For better or worse, I have a love affair with rock and roll. At times it has filled me full of love, smiles and hope for mankind; other times it has drained me of everything and sent its demons and regret to plague me.
Over the past 40 or so years, rock and roll has evolved into many compartmentalized versions of what it used to represent: punk, metal, rock-a-billy, stoner rock, emo, indie-pop, etc.; such is the natural evolution of anything.
However, I will always be a subscriber and a fan of pure, passionate, and real rock and roll. This is why I am a follower of Rob Russell & the Sore Losers.
First and foremost, Rob Russell & The Sore Losers are a rock and roll band. Granted, this day and age they would be stuck into a silly category and marketed to a certain audience. What’s beautiful is that this is a band that sees through the music business ca-ca and sticks to its roots.
These four knowledgeable and learned musicians draw from influences that range from rock’s inception to its bastard offspring.
Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with _ of this group and getting inside of their heads.
It needs to be known that Rob Russell is a very intelligent man. During our conversation, he basically admitted to being a geek for knowledge. After carefully listening to his band’s newest album, I Think We’re Gonna Be Allright, such a confession is quite understandable.
One of the main attractions to this band is Russell’s lyrics. By steering far away form both clichd metaphors and poetic nonsense, Russell paints verbal pictures that channel the essence of heartache and the “I-don’t-give-a-damn” attitude that can follow. Lyrically, he shows frailty and strength, coping with loss love and dropping off the deep end as a result of it. His words are clever, without being heady. Anyone can listen to a Rob Russell composition and feel empathy for the character in the song.
Surrounding Russell onstage and in the studio are The Sore Losers. David Hart (guitar), Andy Russell (drums), and Travis Stuart (bass) interpret Russell’s songs with bombast and confidence on par with any other American rock band past or present.
What’s marvelous about these three guys is that they were all fans of Russell’s previous efforts. There’s noting better than joining a band that one is already a fan of.
In concert, they churn out somewhat country-tinged rock and roll tunes that begged to be danced to as well as contemplated on a more philosophical level; existential line dancing, if you will. In fact, a most appropriate description of Rob Russell & The Sore Losers is Johnny Cougar fronting The Replacements in a honky-tonk on 2nd Avenue in Nashville. This band does not disappoint.
This Friday, Oct. 11, they will be celebrating the release of their most recent release, I Think We’re Gonna Be Allright, at The Casbah with two glorious sets. This performance will feature guest appearances from friends that helped out on the new album.
I Think We’re Gonna Be Allright is a great album because it retains The Losers’ live passion and feel while expanding into something that doesn’t solely rely on two guitars, bass and drums. Guests such as Ron Baisden, Don Eanes and Megan Gregory contribute horns, harmonica, keyboard, fiddle and vocals to create lush sounds throughout the record.
Locally, I Think We’re Gonna Be Allright is available at Dad’s and Mr. K’s, online at cdbaby.com and cdnow.com, as well as directly from the band at their shows at a discounted price; even more of a reason to come to The Casbah this Friday. You can also download some free tracks at mp3.com/robrusell.
Regardless of whatever other band is playing in town that night, you don’t want to miss Rob Russell & The Sore Losers. Old fans will enjoy the reworking of songs with the addition of certain guests while new fans (trust me, you’ll be a fan after the first song) will relish in having their collective cherry popped on such a special night. See you Friday.

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