Better Than Ezra - A little better than I remember

"Free concert by the mall on the west side, behind the Walmart and near the Chic-fil-A."
"That doesn't sound promising, I think I'll pass. Who is the band?"
"Better Than Ezra."
"Oh really?..Oh why not. I guess"

Yeah, that really happened. Better Than Ezra played at a monthly moving Summerfest in a suburb shopping shopping district in Albuquerque. Is there anything more un-rock n' roll than the lot behind the Walmart, in front of Perfect Teeth dentists, and next to AT&T Wireless? I am sure there is something more uncool, but I would really have to think about it. None of that really matters, though, because Better Than Ezra owned it and certainly made it a lot more out of it than expected.

Let us analyze what I just said: "Better Than Ezra owned it," a band while I was in high school who were really only for teeny-bopper girls. There were really no boy bands in that era of music – BTE was about as close as we got – and they were borderline adult contemporary. If any boy liked them, they had to keep it pretty quiet. They are a group that had a few minor rock hits scattered throughout the mid- to late-nineties. They had at least four that even people who weren't paying attention will probably remember. And yes, I learned how to play the song "Good" on the guitar if for no other reason than to garner attention from the cute girls. So I guess you could say I owe them one.

The concert setting was as bad as I described. It had a beer garden about 100ft from the stage off to the left, where a great chunk of their original fan base resided. There were a few food trucks where you could buy some fair food, a few booths from local vendors, and a modest bounce house. Aside from the potential for some professional rock n' roll, it was possibly the lamest festival you have ever seen.

The opening group was an ensemble of pop/bluegrass style female quartet. They were certainly talented but probably not a good lead in for the band. As we endured the rain in Albuquerque, waiting to see what BTE looks like now, it was very difficult to imagine they would have a crowd at 9pm, even for a free show. The place was filled with 5 years olds, which I imagine most BTE fans have about now. Things looked bleak for the former MTV golden boys. Then the show started and the skies cleared for some fine rock n' roll.

At first, they are exactly who we remember – no more, no less. With the exception of about 10 pounds and 2 crow's feet, they look exactly the same as when they first broke out. In the most understated era for rock since the 50's, Better Than Ezra was probably the most understated of them all. They were the antithesis of Van Halen, Guns n' Roses – hell, they didn't even really have the grunge thing going that Nirvana did. They were clean cut and tattoo free. BTE was certainly not a band whose lifestyle you really envied behind closed doors. They looked more like the guys you stayed up with cramming for that Western Civilization final exam in college than a bunch of rock stars. There were no wanking guitar solos, controversial lyrics, or complicated music structure to speak of. Maybe that was their secret – they were very safe, very accessible, and very separated from the image of the day. Or maybe having no image or excess was their image. We can relate to them.

As much as my adolescent self wanted to deny them any credibility as a rock band, there was something disarming and hard not to like about singer Kevin Griffin's unique voice. Much like some of their contemporary light alternative rockers, Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum, and Counting Crows, it was a voice that you listened to that made you feel better on a bad day, a voice that almost seems to take a photo of warm sentimental moments of being young. Music that just sounded good in the morning after a great party with your best friends.

This was the  realization that occurred to me only while finally watching them live. Much like their music and image suggests, they are not a wild stage show, they are not a particularly funny group of guys like Blink 182, and they are certainly not the dangerous type. Still, they are fun and you would be hard pressed not to smile even if you don't catch yourself hand-banging. They made plenty of 90's-esque self-deprecating jokes, particularly about playing across from a Best Buy and Chi-fil-a. They like to toss their picks in the crowd and walk to the edge of the stage and smile. Better Than Ezra for me proved that if you honestly have a great time earning your check the fun way, it can be infectious to those around you, in their case the crowd. We were truly entertained.

The crowd did fill right up as the show began. It wasn't a hostile or crazy-girl crowd, but one that preferred standing. I would guess around 400 people showed up to enjoy the show with sincere enthusiasm. The stage, although collapsable, was large with professional lighting and sound.Other than its odd placement, there was nothing to suggest the band has fallen from relevancy. Clearly they maintained marquee value, even if it was a community event. And for what it was, it was spectacular. My hat's off to who ever booked Better Than Ezra – it looked to have been a huge success and a memorable concert. Safe enough for the family, fun enough for the teenagers.

I can't tell you after watching them that I would drive two hours to see them again or even buy their newest record. I was never able to listen to their records front to back in first place. Sincerely do I doubt I will ever be faced with voting for BTE on the ballot for the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. Despite all that, I will say, I cannot listen to a 90's compilation and feel it to be complete without some peppering of Better Than Ezra. After seeing them live, I still don't envy their lives back stage, because it is probably exactly like mine, but I certainly envy their lives while on stage. "Keep spreading the good cheer Better Than Ezra, and rock on."

Donna Dunne - Ireland's best kept secret... for now.

Traveling to Ireland on holiday, I had lots of anticipation for the country side, historical landmarks, and culture, but what I wasn't looking for that I found was the most alive bar district and music scene I have ever experienced. And I definitely wasn't expecting the local rock starlet Donna Dunne.

To digress a bit, nobody ever told me, "Hey Randy, you need to go to Dublin, you would love it there. It's an endless sea of pubs almost all with live music entertainment." Yes, I do feel my surroundings have let me down. I have partied in Memphis, Hollywood, Kansas City, Seattle, Nashville, and Austin with the best of 'em, but none was more fun than Dublin. With U2, The Cranberries, Thin Lizzy, Dave King (Flogging Molly) and a few others who hail from there, I should have suspected it was a vibrant scene, but I was still taken for the ride of my life. But this isn't a travel blog; this is about Donna Dunne.

Donna Dunne is someone I unearthed on the web as an Irish rockabilly act. She is very hot, she has instantly catchy songs (strangely very rare in the rockabilly revival world), a fantastic voice and she has a pretty polished couple of music videos. Since I love a good rockabilly show,  I was excited to see she had a gig the night after I got into town. What I saw live, though, was something different than I had seen online – it was intense, inspirational and highly intriguing.

In the heart of the Dublin Temple Bar district lies a rock pub that was filled wall to wall with patrons that should have been considered a dangerous fire hazard with eager fans. In the U.S., keeping the crowd dancing at full stamina until 1:30 A.M. on a school night requires you to be something very special, and I imagine it is the same in Ireland as well.

Rockabilly music, although very fun live and even more fun to play, usually does not translate well to a record, and I certainly gave up hope years ago that there will ever be another Stray Cats. Dunne's show didn't have the rockabilly essentials: no slap echo guitar, string bass, pompadour (or whiff as they call them in Ireland), cliche tattoos of the devil and juke boxes. No, Dunne and her band looked very original, modern, even, and only carried a slight nod to the 50's era of rock. Normally I wouldn't put much emphasis into image, but it seems to say a lot about what they are not. Donna Dunne is not a novelty act who should get a standing gig at the Elvis Presley Cafe in Memphis or the Flamingo in Las Vegas – she is an act dripping with potential for something much greater.

They came out swinging with her single Woman In Black, high energy with a dynamite gunslinger on the guitar who plays like Chuck Berry going through a pencil sharpener. Crowd responded accordingly because, it almost seems as if they all know the song, perhaps she is supported by her local radio stations.

The band almost reminded me of the 70's girl punk band The Runaways, only far more gifted musically. They are both intense and listenable, which can be a tricky combination. Maybe it is the culture Dunne comes from with the Irish and their sing-a-long tunes, but she knows how to craft an instantly catchy melody and the band knows how to rock that melody until the walls shake. The ensemble really gets into the music, particularly Donna, and when they do, it is very hard to stand still.

Donna Dunne, although original and different from what she may have already put out on the web, still wears her greatest influences on her sleeves: Elvis, Johnny Cash, and a host of other Sun Records icons. She likes to talk about her pilgrimage to Memphis where her music career took a drastic turn and she wanted bring those great performers back to life in her music. Can she be wrong to draw heavy influence from rock music still most treasured icons?

Don't get me wrong, she may be bursting with potential, but Donna Dunne is not a complete product. Although she has been performing for nearly a decade, her current band is still gelling together, and she has only discovered who she was musically a few years ago. Her first full length record comes out this month and she is still a self-managed artist with a new record contract. To say the least, the rocket ship is only now launching up the into atmosphere, but I am one who is certainly going to keep an eye on the journey. Hardly ever do I hitch my wagon to such a young talent, but I have a feeling about this one. In the U.S., rock music has to make a triumphant comeback sometime, and when it does, there is no foreseeable reason Donna Dunne can't make her presence known across the pond.

Lit - Still lighting it up like its 2002

Starting off the summer touring season our old friends from Orange County, Lit. Lit is chipping away towards a triumphant return with a new record and a couple of fresh faces. Starting in Ft. Lauderdale florida, Lit set out to make a statement, and that statement is, "Were not done yet."

Incase you were in solitary confinement from 1998 to 2003, you could not have escaped Lit's radio domination. They had become one of the few thriving faces of Rock music when the Brittney's, Ricky's, and boy bands took over. Much like their contemporary No Doubt, they were a definitive representation that the anger/ apathetic grunge movement was coming to an end. They were in that rare space of being accesable enough to play on top 40 stations, and hard enough to play on rock stations, safe enough for Hot AC, edgy enough for Alternative. MTV's final days of being a music formatted station had plenty of room in their programing to show Lit's stylish fun loving music videos over and over. Lit was any record label's dream come true.

Backtrack, I went to this show under a pretense that I might be uncomfortable reviewing it. For one, I can't help that I am a fan and have to try and remain objective. More importantly, I have an old friend who we used to play music together in my early rocking days. His name is Ryan Gillmor and he has been added to the Lit roster as a second guitarist, backing vocalist, keyboards and song writer. Unbenounced to Ryan I showed up ready to give an honest review despite my reservations. Luckily, giving an unforgiving review will not be an issue.

Curtains were drawn for an anticipated arrival of a crowd of approximately 250 eager fans. 250 didn't make for a packed house, but what they lacked in numbers they made for in fervor when guitarist Jeremy Popoff tour into the chords of their semi-hit "Four." Ajay Popoff strutted on the stage with no humility, no apologies, he came on like he had never been gone, just they way you would want him to come on.

The sound was pristine, its obvious they take the sound seriously, lit is not a bunch of rookies, they were polished before they hit it big. Lit also takes the stage show seriously. Watching the band play is like they are doing a rock zoomba class on speed. The band moves with an intensity like Mr. T in Rocky 3, you can't take your eyes off them for a second. But the most glaring observation that I could make is that the band doesn't have appeared to age a single day. From ten feet away I couldn't tell that I didn't fall into a time warp of the '90s. Lets face it, even when they were just a burgeoning on the national scale, they were not kids anymore, I would be surprised if they had a gold record before their ten year high school reunion. So imagine my surprise when the entire crowd seems to have aged older then the band.

The addition of Ryan Gillmor seems to have brought in a grander arena rock element to the ensemble. Growing into the music scene with Ryan I can vouch that he is the perfect combination of talent and humility, perfect to supplement the already supperior lineup that hadn't been altered for nearly 20 years prior.

Deeper than just making a live stage show interesting with energy, maintaing the youthful exuberence like the Stones, sounding as good as the record and adding a gunslinger to the mix, Lit seems to be out to out make some waves one more time.

They played at least 8 new tracks from their up coming record being released in mid june. All of which present material equal to or greater than what was on the record that put them on the map. However, anyone who knows anything about this unscientific business, is that there is no gaurantee good material will get noticed even if the band has Marquee value. Regardless, these guys are not rockers on walkers phoning in the new CD early just to have something to put out, they seem to have an agenda and that agenda could get interesting in the coming days. Lets put it like this, there is a good reason they are on the tour that Rolling Stone Magazine is calling the number 1 tour of the year.

At the end of the day, let it be known that when I am a multi-millionaire living on beach front property, Lit is high on my shortlist of bands who I want to come and entertain 1000 of my closest friends.

Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers - Backyard BBQ Tour

It can be difficult to give an objective review of the concert performed by your favorite band, and it's near impossible to give one when they played in your very own back yard.

In case you are unfamiliar with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, here is a brief synopsis of the seemingly cult status band that is passing you by unnoticed: RCPM was formed in 2000 from the ashes of the late '90s alternative band The Refreshments. The Refreshments had a couple of hits, MTV videos and radio releases that you may remember – Banditos, Girly, Down Together, Dolly, etc. And you most certainly may recognize their TV theme song to Mike Judge's King of the Hill.... Still doesn't ring a bell? Doesn't matter, because that doesn't begin to describe the cult of RCPM.

Their music can't really be described, but I will try anyway. Imagine the rock n' roll fun we feel when we hear Cheap Trick, The Ramones, Weezer. Then imagine the party we feel when we hear Jimi Buffet, Sammy Hagar, or a good Mariachi band. Imagine the lyrics of Springsteen with more sense of humor, the sense of adventure of Steve Earl, the sincerity of Johnny Cash.

The guitarists, bass and drummer have all done individually what so few rock musicians have achieved, finding their own voice, sound and style. Their recipe is unique, the ingredients are familiar. Their unity in rhythym and sound is world class.

RCPM are accessible, and musically respectable. They are deep, but not unrelatable; they are happy, but not corny; they are completely original, but not bizarre. You can listen to their music, check their videos on YouTube and think they are fun, but it won't be until you see them live that will you understand why twice a year they have thousands upon thousands of Americans from all over flock south of the border to watch their favorite band play at their famous event called Circus Mexicus.

Once a year they have a Backyard BBQ Tour to celebrate their biggest fans. RCPM will show up in their tour bus with a couple of bottles of Roger's famous award winning tequila, take the tour of your home, and enjoy your fresh home cooking. They have what I consider the coolest and friendliest roadies in business who will cheerfully do a terrific job in setting up the equipment for a rock show as good as what you will experience in the club or theatre.

My wife Michelle and I planned this event for several weeks. We had our tiered back yard decorated with Mexican flags, tiki torches, hand painted fan signs, pinatas, serape blankets, chili capped lights, Neon Cacti, you name it. We invited every friend we had who didn't leave town for the 4th july weekend, filled with fifty five lawn chairs, our backyard was ready party. A huge potluck was established with every sort of Mexican dish you can imagine – no one was going to be left hungry for food or for Rock n' Roll.

Our little home in Albuquerque was about to be blessed with possibly its finest hour when something strange happened. Our seven year draught ended seemingly all at once. The heaviest rain this town had experienced in seven years began practically the moment band took the stage. The crew and our friends and I frantically scattered, covering their equipment and instruments with blankets and tarps. The locals made the usual cliche of, "If you don't like the rain, wait five minutes." But the rain persisted for nearly 4 hours of heavy downpour.

Despite the almost comically tragic luck, we all pulled together under our little tin awning on our deck and the band gave what was possibly the most intimate show any of us has ever experienced. All of us huddled in that little area, protecting the band's equipment from the rain with our bodies, RCPM playing away as we were all dripping from head to toe.  We were all so packed that we were squeezed at elbow distance between guitarist Jim Dalton and Roger Clyne, and the drummer's bass drum was at our knee caps.

They opened with their fan favorite and show staple Mexico, followed by songs whose lyrics fit the appropriate situation, such as Leaky Little Boat, Love is the Road, Switchblade, Contraband, U.F.O. and any other song we wanted to hear. Regardless of the adverse conditions, unplanned equipment issues, they didn't play sloppy or like they didn't care. They played just as well as when I watched them open for John Fogerty or Sammy Hagar, or to their own album release in Phoenix. They brought the heat, while still keeping it intimate.

Not all of the crowd of 55 had the stamina to withstand the elements, but those of us who did experienced what is a once in a lifetime memory, and those who weren't fans before became fans for life. And, as it turned out, this show landed on our third wedding anniversary.

The band kept the attitude that this was even more fun than what was planned and seemingly had just as much fun as the crowd did for the 2 and half to 3 hours they played. I asked originally to play a song or two on the guitar to open up the show. At that point, I scraped the idea, but the band brought me in, as I played on Roger's guitar with his band that backed me up impromptu some Johnny Cash songs. The crowd sang along and it was the most epic experience of my life. The night was summed up when our friend Hailey who was new to the Peacemaker family said between songs, "Best. Party. Ever!"

The following morning before they took off to their next destination, they pulled up in their massive tour bus again to pick up some of their equipment they had left to dry off. They had breakfast with us that my wife Michelle had prepared. They sat and hung out with us and we all laughed about life, music, and Breaking Bad. It was like we'd known them for years, we were all perfectly comfortable being ourselves. The band were family men like us, they watch what food they eat like us, they probably listen to a lot of the same music and read the same books as we do. We felt such a sincere friendship even if it was only one evening and one morning – it didn't feel forced, or just polite – it was organic. They even played with our dog Snickers like our friends would.

If I can end on one note about the band, it's this: they are exactly like their songs' messages and philosophies: we are all the same on the inside, we are here to enjoy life and have good relationships. The lyrics to Roger's songs I believe are a reflection of the people he surrounds himself with and people he likes to perform for.