Story by Art Howard
Photos courtesy Acoustic Productions, Inc.


Ekoostik Hookah,
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hookˇah n. An Eastern smoking pipe designed with a long tube passing through an urn of water that cools the smoke as it is drawn through. Also called hubble-bubble, narghile.

Source: The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition

  
 

  Okay, so a Hookah isn't a character from a Dr. Seuss book. But what, then, is an Ekoostik Hookah?

Ekoostik Hookah is a band of six guys from Columbus, Ohio who have, in their 10 year career, started their own twice-yearly music festival called Hookahville (latest attendance: 17,000), shared stages with Bob Weir and David Crosby, and have worn out several sets of tires as they have criss-crossed the country converting new fans.

Ekoostik Hookah began as a loose collaboration between three Columbus musicians: vocalist/keyboardist Dave Katz, lead guitarist Steve Sweney and bassist Cliff Starbuck. They were already in locally successful bands, but decided to form a loose weeknight jam session at a Columbus club. The jam session quickly earned a larger following than their regular groups, and soon Ekoostik Hookah was formed. "We played every Wednesday night. One day I walked downstairs and on the chalk board it said 'ekoostik hookah.' I'm like, 'What the hell is that?,'" says Sweney.		  
     
 


Dave Katz, keys

Percussionist and newest member, Johnny Polansky says, "I think Dave had just gotten back from Egypt and had a hookah sitting on the mantle in his apartment." Over time Eric Lanese joined on drums and Ed McGee joined on guitars and vocals.

Soon most people in Columbus who would know what a hookah was knew who Ekoostik Hookah were and began attending their shows in greater and greater numbers. This led to the first-ever Hookahville, which was an informal gathering of 800 Ohioans in the back yard of band manager Dave Spencer. Since that first festival in 1994 Hookahville has grown to be a twice-yearly event, and has featured Ratdog, David Crosby, Leftover Salmon, and many other well-known names. "It was great with this last one, to look out and see 16,000 or 17,000 people," says Polansky, "It was a great experience, and to stand on the stage and say, 'There's no corporate hand here, this is basically because these people want to come hear us play.'"

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