Hello Visitor!
Special Ed and the Shortbus has changed our name, and our website!

The Band, music, and swagger remain intact at http://www.thehotseats.net

Go THERE now!

Special Ed and the Shortbus - Richmond's premiere twisted stringband, purveyors of all things bluegrass, oldtimey, ragtimey, jugband-y, and bizarre will be playing their final show in Richmond, VA. No, they aren't breaking up, going to jail or finally returning to the womb; indeed, they have decided that, after 7 years of touring and performing far and wide (as of December, 2008, they have played in every state east of the Mississippi River, plus England and Scotland) with what some would consider an offensive name, the band has decided to retire the name "Special Ed and the Shortbus," in favor of a more widely palatable alternative.

The new name is The Hot Seats.

Why The Hot Seats? A few reasons, thanks for asking!

1. This name still connotes the frenetic and jerky nature of the music we have chosen to play.
2. The new name is not offensive to those who care about special needs issues.
3. The band now is very different from the ragtag bunch who slapped together sets for a weekly gig at the Cary Street Cafe.
4. "SEATS" is an acronym for Special Ed And The Shortbus, so, for any die-hard fans who care, the name remains intact, in spirit, anyway.

Fret not, the band remains committed to our mission statement - that of uncovering obscure music, writing music that sounds obscure, and presenting it with a bent towards reverent irreverence, pageantry, and vaudevillian melodrama.


So, the new info:

thehotseats@gmail.com
http://www.thehotseats.net
http://www.myspace.com/thehotseatsrva


So, there's your Xmas letter.

For more info, email thehotseats@gmail.com,

Announcing . . .

Richmond's First Ever Roots Music New Years Spectacular!

Ring in 2009 with three of Richmond's best acoustic music ensembles. WIth a champagne toast, and all the wild dancing you can muster!

Featuring:
Jackass Flats - Richmond's favorite high-energy progressive bluegrass quartet.

A Good Natured Riot - Eclecti-grass supergroup

The Fox Hunt - Martinsburg WV = new-oldtime music

and

Special Ed & the Shortbus - Richmond's beloved absurdist stringband. Wednesday, December 31st (New Year's Eve)
The Canal Club
$15 in advance (from Plan 9 or Canal Club Website), $20 at the door, includes midnight champagne toast.

18+, 8:00 Doors

1. Booking Information:
   For US Booking, email seshortbus@gmail.com
   For UK Booking: Brookfield Knights
   For UK Press/PR: BloodyGreatPR
   
   
2. How to contact the Shortbus (still) - Firstly, we realize there's no link to contact us on this website, so, until it's up, send emails to
   
   
   seshortbus at gmail dot com
   
   Note: you have to connect those parts of the email address to make it work, ya know?
   
   

So check out the gig page, hon, we're coming your way, we swear!

Love, PF