Spring fever is officially here!

Look out of your cubical window (unless you don't have a window in your cubical, in which case, just look at the cheesy picture in your wall calendar) and think remorsefully how you once pranced through the blooming daisies with the wind in your hair and not a care in your heart. As you now turn from your window/calendar wondering how these beige office walls became your prison and how at any moment you will be harassed by someone who will remind you to keep the ever-grinding wheel of capitalism turning, it hits you: "I forgot to do my taxes." As you thumb glumly through your 2005 1040 "forms and instructions" booklet looking for the part on tax extensions, you catch yourself wondering what the difference between the schedule D and schedule C forms really is and if there's a way to write off your lazy friends.

Then suddenly your heart flutters a little as the thought comes to you. You get up and leave the office. This is the last straw! There must be something better in life than working for a faceless, thankless, heartless enterprise that keeps sending you memorandums on proper dress down attire. And then, you remember: you can still prance like you did as an aimless child, only now you can do it with a beer in your hand, as an aimless grown-up. Yes, that's much better… you feel better already don't you. Now as far as figuring out how to turn your bar tab into a write-off, we'll leave that up to you…

Upcoming places to prance:

Thursday, April 10th - Ireland's Four Fields (Washington, DC) - It's great to be back on a Thursday in DC, but this time we're shuffling the deck a bit and doing a Thursday show at Ireland's Four Fields in Cleveland Park. That's just one block south of the Cleveland Park Metro (Red Line). Don't worry we'll be back at Fado in May - as they say variety is the spice of life. Show starts at 9pm - 3412 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC.

Friday, April 11th - Mick O'Shea's (Baltimore) - the boys will be back to their tricks at Mick's and things should prove to be revelrous as usual. I think that's ruckus and revelry combined. In any case, show starts at 10pm. 328 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD.

Saturday, April 12th - Stout NYC - We blew it all out last time at Paddy's Day and hoping to conduct ourselves in a more respectable manner, which should be unlikely. Nothing like Spring in NYC so why not make a trip of it an join us. Show starts at 10pm - 133 W. 33rd St, New York, NY.

After the weekend, we gear up to go on a run that takes us through the mountains of NC for 14 shows in 14 days (!!!), including fantastic major festivals - here's the rundown:

Wednesday, April 16th - Canyons - Blowing Rock, NC - Blow off the tax blues in Blowing Rock. We'll be at a great venue called Canyons at 8960 Hwy 321, Blowing Rock, NC. Show starts 9pm.

Friday, April 18th - Emerald Lounge - Asheville - Dubbed "the premier intimate venue in western NC", things are guaranteed to be hopping in Asheville on Friday. 112 N. Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC - MAP. Show starts at 10pm.

Saturday and Sunday, April 19th and 20th - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival - Silk Hope - We're back at this amazing festival. Camping, music, stars, dancing - hard to get better than this. This year they gave us a closing slot on the Grove Stage on Saturday at 11pm and Sunday a reprise of last years dervishness at the dance tent at 615pm on Sunday. Click here for directions.

Monday, April 21st - Evening Muse - Charlotte - No rest for the weary - we're heading to Mikey's hometown for some home cooking and good times at the Evening Muse. The format is a little different - an open mic notorious for it's great musicians and Scythian will be the featured performer closing things out. Great way to pass a Monday if you ask us. Things start at 7pm. Website here | Directions here

Tuesday, April 22nd - Blind Tiger w/ 6 Day Bender - Greensboro, NC - we couldn't be paired with a more fitting band considering where we'll be at this point in the schedule. Show starts at 10pm. Directions here.

Thursday, April 24th-Sunday, April 27th - Merlefest! - Wilkesboro, NC. We are absolutely thrilled to have been booked for this bluegrass festival of bluegrass festivals, and for 7 sets over 4 days! With more legends and greats attending than could possibly be legal, we plan to walk away in a complete daze. Check out the sick lineup here. Our set times: Thursday 3pm and 5pm on the Welcome Stage, Friday 10am on The Plaza and 12pm on the Welcome Stage, Saturday 11am and 1 pm Welcome Stage, Sunday 10am Welcome Stage.

Whew! But wait, there's one more - Wednesday, April 30 - 202 Market - Roanoke, VA. We'll definitely be the Dukes of Haggard at this point, browbeaten and pistol whipped for sure, but that doesn't mean we won't be bringing the thunder coming off our Merlfest high. Show starts 9pm. Directions here.

So there you have it - don't forget you can grab cd's and T Shirts on the website, along with that completely unnecessary festival accessory you simply can't live without - the beer koozie! Stop by the store here.

In other news:

Scythian Wins Best Song Award on Celtic Radio.net! Thanks for voting everyone! We're proud to take home the trophy in the Jigs and Reels Category with "Immigrant Stomp" off our new album, Immigrant Road Show.

Scythian opens for Joan Jett! - The fellas are realizing their life long goal of opening for the Thunder Cat of the 80s. They're already putting aside their pennies to buy leather outfits and may pick up a piercing or two. The show will take place at Celebrate Fairfax on Saturday, June 7th @ 7pm and Joan is slated to go on at 8pm. Come out for a little musical whiplash. Who knows, Scythian just make rock it out extra hard to compete with the Jett herself. Visit website.

Thanks for your support everyone and see you on the road!

The Scythian Music Repairmen