The American musician Evan Dando, leader of the legendary band ‘The Lemonheads’ played ‘Loco Club’ as a solo artist last night. In many ways, ‘The Lemonheads’ were one of the most melodic groups to come from the ‘grunge’ era. In the tradition of rock’n’roll outsiders, Evan Dando was never much of a careerist…more of a hedonistic slacker with good looks and an ear for a good tune and subversive lyrics too.
Timeless albums like ‘It’s a Shame about Ray’ and ‘Come and Feel The Lemonheads’ forever form part of the soundtrack of the nineties alternative music scene. Since 2001, Dando has produced a sparse number of albums with his personal stamp that sail between 70s punk and cosmic country. His hero, Gram Parsons, died young of his excesses but Evan Dando was here in Valencia to tell the tales of life on the road, love lost and found and more.
Armed with a 12-string acoustic guitar, long hair and beard…Dando’s still got charisma in spades and the music flows through him on this buzzing night in Valencia. False endings and false starts seem to be part of his set up but it’s how he delivers the songs that count. He doesn’t disappoint the audience with key selections from his pretty impressive back catalogue. He delivered a well-received ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’, a bittersweet ‘My Drug Buddy’, a hypnotic ‘Into Your Arms’, a poignant ‘Big Gay Heart’ and reflective ‘The Great Big No ‘and many more.
For all his self-destructive ways of the past, Evan can really hold a tune with a voice that is still rich and soulful. He has a singular, nonchalant, groovy way of playing that damn guitar that is all his own. In a weaving way, those 12 strings help transmit his broken songs about broken people. Also, he manages to hold the crowd’s attention too. His music connects.
Evan Dando lets the songs speak for themselves with just occasional between song banter: “Has anyone got any good weed?” he asked the crowd. Suffice to say, a fan provided with him rizlas after the show. Another memorable moment was when Evan interjected: “Man, I can’t believe I’m 57 years old! I met Iggy when was 48 and I thought that was old….which is not to say I’m old as Iggy Pop now!”
His choice of covers in Valencia was top notch: ‘Return of the Grievous Angel’ and ‘Street of Baltimore’ by Gram Parsons, ‘I’m Set Free’ by The Velvet Underground and ‘Reason to Believe’ by Tim Hardin. He sung all of those songs like they were made for him… and that he has “lived” them too. In true rock’n’roll rebel tradition, he ended the show with an unexpected, edgy and confrontational ‘A cappella’ that was as entertaining as it was strange and memorable too.
It was a hip, appreciative, music-loving crowd at ‘Loco Club’ and Dando gave a great show in Valencia. It will live on in the memory, for those present, in these difficult times. He’s still a dude.
Report by Will McCarthy
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’
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