Steady Evolution:
The Dave Weckl Band at Catalina
Concert Review and Interview by Nick Burns; Photo by Jay Matsueda

Besides packing the house, curious but ticket-less fans stood outside the Catalina Bar & Grill on Tuesday, 26 February, longing to catch a glimpse of the techniques that have made Dave Weckl's drumming sound supernatural to those listeners lacking the explanation afforded by visual aid. Even to a trained ear and watchful eye, though, Weckl's controlled and effortless flurries on drums and cymbals often seem indecipherable. This extension beyond the familiar and reproducible has garnered a raft of followers; Weckl has inspired countless young drummers to work on their speed and finesse chops. With the undeniable help of these prodigy wanna-be's, he inspires a respectable audience to arrive at his every show.
While reputation helps a person's legacy, it can hurt his evolution. Weckl's playing has evolved, and his current band marks the changes he has earned since first solidifying his reputation of technical master, perhaps most poignantly with Chick Corea's Elektric and Akoustic Bands in the '80s and early '90s. Weckl's blistering technique sounds more like a tool now, not a compulsion as critics once suggested; it takes a backseat to the artistic intentions of the music.
As Weckl explains: "I always feel that there's another level to get to. Not to play faster or any of that type of stuff, but it's more of a comfort level and the freedom of statement to me, to convey the feel of the music, what I want to say, personally, with no physical inhibitions in my way, or mentally." The music has grander intentions than the spectacle of its own production, and Weckl is taking steps to more naturally convey those intentions.
On developing the groundwork for greater musicality: "One of my most profound learning experiences was over the last six or seven years with this drum teacher here in LA by the name of Freddie Gruber who was really responsible for a lot of guys figuring out how to do this without it being so technical." Technique bridges the gap between intent and art.
While Weckl has constructed a fabulously detailed and elaborate bridge, he knows not to dawdle on it, and to go where it leads. Now, if he could only get those fans---the ones "Woo"-ing every time Weckl rattles off a roll, or even just so much as kicks one double-bass drum pattern - to stop gawking at it.
With Tom Kennedy on bass, Brandon Fields on woodwinds, and Steve Weingart on keyboards, Weckl's band has the sonic diversity to express a wide spectrum of emotion and feel. The fusion of styles occurs within sets, songs, and solos. From the familiar driving feel of the smooth and bold sax line of "Bridge" to the windy ambient organ sound underlying tribal percussion in "Passion," the group resists stereotyping their own sound. "We're just a group of people that have come together to write honest music from all of our influences with no preconceived ideas of what it's supposed to be," quips Weckl, reflecting on the goal of the project. His intent is to allow freedom, but not without structure. Jazz fusion earned a reputation for iconoclastic excess in the '70s when, according to Weckl, "everybody's kind of playing loud, wild, crazy stuff. And that's not what we do. This band is more about playing tunes."
The song-centric approach reveals itself in the focus of each composition. Like Fields' "Skipper," which delivers the maritime tone its title anticipates, the tunes draw boundaries that ground the musicians while making their exploration potentially more daring, rather than simply letting them sink or swim on the merits of their own extemporaneous ideas. Weckl admits: "The only goal [of his band] is to be able to survive without thinking from a commercial standpoint;" a goal so far reached.
However, his audience generally lags behind in resisting commercial temptations. Much of Weckl's draw unfortunately remains his hair-triggered flashy bombardment on his instrument. Perhaps the best way now for Weckl's music to better differentiate itself from its past while still evolving progressively is in leaps, changes that break the stride of age-correspondent maturation.

Music Notes

Andrea Miller’s CD demo, titled Just Play It, captures the urban sound that is currently popular. There is no exact distinction to the sound, other than the lush production. Andrea has talent but plays it too safe. “I Can Feel It” is a bow to J. Lo; “Tempt Me” seems to clarify her sense of style, a rather sensual voice. Andrea is displaying her quite impressive virtuosity on the tracks. She needs no polish per se, but could utilize a songwriting partner, whom could push her admirable talent. She needs to have a more aggressive, recognizable sound that is particularly and uniquely, her own.
www.mp3.com/Andrea_Miller.
Witty lyrics and a toe-tapping back beat describe Supremium’s recent opus, Tales. Building songs with influences from Foo Fighters, Dave Clark Five and Loving Spoonful, Supremium has mastered the retro rock sound. The lyrics are almost too clever. All they need now is a little more testosterone, some brass where it counts! “Her Name” is a great tune with thump, a more signature sound. The band has all the components to make a scene for them, let us hope that they remain true to themselves and give the music some more growl. Grrr! Smile Records.
The Andersons have certainly carved a great niche with Family Secrets. This is a distinctive sound—quirky and unpredictable as their predecessors, the Psyclone Rangers. You can almost hear Elvis Costello making a comeback, when he was young and angry. The Andersons don’t possess the same angst, but do hold tongue firmly in cheek. They don’t take themselves too seriously, which is why this record is so much fun to listen to. A sort of an anti-pop pop record. Standouts include “Let You Down” and “Everybody Knows You’re The One.” Smile Records.
Sparkle*jets u.k. new record, Bamboo Lounge, must have broken through the stringent wall of the Orange Curtain, because their brand of rock has the aggressive punch of underground tempered by the brightness of refined pop. What a concept. The band understands the intricate balance of composition and structure. Yet, each track is unique unto itself. It is a sound that is so fresh and original that it is practically revolutionary. “She May Be Nice” and “So Gone” establish the band as legitimate rockers. The band also capitalizes on the multi-media concept with their CD. Definitely worth the dinero. Smile Records.
Jump Little Children could upstage British stalwarts Radiohead with their new self-titled cd. Evident is years of polishing song craft, musicianship and charisma. The music is very easy to listen to. It is surprising that the radio gods haven’t granted them their due. This is definitely music of the time, with an almost surreal vibe, it plays like a favorite portrait that you spend hours gazing upon. Silky smooth vocals and a cultured sound give them an identity that succeeds in many ways. Their strength is their diversity—enough talent to spread evenly and appeal to all palates. EZ Chief Records.

Rockin
with
St.Teresa

March 14
James Cotton, Scotty Moore, Lee Rocker at The El Rey. Harp legend James Cotton on the same bill with Elvis’ guitar player, Scotty Moore is a sight to behold. Throw in Lee Rocker and you’ve got a veritable happening – this show will probably be packed to the gills with a combination of young retro ultra-hipsters, and roots aficionados.
Lydia Lunch, Cecil Taylor, Smog, Tony Conrad, Ira Cohen, Gerard Malanga, John Sinclair, Nathaniel Mackey at All Tomorrow’s Parties (Curated By Sonic Youth - 7pm, UCLA’s Royce Hall – 310.825.2101);
AWOL1, Circus of Shapeshifters at Mr. T’s Bowl;
Cosmologic at Rocco;
The Idaho Falls at The Three of Clubs;
Five Degrees of Soul, Fischer P., Ashley Maher, The Five Degrees at Temple Bar;
Michelle Penn, Chi Chi at Taix Lounge;
John ‘OO’ Flemming (Gatecrasher, Euphoria, Wired for Sound – UK), DJ Brad (Moontribe, Tropical), Hendo, Brian McGuire at Red (Arena);
Tequila’s Reliquarium: Disposable Human, Linda Soular, Melodrone, Snakes vs. Lizards, Tequila Mockingbird at CIA;
John Scofield, The Radiators at HOB;
The Music of Frank Zappa: Grandmothers (Roy Estrada, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Moris Tepper), Object with Ike Willis, Napoleon Murphy Brock at The Knitting Factory;
American Grass, Roots With Mule (Dan Janisch) at The Alterknit Lounge;
The Junglist Platoon at Martini Lounge;
Stephen Clarke, Antonio Sol, Brian Van Der Ark, Kip Meaker at The Mint;
Melissa Ferrick, Joanna at The Roxy;
Postfontane, Gram Rabbit at The Fold;
Molecular, The Movies, Silversun Pickups, Let’s Go Sailing at Spaceland;
Unsigned on Sunset, Stangeland, Shut Up Marie, Foolproof, The Orphics at The Whisky;
Ten Stone, Dr. Lady, Owl, DJ Pixie Stix The Viper;
Reeve Carney at Cozy’s;
Paper Rain, Bang Sugar Bang, Sean Michael Schull, Shay Port & Cross Country at The Joint; Preston Smith at The Fox & Hounds Pub;
The Star Fuckers (Gilby Clarke, Traci Guns, Slim Jim Phantom), Emma, Lorraine Lewis, The Broke Americans at The Cat Club;
David Garza at Largo; Heidi at Lush;
Dimmu, Borgir, Diabolic, Krisiun, Cryptopsy at The Palace;
The Skinny Little Twits at Rusty’s Surf Ranch;
Flogging Molly, Slackers, Blue Collar Special at The Troubadour;
Sinder, Individual, Concrete, Sangre, Sicklife at The Coconut Teaszer;
Danu at The Conga Room;
The Phantom Riders at The Derby;
Fight Dirty, 5 Cent, Shine, Punchbox, Mind Go Flip at 14 Below;
Mimsies, Deere Johns, Rolling Blackouts, Flood at The Garage;
DJQ, Uberband, Pillow of Wrongness, 50 Cent Haircut, Kneegirl at The Gig;
Ozma, New Maximum Donkey, Locale AM at The Glass House;
H.R. of Bad Brains, Fidel of Todos Las Muertos at The Key Club
March 15
Saccharine Trust, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Television, Cat Power, Eddie Vedder, Ikue Mori & Kim Gordon & Jim O’ Rourke & DJ Olive, Christina Rosenvinge, Quixotic at All Tomorrow’s Parties (5:45pm, UCLA/Royce Hall);
Asheton, Mascis & Watt (Stooges Material), Unwound, Neil Michael Hagerty, Bardo Pond, US Maple, Erase Errata, White Out (5:45pm, UCLA/Ackerman Grand Ballroom;
RF7, Piss Ant, Revlon Red, SDZ, I Decline at The Coconut Teaszer;
Tierra at The Conga Room;
Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums at The Derby
The David Nelson, Hazmat, Eye Dentity at 14 Below;
Club Serotonin at The Gig;
Tiger Army, Necromantix, The Distillers, Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards at The Glass House;
Super Diamond, Dudley Manlove Quartet at HOB;
Average White Band at The Key Club;
Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Bellylove, Tijuana Bullfight at 4rth Annual Biker Bash (Knitting Factory);
Frank McComb, Stacye Branche, Michael Chandler at The Mint;
Res, 4th Avenue Jones, Cody Chestnutt at Roxy;
Califone, Mighty Flashlight, Horse Stories at Spaceland;
Shuvel, 151, Outbreak, Shaded Grey The Whisky;
Flogging Molly, Slackers, Throwrag at The Troubadour;
Iffy at The Viper Room; Rick Vito at Cozy’s;
America at The Canyon;
Kim Hill Tre, Carlos Niño, Rachel Kann at Temple Bar;
Solarcade, Sama, Madras, Drawing Down, Moonshine at The Joint;
Dimitri From Paris, Tony Watson at 1650; Rockabilly Saturday at Crazy Jack’s
The Jagermaestros at The Fox & Hounds Pub
March 16
The Damned, Rob Zombie at The UnivAmph;
Wilco, Big Star, Aphex Twin, Papa M., Jackie O Motherfucker, Kevin Drumm & Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer, Califone, Destroy All Monsters, Deerhoof, Chris Lee at All Tomorrow’s Parties (4pm, UCLA/Royce Hall );
Sleater Kinney, Aphex Twin, Boredoms, Merzbow, Madlib, The Fred Anderson Trio, Cannibal Ox, Mats Gustaffson & Nels Cline, Thurston Moore & William Winant, Bride of No No at All Tomorrow’s Parties (6:30pm,UCLA/Kerckhoff Hall);
Tony Conrad, Pita, Renee Gladman, Fursaxa, Satan’s Tornade at All Tomorrow’s Parties (4pm, UCLA/Ackerman Grand Ballroom;
John Gorka, Alice Peacock at McCabe’s;
Soul Funk Show, Pensativa, Natural Afrodisiac, Poopan Hooligan at BB King’s;
Shoppy, Flowers for Faith, Heathers Gone, F.E.W., Mutation Lab at The Coconut Teaszer;
Son Mayor at The Conga Room;
Rip Masters at The Derby;
Big Wu, Strangefolk at 14 Below;
Vice Principals, Midnight Thunder Express, Starvations at The Garage;
Original DP, Noris, Nerami, Dublika at The Gig;
Save Ferris, Never Heard of It, Astoria at The Glass House;
Super Diamond, Dudley Manlove Quartet at HOB;
Dillusion, Underwood, Enjoy at The Key Club;
Beat Junkies: Nightlife at The Knitting Factory;
Cousin Lovers, Deena Nordian, Lorraine, The High Strung at The Mint;
Punks vs. Psychos Tour, Tiger Army, The Distillers, Nekromantix at The Palace;
Finch, Moth, Allister, Dumb Struck at The Roxy;
Clawhammer, South Bay Surfers, Groovy Rednecks, Angry Amputees, Stinkeye at Spaceland;
Razz (CD release party), Joey Mulland (Badfinger), Gary Silver, Carla Olsen, Preston Epps at The Whisky;
Rod Piazza at Cozy’s
Dimitri From Paris, DJ Tony Watson at Vynyl;
Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts at The Canyon;
Kofy Brown, Chris Pierce, Random, DJ Haul at Temple Bar;
Pensativa, Natural Afrodisiac, Poopan Hooligan at BB King’s;
Fanny Grace at The Fox & Hounds.
March 17
Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Mike Watt & The Secondmen, Peaches, Dead C., Black Dice at All Tomorrow’s Parties (4pm, UCLA/Ackerman Grand Ballroom);
Katherine Dines at McCabe’s;
Flogging Molly, Slackers, Low Ball at The Troubadour;
Dengue Fever at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
Young Dubliners, New Breed Orchestra HOB;
Iangus, Random Number at Spaceland;
Fozzy’s Hero, Boh, Spiral Tramps, Blackriver Soul, The Erkcs at The Whisky;
The Hunns, Damnation, The Stitches, I Decline at The Troubadour;
Jack Mack & The Heart Attack at The Canyon;
Lambchop, David Kilgour (The Clean) at The Knitting Factory;
Shagwells “60’s at The Fox & Hounds.
March 18
Starsailor, Matthew at The El Rey;
Partridge Family Temple with Don Bolles, Francine Dancer, David Hart, The Miles Per Hour, The Supreme Dicks, Masonic, Screech & Halt at Club Snack Sac (Upstairs-Zen Sushi); Double Naught Spy Car (Downstairs – Zen Sushi);
Club Twister at The Derby;
Lambchop, David Kilgour at The Knit. Factory;
Cooly’s Hat Box, 4th Avenue Jones The Mint;
Knievel (Sydney), Sunstorm, Patrick Park at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
Local H, Chevelle at The Whisky A Go Go;
Drunk with Power, Lunatics on Parole, Haste at The Troubadour;
Jack Tempchin’s Big Mondays All Star Jam (surprise guests have included George Clinton and Johnny Rivers) at The Joint.
March 19
The Future of Blues at BB King’s;
Radar Brothers, Autolux at The Fold (Derby);
American Steel, One Time Angels Key Club;
The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Sahara Hotnights, Citizen Bird, The Darkness, In Memory at The Roxy;
Engine Down, Leopold at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
The Walkmen, Stratford 4 at Spaceland;
Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath tribute), Melissa Auf Der Maur, III, Hangface, Skar, Athecy at The Whisky;
Clinic, The Kingsbury Manx, Strafford 4 at The Troubadour;
The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Citizen Bird, Sahara Hot Nights, The Darkness, In Memory at LA SXSW (Roxy);
Lewis Black at The Canyon
March 20
Ed Harcourt at The Troubadour;
The Apex Theory, Lost Prophets, Guarashi at The El Rey;
Dean Mora’s Modern Rhythmists at The Derby;
OneLineDrawing, Sloe, Crashcart, The Reputation at The Glass House;
Jump, Little Children at The Mint;
OTEP, Flaw, Allergic, Nosedive at The Roxy;
Knife In The Water (Austin), Mendoza Line (New York), Dewey Defeats Truman, Consafos, Slowcoach at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
Hand of Doom at Spaceland;
Death on Wednesday, Jack’s Broken Heart, The Color Red at The Whisky;
Brody Buster at Cozy’s; Lo Fidelity All Stars, DJ Chris Monaco at Vynyl;
David Clayton Thomas, Blood Sweat & Tears at The Canyon.
March 21
Brody Buster at BB King’s;
Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. at The Conga Room;
Jack & The Rippers (UK), The Spacecats (Holland) at The Derby;
Drunk Monkey Style, Scaredy Cat at 14 Below; Midnight Oil, The Eliminators at HOB;
Toilet Boys, Candyass, B Movie Rats, Mojo Rib at The Key Club;
Daniel, Velvet Sundae at The Mint;
Merrick, 20 Minute Loop, Maimou, James Combs at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
Thursday, The Movie Life, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Open Hand at The Troubadour;
continued on page 30
Rockin continued from page 20
Cooper Temple Clause at The Viper Room;
Teresa James at Cozy’s;
Rick Springfield at The Canyon
March 22
Unwritten law, Mest, Sugarcult, Hornswaggled at The Palace;
Boogie Knights at BB King’s;
Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. at The Conga Room;
Swing Syndicate at The Derby;
Untouchables, Dave Wakeling, Stew & The Negro Problem, Brother at 14 Below;
Business, One Man Army, Pistol Grip at The Glass House;
Local Legends, Chuck E. Weiss, Ramsay Midwod, Pete Anderson at The House of Blues;
Hollow, Gravity Clutch, Sangre at The Key Club;
High on Fire, Cutthroats 9, Bluebird at The Knitting Factory;
Slydell, Jon Kahn, Firstman at The Mint;
Unwritten Law, Mest at The Palace;
One Side Zero, Vent, Dredg at The Roxy;
The Humpers, Lazy Cowgirls at Spaceland;
Jonah’s Onelinedrawing, Hellow Amsterdam at The Troubadour;
Cozy’s 6th Anniversary Party at Cozy’s
Frankie Bones (Groove Records, Moonshine, East Music Group), DJ Irene, Alicija (Street Sounds, A.M.C.), Hendo at Red (Arena)
March 23
Stephen Bruton, Jon Dee Graham, Scrappy Jud Newcombe, Dennis Kenmore at McCabe’s; My Ruin, Firebal Ministry, M. Pure, Daemos, Snider, Eyenine at The Whisky A Go Go;
Bobby Matos & His Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble at BB King’s;
Allergic at The Coconut Teazser;
Son Mayor at The Conga Room;
Swing Deacons at The Derby;
Uninvited, Doctor Shakra, Reverse Cowgirl at 14 Below;
Mugg, Phyllis, Breed 2000 at The Glass House;
George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Johnny A. at The House of Blues;
Hell’s Belles, Lo Ball at The Knitting Factory;
Home Town Hero, Hotwire, Milwaukee at The Roxy;
Sadies, The Snakes at Spaceland;
Bottom, Suplecs, Hand of Doom at The Troubadour;
Rockabilly Saturday at Crazy Jack’s.
March 24
Willie Wisely at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
One Side Zero, Dredge, Vent at The Glass House;
La Mosca, Almalafa at The Key Club;
Thrice, Hot Rod Circuit, Further Seems Farther, Rufio at The Troubadour.
March 25
Club Twister at The Derby;
Scram Magazine #15 Release Party:
The Shakes, Marizane, Alicia Bay Laurel, Mr. The Friendly Ghost, DJ Gremmy, Bruce Duff, Marc Edward Hueck, Mme. Kuvo, Kevin Lee, David Ponak, Mash McDirty, Lisa Sutton, plus DJs, weird videos and more at Zen Sushi - both levels); Millencolin, Homegrown, Bombshell Rocks at The Glass House;
Stanton Moore at The House of Blues;
Death in June, D.R.I., Non at The Key Club;
Kim Fowley’s Spring Break “Girls Gone Wild” at The Knitting Factory;
Delirious at The Palace;
Dave Wilkins Band, Pacer 21, Kelly Malone at The Roxy;
Akimbo at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge)
March 26
Fenix TX, No Motiv, John Sparrow, Nobody’s Zero at The Troubadour; continued on next page
Rockin’ cont’d from prev page
B2K, IMX, Lil’ J at The House of Blues;
Mixed Marshall Arts, Tito Ortiz, Team Punishment at The Key Club;
Richard Buckner, Chris Lee at The Knitting Factory;
Millencolin, Homegrown, Bombshell Rocks at The Palace;
Angelique Kidjo at The Roxy;
400 Blows, Season to Risk (Kansas City), Jumbo’s Killcrane, The Gault at The Fold (Silverlake Lounge);
Fenix TX, No Motiv, John Sparrow, Nobody’s Zero at The Troubadour;
The Fixx at The Canyon;
Bullet Boys at Paladino’s

Email: rockin88@lycos.com

CD Reviews

Grand Afro Cuban
Orchestra of
Generoso Jimenez
Miami based label Pimienta Records releases a Cuban jazz orchestra album titled Generoso Que Bueno Tora Usted, conducted by Generoso Jimenez, who is largely responsible for assembling this enormously upbeat, emphatically rhythmic album. Not only does this musically inventive bandleader orchestrate, compose and arrange the songs, the 85-year-old wonder is an extraordinary trombonist as well. With 10 tracks on the album and nearly 30 musicians recorded on it, the Grand Afro Cuban Orchestra celebrates Generoso as both an artist and composer. Most of the tracks generate a kind of musical freedom and foresight into the joys and tragedies of life. The band’s overall composure renders an emotive outburst, with a slight farewell tone, with both the composition and energy, making it a world class album. It’s audibly distracting, but in a good way. www.musikinternational.com.


So Kalmery Bendera
Signed with Tinder Records, So Kalmery has released an album titled Bendera, which is overtly designated to the Afro Pop/Congo genre. Although So Kalmery ardently sings in a spiritual quest, the album consists of a coarse mixture of a variety of sounds, seemingly an endeavor to create a new musical category. Bendera is a safe album that doesn’t break a lot of rules and the only the attempt of such is the insert of brief morsels of blues and folk while innocent pop dominates most of the album. Track 8, seemingly to hold consistency in it, being moody and slightly placid, sounds similar overall to a Disney movie soundtrack made for children. www.tinderrecords.com.