In Indiana for a show in Fort Wayne, Keith Urban and his band (with opener Jake Owen) crash through a ragged but spirited version of Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane”. Gotta give Urban credit for diving into the tune, and then having an understanding where to let the audience pick up the vocals.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4c4DTF-Xbo]
Mellencamp
Best of Indiana: Roots-Rock in 2010
At Rockforward, we live right in the middle of Indiana, and fan our reach outward from Indianapolis. Here’s the best of what we heard this year from (mostly) Hoosier roots-rock artists.
2010 Local Roots Rock/Americana Album of the Year
Cara Jean Wahlers/”Goodnight Charlotte” – How did this quiet, intelligent, duet-like release from an acoustic guitar player and cello player get to the top of my roots-rock/Americana list full of worthy candidates? Especially coming from a guy (me) who unabashedly enjoys the gritty side of loud guitars, drums and a sweet Hammond B-3? It happened because this is a deserving place for “Goodnight Charlotte”, as Wahlers’ and Grover Parido’s cello quietly cuts into your heart with hauntingly beautiful music and lyrics that evoke black and white movies.
New Mellencamp tour includes five Indiana shows
John Mellencamp announced the first leg of the No Better Than This Tour will begin in late October. The tour will be “an evening with,” type of show, and will play mostly theater-sized venues, although one of the most interesting bookings announced is a November 11 show at Hinkle Fieldhouse, one of five Indiana shows. The tour, anticipated to continue through the Spring of 2011, will begin on October 29 in Bloomington.
The format of the show is three pieces: an acoustic set, Mellencamp fronting a small combo, and a full rock band segment. The tour’s opening act is a documentary film by Kurt Markus called It’s About You. Shot on Super8 film over the course of last year’s Bob Dylan-John Mellencamp-Willie Nelson tour of minor league baseball stadiums, it chronicles the creation of the album No Better Than This. which comes out August 17.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Oct. 29 – Bloomington, IN – Indiana University Auditorium
Nov. 1 – Cincinnati, OH – Music Hall
Nov. 3 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Nov. 5 – Kansas City, MO — The Midland
Nov. 6 – St. Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Nov. 8 – Indianapolis, IN – Clowes Memorial Hall
Nov. 11 – Indianapolis, IN – Hinkle Fieldhouse
Nov. 13 – South Bend, IN – Morris Performing Arts Center
Nov. 16 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
Nov. 17 – Cleveland, OH – Palace Theatre
Nov. 19 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
Nov. 20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Hall
Nov. 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 23 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 26 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Nov. 27 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Tickets to all shows except in Pittsburgh and Chicago go on sale this Saturday (August 14) at 10am.
mellencamp.com
Santacular Christmas Countdown – #12 – John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – In 1987, Mellencamp was at the height of his musical trajectory. His “Lonesome Jubilee” album synthesized rock, country, folk and old-timey instruments into a peculiar (though accessible) piece of art. The shows that supported the record put on display one of the best bands I have ever seen live, and I’ve seen hundreds, both great and crappy. I saw John first in ’85 at Detroit’s Cobo Hall during the “Scarecrow” tour and it was my first real taste of what kind of power a band that behaved like that could have; it was the combination of 60’s Mitch Ryder-like rock and roll, Kinks-via-America blue collar lyrical poetry and really loud g
uitars and drums. Two years later, in ’87, that same band had become even more nuanced without losing its power or its garage rock backbone, while adding a fiddle and accordian to the mix. So when I found myself deep in the lawn at Pine Knob Music Theater (again, Detroit) for the second leg of that tour, the intensity, James Brown-ish polish and the momentum of a bunch of radio singles made it one of the best five shows I have seen in my life. The “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” video was recorded during that tour, before one of the shows. It captures that unique-for-the-times Mellencamp sound – rustic, rootsy rock and roll. I would call it brilliant. It is a Mellencamp era that I miss to this day.
He’s had a helluva career, still does what he wants – with integrity – and has moved into a more traditional rock sound for his live shows, though the fiddle still plays an important part in defining the Mellencamp concert sound. Rewind to a era captured on video, of an Indiana punk grown up just enough to build himself one of the great, underrated live bands of the rock era, successfully reinventing a holiday classic.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsat4e8jgHA]
Santacular Christmas Song Countdown – #16 – Rusty Bladen
You will notice, if you are a longtime reader, I throw in a fair amount of unsubstantiated opinion on my way to passing along facts. In reality, if you have read the blog posts over the past year, you already know – via these little nuggets of insight that roll out of my brain, into my fingers and onto the computer – what I like. And trust me, this has everything to do with the song at #16.
If you listed the six (I needed six – five wasn’t enough) musical sounds/songs/albums/artists that are the influences behind this here Rockforward site, it would read like this:
1. The trio of Mellencamp albums in the mid 80’s – “Uh-Huh”, “Scarecrow” and “The Lonseome Jubilee”. Anyone who is 35+ that likes the music we do should recognize how much these albums – especially “Scarecrow” – influenced tons of Americana and roots-rock bands and fans.
2. Tom Petty. Anything Tom Petty.
3. Those late 80’s bands that came on the heels of Petty and Mellencamp (including Gear Daddies, Uncle Tupelo, BoDeans, Del Fuegos, Georgia Satellites, Jason & The Scorchers, Lone Justice, and regional/Indiana artists like Larry Crane, Duke Tomatoe, The Hammerheads, and Henry Lee Summer. That is some and there are more ) Alt-country before they called it that. Heartland rock at the time.
4. Springsteen – for the majesty of the rock and roll, the brilliance of the lyrics, and the passion of the live show. And for the lineage to bar band rock and R&B (like the outstanding J. Geils Band)
5. Power Pop. I think Cheap Trick is woefully underappreciated. Rick Springfield’s “Working Class Dog ” album should be considered great power pop/rock. The Cars debut album is one of the best records in the rock music era. Matthew Sweet’s “Girlfriend ” record was killer. I saw the Romantics live at a bar in 1989 and they were loud, into the performance, and rocked hard, fast and righteously.
6. The current crop of bands that carry on the sounds: Bottle Rockets, Todd Snider, James McMurtry, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Will Hoge among many more…
So that’s where I come from. And it leads to #16 on our countdown of 20 Christmas roots-rock songs. Indiana’s Rusty Bladen has been working for the past 20 years in the bars, clubs and parties throughout the state. I’ve known him that long, first meeting him when I was a radio jock down at WORX in Madison, Indiana – I was just out of college and had a Sunday night radio show and eventually did mornings for a couple years. He was just starting his solo career after a few years in cover bands. He now plays mainly solo live shows that are always high energy. His sound hits all of the influences I already cited. His writing is blue collar.
About a year ago, he released “Feels Like Christmas”, a holiday album of 11 classic Christmas songs and one original – the title cut. That’s the one we have here. Mellencamp drummer Dane Clark produced the effort, and made it all sound really good. A great country rock/heartland/Americana record. The record is simply my favorite Christmas album of all time. Overstatement? Nah. Listen to the album.
Here’s the song, with it’s fun, quaint, and homegrown video.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2BFQCKHAdE]
Twang Rock Report: Jason and the Scorchers reunite for album, New albums from Todd Snider and Low Anthem, plus WTF on the Gaslight Anthem dates?
A Nashville rock/punk/country band reuniting, a Hoosier going beyond back-to-basics, and one the hottest bands in the country avoiding Indy again. All that, and a whole pile more…
ROB’S TWANG NEWS
Reunited?
Late 80’s cowpunkers Jason and the Scorchers is in the process of getting a new album completed; they reunited for their first recording session since 1998. Jason Ringenberg has been playing a lot of solo gigs (including a cartoonish kids singer named “Farmer Jason”) over the years, and Warren Hodges has been ripping it up on guitar in Dan Baird’s (Georgia Satellites) band.
Have You Heard?
The Pawn Shop Lifters (from Virginia Beach, VA) – American Rock with a little Steve Earle, a hint of Georgia Satellites – you listen and decide a third influence.
Of the Indiana American rock and roll bands I’m diggin, check out what Henry French and the Shameless are doing. Here’s a sample of their goods, from Birdy’s late in 2008, performing a song off their “Swagger and Sway” album.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLwFyk3CYSc]
And speaking of Indiana roots rock – The Elms and the 2009 Indy 500 highlights have been paired for a new cool little video. Pretty well done.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2EfhqgudzM]
Quick Hit – Upcoming Shows To Know:
June 12 BoDeans – Vogue
June 20 Hoosier Springsteen featuring Tim Grimm, Jennie Devoe. Gordon Bonham and Jason Wilber – Danville Town Square
June 21 Matthew Sweet – Vogue
June 28: Jonathan Richman w/ Vic Chestnut – Radio Radio
July 2 – Yonder Mountain String Band – Vogue
July 2: Vigilantes of Love – Radio Radio
July 17: Shelby Kelley w/ The Common – Radio Radio
July 23 Old 97’s – Vogue
June 26 – Steve Earle- Buskirk Chumley Theatre – Bloomington
Out this week:
The Low Anthem – “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin”
Americana/folk/alt-country/old-timey all rolled into a sweet little album. Gorgeous. They will play at Locals Only on August 6.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoFq42ccr8]
Todd Snider – “The Excitement Plan”
Less overtly political, more of the Todd that is a brilliant examiner of the human condition. Or stoner guy. Or both. – read Spin review
BTW: How the hell does Indianapolis not get a Gaslight Anthem show? And Cincinnati gets a show…? The band has announced a series of new tour dates and again Indianapolis is not on it. While the band continues to perform in support of 2008’s The ‘59 Sound, this tour is rumored to be the band’s last before heading back into the studio to record a follow-up to that record.
09.08 Pittsburgh, PA: Mr. Small’s
09.09 Cincinnati, OH: Bogart’s
09.10 St. Louis, MO: Pop’s
09.11 Omaha, NE: Sokol Auditorium
09.13 Denver, CO: Ogden Theater
09.16 San Diego, CA: House of Blues
09.17 Los Angeles, CA: Henry Fonda Theater
09.20 San Francisco, CA: Fillmore
09.22 Portland, OR: Berbati’s Pan
10.03 Minneapolis, MN: Epic
10.04 Milwaukee, WI: Turner Hall
10.06 Detroit, MI: St. Andrew’s Hall
10.12 Buffalo, NY: Town Ballroom
10.13 Toronto, ON: Kool Haus
10.18 Philadelphia, PA: Trocadero
10.21 Richmond, VA: The National
10.22 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club
10.26 Columbus, OH: Newport Music Hall
Spin ‘em at 33 1/3 everybody…
Since I have a working turntable for my vinyl after a 20 year hiatus, I pulled the albums out of my parent’s house. I have about four large cardboard boxes stored in a nicely ventilated upstairs attic – thanks Mom.
Not wanting to bring all four boxes home, I grabbed one and pulled some stuff to hear that I hadn’t played since about 1992. Keep in mind that two factors affect my choices: Available inventory (most everything will be 70’s and 80’s), and previous career opportunities. I was a radio jock for 10 years, meaning I bought some of my own stuff to play (I worked at places where I was either in charge and could do what I wanted, or was at a station that still let jocks make music choices – I know, it’s shocking…) Plus, I also kept some records the stations deemed no longer necessary for their success, or records that they weren’t hip enough to know was good shit when they heard it.
Here’s my scratch and pop vinyl love for this week….roll ’em boys.
The Knack – “Get the Knack”
…Because I haven’t listened to it in about 20 years and want to see if there was still some magic nearly 30 years after the release. And despite the misogyny implications, the sound of “Good Girls Don’t” is still damn infectious. And forget the chorus, “My Sharona” becomes great when the guitar solo and entire band get extra -rocking just after the middle of the song.
R.E.O. – “T.W.O.”
Kevin Cronin back on board for this one. Not a killer album, but is a piece of 70’s midwest melodic hard rock from a bar band that had not yet discovered the power ballad.
The Rave Ups- “The Book of Your Regrets”
Ultimately likable but forgettable 80’s alternative rock, from an LA band, redeemed only by their Pittsburgh roots. I hear a Rust Belt/Joe Grushecky influence in some of their phrasing. Obtuse reference? Probably. Look Joe up.
Steve Miller Band – “Number 5”
Guess what album this was for Miller? Not his fourth. This was more like the predecessors and their hard-and-spacey 60’s guitar sound than the radio rock that was to come from Miller. There are hints of his greatness, but the cleaner pop production of “Book of Dreams” and “Fly Like and Eagle” aren’t on here.
Joan Jett – “Bad Reputation”
Her debut record, full of Ramones speed, hints at a Stone-sy attitude. She was turned down by more than 20 record companies before deciding to launch her own label (Blackheart Records) with pal Kenny Laguna. They used his daughter’s college fund, so it’s good things worked out. Laguna and Jett are still friends and regular business partners. Not as powerful as her follow-up, which would make her famous via “I Love Rock and Roll”. (Interesting note – the video for “I Love Rock and Roll” was shot in color, but someone thought it lacked something, so they went down to black and white, so that was how it was released.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8]
Now watch color version!
Greg Kihn Band – “With the Naked Eye”
Man, I was into that power pop thing, wasn’t I? This one has the Springsteen-penned “Rendezvous” as track 1, side 1.
How about St. Louis this week?
One of the older, smaller alt-country festivals of the summer features a great lineup – and St. Louis is a great city.
Twangfest 2009
Wednesday, June 10 – The Pageant
Alejandro Escovedo
Hot Club Of Cowtown
Amy Lavere
Thursday, June 11 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Bruce Robison
Eilen Jewell
Brothers Lazaroff
Friday, June 12 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Asylum Street Spankers
Andre Williams
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles
Jon Hardy & The Public
Saturday, June 13 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Daddy (with Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough)
The Deep Vibration
Theodore