There’s an irritating song by Sam Roberts that goes ’the kids don’t know how to dance to rock ‘n roll’…. I figure the kids aren’t even interested in rock ‘n roll; but can you blame them if Sam Roberts is what you are stuck listening to while trying to rock out?
Since 90% of the kids are given the excuse, (sorry) diagnosed with ADD (psychologists and psychiatrists will want to justify their degrees by informing me that there are four different classifications of what is now referred to as ADHD) and the proof is in the pudding, if you try and listen to a CD with a young ‘en… you’ll never get through a song without them skipping to the next track. Then there are the clubs that the 20 somethings are hanging out at… the DJ won’t play a whole song through, but will mix and mash bits, riffs, parts, melodies and ditties into a jungle chorus for the nite. There must be a counter culture out there that doesn’t care what Lady Ga Ga’s hair looks like, or aspire to wear Ed Hardy… where are they?
Since they are the counter culture (and a minority), my guess is that if the kids are gonna pick up instruments (in exchange for Rockband), they are probably few and far between… so, out of necessity they’ll start out as power trios; me thinks I should end the prelude and get to the story.
Back in February I noticed an ad for a band looking for a drummer (no, I didn’t audition) and a link to myspace.com/riishirockefeller. The tunes were something different that I didn’t expect… the only way I can describe it is Gypsy Rock. With very strong bass lines, a ripping tone from the six string, and a unique and bombastic voice… I replied to their “looking for a drummer ad” with “let me know when you guys play, I’d like to see and hear those songs pulled off live”. Five months later, I get an email informing me the band will be playing at Maxwell’s.
Maxwell’s is a bistro that has always been popular in Ottawa’s perpetually trendy Elgin Street. It has two levels; a restaurant downstairs, and the upstairs on weekends is a nite club for a more mature clientele (the DJ will play songs from the 80’s in their entirety); so I am pleasantly surprised to find out that they now host original bands on Thursday nites.
Another surprise is when I enter, cover is only $5, I’m used to paying $10 whether it’s for a cover band or for a bunch of hacks that I wish would get off the stage (incidentally, sometimes I’ve been one of those hacks). My instincts prove true. Onstage, the opening band, a power trio called Face of Jam, has the bodies in the room gyrating, movin’ and a groovin’ to their tunes. They did an amazing cover of Talking Heads Psycho Killer (and I think the original sucks).
None of the audience has any name brand clothing on. Couldn’t see a Nike, Billabong, Ed Hardy, Adidas, DC, Vans or Lululemon logo anywhere. The guys weren’t militantly wearing backwards baseball caps, but they sported facial hair in various forms; side burns, goatees, mutton chops and beards. The ladies are not sporting facial hair (thankfully) and aren’t living up to any fashion magazine code either, but they were all grooving to the rhythms from the bass… and the room is starting to warm up. Honestly, if it weren’t for the Talking Heads cover, I would have thought that I had somehow time-warped back to the Sunset Strip in late 60’s.
At precisely 11 pm a petite waif, donned in faded tight black jeans, worn out brown cowboy boots, shiny black SG in hand and a mop of dark curls struck out a single chord… then the drummer and bass player kicked in to what was a pulsating 60 minute set of searing riffs (with tasty leads), driving bass & drums to back up the baritone timbered voice of Riishi Von Rex. And yes, they pulled it off like a card shark holding a full house.
The highlight of the show was when the band performed a new song titled Lazy Peasant Sounds, at that point the upstairs was entirely packed, 40 something year olds were sifting in up the stairs… they were drawn in by the live music they heard and they stood at the back of the room barely able to see the 5 foot nothing Riishi, but like me, in amazement of the throbbing young crowd dancing their asses off (I figure all the dirty thirties were at home looking after their kids and the 40 plus crowd no longer need to get a babysitter).
After the show I stuck around to share a Labatt 50 with Riishi and find out more about this power trio. Riishi Von Rex is 23. Her background is Russian & Ukrainian. Five months ago, Lucas McKenzie took over duties on the drums. She works as a dishwasher in a restaurant… and I’ll let her words carry the weight from here…
RockDog: When did you start writing and performing your own music?
Riishi Von Rex: I started writing my own music when I met Eric Royale (bass player) back in grade 9, we were both 14 and just hit it off musically. He’s been my wingman since and we’ve played about 70 shows since. Wow!! That’s 9 years now…
RD: Who are your musical influences?
RVR: Believe it or not my sound comes a lot from Russian Orthodox Church music… it’s what I grew up on; crazy as that may be.
RD: Modern influences…?
RVR: Popular music wise I like the White Stripes and Jack White… oh and Jimmy Page… I really love his guitar playing. Iggy (as in Pop)… and Bowie had a big influence on me when I was a teen.
RD: What do you like about your day job?
RVR: I can pretty much say anything to my coworkers and there is nothing they can do about it. No one else wants the crappy job, so they have to put up with my mouth when it runs off. And I let ‘em have it if they’re pissing me off.
RD: What’s the song “Lazy Peasant Sounds” about?
RVR: It’s about being working poor and following different values than capitalism.
RD: What are you currently listening to on your iPod?
RVR: I work as a dishwasher… I can’t afford an “iPod” (and snarly face when saying it), but lately I’ve been listening to Gogol Bordello and California Cold War Kids… you should check them out.
RD: What’s next for Riishi Von Rex? Where do you want to be?
RVR: I wish we could record a full-length album… the way I want it to sound. And festival gigs… I wish we were playing festival gigs.
Riishi Von Rex plays music that has clear and strong melodies. There’s more than just a spark, but a fire to her live performance. I have no fear that if she were given the chance to play festival gigs (be it folk, blues, country… alternative, whatever) she would win over audiences. Her Myspace for some reason has “Rockefeller” instead of “vonrex”… her EP just simply states “VONREX”… and adorns the website address www.vonrex.org (which will take you to her Myspace). Her lack of marketing continuity is not a reflection of her musical continuity, so check her out!!
I’ll see you at the next show…
The RockDog
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I definitely dig the article though.