What would you think of a group with a guy that goes crazy on the bongos? One lead singer sounds like Michael Stipe and the other sounds like Adam Sandler singing the Chanukah song. I would say that’s quacktastic! Actually that’s Guster, no seriously.
Guster does not represent your normal rock & roll group. In fact, band member Adam Gardner, on vocals and guitar, likes to jokingly refer to it as “wuss-rock” It is anything but. The groups latest effort is titled Lost and Gone Forever. Released in `99, songs like “Fa Fa” and “Barrel of a Gun” have reached the airwaves. But that does not answer the question, who is Guster?
Formed in 1992 at Tufts University, the trio, Adam Gardner, on vocals and guitar, Ryan Miller, vocals and guitar, and Brian Rosenworcel, on percussion, were originally named Gus. However, another group by that same name signed with a label, forcing the group to change their name to Guster. The Boston based group played all around the college scene in Massachusetts, earning the Best Local Debut Album award in 1995 for Parachute. They gained an enormous fan base and solely through word of mouth, sold over 40,000 recordings of Parachute and Goldfly, their second album.
As their East coast acclaim rose, Guster was being hailed as “the greatest independent success of the 1990’s.” The catchy, upbeat music featuring acoustic guitars, and the talented Rosenworcel playing barehanded drums and bongos made for a fresh and energetic sound. It is reminiscent of Dave Matthews at times, even using a violin and saxophones, but without all the publicity. All of this contributed to them getting signed with Sire records. Their producer is, coincidentally, Steve Lillywhite, the until-recent producer for the DMB.
This leads to the latest album, Lost and Gone Forever. Until three weeks ago I had not heard of Guster, but when I put in the CD I found myself listening and re listening to it every chance I got. I turned into an addict, the music is hypnotic. The songs like “Fa Fa,” “Gun” and “Happier” were wonderful. Many of the song’s themes revolved around relationships, many times ringing very true. “Center of Attention” is a humorous song about two stubborn people not agreeing on who is right, a story all of us can relate to. In many ways the album reflects feelings that many college students are feeling, and the music fenzy they use makes it all the more enjoyable and heartfelt.
What is even better then the album, is seeing them live. Guster has earned a tremendous reputation for putting on amazing live shows. Adam and Ryan banter with the crowd and Brian plays percussion like he is a man possessed. Guster opened up for Barenaked Ladies on October 20 at the Savvis Center. They entertained the crowd like headliners and the audience was more then warmed up. The band played most of the songs from Lost and the “airport song” which is a cult classic. Although they did not do it in St. Louis, the group is known for playing some great cover stuff as well, from Rage Against the Machine to Madonna. Their 45 minute set also showed the huge fan base that they are creating here. Throngs of people were on their feet singing along and cheering as the band finished up. There fun loving style was appropriate with the crazy antics followed up by the BNL.
So, watch out for that trio from Boston. There stock is rising, and as they tour like madmen and their exposure grows, who know what could come next!
