APRIL 13, 1993 THE RETRIEVER / PAGE 9

Robert Earl Keen's dead-pan style gives country music a bad name his class was popular solely because Billy Ray Cyrus credit for not trying Phil McNulty it was a requirement — not because to become a country star as William Retriever Staff Writer anyone in there really gave a rat's Raymond. But in the end, what butt about the class. could Keen possibly do with his Robert Earl Keen is an individual As for his overall sound, Mr. name? Bobby Keen? That sounds who has obviously been misin- Keen has chosen to promote the more like a mid-fifties harmony and formed. Apparently, he believes he kind of cliche-ridden, poor melody accordion group. can perform. spinning garbage that has given Maybe Mr. Keen should have If his release "A Bigger Piece of country its partially deserved bad realized that his name is just as Sky" is any indication, he is very reputation today. I can't say that incompatible to music as his voice wrong. I'm totally sure what type of music is and saved himself some public Allow me to try to communicate he was trying to effect. Whatever humiliation. his style with as much delicacy as So, let's review, shall we? Robert my heart will permit. Earl Keen is trying to make a name Forgive me if ever I seem to be for himself using a blend of proven disrespectful to a known rock "What is this techniques. Unfortunately, his legend, but Mr. Keen's style seemed mixture is sort of bass ackwards for to be strikingly reminiscent of icons world coming to his chosen field. He has neglected like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. I the age-old instruments that have mean this only to compare his when country made every other successful country relative energy level. Artists like legend since the dawn of time. He Mr. Dylan and Mr. Petty are not doesn't sound also has decided to utilize a style known for becoming overly ener- almost always reserved for those getic during a performance; how- like country mediums that are highly attractive ever, they are known for their to the youth of today. To that end, messages and their ability to say anymore?" Mr. Keen has selected country something with their music. Mr. music, known neither for its wide Keen shares this lack of energy, this youth base or its overly controver- "dead-pan," if you will. it was, he blew it. He also neglected sial political stances. And, on top Here the similarity ends. After to add steel guitars and country of it all, Mr. Keen has a name that all, this is country music, a brand fiddles which would have been his is simply non-conducive to any type not altogether marked for its trend- sole saving grace to anyone who has of public relation at all. setting tendencies. Aside from the any respect for country. I believe that the real question medium, what kind of message Just in case I've left any area here is not, "Is Robert Earl Keen could one hope to portray with untouched, what's with his name? a good country singer?" What we songs like, "Amarillo Highway" I dare you to name me one country really need to do is take a good long and "Daddy Had A Buick??" star who uses his/her real name, look at our country and ask our- Listening to him was sort of like much less their full name. I mean, selves, "What is this world coming being in a biology class where the no matter how you feel about "Achy to when country doesn't sound like professor was painfully aware that Breaky Heart," you have to give country anymore?" Quicksand slips through the punk scene unnoticed them forgotten long before they're them. Although they're short, ever remembered. choppy, and sometimes vague, he photo by Mark Williamson, courtesy MERKIN RECORDS, INC. Ioannis Gatsiounis Retriever Staff Writer In most cases, the second and confronts honesty, soul searching, Buttsteak challenges Baltimore to support local artists. third hearing of an album is far and underlying motives that stir If their first release is any more crucial than the first. I was our actions and society's failure to indication of their future, the group convinced that all this album adequately sight its surroundings. Quicksand is likely to dive very needed was a few more rounds of On "Lie and Wait," he tells us that quickly into the realms of the extensive laser treatment on the "silently living is death" and speaks Take the Buttsteak Challenge musically forgotten. CD player before it greeted my ears of a woman and her thoughts. "She Sonic Youth and The B-52s. Oh, can describe this disc. Quicksand's Polydor debut, Slip with raw, earth-shattering energy. wonders how long have we been and the lyrical sense of humor of Unfortunately, the Steak don't will charge at you with an aggres- Unfortunately, this was to no avail. senseless/so tired and pensive Ken Marseilles sive, unrelenting drive. This post Little contributed to the altering of instead of standing up. . . feel a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of play around these parts too often, j Retriever Staff Writer metal/punk tandem from New my initial distaste. Few standouts strong resistant." Verses like Invention, with plenty of THC The last time was at the Rev in' thrown in for good measure. York City slaps together heavy bubbled to the surface. The album "You've been upset by unfulfilled Shit. . . Cool! Baltimore, inauspiciously timed to slabs of base lines and rapid guitar It's the new album from local Singer/keyboard surfer Julie as a whole remained as redundant dreams and visions and the guilt coincide with the recent blizzard. riffs that are well in sync with the icons Buttsteak! McDermont sounds like an insane as the average parrot's vocabulary, for your wrong decisions" and crack-addicted Betty Rubble, croo- Could this be an act of God, to get drums, creating a formidable discrediting similar bands from a "When we miss the point to carry The 1993 release "Shit . . . Cool rhythm section. It's the Honeycomb Generation," nin' and screamin' about half-man us back for not supporting our local j year or two ago who managed to on all things fall through" (from on Baltimore's very own Merkin half-ants and other relevant sub- artists enough?The Steak is very The metal/punk scene has built formulate a breakthrough playing "Unsatisfied") honors man's con- a strong foundation of acceptance the same style of music. Records, follows up on the weird, jects. Michael Bowen, with the popular in Europe, at least that's tinual pursuit to overcome his life wild world created on Buttsteak's vocal range of Kasey Kasem, adds what the promo pack says! Of amongst popular music fans and Lead singer and guitarist Walter long struggle for happiness. Lollapalobza freaks. With a little maiden voyage, Fatty's Got More to the mayhem, and Jim Glass, course, France is very into Jerry Schreifel's outlook demonstrates Yet told in a hazy bellow, the help from these friends, Quicksand the lack of creative drive within this lyrics fall victim to the music's core, Blood. Lewis, and Germany is obsessed For those who are not familiar may get noticed. Slip fits snugly band. "You just cant avoid it — downplaying their true message. with the Munster, so you know in this extremely competitive yet with Merkin, what rock have you the way bands influence each It's as if they're not meant to be Buttsteak has to be cool. marketable genre of music. Quick- been living under? Merkin, "Go to clubs, other," he says. heard, but rather for the soul How can you hate a band with sand does nothing more and Hints of Fugazzi takalbums many, many local progressive/ like dancin'," or "He was a cannibal Some are already comparing this dies salute Alice and Chains and that detracts from their potential New York quartet to the likes of Jane's Addiction. Alan Cage's adoration from listeners. Does the alternative bands. Any self- and T-shirts, and that's what made him mad?" the Rollins Band (not to be con- skin-banging lacks the extensive music scene have room for these destructive music maven would've This is an album that HAS to be spread the word, heard to be believed. Packed with fused with Mr. Rollins solo work), fills and shear aggression that John restless clones? How long can heard of these bands — Jade, Sugar and Helmet. But they have Stannier pummels into Helmet's record companies feed listeners of Berserk, Liquor Bike, All Mighty comedy, phallus slappin' music, and and even we here a long way to go before they can ^2 release Meantime. (Quicksand this sound mediocre compromises Senators, Monkeyspank, Lambs sugary hexagons, Buttsteak delivers be cast amongst the same ranks as opened up for Helmet during their before they search elsewhere for Eat Ivy, and yes, Buttsteak. a magic bullet right in your face. in Willy Don-ville these talents. Taking aim at an U.S. tour.) their musical kicks? Slip may be Oh yeah, Buttsteak. That's what You can find this and other fine Merkin products in your local overcrowded target and doing little Schreifel's lyrics are much more able to answer these questions this whole thing is about! can be trendy!" upon its release. record shop, (more likely Reptil- to distinguish themselves will leave candid than the music that cradles lian, Record and Tape Traders, or "An entire generation weaned on Scott Hedrick, and Rob Oswald An Die Musik).If you can't find sugary hexagons ..." provide the thick-as-mud tapestry em', complain!!! If Baltimore ever Hey, that's us they're talkin' of sound. wants to have a music scene as about! That whole gob of humanity Tracks to look for are: "Breakfast cheesy and overblown as Seattle, we aged 18 to 25, stuffing our collective Song," "Wine Dealership," "Felt need to start supporting local faces with sugary nasties while Up By A Mormon," "R.I.P.R.S.," groups. And it begins here, with staring blankly at the Saturday "Murder Trilogy," and, of course, Buttsteak! Go to clubs, buy the morning cartoons. In many ways, the masterful cover of "Boots are albums and T-shirts, spread the the Steak is much like a poorly Made for Walking." Goofy, silly, word, and even we here in Willy animated cartoon festival with a sick, demented, and worthy of being Don-ville can be trendy! Take the sound that's kind of a cross between committed are the only words that Buttsteak challenge! Solo performer brings "the scene" back to the Pub "No problem," he said again, Dave "his favorite heckler." (from BINDER, page 7) assuredly but not cockily. "I'll "This guy's not too bad," I said surprise ya." Then he smiled. to myself, straining not to smile. I was skeptical. After all, the I grunted in response and The mood was contagious. pubrats were gone and smoking was returned to my seat in disgust. Dave lead the crowd in sing-a- banned! But, when I mentioned the "Well see." I said to myself. "We long of an explicit nature that had show to friends, they raved about shall see." everyone — including this grinch — how great this guy was, and how The show started promptly at giggling like Catholic high school the pubrats always crawl out of the nine o'clock, just as my three fellow girls in trouble. I was way wrong woodwork when he plays. So Retriever-ites had joined me. One about Dave Binder, and to drill it somewhat grumpily, I decided I'd of my companions ordered the first in he played a Moody Blues medley go see him, but I wouldn't like it. beer of twenty or so, and the rest that brought me close to hysterics. I got to the Pub early that night of us drank a few as well. The sheets After the show, I talked with to secure seats for myself and three of paper used for requests were Dave. He spoke of his beginnings other friends. The stage had already collected and the evening was on at college in the 70s in Lowell, been set up, and a pleasant-looking its way. Massachusetts. I almost felt a man of about 35-years-old was The crowd had grown to propor- camaraderie with this kind soul. "It standing on the stage cheerfully tions unknown to the Pub before was good to see people smile," he tuning his guitar and talking to a he finished his first song. "Not too commented about the night's show. girl from the Student Events Board. bad," I thought. "Let's see what he Claiming James Taylor as a big I ambled up to the stage and does next." influence, Dave does about 130 mumbled, "Hi, I'm from the People cheered and whistled as shows a year, traveling with his dog Retriever, and I'd like to interview Dave Binder played every song to of 8 years, Pasha. Besides the "Any you after the show." perfection — without cheesily Reasonable Request" show, Dave photo by Gregg Ginsberg "No problem," he said. "Is there mimicking the song. Jimmy Buffet, preforms a "Best of James Taylor" It looks as if musician Dave Binder is happy with the financial outcome of his evening at UMBC. any particular song you'd like to James Taylor, Billy Joel . . . you show which features J.T.'s music, hear?" name it, he knew it. He was backed stories about his life and the songs; Oh boy! This was my chance to up by a drum machine and pro- and a show called "1969" along the addition to the three music shows. you ever get sick of working at this A few of the hangers-on invited throw this guy! "Uh yeah, Do you grammed synth that complemented same lines. He has a basement studio at home all the time?" Dave to the Double-T Diner for know any Moody Blues?" I snick- his playing without overpowering. When I asked him "Why just in New Hampshire, where he just Petting his white husky and coffee, and Dave invited me along. ered to myself, "It's got an orches- Our esteemed beer-drinking friend, colleges?," he joked, "Because they wrapped up recording on his new smiling, he said, "If it just becomes Feeling like a horse's ass for my tral arrangement! Even if he does who had swathed himself in suds pay me." Then, seriously, he added, album of original songs called work, I don't want to do it originally evil intentions, 1 thought know it, it'll sound like crap-ola! and come inches away from strip- "That's where I like to play. "Dave "Changes." anymore." of Yosemite Sam from an old Bugs Ha, ha, ha ... I got you now, Mr. ping to his underwear and dancing wrote a Freshman Orientation As he finished packing up his Bunny cartoon drawling; "Well, if JGuitarman!" a jig on our table, was dubbed by show, which he tours with in Dodge Caravan, 1 asked, "Don't God, was 1 wrong about this guy. you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"