Trends come and go in rock music with the frequency of passing CTA buses, but artists who stay true to the very essence and spirit of early rock ‘n’ roll are especially rare. One of the finest exponents of the Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly school is Dave Edmunds, who will be appearing at the Vic Theatre on Saturday.
From his very first hit, 1971’s “I Hear You Knocking,” to his work with kindred spirit Nick Lowe in Rockpile and his new “Plugged In” album, Edmunds has specialized in timeless bang-it-out, chugging rock ‘n’ roll. That’s not to say he’s resistent to new ideas. In fact, his Jeff Lynne-produced 1983 album “Information” added synthesizers and drum machines to the Edmunds mix without sacrificing an iota of passion.
Edmunds’ new album, his first since 1990’s “Closer to the Flame,” was a total do-it-yourself project. Working from the 24-track studio in his Los Angeles home, the Welsh-born rocker played and sang every note on the album. “Plugged In” includes everything from the “Pet Sounds”-era Beach Boys tribute “Beach Boy Blood” to a cover of the Jerry Reed instrumental fret-burner “The Claw,” Otis Redding’s “I Got the Will” and NRBQ’s “Better Word for Love.” Amazingly, listening to it you’d never know the album wasn’t recorded with a full band. Speaking by phone from a tour stop in Pittsburgh, Edmunds says that’s the ultimate compliment.
“The whole idea was to make it not sound like I’m playing everything, and to make it sound like a band,” he said. “I wasn’t very pleased with the outcome of my last album, which was recorded in the traditional way in a traditional recording studio. I felt I could do better doing it on my own. I like to do the engineering myself, and I can play most of the instruments adequately enough for what I need. Why get other musicians in and tell them what to play when I can do it myself? Working that way is something I’ve always been drawn to.”
In concert, Edmunds will be playing with a basic quartet in a show that he says will mix new material with such classic Edmunds fare as “Trouble Boys,” “I Hear You Knocking,” “Girls Talk” and “Information.” He says he’s looking forward to playing Chicago, where he last played in 1992 as a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, which featured an odd assemblage of musicians including Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Todd Rundgren and Burton Cummings. As it turned out, the Starr tour was a bit of a disappointment for Edmunds.
“It wasn’t a particularly fun experience,” he said. “It certainly wasn’t a party. It was more like being in the Army. A lot of the people involved were in 12-step recovery programs, and it was just a weird mixture of people. Ringo didn’t have enough songs of his own to do, so he had to pad it out with other people singing their songs, hence the weirdness. I’m glad I did it, but I don’t think I would do it again. I can guarantee you that this tour is a lot more fun.”
Other concerts of note
L7, the Melvins and Wool, Friday at the Vic Theatre: The punk-ish L7, which features former Chicagoans Donita Sparks and Dee Plakas, has in-your-face attitude to burn. Their well-received “Hungry for Stink” album is getting plenty of airplay on modern rock stations like WKQX, especially the track “Andres,” a rock ‘n’ roll sexual dysfunction song in the tradition of the Stones “Satisfaction.” Also appearing are grunge-rock forefathers the Melvins, whose new “Stoner Witch” album sounds like it was recorded through a thick layer of sludge-in other words, it sounds just like the band does live.
Jim Lauderdale, Friday at Schubas: Singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale’s music blurs the lines between country, rock, R&B and folk while still managing to find a cohesive sound of its own. His songs have been covered by everyone from country artists George Strait and Mark Chesnutt to rocker Dave Edmunds, but if you need a label for the sharply etched tunes showcased on his new “Pretty Close to the Truth” album, just call it plain ol’ “American Music.”
More Top Picks Signs Of Sensory Processing Issues In Toddlers
Dennis DeYoung, Friday at Park West: Dennis DeYoung’s current “10 on Broadway” album of standards and show tunes has caused a few snickers among local rock critics who have always used Styx as a punching bag. But let’s face it, DeYoung’s operatic voice, which fueled so many Styx hits is tailor-made for the stuff, so why not? Expect a mix of standards, solo material and Styx hits.
Tribal Tech, Friday and Saturday at the Jazz Buffet: Jazz-rock fusion has become something of an anachronism in the ’90s, but this quartet led by guitarist Scott Henderson and bassist Gary Willis are definitely worth a look-see. Henderson, in particular, is a fire-breathing soloist, who will add a couple of tunes from his excellent recent solo blues-rock album “Dog Party” to the mix. Definitely not just for fellow musicians only.
Steve Ferguson and the Midwest Creole Ensemble and Loose Diamonds, Friday and Saturday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn: Grizzled rock veteran Ferguson was one of the hits of FitzGerald’s “American Music Festival” in July, as he played irresistibly steamy Louisiana-style funk-rock with his own band and also sat in with his old mates in NRBQ. Voted Austin, Texas’ “Best Rock Band” for three consecutive years, Loose Diamonds play quintessential Stones-style rock ‘n’ roll with a country twang.
Guided By Voices, Saturday at Lounge Ax: Dayton’s Guided By Voices are an Anglophiles’ delight, with vocalist and songwriter Robert Pollard’s penchant for penning Kinks-style fare, which he sings in a decidedly English accent. To add to the oddness, by day Pollard is a 4th-grade teacher. Also appearing are Smog and Guv’ner.
Galliano, Saturday at Metro: Like the Brand New Heavies, Britain’s Galliano is a multiracial “acid jazz” outfit mixing R&B, hip hop and jazz into a seamless whole. Listening to the band’s new “The Plot Thickens” album is truly an uplifting experience, with Rob Gallagher’s rapping and Valerie Etienne’s soulful vocals nicely complementing each other. Word is their stage show is equally invigorating, so bring your dancing shoes to this 11:30 p.m. show.
Luscious Jackson, Monday at the Double Door: Another all-female outfit, although miles away musically and philosophically from L7, is Luscious Jackson. Actually, their sound on their current “Natural Ingredients” album has more in common with the acid jazz style of Galliano, although they’re a bit more organic in their approach. The only question is whether the quartet can recreate their highly produced recorded sound onstage. Opening is the ubiquitous modern folk/bluesman Ben Harper.
Vigilantes of Love, Thursday at Metro: Athens, Georgia’s Vigilantes of Love have a winner in their new “Welcome to Struggleville,” album. Frontman Bill Mallonee’s intriguing and inspired lyrics and subject matter ranges from meditations on postmodern life and American history to anti-racism anthems, which he and the rest of the band deliver with some walloping, basic guitar rock. Highly recommended.