CD Review: The Urges - Psyche Ward

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s customary to reflect on the many great musical artists that have come from Ireland, including U2, Van Morrison, The Cranberries, The Undertones, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, Horslips, Clannad, and Sinead O’Connor. Here’s a CD review of a newer band that carries on the tradition. Note: This review first appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The Urges come from Dublin, but on their U.S. debut Psyche Ward they sound like they could have been next door neighbors to Wicked Cool labelmates The Chesterfield Kings. In the 1960s. It seems odd that these Irish lads would be so proficient at garage rock, but then Belfast native Van Morrison helped invent the genre when he recorded “Gloria” with Them over four decades ago.

The organ playing on “It Aint Right” evokes go-go girls and vintage spy movies, and Glen Lee Flynn’s spirited guitar playing ignites the catchy melodies of songs like “Jenny Jenny” and “Read The Signs.” Lead singer Jim Walters’ snarling vocals make him sound like a tour guide in a haunted house, and on “Salvaje,” he howls and laughs throughout its spooky arrangement. The intro for “The Urges Theme” sounds like a surf instrumental, and the song goes on to feature some of Flynn’s most fluid guitar playing.

Return Of The Two Teens

From left to right: Nash, Clarke, Haydock, Elliott, and Hicks.

The Hollies were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame at an official ceremony held in New York on March 15th. The show was broadcast on the Fuse cable channel. Prior to Little Steven Van Zandt’s introduction, there was a video montage of the band performing its hits on various TV shows and at concerts, plus snippets of interviews from over the years.

Van Zandt opened with a shout out to Iggy Pop, who had rocked the house with a live performance following his induction. Van Zandt went on to take a few swipes at the current state of the recording industry and The Grammy Awards in particular, before he got around to talking about The Hollies. But his genuine passion for rock and roll added weight to his endorsement of the band, as he described Tony Hicks as an underrated guitarist, lauded Bobby Elliott’s inventive drumming style, and praised the three part harmonies of Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Hicks.

As expected, Nash, Clarke, and Terry Sylvester were on hand to accept the awards, and it was a pleasant surprise to see original bass player Eric Haydock and the man who replaced him, Bernie Calvert, also on hand. Fuse got the bassists mixed up; showing Calvert’s name on the screen while Haydock was speaking. Hicks and Elliott were not able to attend because they were performing with the current version of The Hollies at The London Palladium.

Clarke reminisced about how he and Nash met as kids in school, and grew up sharing a love for rock music. Nash was particularly pleased to see his lifelong friend receive the Hall Of Fame Honor. Sylvester cracked a few jokes, and then paid tribute to the band’s first manager.

As for the performance, Clarke and an acoustic guitar strumming Nash sang “Bus Stop” and “Carrie Anne,” backed by The Paul Schaffer Band (from The Late Show with David Letterman) and with some vocal assistance from Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael of Maroon 5. Van Zandt kicked off “Long Cool Woman In Black Dress” by playing its famous guitar intro, and Patrick Monahan from Train came on stage to handle the lead singing. Clarke, who sang lead on the original, strapped on an electric guitar for this number, and joined Nash on back-up vocals. Sylvester joined the rousing rendition, singing a few lines on a mic he borrowed from Monahan.

It was great that The Hollies finally received this long overdue honor. And even more touching to see Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, laughing and having a blast together, decades removed from their first performances together as The Two Teens in the clubs of Manchester, England.

Showtime!

Just a reminder that The Hollies will be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame tonight. The ceremony will be broadcast on the Fuse Channel at 7:30 PM Central Standard Time. Break out the champagne and celebrate.

Congratulations to Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, Terry Sylvester, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Carl Wayne, Bernie Calvert, Mikael Rikfors, Eric Haydock, and Don Rathbone. Plus, a tip of the hat to the current Hollies members who tour and record with Hicks and Elliott: Ian Parker, Steve Lauri, Ray Stiles, and Peter Howarth.

It's also a good time to pay tribute to the late Carl Wayne, who served as The Hollies’ lead vocalist from 2000 to 2004. Already famous for his work with The Move as well as in theatre productions, Carl sought to bring Hollies fans closer to their favorite group. I had the honor of meeting him in 2002. As I wrote in a piece for Amplifier Magazine, he was the people's Hollie.

I met Wayne while The Hollies were doing a soundcheck hours before an outdoor concert in Stillwater, Minnesota. The band ran through a few songs at the soundcheck; seeming to take longer because there were a number of fans watching them. Unfortunately, the actual concert was rained out, and I’ve never had a chance to see The Hollies since. Hopefully, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame honor will spark some sort of tour in the United States. Maybe even one that brings the current and former members together.

Talk Of London Town

The recent release of the Live In London CD/DVD set triggers a rush of memories concerning The Pretenders. Their 1980 self-titled debut shook the world by mixing elements of punk and classic rock, and established Chrissie Hynde as a songwriter whose lyrics could sting as well as comfort. I still remember being at parties or bars and hearing people shout some of her classic lines as a song like “Precious” or “Tatooed Love Boys” blasted on the stereo. Hynde’s amazing vocals enabled her to convey a wide range of emotions.

The Pretenders had the good fortune to arrive just as rock videos were at the height of their popularity. Hynde’s commanding presence, combined with imaginative imagery, established the band’s reputation for making enticing videos, from the touching story of the lonely waitress in “Brass In Pocket” to The Avengers parody of “Don’t Get Me Wrong.” I have several VHS tapes and DVDs of rock bands, but never seem to watch any of them as much as I do The Pretenders Greatest Hits, which offers 20 clips from throughout the band’s career.

Over the course of three decades, Hynde has maintained her edge. The tragic loss of two members early on could have brought about the demise of The Pretenders, but she soldiered on and continued to create great music. Live in London, which was recorded during The Pretenders’ 2009 tour, shows Hynde at full power on classics like “Back On The Chain Gang” as well as newer material like “Boots Of Chinese Plastic.”

I’ve seen two live performances by The Pretenders, and both came by winning WXRT contests. One was at the Rosemont Horizon in 1994, and had the added benefit of a stellar opening set by the Chicago power pop trio, Material Issue. And about a year ago, I encountered the band in a more intimate setting at The Martyrs club in Chicago. Although at times the event felt more like hanging out with Hynde and her mates at a rowdy party than watching an actual concert, it was a fascinating opportunity to get a close up view of one of rock’s all time great artists.

Slumgullion #6

Photo taken from Sarah McLachlan's website.

It's late Friday night, and metaphorically speaking, the dirty pots and pans are in the sink, the stove is covered with spills and stains, and the kitchen has a strange, but not altogether unpleasant fragrance. All of which can only mean one thing: another serving of that exotic stew of entertainment happenings, Slumgullion.

There Will Be Songs To Sing The pond in our back yard is only now starting to thaw, and it will be at least a month before migrating birds start dropping by on their way back up north. But there has already been a flood of reports on the music festivals that will be coming to the Chicago area this summer. In addition to highly anticipated announcements about Lollapalooza, Ravinia and Pitchfork, there was the welcome surprise that Lilith Fair is coming back. Created by Sarah McLachlan, Terry McBride, Dan Fraser, and Marty Diamond in 1997, Lilith Fair lasted for three years. The tours were billed as celebrations of women in music, and according to Wikipedia, raised 10 million dollars for various charities. Toward the end of last year, McBride announced that Lilith Fair would be reborn in the summer of 2010. Like its predecessors, the new version finds McLachlan joined by female musicians and female-fronted bands from several genres, including The Go-Go’s and The Bangles; Loretta Lynn, Kelly Clarkson and Martina McBride; Cat Power, Metric, and Gossip; and Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu. The Indigo Girls, Heart, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, and Colbie Caillat have also signed on. Lilith Fair 2010 has stops scheduled in several cities, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Boston, Dallas, and Nashville. It’s not clear yet if all of these artists will perform in each city, but it would be a tremendous festival if they did. Lilith Fair is also conducting a Local Talent Search for new artists who would like to join these impressive headliners in concert.

Famous In The Forest Black Forest Theatre is offering a double bill of “comedy and weirdness” on March 20th at its brand new space at 512 Kedzie in Evanston. Black Forest, led by Carla Hayden and James Moeller, will perform its own avant garde piece, The Wig. Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I wrote and performed with for 20 years, will perform a revue titled Loose Animals. I believe that’s the revue FIF (Frank Carr, Desiree Burcum, Michael Hora and Tina Teske) did at last year’s Abbie Hoffman Festival at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre (See August under Archives). As I said last summer, it would be impossible for me to write an unbiased critique of Loose Animals, but I did think my old mates offered some funny takes on current topics. Hayden and Moeller will be performing with their band WhiteWolfSonicPrincess at the Elbo Room on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago on April 2nd. I caught a WWSP gig at Goose Island Brewery a few weeks back, and the new lineup is looking good.

The Story On Story Week Columbia College will be sponsoring Story Week from March 14th through 19 at its Film Row Cinema and other venues around Chicago. Subtitled a Festival Of Writers, it will include readings, panel discussions, performances, and signings. In addition to guests like Joyce Carol Oates and Achy Obejas, Story Week will hold a special Literary Rock & Roll: Rock The Genre night with writers Aleksander Hemon, Bonnie Jo Campbell, and Marcus Sakey. There will be a performance by Bread & Puppet Theater, and music provided by DJ/Metro owner Joe Shanahan and DJ Don De Grazia. Call 312-369-7611 for more information.

Under The Influence - Part Three

Waiting for the No. 36 Broadway? Material Issue gives “Bus Stop” the Chicago power pop treatment.

With five days left until The Hollies are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, it’s time to take another look at Sing Hollies In Reverse, the 1995 various artists compilation recorded in their honor. Here are three more highlights from that tribute CD.

The Wondermints are a power pop act that has artfully mixed lush vocals, clever lyrics, and inventive arrangements on CDs like Bali and a self-titled 1996 effort. The band frequently contributes to tribute albums, and members Darian Sahanaja, Probyn Gregory, and Nicky Walusko are part of Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s critically acclaimed band when he goes out on tour. On Sing Hollies In Reverse, The Wondermints give “You Need Love,” one of The Hollies better album tracks, an energetic arrangement that has more of an edge than the original while still maintaining a definite 1960s feel. Sahanaja’s keyboard playing add an additional texture to the song.

Formed in the early 1990s, The Continental Drifters mixed roots rock with power pop on CDs like Vermillion and Better Day. With a lineup that included Peter Holsapple from The dB’s, Vicki Peterson from The Bangles, and Susan Cowsill from The Cowsills, it was a cinch the band would electrify the early Hollies single, “I Can’t Let Go.” Robert Mache nails its classic guitar intro and Cowsill does a great job singing lead. The vocals and instrumentation are nearly identical to the original, with the main difference being the co-ed harmonies provided by Holsapple, Peterson, and drummer Carlo Nuccio.

Material Issue would get its own tribute album with Just What This World Needs in 2000, but back in 1995, the Chicago power pop trio brought its distinctive sound to one of The Hollies’ best known hit singles. Jim Ellison’s vocals are immediately recognizable on this revved up version of “Bus Stop,” making it sound like it would have fit right in on Material Issue’s impressive debut, International Pop Overthrow. The Chicago band excelled at cover versions, particularly “Kim The Waitress” on Freak City Soundtrack, and a cover of “Run To Me” on the Bee Gees tribute CD, Melody Fair.

Dag, He’s Busy!

Some people just seem to be perpetually involved in creative endeavors. Like my former co-worker Heather Svoboda, who at last count was performing in 500 improv groups, and was contemplating a go at stand-up. She also performed in a scripted show with Black Forest Theatre. I might be exaggerating about the number of her improv groups, but you can find out for yourself when one of them, The Fling performs March 13th at The Playground Theater at 3209 North Halsted in Chicago. The Senate and The Basic Eight are also on the bill. The show starts at 8PM.

I’m tempted to say that Dag Juhlin has played in at least 1,000 different rock bands, but the thumbnail bio on his Facebook page says it better: “Entertainment professional since 1910.” I have a 45 record, an LP and a CD by The Slugs, one of Juhlin’s first groups; I saw him with The Greenwoods at International Pop Overthrow; and I saw him open for The Hoodoo Gurus at The Abbey Pub with The Goldstars. He has also taken part in tributes to XTC.

Now, Juhlin has this EXPO'76 thing going on, and their next show is March 10th, at Simon’s Tavern, at 5210 North Clark Street in Chicago. The band’s blog states that this is the beginning of a residency at the club, so those of us who can’t make the March 10th show can look for them on second Wednesday of next month.

From what I can make out, EXPO’76 is a covers band comprised of four rock and roll veterans. In addition to Juhlin on vocals and guitar, the lineup includes Kenn Goodman, the founder of Pravda Records and member of The Service; Ralph Baumel; and John Carpender. The band covers anything from new wave to jazz and folk, with a set list that includes “Laughter In The Rain” by Neil Sedaka,“You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” by Lovin’ Spoonful, “Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Lowe, and “Fire” by Bruce Springsteen.

Juhlin usually finds a unique way to hype his performances. For one of the XTC tribute shows, he taped himself manning a fictional XTC Reunion Hotline, where he mostly dealt with inquiries about ELO, ELP, and in one case, an embarrassed caller seeking help with an STD. The take away message: there aint going to be no XTC reunion, so see this tribute instead. For the EXPO’76 March 10th gig at Simon’s, he’s claiming the club originally planned on holding a Lil’ Wayne Defense Fund Charity Auction, but it was canceled, so his band agreed to fill in at the last minute. EXPO’76 goes on at 8:30PM. There is no cover charge.