The Rock Relic

Merseybeat: ALIVE and WELL

by Chuck Hinson on February 4th, 2008

Rockaholics, after checkin’ and recheckin’ with rock and retail contacts on both sides of the Atlantic and blogs and webbys across-the-board, this Relic is convinced that

the famous MERSEYBEAT is RETURNING!

Now, in this case, I’m talkin’ about a new wave of sound that’s taking its cue from the originals. From Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Swinging Blue Jeans (all of whom are still performing, btw) to acts like The Fratellis, OK GO!, Modest Mouse and The Media, the Sound that Made Modern Rock is revving up again on both sides of the drink … and growing in popularity! And have ya noticed how many modern groups are goin’ with vinyl now? Yeah … I’ve seen a few myself!

Okay … one reader sent me RockMail, sayin’ “Well, yeah, there’s seems to be more of an interest in the music … but how can ya be sure the newer acts are doin’ it?” Doin’ it?? Well, I don’t ask about their sex drive, but I do know what I’ve seen in the newer groups I’ve reviewed around the country:

Many rock-n-roll groups are gettin’ back to the basics of rhythm, harmonies, attacks, hooks and understandable lyrics. Of course, these acts haven’t had the apprenticeships … in other words, they haven’t had to work their butts off to build the experience and fanbase that the originals so rightly deserved … but (sigh!) this electronic age, with its YouTube, MySpace, TheirCat and HisDoinIt (okay … I made up those last two!), easy CD burns (with no noticeable scars) and more, have made their airplay more accessible to the masses … or at least to one or two.

But, y’know, it really goes beyond Merseyside and The ‘Pool to include other Invasion influence! The momentum’s bound to be strengthened with the Rolling Stones documentary, Shine A Light (due to premier Feb. 7), Ringo’s Liverpool 8 (including his tour to promote the CD) and his All-Starr Band coming back to arenas this summer, and legendary guitarist/songwriter Ron Ryan’s amazing story due out (awww, c’mon … like I toldja last time: be patient! It’ll be on here soon, I promise …). Also, the Dave Clark Five bein’ inducted in the HoF will help!

Oh … about the Five : I’ve got word that Dave does plan on bein’ at the ceremony, possibly escorting Mike’s wife, Charlie. And the truth is finally out: Dave didn’t use a “behind the curtains” drummer in live performances (yer honor, I produce into evidence, Exhibit A: The DC5’s solid performance at the Charlotte [NC] Coliseum, November 1965, when said Mr. Clark performed the classic drum solo entitled Let There Be Drums. Therefore, the State of Rock asks you to dismiss the charges …).
Okay … I’m straight on this, as you all are now.

Anyway — from Fab Four to Five to Fratellis and beyond — it’s great to know we’ve got the sound comin’ back — and about time we had some lively, solid, non-elevator rock music on the FM dial again …

A QUICK REMINDER — On Monday, Feb. 4 (TODAY!), set yer clocks to 7:00 on the PM side, Eastern Timers (that’s 6 PM CST, 5 PM MST, 4 PM PST, 3 PM if yer stuck on a raft in the Pacific …), and get the Beatles ‘ Across The Universe ready for play at the top of that hour! ‘Cause that’s when the Big Broadcast will take place (NASA will be sendin’ the song to the North Star at that time)! Yup … got it in there now, in case I oversleep …(?!?)

Seems like Britmusic icon Sir Cliff Richard isn’t too thrilled with the Fab Four bein’ beamed out. On Saturday, he was interviewed by Q Magazine in Britain and said their guitar solos were, in his words, “horrific”. “Some of the guitar is so out of tune it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I couldn’t believe that, here they were in this hi-tech age and, they couldn’t go back and do it with a tuned guitar.” Well, Cliff, the Relic’s been a fan of yours for years, but face it: those “out-of-tune” guitars sure sold a lot more records than you, didn’t it??

LAW & ORDER FOR SEXUAL HEALING

No, it’s not a news item (though mebbe it oughtta be??). In fact, the new bio of Marvin Gaye is in the works, and Law & Order star Jesse L. Martin’s been cast as the superstar himself. Also, Soprano lead James Gandolfini is cast as Gaye’s manager. (Oh … the name of the film is “Sexual Healing”. Hadta to the tie-in)
Okay … that’s it for this issue (besides, my Bombay, K-Cat, is threatenin’ to jump on the keyboard), so until next time (wait a minnit … lemme get him down) … remember tx;

kep youuur ey es onn th poiuuopuf (hang on … geez … anybody want an overfed cat?) Try it again:

Keep your eyes on the pouip98 p98uu (hmmm … got an idea: let the ‘keet out, and it’ll keep K-Cat occupied. oooookkkkaaaaaaaaayyyyy … NOW:)

Keep yer eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side of the ;ajloeja 498

ahem … record (now, what’s this feather doin’ on m’ keyboard?? …

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