On Sept. 5, 1982, the Dream Syndicate played a 2 a.m. gig at the studios of L.A.’s KPFK-FM. Broadcast live, the raw, ragged set documented on The Day Before Wine And Roses (Omnivore) found the quartet—singer/guitarist Steve Wynn, guitarist Karl Precoda, bassist Kendra Smith and drummer Dennis Duck—blazing and brooding its way through songs from its self-titled debut EP, covers and tracks that would end up on the seminal The Days Of Wine And Roses LP, released a month and a half later. A reconvened version of the Dream Syndicate has been playing shows since 2012. Wynn is also busy with his national pastime-themed band, the Baseball Project, whose third record, the aptly titled 3rd (Yep Roc), is due later this month. Wynn is also guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Wynn: The Columbian restaurant on my corner is open 24 hours a day, and it’s almost always packed. It’s just under the 7 train that bisects Queens, drawing a line from the East River to just beyond Citi Field, which the Mets call home. When I’m not inside the restaurant, dining on meals that could serve a family of 10 or 12, I find myself walking by, looking in the window and trying to conjure up a story for what’s going on inside: couples at the end of a date night, moon-eyed over their bandeja (kind of a mixed grill and more) plates, families dishing out tostones to the kids, local gentlemen getting off work bellying up to the bar for a cocktail or a large café con leche—whatever is most needed at the moment.
Video after the jump.
