Liner Notes

Local: Church bells gonna chime with Rev in town July 2

It has been a couple of years since El Paso has had a sermon on the ways of rockabilly, but the world-famous reverend is headed back. He has had many disciples since he came onto the scene, and in most circles, he is regarded as the godfather of the genre. There is no one quite like him. Club 101 welcomes the one and only Reverend Horton Heat, who will take that rockabilly vein and shoot it up with a jolt of some newly acquired goods from 2008’s “Hi Fi Stereo.” With this last studio album, the Reverend added a bit more versatility to his repertoire as he dabbled in the realms of blues, soul and jazz, and even broke out some vintage movie themes. The Rev, known for his high-energy shows, is sure to be in peak form, and those new ventures are sure to only enhance the experience of a blistering set. Go turn up the heat, wake the neighbors, and get those church clothes ready for some good, ol’-fashioned rockabilly fun when the Reverend rolls his tent revival through town July 2.

Local: Join a Cult at El Paso Street Festival July 4

This year’s Downtown Street Festival will be graced by two bands that have made hits still heard today, and one of these groups is a true legend with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame potential. Candlebox, the band of the early ’90s that broke it big with “You” and “Far Behind,” provides the first day’s anthems. Here, your attendance is optional — however, the following evening is mandatory. This is when The Cult is scheduled to take the stage by storm. The past 14 years have been a wild roller-coaster ride. The Cult disbanded in 1994 and then reformed in 2001, signing to Atlantic records, only to dissolve once again. Then lead vocalist Ian Astbury found himself fronting a Doors reincarnation, and that doesn’t even touch on the numerous solo and/or side projects for Ian and guitarist Billy Duffy. None of this seems to matter because the boys came back with a vengeance in 2007. The “Born into This” album had the iconic Cult stamp all over it, with the reminiscent guitar crunch of “Electric” to the rich melodies of “Love.” This El Paso date, the first stop on their 2009 summer tour, is sure to be a Fourth of July full of explosive entertainment and one we won’t soon forget.

National: Cracker, “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey,” 429 Records

It seems like an eternity since we have heard David Lowery and his band, Cracker, rock like this. In fact, “Forever,” their 2002 CD, was the last album in which they really put the pedal to the floor. The ex-mastermind behind Camper Van Beethoven has transplanted that genius into this band, and they have never sounded better. In 1993, they had some commercial success on their sophomore release with the single “Low.” “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey,” their eighth proper release, will rattle any preexisting Cracker notions. It has a familiar tone, but the alternative-country vibe is almost completely missing, aside from the mid-album break, “Friends,” which goes the extra Americana mile with the Drive-By Truckers’ very own Patterson Hood as special guest vocalist. The disc also includes visitations by former X frontman John Doe and Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz. This Cracker is full of crunch, garnished with sharp guitar riffs and guttural howls, and laced with a severe case of punk attitude. The sun has risen on Cracker and they’ve found their way back to the Land of Milk and Honey.

Better than Ezra, “Plays Paper Empire,” Megaforce

Unfortunately, this is one of those bands that most people had passed off as a one-hit wonder, but that way of thinking is for the insane. After a four-year hiatus and a label merge that turned into a quick collapse, the band is doing things a little differently. They are releasing their latest album independently, with no big-record-company money, and they have done the majority of it without their original drummer, Travis McNabb. This is No. 6 of the catalogue in terms of new material, and “Plays Paper Empire” easily deserves the crown that adorns the cover. This is the band not only returning to their classic sound but also adding a bit more punch on the rocking numbers, a heavier heart-wrenching dose of sincerity for the few ballads, and a past tinkering of electronic sounds to create perfection with “Nightclubbing.” Better Than Ezra “Plays Paper Empire” and all the subjects should take note, for there are new rulers of the land.

Collectibles: Jane’s Addition, “A Cabinet of Curiosities,” Rhino Records

Bizarre lead vocalists have always captured the public’s eye, whether it is an outlandish costume, peculiar demeanor, or unusual stage presence, there is usually need for a second look at the spectacle before us. Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell fit the bill in all aspects of prerequisite weirdness, and backed by the flamboyant Dave Navarro on guitar, the band quickly found themselves as the top prize of a record-label bidding war in the late ’80s. The band’s unique ability to combine rock, metal and punk, with hints of funk and jazz, made them stand out from the hordes of bands coming out of Los Angles. In 1987, they debuted with a live album, which would have been completely baffling for any other group, but most-fitting for these guys. The next three years they would produce two proper discs, and then follow up with a string of breakups, reunions and missteps. The quartet is currently back in its original form for the first time in 17 years, and with this comes the Rhino records celebration of the original incarnation of the band with the box set “A Cabinet of Curiosities.” The collection opens with rare session tracks, and plows full steam ahead with demos and a bevy of rarities. The third CD is a complete, unreleased live show from 1990. The set is also sweetened with a DVD featuring music videos of both the banned variety and the commercially acceptable. There are also candid home movies and a rare performance taped for MTV Italy. Of course, be sure to snatch up the cabinet in its limited-edition wooden form, complete with metal latch closure and re-creations of early concert fliers, ticket stubs, a set list and other memorabilia.

Brian Chozick owns Tumblin’ Dice Music.
Write him at tumblindicemusic@netscape.net

July 2009

Liner Notes by Brian Chozick

Menu of this month's listings, stories and columns

El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings,
stories and columns

July 2009

Liner Notes by Brian Chozick

Menu of this month's listings, stories and columns

El Paso Scene MONTHLY This month's listings, stories and columns

El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings,
stories and columns