Cape Rock Drive

By James Brennan

At a time when a metal-hip hop fusion seems to be the humdrum radio norm, I find it really refreshing to see a jam band pop up in the local music scene. The octet Cape Rock Drive, aptly named for Sprigg Street (ha ha), is a talented group of musicians who play a good classic/hippie rock set list. I really like the fact that they have two drummers, four guitar players (two acoustics, two electrics), a bass, and a vocalist who shakes the tambourine. The tambourine man isn't the only vocalist, though; one of the guitar players and one of the drummers kick in as well. I think one of the guitar players does too. It's all a group effort.

To set the tone, one must understand the way that Rude Dog's (seemingly the bands home base) floor plan is set up. It's an old storefront with those big glass display windows at the anterior of the building. The alcoves created by such windows are where the bands do their thing. A pool table stands about ten feet from the door, and the bar and tables take up the last 2/3 of the place. This idea kind of destroys the whole "stage" mentality, and CRD makes it comfortable. I wouldn't suggest going up and twiddling the knobs on their amps, but they are at ease with playing to the public. These guys are just out playing good music and having a good time.

After the dancing doorman eyed my ID and took my money (not much), I walked into one of the loudest, smokiest bars I've ever witnessed in Cape. Passing the entourage proved a bit tricky but was worth it when the other side was reached. After I grabbed a stool, they started "Feelin' Alright." FYI: I like this song. This Traffic (also responsible for "Dear Mr. Fantasy" ditty), as always, performed a near ambrosial effect upon my auditory apparatus. Good tune.

I have to stop here and proclaim my love for the Beatles. The fab four rank pretty close to the top of my list, and "Come Together" ranks almost at the top of my Beatles list "Got to Get You Into My Life" is #1). The tambourine/vocalist, who sings this song, has a raspy voice, and that alone takes the song back to its bluesier roots. Then one of the electric guitars kicks it into overdrive. The whole song transforms, and it's not really "Come Together" anymore. It still is, but a whole different side of it is explored and toyed with. That is one thing that should be noted: ability to do covers in an original way. Most any band, if they practice enough, can get up there and play a song just like it is on the album from which it originated. These guys all own the albums that the songs they play are on, but they want to play them their own way; the way it should be.

Throw in some Shadows of the Night (Gloria) and some Allman Brothers (Rambling Man), and the general idea of where they are going is ascertained. Though Rambling Man started off a bit rocky, the band kept on truckin' and pulled the song out of mayhem. This is not a bad thing, it shows their honest, good-natured intent. I hope these guys make some money for entertaining us, but I don't think that the making of money will affect them much. They're just playing in the band.

Speaking of playing in the band, the inevitable happened: a Grateful Dead song. This made me smile as big as a Texas mile. "I Know You Rider" is (next to Help/Slipknot!) one of my all-time-favorite Dead tunes. They did it with a free and easy quality and let the song develop itself, once again, the way it should be done. "I Know You Rider" is not a song to be rushed; all will happen of it's own accord. Interesting side note about a side note: Help on the Way/Slipknot! Was being played in Passaic, New Jersey at the exact moment I was being brought into this world. Anyone who has any bootlegs of Dead shows please look up 6/17/76 and see if you have it, especially the second set. I know it's in circulation and would really enjoy a copy.

Anyway, I'm a loser and had to work at 7 am that Sunday, so I left with the finale of the first set. A rockin' second set was promised and I wished I could have stayed. These guys are all extremely talented and have a good future in front of them if they keep it up. Right now they are a bit rusty and off-step, but all that may be lost in synchronicity can be gained as these guys play more together. My advice is to pay the two bucks to the guy who is dancing on the sidewalk in front of Rude Dog's. He'll show you how to get in.