“I’ve always said that if we ever overcome the stigma of our name, we’ll know that we’ve truly arrived,” said Brent Best of Slobberbone. For all we know, the man was dreaming.
For Slobberbone and dozens of other bands with a suggestive name, the song may always remain the same. Their name, you see, evokes the same feelings as the words “bloodshot” and “tupelo” do; words that now, mentioned in musical terms, are synonymous with the ever-popular or Americana, or alt-country ilk. Depending upon the way this touchy subject is viewed, the hip Westerner tag is either a blessing or a curse.
It is probably a bad thing in Slobberbone’s case because the Americana reputation is a hard stereotype to distance themselves from. Especially since Slobberbone is a rock band, not a novelty act that splashes their music with consistently predictable moments of twang. It’d be foolish to deny their places in the alt-country genre, but they deserve much more credit. They can easily stand next to frenzied rockers like the Supersuckers and the late, great Judge Nothing in terms of their frantic-paced guitar attack.
The hard workers from Denton, Texas, have just released their forth record, the excellent Slippage, on New West Records. Similar in nature to their previous effort, 2001’s Everything You’ve Thought Was Wrong Today, the album ranges from blazing rockers like “Springfield, IL” and “Stupid Words” to almost Wallflowers-esque ballads like “Sister Beams,” and features keyboards by the hardest-working man in indie rock, Centro-Matic’s Scott Danbom.
Always championed by anyone lucky enough to come in contact with the band, Slobberbone depends on the road for survival. They play almost 200 live shows a year, leaving trails of cigarette butts across the U.S. and Europe (Never has so much press attention been given to the smoking habits of a rock ‘n’ roll band.) Last year’s European trek even converted the most pristine music fans of the world, as the band garnered written acclaim on the Web site for Alan McGee’s magnificent Poptones label.
Given that touring mindset, Slobberbone will roll into St. Louis for the second time in 2002, this time dropping into the friendly confines of Off Broadway. For fans of no-gimmick rock ‘n’ roll, this is not to be missed.
Opening the show is Glossary from Murphreesboro, Tenn., who happens to be the new darling of Undertow Records. They’ll be touting their self-released EP, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts, and when they blast off, you’ll know why you left your five bucks at Off Broadway’s open door.
Slobberbone will play at Off Broadway on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Check offbroadwaystl.com for more information.
