Free from the ties of powerhouse Capitol Records, Everclear will unleash “Welcome to the Drama Club” on September 12, an independent release under their management company's label, Eleven Seven Music. Alexakis describes the new album as “ragged groovin' rock 'n' roll'” and says the sound can be compared to early Stones-Everclear style.
After much radio love in the mid '90s with hits such as Santa Monica, Everything to Everyone, Wonderful, Father of Mine and AM Radio, Alexakis parted ways with the original Everclear lineup and now, recharges with musicians Davey French (guitar), Sam Hudson (bass), Josh Crawley (keyboards) and Brett Snyder (drums, percussion).
Now with five band members instead of the former three, Alexakis notes the changes in the sound. “The music has more texture and it's tighter than ever. We're gonna get soulful,” Alexakis said.
This fall, Everclear will tour the states to support “Welcome to the Drama Club,” in addition to the already scheduled June 30 performance at Summerfest in Milwaukee and the September 2 show at Rotary Hill in Naperville. For a band that has been to Chicago at least 30 times throughout its history, Art and the guys are anxious to play what Alexakis fondly calls 'Beerfest' in Milwaukee as well as the Naperville show later this summer.
For fans wondering what to expect from the national tour and worrying that Everclear will abandon the hits that propelled Art and the original crew to stardom-rest assured.
“We will always play the old hits and the obscure stuff for the fans. I feel a responsibility to my fans; [those old hits] make them happy. That's what they came out for,” Alexakis said.
One of those obscure songs that might be played during the fall tour is Here We Go Again from “Remembering How to Smile: Volume 1”. Here We Go Again has never been performed live and Art is eager to unleash some of the older Everclear songs with the backing of the four new band members.
After already having one career, Alexakis' plans for 2006 are pretty straight-forward. “I'd like some closure with the past. And I want to get this record out there, put it in front of the world and see what they think.”
For more on Everclear, their latest tour dates and to listen to some of their new tracks, check out www.Myspace.com/Everclear.
Photos courtesy of Everclear
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