How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
At any given Redwalls concert, there are girls screaming and crying, ecstatic just to be in the presence of this foursome. They carry themselves as rock stars do. During an encore at one of their recent shows, guitarist Andrew Langer, not wanting to put out his freshly lit cigarette, placed it on the bridge of his guitar. "[We] just have a few drinks before going onstage to take off the edge," Langer said, even though he might just be trying to cover his band's tracks.
Alcohol plays a big part in the band, as it does for many a musician. At The Redwalls' September 2006 Park West Street Festival show, the beer cup of bassist/vocalist Justin Baren was constantly being refilled. At one point, he turned to the audience and said, "I am so lonely up here drinking by myself. Can you guys just share this drink with me?" At 2005's 11 a.m. Lollapalooza set and 12:30 signing, each boy had a drink in hand. But that is rock 'n' roll, and those moments make The Redwalls '60s-rock style feel that much more authentic.
But it took some time for The Redwalls to earn their self-imposed rock-star status. Beginning as a cover band called The Pages, they traded that name in for The Redwalls when they started to play original tunes. They released their debut, "Universal Blues," in 2003, followed by their 2005 sophomore album, "De Nova." Now, they're back with a self-titled disc, released Oct. 23, and are touring the nation.
"The Redwalls" is grittier and sharper on the eardrum, and the tunes are more danceable. Their music is distinguishable from their classic-rock influences - a big step for the band, considering it is often condescendingly referred to as a Beatles or Bob Dylan rip-off.
Langer and his bandmates come from the suburbs of Chicago, which he dubs "a blue-collar hardworking city." He said Chicago is really the reason why the band's music has become so strong. "People tell you how it is in Chicago, they won't just pretend to like your music," Langer said. "You have to earn your audience's respect."
Love for the Windy City aside, The Redwalls have had the opportunity to venture beyond the U.S., touring with Oasis in 2005. Langer said that because European audiences are not as exposed to rap as their American counterparts, they are more receptive to The Redwalls classic sound. They played in Europe for audiences upwards of 40,000 people, and enjoyed their "thrilling experience" for the two weeks on the road.
They returned to Europe about a year ago to record their latest album in Sweden. "We had the most freedom since 'Universal Blues,' " Langer said. Big labels are restrictive, Langer continued, as they were when working on "De Nova." In the beginning of 2007, The Redwalls were dropped from their label Capitol Records, but were lucky enough to retain the rights to the music they recorded in Sweden. That music went on their new record.
Not only has their label situation changed (they now call MAD Dragon Records home), but so has their roster. Drummer Ben Greeno left the group, but this is no surprise, considering the band has always had trouble hanging onto percussionists. The Redwalls went through two drummers before adding Greeno after recording "Universal Blues." Greeno has been with the band for the past four years, and seemed to be as steady and reliable as his beats, but he left the band a few weeks before it started touring earlier this autumn. Langer did not divulge the reason, but it is suspected that Greeno's recent marriage to Anna Poling has something to do with it.
Greeno's replacement, Rob Jensen, quietly joined the band. There were no MySpace bulletins or blog comments. The group only recently posted a picture of its new drummer on the page, which is now The Redwalls' official website. The group welcomed Jensen in with ease. Langer said Jensen is an amazing sticks player who is loved by the band as much as Greeno was. But only the tour can prove if Langer's testament to Jensen's skills holds up.
The Redwalls, w/Polyphonic Spree and Rooney, Terminal 5, $25, www.myspace.com/theredwalls
Annie Lesser is a staff writer. E-mail her at music@nyunews.com.
