Worth Checking OutÖ by
Dana Eric Misenheimer ©2003
The Gin Blossoms
The Gin Blossoms are everything thatís right about rock and roll.
I came to that conclusion the first time I heard ìHey Jealousyî come blasting out of my car radioís speakers ten years ago, and everything Iíve heard by, and about, the Tempe, Arizona quintet since that time has reaffirmed my belief that this is one of the most legitimate groups of musicians to ever assemble for the unified purpose of creating a sound that falls under that ever evolving canopy of music called rock and roll.
On Saturday, August 2nd, the reunited Gin Blossoms visited Western New York and played a free concert at the mouth of the Erie canal just outside of Buffalo. Yeah, thatís right. FREE. If there was any doubt in the mind of anyone who was in attendance that night that these guys are the real deal, two plus hours later it was completely gone.
It was my first time seeing the Blossoms despite being a dedicated fan since they broke nationally, and all I can say is, thank goodness theyíre back together and touring. At a time when the public is paying exorbitant ticket prices to see lip syncing studio and PR products running around on stage to canned ìmusicî with asinine dance revues that would look ridiculous at a sleazy Vegas nightclub - let alone a concert stage - it was a breath of fresh air to see and hear the Blossoms rip it up under the summer stars, producing some of the catchiest riffs and effortless two part harmonies that this music fan has ever heard.
Stratocasters, Les Pauls, and an occasional Telecaster were the order of the day as the Blossoms tore through an inspired set that contained every song except ìCheatinî from ìNew Miserable Experience,î their first album proper (They released an album called ìDustedî on an indie label before signing with A&M. Most of the songs on it were rerecorded for ìNew Miserable Experienceî). A healthy portion of the second album, ìCongratulations, Iím Sorry,î was represented as well as some new material, and one well placed and exquisitely chosen cover. Buzzy fuzztones were agreeably absent in favor of punchy, overdriven tube amps that gave the band a full, rich sound that one could feel as well as hear. When it was called for, clear, shimmering guitar tones filled the night air, providing a vibrant, chiming feel reminiscent of the Byrds.
Speaking of the Byrds, another attribute that the Gin Blossoms have in common with this writerís favorite band is harmonies to die for. While the Byrds were capable of harmony parts that equaled the number of band members at any given time, many of the early songs were performed with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark singing in unison, and David Crosby singing a harmony that gave the song its sonorous depth. After seeing the Gin Blossoms, I realize they have the same formula working for them. Guitarist Scott Johnson had a mike in front of him on stage, but only jumped in on a few songs, preferring to concentrate on his guitar chops. Throughout the performance, singer Robin Wilson ñ who has one of the best voices in rock and roll ñ belted out the lead vocals with conviction and authority while guitarist Jesse Valenzuela sang the second part of the harmonies effortlessly. No straining or histrionics needed here. These guys had no problem hitting the notes that they laid down on their discs and sure didnít need any studio magic to compensate for what wasnít there. It was ALL there.
Original drummer Phil Rhodes has opted out of touring, so the Blossoms have been using hired guns for the skins since reuniting. Scott Kusmirek is the current pounder, and he played with the kindred sensibilities of his new bandmates. Judging by the energy and fire he put into every song, he must like his new job and want to stick around. Anytime a drummer approaches a show as if heís trying to break a head or stick, if not the entire kit, by the end of the show, heís won my approval.
This show and this band gave me everything I could have hoped for in a performance and more. The tight, spirited, sense of purpose they displayed is everything a rock band should have. Their attitude was right, their intensity was brimming, and their musicianship was as good as it gets. They could have left the stage before their final encore and still been miles ahead of the competition, but they upped the ante and put the icing on the cake when they showed the authenticity of their credentials by returning to play a faithful and rollicking cover of the Thin Lizzy anthem, ìThe Cowboy Song.î Giving the nod to a band that is tragically under appreciated in the United States, but played their brand of rock and roll with the same intensity and for all the same reasons as the Gin Blossoms do, was as fitting a finale as youíll ever experience at a concert. Take that Eminem.
If the Gin Blossoms are coming anywhere close to your town, tell as many friends as possible, buy tickets, and go see them. If theyíre not coming anywhere close to your town, find out where they are coming, take off from work or school, and go see them. If you donít have any of their music, buy any or all of their CDs before you leave to go see them and blast them in the car all the way to the show. If there isnít any way you can make it to the show, go out and buy the DVD, ìJust South of Nowhere.î It contains all of the bandís videos, plus an entire concert from the ìNew Miserable Experienceî tour. If you can make it to the show, buy it anyway, and youíll appreciate it that much more.
Itís
fortunate the Gin Blossoms have gotten back together, and now a disc of new
material ñ which should be forthcoming ñ is all that fans of great rock and roll
have to wait for. When the new disc does come out, go out and buy it. Blast it
in your car, blast it at home, and call your local radio station(s) and request
it. To this set of discerning ears, the Gin Blossoms are alwaysÖ worth checking
out.