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Grifter

funkify your life...add fiber

About Me

Paul Griffith: Journeyman drummer, writer and Key West Sailing Club member. Likes boats, history books, dive watches, hi-fi's, cooking, reading, bass guitars, ukuleles, 4-string banjos, Hammond organs, church architecture, vintage drums, drum machines, The Funky Meters, a good hamburger, barbeque, sag paneer, raw oysters, tamales, breakfast, ale, ale with breakfast, egg foo young, all things British, all things New Orleanian, all things Cuban, all things humppa, Bollywood, Makers Mark, salty dogs, walking, Judge Judy, martinis, bikinis and waitresses.

You can hear me on recent recordings such as Tim Carroll's "The Devil is a Busy Man," Jack Ingram's "This Is It," Ode Hazelwood's "Radio Days," Mike Farris' "Salvation in Lights," Todd Snider's "The Devil You Know," Doug Hoekstra's "Six Songs," Kevin Montgomery's "True," Slaid Cleave's "Unsung," Will Kimbrough's "Americanitis," Daddy's debut, "Live at the Women's Club"; John Prine's GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING "Fair & Square" and Kevin Gordon's "Oh, Come Look at the Burning"--as well as on forthcoming records by Steve (Altered Statesmen) Poulton, David Egan, Peter Cooper, Steve Allen, RB Morris, Doug Hoekstra, Rod Picott, Dave Coleman, Andrea Glass, Todd Snider, TJ McFarland, Alif Tree, Lanie Marsh, Steve Rice, Tonya Mills, Dave Zobl and Tony Joe White. If you like these folks, feel free to friend me.

UPCOMING LIVE GIGS
Fri June 6-Sat June 7 w/ Ode Hazelwood KNOXVILLE, TN
Fri June 20 w/ Kevin Gordon Mercy Lounge NASHVILLE, TN
GRIFTER-APPROVED ROAD FOOD:
Tennessee--
Emperor of China -Nashville (shrimp toast, shrimp egg foo young)
Woodlands -Nashville (paneer tika, idly manchurian, South Indian vegetarian)
The Italian Market -West Nashville (muffulettas, cheeses, cured meats, spices)
I Dream of Weenie -East Nashville (chili dogs!)
Las Maracas -Inglewood (chiles pablano, hot shrimp, chile colorado)
Tres Margaritas -Madison (carnitas, ceviche)
Mothership Barbeque -Berry Hill (watch for new location)
Bailey & Kato -East Nashville (soul food, sweet tea)
Ken Giang -Nashville (Vietnamese)
The Breeze -Nashville (breakfast, lamb)
The Cozy Corner -Memphis (ribs, bbq spaghetti)
Central Barbeque -Memphis (ribs)
The Omni Hut -Smyrna (polynesian platter, where island meets sea)
Alabama--
Wintzell's Oyster House -Mobile
Homestyle BBQ -Hartselle (pulled chicken w/ white sauce)
Kendall's Smokin' Barbeque -Georgiana (pulled pork w/ slaw)
Arkansas--
Sims Barbeque -Little Rock (ribs, chicken)
Doe's Eat Place -Little Rock (shrimp, tamales, 72 oz porterhouse!)
Georgia--
Country Bar-B-Q & Grill -Cartersville (ribs, chicken)
The Mayflower -Athens (smothered chicken livers)
Illinois--
Jim's Rib Haven -Rock Island (ribs, great sauce)
The Ariston Diner -Litchfield (catfish, plate lunch)
Buona Beef -Chicago (Italian beef)
Louisiana--
Pete Harris' Cafe -Shereveport (RIP)
Brother's Seafood Restaurant -Shreveport (stuffed shrimp, chicken livers, gravy)
George's Grill -Shreveport (burger, fries w/ brown gravy)
Olive St. Bistro -Shreveport (carpaccio and other Tuscan specialties)
Dwyer's Cafe -Lafayette (plate lunch)
Florida--
The Wheelhouse -Apalachicola (boiled seafood, oysters)
Boss Oyster -Apalachicola
Roy's Oyster Bar -Blountstown
The Quarterdeck -Panama City Beach (fried grouper, oysters)
The Red Bar -Grayton Beach (grouper sandwich, gumbo, smoked fish dip)
Geiger Key Marina -Lower Keys (boiled shrimp, crab cakes, beer)
The Cracked Egg -Big Pine Key (yellow food)
Harriett's -Key Largo (crab cakes & eggs)
Alabama Jack's -Key Largo (Key's best conch fritters, sweet potato fries)
El Sibonney -Key West, FL (Cuban roast pork and pressed sandwiches)
Jose's Cantina -Key West (sopa de pescado, fried pork chunks)
Dennis Pharmacy -Key West (RIP)
Sandy's -Key West, FL (best Cuban sandwich)
Bella Habana -St. Pete's Beach (Cuban sandwiches, mojitos)
Santorini at the Sponge Docks -Tarpon Springs (saganaki, grouper)
Molly Goodhead's -Ozona (fried grouper, shrimp)
Larry's Deli -Land O' Lakes (Cuban sandwiches)
Ukelele Brand's -Land O' Lakes (crab cakes, grouper)
Rapscallion's -Land O' Lakes (davey jones chicken wings-hot!!!)
Benedetto's -Lutz (veal scallopini, steaks)
Toki -Carrollwood (sushi, Mexican Deluxe)
Iowa--
The Hamburg Inn -Iowa City (burger)
Indiana--
Nick's English Pub -Bloomington (burger, wings, jamison, guinness)
Kentucky--
Sandy & Sue's Diner -Lawrenceburg (yellow food, hot sauce)
Gregory Lee's Home Cookin -Bowling Green (tenderloin sandwich, brown gravy)
California--
Roscoe's House of Waffles and Chicken -West Los Angeles (w/syrup)
Hula's Island Grill and Tiki Bar -Santa Cruz (ono w/ wasabi mashed potatoes)
Minnesota--
Keys Cafe -Minneapolis (steak & eggs)
Nye's Polonaise Room -Minneapolis (sausage, accordion, piano bar)
Mississippi--
Doe's Eat Place -Greenville (shrimp, tamales, 72 oz Porterhouse!))
New York--
Cafe Edison -New York (lox, bagels, coffee)
North Carolina--
Mary's, Of Course -Winston-Salem (eggs benedict, omelets, coffee, love)
Ohio--
The Wah Mee -Cincinnati (bbq rib appetizer, egg drop soup, egg foo young w/ brown gravy)
Texas--
Maudie's Too -Austin (enchiladas w/ chili & fried egg)
Escondido's -Dallas (Herrera Brothers' Special w/ chili)
Rogelio's -San Marcos (huevos, etc)
Virginia--
Capt Fish -Chincoteague (fresh seafood, cocktails)
United Kingdom--
The Mussel Inn -Edinburgh, Scotland (oysters from Oban)
The Antiquary -Edinburgh (malt of the moment, good music)
Pizza Express -Edinburgh (haggis pizza!)
Il Baffone -Leicester, England (pizza margherita, spaghetti carbonera)
Royal Thai -Nottingham, England (pad w/ cashews)
The Dorset -Brighton, England (cassoulet)
Ireland--
The Moving Stairs -Boyle, S. Ireland (fish & chips w/capers and orange cream sauce)
Peppe Cafe -Dublin, S. Ireland (pizza, spaghetti carbonera)

My Interests

GRIFTER-APPROVED ROAD FOOD:

Tennessee--
Mothership Barbeque -Berry Hill (shoulder, ribs, beans)
Bailey & Cato -East Nashville (soul food, sweet tea)
Ken Giang -Nashville (Vietnamese)
Athens Greek & American Food -Berry Hill (breakfast!)
NOLA -Nashville (chivito sandwich, etouffee)
The Cozy Corner -Memphis (ribs, bbq spaghetti)
Central Barbeque -Memphis (ribs)
Alabama--
Wintzell's Oyster House -Mobile
Homestyle BBQ -Hartselle (pulled chicken w/ white sauce)
Arkansas--
Sims Barbeque -Little Rock (ribs, chicken)
Doe's Eat Place -Little Rock (shrimp, tamales, 72 oz porterhouse!))
Georgia--
Country Bar-B-Q & Grill -Cartersville (ribs, chicken) The Mayflower -Athens (smothered chicken livers)
Illinois--
Jim's Rib Haven -Rock Island (ribs, great sauce)
The Ariston Diner -Litchfield (catfish, plate lunch)
Buona Beef -Chicago (Italian beef)
Louisiana--
Pete Harris' Cafe -Shereveport (RIP)
Brother's Seafood Restaurant -Shreveport (stuffed shrimp, chicken livers, gravy)
George's Grill -Shreveport (burger, fries w/ brown gravy)
Olive St. Bistro -Shreveport (carpaccio and other Tuscan specialties)
Dwyer's Cafe -Lafayette (plate lunch)
Florida--
The Wheelhouse -Apalachicola (boiled seafood, oysters)
Boss Oyster -Apalachicola
Roy's Oyster Bar -Blountstown
The Quarterdeck -Panama City Beach (fried grouper, oysters)
Geiger Key Marina -Lower Keys (boiled shrimp, crab cakes, beer)
The Cracked Egg -Big Pine Key (yellow food)
Harriett's -Key Largo (crab cakes & eggs)
Alabama Jack's -Key Largo (Key's best conch fritters, sweet potato fries)
El Sibonney -Key West, FL (Cuban roast pork and pressed sandwiches)
Simmons Pharmacy -Key West (RIP)
Sandy's -Key West, FL (best Cuban sandwich)
Bella Habana -St. Pete's Beach (Cuban sandwiches, mojitos)
Santorini at the Sponge Docks -Tarpon Springs (saganaki, grouper)
Molly Goodhead's -Ozona (fried grouper, shrimp)
Larry's Deli -Land O' Lakes (Cuban sandwiches)
Ukelele Brand's -Land O' Lakes (crab cakes, grouper)
Toki -Carrollwood (sushi, Mexican Deluxe)
Iowa--
The Hamburg Inn -Iowa City (burger)
Indiana--
Nick's English Pub -Bloomington (burger, wings, jamison, guinness)
Kentucky--
Sandy & Sue's Diner -Lawrenceburg (yellow food, hot sauce)
Gregory Lee's Home Cookin -Bowling Green (tenderloin sandwich, brown gravy)
California--
Roscoe's House of Waffles and Chicken -West Los Angeles (w/syrup)
Minnesota--
Keys Cafe -Minneapolis (steak & eggs)
Nye's Polonaise Room -Minneapolis (sausage, accordion, piano bar)
Mississippi--
Doe's Eat Place -Greenville (shrimp, tamales, 72 oz Porterhouse!))
New York--
Cafe Edison -New York (lox, bagels, coffee)
Ohio--
The Wah Mee -Cincinnati (bbq rib appetizer, egg drop soup, egg foo young w/ brown gravy)
Texas--
Maudie's Too -Austin (enchiladas w/ chili & fried egg)
Escondido's -Dallas (Herrera Brothers' Special w/ chili)
Rogelio's -San Marcos (huevos, etc)
Virginia--
Capt Fish -Chincoteague (RIP)
United Kingdom--
The Mussel Inn -Edinburgh, Scotland (oysters from Oban)
The Antiquary -Edinburgh (malt of the moment, good music)
Pizza Express -Edinburgh (haggis pizza!)
Il Baffone -Leicester, England (pizza margherita, spaghetti carbonera)
Royal Thai -Nottingham, England (pad w/ cashews)
The Dorset -Brighton, England (cassoulet)

Ireland--
The Moving Stairs -Boyle, S. Ireland (fish & chips w/capers and orange cream sauce)
Peppe Cafe -Dublin, S. Ireland (pizza, spaghetti carbonera)

I'd like to meet:

Keith Moon, Ringo, Claudine Longet, Larry Flint, Steve McQueen, Barbara Hershey, Sylvia Kristel (ca. 1974), Joe StrummerBY GO

Music:

New Order, Johnny Rivers, Jackie DeShannon, The Heptones, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Skatalites, Joe Strummer, James Booker, Sleater-Kinney, Warren Zevon, Ricky Nelson, The Pogues, Morrissey, Henry Mancini, Van Morrison, Bobby Bare, Toots Hibbert

Movies:

Cool Hand Luke, The Party, City of God, Emmanuel, North by Northwest, The Big Lebowski, The Man with the Golden Arm, Breathless (1960), Hannah and Her Sisters.

Television:

Dexter, Judge Judy, Entourage, Big Love, Cops, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bob Newhart Show, The Office, King of the Hill

Books:

Strange Ground: An Oral History of Americans in Vietnam 1945-1975, Learning from Las Vegas, Garden of Eden, Howl, Confederacy of Dunces, On the Road, The Music of Chance, Catch 22, Letters to a Young Poet, The Giving Tree, anything by Dylan Thomas.

Heroes:

Jim Keltner, Zigaboo Modeliste, Carly Barrett, Ray McKinley, Hal Blaine, Ringo, Davey Tough, Russ Kunkel, Rick Marrotta, Earl Palmer, Tubby Zeigler, Sammy Creason, Larrie Londin, Kenny Buttrey, Lloyd Nibbs, Johnny Vidacovich, Hungry Williams, Stanley Williams, Hines Williams, Tony Williams,Style Scott, Paul Douglas, John Gardner, Elvin Jones, Al Jackson Jr, Ken Coomer, Bryan Owings, Jimmy Lester, Jay Bellarose, Craig Wright, Kenny Malone, Marco Giovino, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Roger Hawkins, Todd Kemp, Nick Buda, David Gherke, Joseph Hazelwood, Randy Morrow, Carla Azar, Dave Early, Zutty Singleton, Janet Weiss, Dave Mattacks, Simon Kirke...

My Blog

Kevin Gordon Band--Key West version

I just had to post this. It's the pic we're using for Kevin's upcoming Hog's Breath residency. Looks like 3 guys fixing to have a really good time. Pretty great. Come see us: it's cheap to fly to Fort...
Posted by Grifter on Thu, 08 May 2008 08:47:00 PST

On Truth, Nutburgers and the American Way

Below is a link to my Nashville Scene review of Hamburger America, a new burgerlogue by writer/filmmaker George Motz. The book covers 100 of the nation's best burger joints; its delicious color photog...
Posted by Grifter on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:12:00 PST

More from Las Maracas

Kel and I just got in from our second Las Maracas run this week. The unnamed dish mentioned in the previous blog is Camaron Fiesta, and it's on the Seafood page of their menu. I've included a picture ...
Posted by Grifter on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:29:00 PST

Road Food Faves Revisited

On a recent road trip with Kevin Gordon, I was able to visit some old friends from the Road Food list. Here's the latest&THE COZY CORNERMemphis, TN: Nothing's changed at this smoke-stained storefron...
Posted by Grifter on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:58:00 PST

Pickled Winter Vegetables

Okay, so here we go: Today I visited an French-influenced, eastside restaurant that I actually kind of likerhymes with "Farschey." It’s trendy, but usually pretty hearty. I’m on the Sou...
Posted by Grifter on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:22:00 PST

Nashville Chinese Food

We've got workmen at the house, so Kel and I are staying at the Drury Inn by the Nashville Airport. Unlike East Nashville, lots of restaurants deliver over here. We just ordered from Emperor of China...
Posted by Grifter on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:10:00 PST

Pubblebee's

Last night we went to a chain pub outside Newcastle. It had kiddie play areas, wooden skillet trays and huge ads for Coke Zero. The food was ok (I had fish pie and sticky toffee pudding), but the Amer...
Posted by Grifter on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:19:00 PST

The Parrs That Be

The Kevin Montgomery Camper Van Road Show has left Scotland, and we're currently making our way through Ireland. It was a shock at first. To generalize is to error, but the Scottish Borders feel very ...
Posted by Grifter on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 06:46:00 PST

Kevin Montgomery and Haggis Pizza

Hi from Braveheart country--Last night in Edinburgh (the center of the universe), I had haggis pizza! I'm spreading the word: Scottish pizza! Fresh leeks and offal mixed with oatmeal on a crispy crust...
Posted by Grifter on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 06:18:00 PST

Grifter is an East Nashville resident

I've gone to the dark side. Typing to you from my new East Nashville residence, I wonder how long it will be 'til someone steals my iPod. My girlfriend and housemate--the lovely Kellie--tells me that ...
Posted by Grifter on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 03:56:00 PST