoffman Yeah. I think that was like, really, like, important, just being able to have fun and, like, have the freedom to just sound terrible and make, like, all the mistakes. And, yeah, that was integral. Well, that's I mean, that's also the cool thing about the bass, like you said, right? It's the difference between like, whether the triad the guitar player is doing is like, you know, you play the root of that, or you can play something totally different and turn it into like a wacky, weird.

00:09:12:13 - 00:09:49:00 Anton Milioti Yeah, yeah. No, totally. Yeah. There's there's so much just freedom. And also being like, I love the balance of like, you can be like the dude in the back also. Or like, you can be the dude in the front. And if you're the dude in the front, everyone really takes notice that you're the dude in the front. So it's I don't know, I just feel like it's the most, like, versatile instrument and also too, like, it's just I feel like I've had a just a strange connection with just like, bass melody all my whole life.

00:09:49:00 - 00:10:11:02 Anton Milioti Like my parents told me, like a couple of years ago after I started doing this, like, way more and playing like thousands of gigs, like on bass now. And, and they're like, yeah, you know, you used to like, run around the house when you were really little and, you know, because like Nightmare Before Christmas had come out and like that was like my favorite thing when I was like a toddler.

00:10:11:06 - 00:10:41:17 Anton Milioti And there was, again, you would, like, run around the house and like, hum the melodies of it, but never like the vocal or like what you would think would be the main melody would always be like the bass or like the cello melody from like the orchestral like arrangements and stuff. And I'm like, that's interesting. That's really. And so yeah, like, I feel like I've just always had a weird connection to low end frequency and, just the way that moves because I mean, dude, I'm like the worst guitar player on earth.

00:10:41:17 - 00:10:56:26 Anton Milioti If I pick up a guitar, it just sounds like me playing bass on an instrument that is not the bass. Kind of like when I pick up a bass. Yeah, I'm a guitar player. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I mean, I hear that I, I feel like it's easier for guitar players to go and do the bass thing. Yeah. But like for.

00:10:56:27 - 00:11:29:11 Anton Milioti Yeah, for me, I'm just like, well, it's like for strings. It's like where I draw the line, dude. Well, so. So what was it about the dead that really turned you on? Well, some I loved classic rock and, like, psychedelic rock going up and prog rock. And the Grateful Dead even. But not to the extent that I started, like, deep diving, you know, like my dad had a whole wall of CDs on, like, a bookshelf.

00:11:29:11 - 00:12:04:11 Anton Milioti And, you know, there was like American Beauty in there and like, Terrapin Station in there. And, skeletons in the closet, like, they' old, like greatest hits, like. Yeah, yeah, that was like the first one that I listened to, but I. But like, those three, and Mars Hotel, he had, but, so like those 3 or 4, you know, like I listened to them, you know, when I first started, like, getting really into, like, classic rock music when I was like 12 or 13, when I was like, this is like with, like my, like, collection of, like, Zeppelin CDs and my, like, AcDc CD's and what have you, you know, so that kind

00:12:04:11 - 00:12:33:19 Anton Milioti of like never really left the lexicon of just like, oh, this is like the Casey Jones band, you know, like, you know, like, oh, like I've heard like Pierre Ribery play this, you know like very it was like very much in that ethos for me. Not that I didn't love it. But and yeah, then my friend Zach, when I was at his house was like, I was like, hey, if you ever, tried this crazy substance that that I was like, no, I haven't.

00:12:33:19 - 00:12:58:25 Anton Milioti And I was like, well, here you go. And it's like, well, have you ever listened to Live Dead? And I was like, no, that's like their album from like 1969 with the pink cover. And, I really just totally rearranged my thought of what, like rock music is. I guess my dad's like a big jazz guy, and, like, I grew up hearing jazz all the time.

00:12:58:25 - 00:13:07:04 Anton Milioti And so I've, like, heard, like, lots of, like, improvisational music. But, you know, this is like.

00:13:07:07 - 00:13:34:24 Anton Milioti It, like, was kind of jazzy, but it, like, really wasn't still like, it just like, sounded like six dudes on acid, like losing their minds and just like, you know, like, just like complete just bursts of energy and like. And because it's like a live record, too. And there's this, like, almost extra member of the band that's like just the whole vibe of, like, the crowd and the audience.

00:13:34:27 - 00:14:27;22 Anton Milioti And it, is like a time machine, like just being like, oh, like I could just see, like, rainbow painted school busses and like, you know, like very like this is like quintessential, like San Francisco. Boom. Like, you know, but I'd never heard, music that was rock and like that, that took just crazy improvisational leaps. Like, especially, on that record, there's, like, the stretch from Saint Stephen through the 11 into Turn on Your Love light, which is like just I, I could, like, recite every note from that, probably off the off the cuff, but that, like, yeah, I'd never heard anything like that and that specifically listening to that like had

00:14:27:22 - 00:14:53:05 Anton Milioti me be like, okay. Like I'm going to like start learning like how this works and like where notes are, like kind of. And, you know, that got me really, really, really, just down the music rabbit hole for sure. So was it for you dead into Phish somewhere on the way. Okay, yeah. So I, Yeah.

00:14:53:07 - 00:15:15:15 Anton Milioti My my my journey to fish is funny, too. I like, I, again, when I first was taking, like, drum lessons and stuff when I was in middle school, I was when Guitar Hero was hot shit. Yeah. And I got Guitar Hero too, I think. And they had, Jessica from the Allman Brothers was on there, and that was the first Allman Brothers thing I'd ever heard.

00;15:15:17 - 00:15:34:23 Anton Milioti And I was like, whoa. Like, I love, like, the sound of this. And that was like, also right when Pandora Radio came out. So my dad, like, is an it guy also. So he showed me Pandora and I was like, oh, it put him like Jessica above the Allman Brothers, like radio or whatever. And Guyot by Phish was the very first thing that came up.

00:15:34:27 - 00:16:03:27 Anton Milioti And that was the first Phish song I ever heard and didn't know if I hated it or really liked it at first, but I was like, I do. I was like, this guy shreds on guitar and the drummer's out of his mind. And I was like, I. So I really, really like this. Fast forward to, like, when I'm 21 and I got a job at a liquor store and the manager, like I he's like, criteria for hiring me was like, yeah, what music do you like?

00:16:04:03 - 00:16:17:18 Anton Milioti It's just because he just wanted to like put on shitty like to the store and not have someone complain. I was like, I mean, like, I don't know, man. Like, I love, like, the dad and like the Allman Brothers and shit. He's like, oh, sick. It's like you like Phish. I was like, not really. I mean, I don't know.

00:16:17:18 - 00:16:42:22 Anton Milioti And it's like, so what? You will? And, Yeah. Big time. Yes. Kansas Genesis King Crimson guy. So, like, you know, when I heard, like, you enjoy myself and Harry hood and things like that, I was like, okay, this band is not like the dad at all. Like, really? The really? Not really. The only similarity is, oh.

00:16:42:23 - 00:17:03:10 Anton Milioti Because I also like, heard that so much like going to like dead shows and stuff when I like first got into it and people were like fish or like whatever, you know, but I was like, they're nothing like them other than the fact that, like, both of them improvise and both of them just have, like a legion of works that follow them around.

00:17:03:13 - 00:17:25:13 Anton Milioti But other than that, I'd say that's like pretty much where it ends. So, yeah, I was like, this is incredible. And then he took me to my very first show in 2013 at Madison Square Garden. And that was my second life changing musical experience. Was it the New Year's run? It was. 12:30:13.

00:17:25:15 - 00:17:43:13 Anton Milioti I, I have seldom missed a 12:30 since. I always go back. I was just up there, as was as was my friend and Gary. Nice, nice was a fun one. But. Yeah. So, like, I sat behind stage two, like, right by Fishman and as did ten. Nice. You guys are probably right next to each other.

00:17:43:13 - 00:18:09:01 Anton Milioti Nice. But, yeah, that, like, that show had me just. And especially because I was sitting behind the stage like, you know, it's completely dark in there. And except any time like, Corona would, like, shine the lights like, up, like, over the crowd, and then all of a sudden you just see, like, 18,000 people just freaking. And then it just, like, goes, like, completely dark again.

00:18:09:01 - 00:18:40:09 Anton Milioti I was like, this is so nuts. And I had never been to, I mean, I'd seen the dead, like, fall further like a bunch, and I'd seen them in arenas, and not that that wasn't amazing, but like, just the, Trey just has, like, a, like, a captive ness over people that I feel like he gets like like everyone in there was so zoned in on, like, what was happening, and it was just such a crazy thing to experience, like, for the first time.

00:18:40:11 - 00:19:00:28 Anton Milioti And, I mean, they just sounded incredible, too. And, and, you know, they it was like a real textbook, like, great Phish show where it's like we're going to play like a ton of hard stuff. We're going to play like a ton of goofy, like, tongue in cheek stuff, like we're going to, like, hit you with a bunch of, like, funky, crunchy stuff, you know, so it was just like, such an amazing experience.

00:19:00:28 - 00:19:21:16 Anton Milioti And that was the moment where I was like, I want to play music for a living. Was seeing them do that because I know my Frank Zappa is my guy, too. And like, I just I was like, this is like Frank Zappa music. And there's 18,000 people here paying $100 a ticket to, like, go see this.

00:19:21:23 - 00:19:52:17 Anton Milioti And there's like another, like 5000 people outside, like trying to get in. Yeah. I was like, this makes no sense to me at all, but I like I got to figure out, like what this like recipe is, you know, even though, like, I was I mean, granted, like, I mean, that is a whole other realm, but like, I was like, dude, if I could just earn a living just making music that I really want to make, that is like so crazy to me.

00:19:52:17 - 00:20:18:03 Anton Milioti And I never that never even like was I thought until I saw them. Oh, wild. Yeah. And so what was your, And I want to get to where you're at for sure, but what was your first kind of foray into call it professional musicianship? So I, pretty much didn't really do much after I saw them initially as I was in like a bunch.

00:20:18:03 - 00:20:36:22 Anton Milioti I was in like a couple of, like, you know, bands we'd play like college parties at, like Row in or like T.C. and J or whatever. And, you know, we'd always sound like shoes in a dryer or something. So like, you know, people would just hate it. And we're just like, run out. Yeah. We would just, like, be like, all right, we're going to like, get a band.

00:20:36:22 - 00:20:51:07 Anton Milioti We're going to have like, three drummers, and we're just gonna, like, play the other one for like 45 minutes at this, like, party where, like, they just want to hear, like, whoop, there it is. And like, they're gonna fucking love it, man. Like, you know, they don't even know, like, afterwards, I'm like, these people don't know shit, man.

00:20:51:07 - 00:21:37:21 Anton Milioti Like fucking assholes. Yeah. But anyway, so I was doing a lot of that, but after like this. So I was kind of like, oh, I'm going to really, really take time to practice. And I spent pretty much, the next 18 months or so just playing like, maybe 6 or 8 hours a day. Just in my, I lived I was living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the time, and I was like, just sitting in my apartment, just to learn and stuff, just putting on, like, YouTube videos of, like, live concerts, just like playing along the way, just trying to get my ear good and like, and that time was so important

00:21:37:24 - 00:21:59:14 Anton Milioti for me to, like, get together what I was, my, my musical footing because I also, like, didn't really know, like, I didn't really have many, like, connections, like in Lancaster, like for, like, music. So I was like, well, I'm going to spend this time to really, really, like, hone my craft. And then I moved back to new Jersey.

00:21:59:16 - 00:22:28:20 Anton Milioti And the day I, the week I moved back, got a U-Haul, moved everything into my house and my new house in Blackwood. And then, got in my friend's car. We went up to the Stone pony to go see Mo, because Mo is one of my favorite bands. And, when we were on the way up there, they were like, hey, you know, there's like a local band that's like opening for them.

00:22:28:22 - 00:22:47:13 Anton Milioti They're called suburban Cincy. And I was like, no, I don't know. I don't know who that is. And so we get to the show and like, I caught like the very, like tail end of their set. So it was like them and then like talk then Mo and yeah, just like the tail end of their set.

00:22:47:13 - 00:23:12:18 Anton Milioti I didn't really think anything of it. I got to hang out with them, just like in the pit of the stone pony. And we just like, talked like music and a little bit. And, then I was on a music festival at Paradise Lakes in Hammonton that they were also on. I was filling in on rhythm guitar with a bluegrass band, which I'm not qualified to do in the slightest, but I did it, and it's out there if you want to listen to it.

00:23:12:18 - 00:23:36:08 Anton Milioti I'm sure it's bad. I've not brought myself to that. But after that set, you know, like, I was talking with, with a couple of the guys in the band, and they were kind of, sort of airing some grievances out about, like, some dynamics in their band and stuff at about, like, and, and I kind of was like, well, you know, like, I don't even play guitar.

00:23:36:08 - 00:23:57:23 Anton Milioti I'm a bass player, man. Like, this is a bunch of bullshit. But I don't even like this isn't even my job, man. And then a week later, they called me and were like, do you want to be in this band? And I was just, you know, it's like they're like. They were like a reggae rock band. And I love reggae and like dub and so love a ton of stuff like sublime and 311.

00:23:57:25 - 00:24:18:12 Anton Milioti We've got to do some really cool stuff, like open for 311 and we like. Yeah, played it like Festival Pier before it closed. And which was a crazy day, but yeah, but yeah. So we got to like, play with like a ton of, like amazing, like reggae legends like them and the Wailers and, the Yellow Man and, like, the, cash list goes on.

00:24:18:14 - 00:24:45:26 Anton Milioti I'm sure if I sat down and really wrote it out. But, you know, we like that was my first experience. Like being in a band where you, like, sleep on floors and couches and like a shitty bus, like. Yeah, like we bought, like a, a bus, like, from an old folks home in Medford and, but it was like a shuttle vehicle where they used to like, you know, take the people around to, like, other sides of the old folks home.

00:24:45:26 - 00:25:06:03 Anton Milioti And someone died in it. So no one that lived there would go on the bus anymore. So they sold it. So we got it for a great deal, even though when you wanted. Yeah. Did you know that? Okay, I was I did, but I didn't care. I was like, but it had like, it had like a, like the handicapped, like, lift gate, like on the back.

00:25:06:03 - 00:25:22:15 Anton Milioti So we would just wheel all the gear and, like, press a button and it would just like, lift like a ton of, like amp stacks in there and shit. Like, it was great. Yeah. It is riding in a field somewhere right now, I'm sure. Yeah, unfortunately. So, Kenny, if you're watching this, we need to get the van fixed.

00:25:22:18 - 00:25:32:06 Matt Hoffman So, so how long did you play with those guys? And kind of. Where'd you go from there? Probably about, like 2015 to.

00:25:32:08 - 00:26:09:10 Anton Milioti I guess 2023. So pretty recently, you know, we were doing a lot of stuff hitting it really, really, really hard when I first joined the band. And then, you know, Covid happened and, that really just, like, took the wind out from our sales, and, you know, and it's, you know, people get older and like, you know, some people wanted to go and like, pursue like the careers that they were like on the path to pursue, which is absolutely fine.

00:26:09:10 - 00:26:28:09 Anton Milioti And I support that. But it just like wasn't the same with us. Like being like, oh, like where where are we going to like, hire like half of a new band and like, so I think we kind of like, saw the writing on the wall a little bit and like, you know, we did like a handful of things post Covid, but it would be like, you know, we would do like a show like a year maybe.

00:26:28:09 - 00:26:48:08 Anton Milioti So it kind of like fizzled out a little bit, unfortunately. But, Steve, the, keyboard player from that band, is the rhythm guitar player in, crickets and cicadas. So he's still with me. Oh, that's super cool. Yeah. So he so he he's. Yeah. Him and I are him and I are are still, still doing our thing.

00:26:48:10 - 00:27:21:21 Matt Hoffman Did you form crickets right after, since, you know, so we, I actually worked at Stonewood Brewing in Jersey for many, many years. That was my day job. And, I back to the Grateful Dead. I love that music so much, but I was getting really tired of us doing dead covers in, like, our original projects, because I feel like it was like, people would, like, just be like, what are you going to play like Shakedown Street?

00:27:21:22 - 00:27:48:19 Anton Milioti I'm like, no, like, listen to my other stuff. So I was like, all right, well, we gotta have a separate thing for like, grateful Dead music. And like, if you like Grateful Dead stuff, you can come see this and, like, don't expect it here. And, you know, also to up like, not to sound like I'm ultra capitalist, but like, but you know, the Grateful Dead is a great marketing, thing and it's always in demand.

00:27:48:26 - 00:28:23:28 Anton Milioti And it was mainly my idea of being like, oh, this is a great idea for me to maybe get like, a weeknight gig because they're hard to get. And so I was at I was at the time, no drums, just three acoustic guitars and me on bass, and and the whole concept was that we were going to be drummers acoustic so we could fit into like the tiniest breweries, like the tiniest rooms, like restaurants, like basically making it sound like no one could say no to us, you know, being like, they're like, no, we don't have bands.

00:28:23:29 - 00:28:50:28 Anton Milioti I'm like, no, I don't understand. Like, yeah, like we could make it work. Like, please. So we started like that and that was in 2020. And, and we did. Two shows and then the world shut down. Yeah. Then. So like, I was like, that was right there with it again. And then, you know, that whole thing laid dormant for like two years and then,

00:28:51:01 - 00:29:13:02 Anton Milioti Fast forward to 2022 when Phish was at, Atlantic City. Eli, the owner of Tone Wood, called me and was like, hey, there's a brewery in Atlantic City that's like, wants to have some sort of like pre event thing. And they're like looking for like a new hybrid band. Would you go, would you want to like do that thing that you did here like a couple of years ago now it's like okay.

00:29:13:03 - 00:29:27:10 Anton Milioti Like didn't really like think anything about it. And then just like called like a few of like a couple of the guys that did it with me, like before and like some new people and added like percussion this time and like, kind of like change it up. And we played and had like a great time and I was like, oh, this is really fun.

00:29:27:10 - 00:29:49:04 Anton Milioti You know, like we should like, do some more of this. And then went back to Tone Wood and was like, we should try to figure out like a one day a week or, well, excuse me, one day a month residency. So we settled on doing like first Thursdays of every single month. Totally. That was the only thing I even was like, had planned.

00:29:49:04 - 00:30:12:20 Anton Milioti It was like, all right, we'll do like this dead show once a month just to, like, make some money on a Thursday. And we did it. And the right off the bat from the first one we did there, it just I was so shocked at the reception. And right from like that first gig, I had maybe like 4 or 5 people who just owned other breweries.

00:30:12:20 - 00:30:26:29 Anton Milioti So we're just like, they're drinking. We're like, hey, would you play my spot? And like, hey, me like their business card? And like, sure. And then just like, became this thing and then like in our first year, we played like 90 shows and like or like or I guess like our first year of like us, like in earnest.

00:30:26:29 - 00:31:03:25 Anton Milioti Really. Like. But, you know, I really didn't like it all kind of just fell into place. I didn't really I mean, once the ball was rolling, I obviously was pursuing, you know, us to grow and things like that. But it really happened in like a organic way, like real word of mouth. And then once we really started taking off, as far as being busy, I feel like that's where it started to really click with me, where I was like, oh, we can like, actually be like super creative in this project.

00:31:03:25 - 00:31:36:08 Anton Milioti And it doesn't have to be like us just going out and shutting up and playing the hits. And, it could run the whole game, or you could play one song if we want, you know, which we've done, much to people's chagrin. We've done that. But, yeah. So, like, it started taking on, like, a life of its own of us really abandoning ideas of, like, what the.

00:31:36:09 - 00:31:58:01 Anton Milioti I mean, obviously, if, like, we play the song, the composed parts, how they're supposed to be played and how they're been written and stuff. But, you know, we'll throw jam sections or improvisational parts into parts that weren't there in other times, like the dead play, the more stuff. Yeah. Like, you know, we'll throw we'll throw. I'll give you an example.

00:31:58:03 - 00:32:20:13 Anton Milioti Like we'll do like Loose Lucy or something. And like in between, like every single verse will like, throw like an enormous jam that's kind of like modulate and like change keys change tempo, tempos change genre. Because, I mean, Phish hipped me to that thing where it's like my favorite part of going to the show is just forgetting what is happening.

00:32:20:13 - 00:32:40:22 Anton Milioti And then like, it's just like a whip cracking, you're just like, back into it and you're like, oh, is this still on, boy? Yeah. You know, I was there that night. Wow. I was there that night. I was at the halls night. Nice. Yeah. Me and, all of suburban sense. He went to the jam filled show, and it's the only time I've ever taken mushrooms at, a fish concert.

00:32:40:22 - 00:32:58:06 Matt Hoffman Also good experience. Bad experience. Both. Okay. Sounds about right. I think it would have been better if, because it was more like, I was like, the whole time I was just like, this is sick. But damn, I wish this was outside. Like, I was just like, I was just, like, feeling like I was just like.

00:32:58:07 - 00:33:20:13 Anton Milioti I feel the Penn Station all over me, you know, like, just, But that show was so incredible. I remember, like, being on the train going up there and the drummer in my band, like, looking at his phone and being like, when they announced, like, what it was. And like, everyone on the or everyone on the NJ transit simultaneously just being like like, yeah, that was that was a fun night.

00:33:20:15 - 00:33:52:20 Matt Hoffman Now, how static is the membership of crickets and cicadas? Because I know you have a lot of guests sitting with you, so we, it's kind of like a rotating thing. It's definitely me 100% of the time. So it's like, kind of become a, like, fill in friends sort of situation. But, in the new year, I'm actually trying to like and it's mainly just because we're so busy and I just like, you know, for the last like couple of years, I was just like, okay, tick, tick, tick.

00:33:52:21 - 00:34:29:17 Anton Milioti Gigs, take gigs, take gigs, and, you know, the other guys, you know, they have other stuff going on. You know, they're all in like other bands like Jake, our guitar player is in like a ton of stuff and is like super in demand. All the time because it's incredible. So, you know, I have a I have a great list of guys that like, I rotate through and that has been such a one of my favorite things about this, honestly, is that, I mean, I couldn't even tell maybe 20 different guitar players we've had play with us at this point, and they've all been excellent.

00:34:29:22 - 00:34:59:29 Anton Milioti Like I've, I really could not and I'm not and I'm not because I would badmouth you on camera if I really wanted to, but I, if I were to play with you, you would be like, yeah, there's just one bad guitar player. No, no, they've all they've all been so good. And like I and all just bring really unique things to the table and especially like the dudes who I get in there who do not know D&D stuff at all, but they're just like gnarly fusion guitarists or something.

00:34:59:29 - 00:35:23:15 Anton Milioti Like, it's just so fun to like, just watch them just go wild. But yeah, but so but I'm trying to kind of, reel it in a little bit where it's like the core four of us, as how I call it, which is me. And then, Jim Burkhart, who's our drummer, who plays, I'd probably say about 95% of all the shows.

00:35:23:15 - 00:35:48:02 Anton Milioti So he's like, definitely there for pretty much all of them. Yeah. Jim is my rhythmic counterpart. I've been in tons and tons of bands with him over the years, and yeah, and he's been so incredible in this project, and he was the only guy who was not a Deadhead before joining. And so he learned 450 songs. And.

00:35:48:05 - 00:36:08:10 Matt Hoffman Yeah. Literally. And like totally respects how it was done and brings his own flavor to it at the same time. And like, I just yeah, I can't say enough good things about him. He's really great. It's wild. I mean, I've had this conversation with Scott Metzger. He's like, I wasn't a dead fan. Yeah. I mean, he's like, nothing against him.

00:36:08:17 - 00:36:29:08 Anton Milioti He was a jazz guy. So like, I can so hear that in his playing too, because there's like such like, he's honestly one of my favorite dudes playing that music right now. Probably my favorite lead guitar. Besides, like, Steve Kimock, he's probably like my favorite, like, lead guitarist doing dead music. Why is that? Because it's like what he's like.

00:36:29:08 - 00:36:52:03 Anton Milioti He's just got this, like, it does have this, like 50s jazz guitar kind of energy because I mean, I'm like, look, I can't I'm in a Grateful Dead cover band, so I can't really say, don't be a copycat. But like, you know, there's like some guitar players really lean in to the Jerry thing, and there's nothing wrong with that at all.

00:36:52:03 - 00:37:11:11 Anton Milioti And I love that sound. Obviously, I that's so iconic and it's integral to the sound to have some of that. But I the guys who are my favorite are the ones who really take like their own spin while still honoring that which I feel like Scotty is like incredible at that. Yeah, I mean, J rad was like, for sure.

00:37:11:14 - 00:37:43:10 Anton Milioti The ethos of our band was like, when we started or when I, when I really got serious with it, when I was like, dude, like, these guys were just like, they're like the ultimate head scratcher. Like, just like what is happening, you know? So I, we they've been a humongous inspiration on just approach, and just like, willingness to be yourself even though you are a cover band, but you're like, but it's like you are and you're not.

00:37:43:10 - 00:38:09:18 Matt Hoffman Yeah. I mean, arguably they're doing some of the most original stuff in the scene, and they didn't write any of the songs, but they're composing on the spot, right? I, I, you know, I, I've had this conversation with people too, where I was like, dude, I think they, their improvizations are the most I don't want to say like intellectual, but like, they're like like they so many jam bands.

00:38:09:18 - 00:38:31:24 Anton Milioti I feel like fall into a trap of being like, we're a jam band. And I'm like, well, you did play a song for a half hour, but I don't know if that makes you a jam band. You know? It's like you didn't really go many places. You know, like like they can just. I mean, and Joe is just like.

00:38:31:26 - 00:38:52:11 Anton Milioti I mean, he's like my fan. It's just one of the most he's one of the most, just like advanced rock drummers I've ever seen. And but their ability to just, like, take left turns on a whim and I get out of some of my favorite things that they do is like, you know, they'll be like building this like insane, like frenzy.

00:38:52:11 - 00:39:19:01 Anton Milioti And then it's like someone just, like, pulled the plug on the P.A. and then all of a sudden it's just like you're in a jazz club and it's like, very like, whoa, like what happened there? They they their dynamic is so incredible. And like, I, you know, I say that to people all the time. Like, I was like, I was like, dude, like, I think they, like, do a more interesting job at jamming than, like, fish or, you know, and I hate to say it, but, you know, sorry, Trey.

00:39:19:03 - 00:39:40:24 Matt Hoffman But like, well, it's like, I mean, so, who was it? Friend of mine, Kevin Calabro runs a record label called, Royal Potato Family. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Awesome guy. And we were having this conversation, and he's like, it's it's sort of like the New American Songbook in a lot of ways. Like, it's like the real book.

00:39:40:24 - 00:39:57:15 Anton Milioti Yeah, exactly. Well, because like, I was just saying that on Monday. Oh, yeah, I went to, I went to a gig that was just like an open Grateful Dead jam. So it was like, you know, people just like, write it on a sign up sheet and then like, come up and like, you know, like if I, if there's a bass player, like, I walk off.

00:39:57:15 - 00:40:15:14 Anton Milioti If there's not, I get up. And that totally had me be like, this is like a jazz hang, kind of like real book scenario where people just like, get up and it's like, oh, you know, like this one, like one, two, three. Like, you know, it's like there's it's it was it really like dawned on me then I was like, man.

00:40:15:14 - 00:40:50:06 Anton Milioti Like that's that's like a beautiful thing, like it's it's, like it just resonates and ripples through so many different generations, so many different types of music lovers. Yeah. Yeah. I just don't think that's, like, ever going to go away. Even when, like, all those guys are, aren't with us anymore. Like, you know, like, I mean, half of them aren't, you know, so like, I and it's still like, absolutely just I don't see an end in sight with that phenomenon.

00:40:50:08 - 00:41:13:29 Matt Hoffman I agree, and I mean, well, I'm, I have a thought, but, what, like, what is your dad think of the dead? Oh. He's awesome. Okay, so it's, Yeah, he's big, big, big time. Okay. I mean, like, Jerry's his guy, okay. And like, I, but, I definitely me getting into music through the Grateful Dead in a major way.

00:41:14:01 - 00:41:35:06 Anton Milioti I kind of, like, brought him into that fold, and, like, I got to take him to a bunch of shows and, like, Yeah, we went to, like, see Dead in company a bunch together, and, like, those were, like, really, like, sweet moments. And I've taken him to fish, which they've thoroughly blown his mind also, and he's seen some pretty amazing concerts.

00:41:35:06 - 00:41:56:24 Anton Milioti He was like, at, like, the wall at Nassau Coliseum in, like, 1980 and like, like, you know, all kinds of like. Yeah, the like the sold out, yes. Show at RFK Stadium where, like, Peter Frampton was the opening act, where they, like, recorded Frampton Comes Alive! Or it was like it was it becomes a it was like when he was like hot, like starting to like, record that on that tour.

00:41:56:24 - 00:42:18:25 Anton Milioti Wow. So like, yeah, like a bunch of, like, really crazy shit, but like, but that I remember, like, the first fish I took him to at the garden. He was like, This is like some because. Yeah, the reason I ask is like, like somebody might go to see a jazz band, right? And they could play all jazz standards and like, you know, say Autumn leaves like it had lyrics.

00:42:18:25 - 00:42:39:10 Matt Hoffman It was a pop song, you know, 80 years ago or something. Like the thing I think is unique about the dead is that they were writing the music, but they also were writing it with an eye towards Improvization kind of knowing they were going to really like, stretch it out for sure. And like, you know, like Rodgers and Hammerstein weren't necessarily thinking that.

00:42:39:11 - 00:43:06:09 Anton Milioti At least I don think so. No. And I've read, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann as autobiographies, and they've said a lot where like, they kind of just like became like a jam band, like out of necessity because they were like, I mean, expectations from club owners on musicians back in like the mid 60s was absolutely insane.

00:43:06:09 - 00:43:30:07 Anton Milioti Like they would just be like, all right, like you could play like seven hours, right? And like, they're like, okay, like, yeah, you're going to do like five sets and like you'll play here from like 7 p.m. till like 5 a.m. when we close and then, yeah. Like, so they, you know, they, I think they didn't want to like, repeat playing so many of the same songs in the same night all the time because it was like running out of shit to play.

00:43:30:11 - 00:43:47:01 Anton Milioti So that was when like, all of the, like, open ended stuff started because they were like, we're just trying to, like, kill time at this, like strip club we're playing at for like six hours. Like, it's just so funny. Yeah. That's where the Beatles got their 10,000 hours. Oh, yeah. Exactly. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Hitting all the German clubs and stuff.

00:43:47:03 - 00:43:50:17 Matt Hoffman Yeah, yeah.

00:43:50:20 - 00:44:22:00 Matt Hoffman Well, so, besides crickets, I, I think I saw a post of yours on social media recently that you want to start kind of leaning back into original stuff. Tell me about that. So I, I love doing all the Grateful Dead stuff, but it's definitely like I was like, man, I really miss making original music. And I've kind of like, kind of like just blinked my eye and we just did like 350 gigs of this in like the course of, like two and a half, three years.

00:44:22:02 - 00:44:45:25 Anton Milioti And so like, I was like, well, like I didn't realize, like how much of my time is going towards this and not then I love it, but I really was like having some, some realizations in a and maybe the last six months being like, man, I got to like put a bunch of like recorded music out, like just, and just to have just a first for me.

00:44:45:27 - 00:45:13:25 Anton Milioti Yeah. You know, it's not even like, I don't care if it like, no one listens to it or like, whatever, but it's like I gotta look at sometimes, you know, doing this five days a week, it's like it feels like a, like a real job. And I, you know, sometimes I get that feeling where, like, I'll like, I'll come home or like, you know, I'll have a day off and I'll be like, you pick up your bass, you should write like you should record.

00:45:13:25 - 00:45:37:00 Anton Milioti And then I'm just like, I'm gonna watch Netflix. Like, let's do it. Like, so, so I'm trying to break that, by, you know, getting back into, like, a routine of doing some more original stuff. So I have a handful of projects that are getting recorded and released this year. Also, I'm on my King Gizzard tip. I'm putting out like three albums this year.

00:45:37:00 - 00:46:20:23 Matt Hoffman Are you doing like a metal album? And, no, they're all kind of like in the same vein. But so, first of all, I am releasing my first studio EP under my own name. Anton Milioti. And that's going to be like my the my favorite kind of music to play is like New Orleans style funk slash like weird, like organ trio music, like very like Medeski, Martin Wood, John Scofield, kind of stuff like that stuff is just like, I could listen to that and play that kind of stuff all day and never get bored.

00:46:20:26 - 00:46:40:13 Anton Milioti Colman's dungeon crawl from last night first set was like all that you would've loved it also because their band, the. Because I know they had Rob with them last night, but yeah, the three piece, it's like the organ trio, like. Yeah, I've seen them a few times and it's very much that Medeski Martin Wood like energy.

00:46:40:15 - 00:47:06:13 Anton Milioti Yeah. I love all that kind of music, but. So it's going to be very much in that vein, you know, all instrumental. Instrumental. But also with a little bit of like, some weird, like, wonky, kind of like hip hop flare, like some, like, J Dilla type stuff because, J Dilla is probably like my favorite musician to have ever lived and like, I love.

00:47:06:13 - 00:47:28:12 Anton Milioti And so I his whole. Just feel and like it's always been like something I've wanted to really like, embrace, like in my own music. So like what? Kind of like mixing, like a little bit of like, you know, and I obviously can't shake the jam energy no matter how hard I try. So there's got to be like some of that in there too.

00:47:28:17 - 00:47:59:13 Anton Milioti But like definitely like big emphasis on, like funky New Orleans jazz stuff meets like weird like drunken sounding like J Dilla. Madlib beats like very like very much in that realm. Mainly, mainly groove. It's like the ultimate like emphasis. It's just like that is like always like my thing with my original music is it's like, is it groovin?

00:47:59:16 - 00:48:19:24 Matt Hoffman That's like the only thing I care about. Like, are them drums and bass hot, like, you know, like, I like, I want it to be just bam, like bumpin. You know, you're also in a trio with Jeff Mann, right? Yeah. So the three of us are doing an EP this year also. And so it's me, Jeff man, who's the drummer from Consider the Source.

00:48:19:26 - 00:48:43:14 Matt Hoffman It's going to be my next guest. Oh, awesome. Jeff, Jeff's a great dude for people. Yeah. So, Jeff, I it's funny, I like, when I lived in Lancaster, my roommate out there, I had seen Consider the Source before. Like, because they played it my they played in Zach Lopresti backyard at the first Beard Fest, or maybe like the second Beard Festival.

00:48:43:19 - 00:49:06:11 Anton Milioti And like, I remember seeing them there for the first time being like, what the fuck is this? And, breaks your brain. Yeah, it's just absolutely gnarly. I love those guys. They're great. But then I you know, when I was living in Lancaster, they were like my roommate's favorite band, so I would go see them all the time when they would play the clubs up there, like the Chameleon Club and like, tell us 360 and like all those other spots.

00:49:06:14 - 00:49:25:01 Anton Milioti So I've always, you know, I've really like been seeing that band like for a while and then, and then I found out that Jeff lives, like ten minutes from me. So I like, so I kind of just, like, hit him up. I was like, yeah, we gotta go, like, jam. And we've been jamming ever since, and like, yeah, he and he is.

00:49:25:01 - 00:50:11:12 Anton Milioti And he's like, obviously an incredible drummer and really has just such an awesome concept and ability of just like doing, like polyrhythmic things and like subdivisions and stuff. Like he just is. Yeah, yeah. His drumming has me shook for sure. It and and then we have, my buddy Brian Elliott, who's a guitar player in the, like the Philly burbs area, really, really slick, like funky blues, kind of like style of playing, like, it's got like a like a, like a nice mix between, like a John Mayer kind of like style and, and like a Scofield, like.

00:50:11:12 - 00:50:47:19 Anton Milioti So he kind of like bridges. Like the gap between like that, like it's really, really tasteful. It's got an incredible voice to, like, really solid voice. Like, very much like a, like Robert Palmer. Kind of like energy. But. Yeah. So, we're getting together and been writing and practicing at my house, and, yeah. And that's going to be another type of thing, that's going to be a little more leaning into like the MMW sphere and like, less like the hip hoppy sphere.

00:50;47;19 - 00:51:07:24 Matt Hoffman Sure. That's going to be like real, like jazzy kind of stuff. Yeah. And the jury's out on if they're singing or not on that, so. Well, so we'll say. But that's right. I think it's, for sure going to be like mostly instrumental. But I mean, Brian is in pardon me. It's like it'd be kind of a crime to not like, have him sing some shit because, well, it's the same thing with MMW.

00:51:07:24 - 00:51:30:05 Matt Hoffman Like, I listened to him for 20 years and then the Wood Brothers come out. It's like, fuck, that guy has a beautiful voice for sure. Yeah, totally. I now I, you know, it's I have yet to see the wood brothers like they're they're on my list. I mean, Chris Wood's like, totally one of my absolute favorites. Yeah he did also, I saw them I saw the Wood Brothers, I think last summer or the summer before.

00:51:30:08 - 00:51:49:21 Matt Hoffman At, Applewood Farms. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And reviewed that for JamBase, which like reviewing the shows, it's like, I'm not in the moment in the way that I am when I'm not. But like, it gets me paying attention in a different way. But Chris Wood did one of the best things I've ever seen a bass player do.

00:51:49:23 - 00:52:08:16 Matt Hoffman It was a show at tonic in, like I was in law school, so it must have been like 2004, 2005. Because I lived in New York and, like, he's just playing this, he's just playing with this, like, weird slide and it's all improvised and it's like, what? It's like, I haven't seen him do that before. And a lot of bass guitar.

00:52:08:19 - 00:52:27:15 Matt Hoffman Bass guitar. Okay. Yeah. I think it was an electric. Okay. And he's like doing the slide, and then he unscrews the top and takes, except I'm like, oh, it's a flask. Let's fuck it. So I, I've only seen Medeski Martin Wood one time and they did a reunion reunion concert that like live for live music put on.

00:52:27:15 - 00:52:52:10 Anton Milioti It was like at the Brooklyn Comes Alive thing. It was at, that weird, like, rave venue in Williamsburg that like, closed recently. Very strange spot. It was like in the middle of, like an industrial park where weird energy. But, it was like them and lettuce and Star nine, where I was like. I was like, well, I'm definitely going up there to see Medeski Martin Wood because I've never seen them.

00:52:52:13 - 00:53:14:17 Anton Milioti And it thoroughly was just like exceeded all expectations. Just so incredible to watch them do that. But there was a moment during that where I was like, man, these three dudes are crazy. We're like each each one of them was doing something so weird, like like, so Billy Martin was just playing the drums with just, like, two dried bushels of leaves.

00:53:14:20 - 00:53:35:12 Anton Milioti Like. Just like he did. Like, just like shaking them. Like. Like he was like performing a science, like over them. And then, Chris Wood was playing like a Hoffner. Like like Paul McCartney, like Beatle bass with a slide, you know, and it's like, through, like, all this distortion. So it's just like this, like crunchy old, like blues guitar, like kind of like overdriven sound.

00:53:35:15 - 00:53:54:29 Anton Milioti And then John Medeski is just playing like a Fender Rhodes. I think it was a Rhodes or. No, no, it might have been a clavinet, but either way, he's playing like an electric piano of some sort, and he's playing with, like, one hand. And then with the other hand, he's got it. He's like, flip the hood of the keyboard up and like, has his arm like, inside of it.

00:53:55:05 - 00:54:19:00 Anton Milioti And it's just like bending notes, like on like the tines or like the strings or like whatever was like in there. And I was just like, this dude, he's a mad sign saying, like, everything about this is so wild, like, oh, that's amazing. I know I got to meet him one time, and I like, totally just like acted like a bumbling idiot and like, yeah, just completely just was like, yeah, but I saw them too.

00:54:19:00 - 00:54:33:08 Matt Hoffman I saw I was lucky that when I lived in New York, I saw him a bunch of times, and I saw him do an acoustic show at the Kimmel Center once where, like you know, I'd never heard him play piano. It's like, this is just. He's amazing. Yeah, yeah. And. Yeah, right. Billy Martin finds like. It's like, not this chopstick.

00:54:33:08 - 00:54:59:16 Matt Hoffman This is the chopstick that I'm going to play with. And yeah, I mean his like, because I mean drama desk, his background is like, he like played he used to like, play with like Jaco when he was like 12 or 13 or 14 because he lived in Florida where, like, Jaco was from. Yeah. And like where he's like, he would be like, you know, part of, like, all those, like, crazy jazz hits with that, like with, like all those people that, like, played with him and stuff.

00:54:59:16 - 00:55:21:25 Matt Hoffman So he kind of got like, a real crazy crash course on, like, doing improvisational music and world music and, you know, like, yeah, and you guys, you guys had Aaron Magnuson in with you recently, right? From crickets. How did that come it? So, I'm a huge Disco Biscuits fan. I can't be from Philly if you're not.

00:55:21:25 - 00:56:02:01 Anton Milioti It's true. So I've. The Disco Biscuits was actually the first jam band show I ever saw before I ever saw a dead concert. Before I ever saw Phish. What year was maybe brother's past? I saw before them. Okay, but, but this was like, oh, nine. Maybe, at the electric factory. It was like around 425, I remember correctly.

And the only reason I went was because, like, I had friends in high school that were like, we're going to the Disco Biscuits. And I was like, what's that? And they're like, it's like a it's like a crazy, like, jam band. And I was like, oh, I've never heard of them. They're like, yeah, we go here because like, you can score drugs in the parking lot and I'm like, I'm coming.

00:56:02:04 - 00:56:26:08 Anton Milioti And so we'll. So yeah, that was my first jam band experience with anything. But I, you know, I, I liked like electronic music and stuff. So it wasn't like far fetched. I had a great time and enjoyed it and was like, this is a awesome hang. And then when I got into like jam bands, actually, that was when I started being like getting knowing like what they're playing and the songs and everything.

00:56:26:11 - 00:56:54:16 Anton Milioti So I don't know, I've seen them probably like 25, 30 times, you know, been a few New Year's shows. And yeah. So really, I, I, I know he lives in Ardmore, or like in the area, like a western around there. And I, and so the Tone Wood residency has just exploded into its own thing, and it's kind of like, become like our home base.

00:56:54:18 - 00:57:18:15 Anton Milioti And in December of every year, that's like the anniversary of when we did it the first time. So we make, like, this huge, like, blow out thing. Like in the first year, we had like a bunch of, like the guitar players that had played with us like throughout the year, like play with us and then like the following year, we got Jeff from Consider the Source to play percussion and John Hildenbrand from rift to play keyboards with us.

00:57:18:15 - 00:57:38:09 Anton Milioti And then the following year, the most recent one, we went for brainstorming on where we should get on. I kind of like, casually brought up, like it would be a cool idea to get Aron Magner, because I know he's local and I know he knows all the Grateful Dead stuff because he plays with Bill Kreutzmann and,

00:57:38:12 - 00:58:02:07 Anton Milioti So Dan, the guy who does, sound at Tone Wood for us has done front of House Sound at Ardmore Music Hall for many, many, many, many years. So him and Magner have crossed paths many times. And they know each other and, so he kind of I was like, dude, just email him and just like, see and just be like, hey, it's like a Thursday.

00:58:02:10 - 00:58:28:00 Anton Milioti We'll like, pay you X and like, you know, like you don't have to learn much and like, it's like 45 minutes from your house and, and he said, yeah. And I was like, completely shocked. We've never met this guy. Didn't know. Yeah. I don't I don't know anything about him really, other than like the times I've seen the Disco Biscuits and the times I've seen Billy and the kids, which was also a lot.

00:58:28:03 - 00:58:51:14 Anton Milioti But you know, I like, I don't think he really knew what to expect. And, he showed up, loaded the keyboards and took like a one look around, like the room and like everything. And I think like he immediately was like, this is like, hang like this is like really cool. And we did some Disco Biscuit songs too.

00:58:51:14 - 00:59:09:25 Matt Hoffman Yeah. You did. Yes. Right. We did, Space Bird Mating Call, and we did crickets with him, which was such a cool moment for me because, you know, like, I mean, like I said, like, I've seen them play those songs so many times, and, you know, like, I've, you know, those like the, like the first, like, jam show I ever went to.

00:59:09;25 - 00:59:35:00 Anton Milioti And they pretty sure they played crickets there. And, you know, like, I wasn't able to go into like Gt350 in Chicago because I was broke. And so like, you know, I went to Pitch Fest instead because Billy and the kids with Bob Weir was like the headlining band. So like, you know, like I remember like having, like some really like emotional moments, like watching that and like, so it was just like very, very humbling and just cool to have him play with us.

00:59:35:00 - 00:59:49:10 Anton Milioti And he so didn't have to do that and that like that. Yeah. I mean yeah, he totally just like took a risk on like I mean we could have been awful. He didn't like it. He like he didn't know like, you know, he could have showed up and be like, God, what the fuck did I sign up for?

00:59:49:10 - 01:00:10:12 Anton Milioti You know, like, but he so embraced everything and just was on such a willingness to just be strange with, like, the music and just like, I mean, I could just see it on his face too. Like him just like lighting up, like as we were, like, getting through it and like, just it had, you know, because there's no stage there either.

01:00:10:13 - 01:00:32:22 Anton Milioti And so like we're playing on the floor. So it had this like this like crazy like DIY punk show like vibe where everyone's just like crowding around you and people are kind of just like holding a wall of people back. So like the energy there was just so wild. And he looks like, you know, afterwards. And we were like hanging out.

01:00:32:22 - 01:00:49:23 Anton Milioti He said. Some just really, really sweet and kind things to us that like, I'm never going to forget and like really like just like, you know, like I said, he didn't have to do any of that stuff. And he just like. And it was just it was just a very, very, very, very kind of him. So Aaron's a real one.

01:00:49:23 - 01:01:14:13 Matt Hoffman Yeah. He he's he's what we call a mensch. He's like the most definitely a man. Well and like, I mean in a lot of ways we wouldn't be having this conversation if not for Magner in the sense that, so very long story short, I've known him for like 20 years. Saw the biscuits at Festival Pier. And when I, you know, left kind of the corporate world started writing was like, hey, can you connect me with somebody at relics?

01:01:14:13 - 01:01:30:10 Matt Hoffman And he was like, absolutely. Oh, right on. And he connected me with Mike Greenhaus. Just a wonderful. Yeah. I ran into I saw Magner at the Unlimited Devotion shows where he did the saga plays dead, which fucking blew my mind. I know that stuff's cool. I was like, just listen, because he's like, just put, like a record. Yeah. I did tronic that too.

01:01:30:10 - 01:01:44:02 Matt Hoffman Well that too yeah. Oh yeah. But like, so he did like the spark thing and the dead tronic a thing like all in the same week. He like dropped like a couple of them. Yeah. Like and. Right. He did it with Cloud Cord who I know collaborated on the last album. They released. I think it was last album.

01:01:44:02 - 01:02:03:08 Matt Hoffman Yeah, man. And also like to like, he's he's a guy that's got a genuine love for that music too. And it's, it's not like there's a lot of guys who are like, I'm going to play Grateful Dead music because it's like the thing to do. People will show, you know? But like, he genuinely loved that shit. And like, I know I'm never going to forget that.

01:02:03:08 - 01:02:25:21 Anton Milioti Like, really, really, really solid. Dude. That's amazing. We need to get you up to Bucks County to very slow. Appreciate. I like appreciating the drive far. No, no, no, dude, I, you know, I like I gotta I got to get back up there too because I, I honestly I'm a I, you never have played John and Peters and I want to play there just because I'm such a Ween fanboy and like just to be able to say I did that.

01:02:25:21 - 01:02:49:14 Anton Milioti Yeah, I saw that, I did. I see Ween at Festival Pier, I saw Ween at Moedown in 2010, I think, where like, nobody knew just what to make of them, which is why they're amazing. I've been to a couple of their festival sets, which is like the greatest, just like they just don't give a shit. Like, who is there?

01:02:49:14 - 01:03:23:01 Anton Milioti Like, I just love that about them. Like, like, like I remember seeing them at lock in one year and I think might have played before Phish or like it was like something crazy. They either played like before, like some like crazy, like surviving members of the Grateful Dead thing or like Phish. It was wild. And they just like, went out and just like, sang songs about, like, shitting yourself and just like, you know, like blaring old, like, fuzzed guitar, like, you know, like, I was like, half of them sounded like they were drunk.

01:03:23:01 - 01:04:01:11 Anton Milioti Like I was like, dude, I love this. Yeah. I mean, that's just like the originality and the not like, being unabashedly yourself and not giving a fuck. I I've said so many times that I think they're like one of they're in my top five, like songwriters of like the 90s. Absolutely like and I feel like they don't get enough love in that regard because, you know, like they'll be like, here's a song called like Poop Ship Destroyer and that like, but like, if you get past that, like, you know, there's a lot of, like, incredibly beautiful songs like, like, like, I feel like almost every song on white Pepper is like a masterpiece for

01:04:01:11 - 01:04:25:04 Anton Milioti sure. For sure. And, like, just incredible. Like just like depths of, like, emotion and arrangements and like, I and they're really just they're guys that really know how to, like, work in a studio. Yeah. And, like, I mean, the live show was great, too, because they're just like, everything's on 11 and we're just gonna like, like, do our thing.

01:04:25:04 - 01:04:40:29 Anton Milioti And like, I love that, but, like, there's, like a delicate ness to like their studio music that, like, I feel like, gets lost on a lot of people. One of these days. You should totally come up to box. I'd love to hang. Yeah. Every Wednesday night there's this band called the Invitational. Yeah, yeah, I've been up there before.

01:04:40:29 - 01:05:09:16 Matt Hoffman When he would show up. Yeah. Like, I've been there a few times. Oh. There's like the dude from, like Funkadelic who like Michael Hampton, my band and. Yeah, yeah, I know he's like. He's like a, like guy, like a, a regular there. Yeah. Oh, those are always super fun, man. I like I remember, yeah, I'd been to a few of them, but I remember like one time, just like getting up in the morning, getting, like, my coffee and, like, logging into Facebook in the morning.

01:05:09:16 - 01:05:33:17 Matt Hoffman And there was like that Facebook group, like the Ween Appreciation Society or whatever society that. Yeah, some some some shit. Yeah. And, Dean posted on it from his like, personal account and was like, yo, like, I wrote like 35 new songs in the last, like, two months, and like, I'm playing them all tonight and like, it's ten bucks at the door.

01:05:33:17 - 01:05:51:13 Anton Milioti Like, if you can get there, like, you get that, like, immediately, like we got in our car. Oh yeah. And like, yeah, dude, it was like the whole band except Gene. Yeah. So it was like Claude was on drums. Like. Yeah, it was. And yeah, it was incredible, you know? But watching him and the place wasn't even, like sold out.

01:05:51:13 - 01:05:51:13 Anton Milioti There had to have been like 40 people in there. I mean, like, I was like, dude, like, I'll show you, like video if I got friend, I still have. But I was like, he probably thought I was annoying motherfucker ever. Because there's this. Like, I was rewatching this the other day, but there's a video of, like, him, like, shredding, and I'm just, like, putting my phone, like, over his feet to, like, get, like, what he's doing, like, with his pedals.

01:06:13:11 - 01:07:10:00 Matt Hoffman Well, his his son also Michael, he's like doing like some like noise like project stuff like that.

01:07:10:00 - 01:07:27:25 Anton Milioti Really really interesting. He's like he's he straps on his jammy pack. Basically he's got this like, you know, sort of noise machine like drum machine that he can wear and walk into the house. I'll show you a video. Whoa. Oh, that's so cool. Yeah. Randy. Cool. Is it obnoxious if I ask a question about your sister? No, not at all.

01:07:27:26 - 01:07:52:21 Matt Hoffman Okay. I'm. Well, so I know your sister is, the recently Emmy Award winning actress Cristin Milioti. And have you have you performed together with her? And she done any cricket stuff with you now? So she actually never saw crickets until the Aaron Magner sit in, like, a couple of weeks ago. Wow. So, well, you know, she's like, well, first of all, we never play in New York.

01:07:52:23 - 01:08:17:04 Anton Milioti Trying to change that. But, you know, I like New York is so difficult unless I. There's. This makes no sense unless I'm, like, you're giving me this amount of money, right? Because just to, like, take a van through all the tolls. Yeah. To find parking in Manhattan, like. I mean, every part of it is just awful eating, like, you know, like, it's like.

01:08:17:04 - 01:08:37:16 Anton Milioti It's like it becomes like more. We pay more than it's worth. Yeah. It's like. I mean, we've played outside of the city in New York like a ton upstate. Play it like all the like in Long Island and stuff, but like never really in the city proper. And she lives in Brooklyn, so like, it's I'm really like, been like near her since she spends like half the year in LA also.

01:08:37:16 - 01:09:22:29 Anton Milioti So but got her to come down for the tone would show and she's awesome. And it was she was like, this is a wild scene. But no, it's a dream of mine to like to play some music with her because she's an incredible, incredible vocalist. Yeah, she's for sure my, she's been my whole like, oh, like, if you really just really, really, really, really work hard at the your talent and the thing that you're passionate about and, you know, are just really like solid with getting things done on like a business end and just like never stop like getting after it.

01:09:22:29 - 01:09:43:21 Anton Milioti Like things are going to like shake out and like things are starting to shake out for me, man. And like and not even like, you know, like I haven't had a day job in, like, two years. That's like crazy. Yeah. To me, you know, like, I would have never expected that. You know, I just like, be I mean, like, don't get me wrong, I'm like, this is like, it consumes so much of my time.

01:09:43:21 - 01:10:01:27 Anton Milioti Like getting things together for, like, everything that we do. But like, I mean, damn, I wouldn't trade it for, like, anything in the world. Yeah, like, I mean, just that, like, I was like, damn, I get to eat this week and, like, pay my mortgage. Like we're good. Manifesting reality. It must be a million thing because I think you're doing it phenomenally well.

01:10:01:27 - 01:10:14:16 Matt Hoffman Thank you. And I really appreciate the time. Oh my God, man, a lot of fun. Oh, dude, that's like the an excuse to come to the band room. Fuck, yeah. No, I so I appreciate your. Hear, hear. Well thanks again thank you man. Awesome. This was a lot of fun. Thanks, dude. Cheers.