Written by Gail Fountain. Published in the Georgia State University Signal 01/20/98
Take a writing genius, add his best friiend, the friend's girlfriend, musical talent, then mix instruments well and what do you get? The O'Jeez, of course -- the band that played at The Point on Dec. 16 to an intimate crowd of about 50.
The O'Jeez is a new super-band from Minneapolis with members hailing from Soul Asylum, The Geraldine Fibbers, Run Westy Run, Golden Smog, and the Jayhawks. Leaving the stress of the popular bands behind, these musicians play for playing's sake.
The band consists of Stew aka Kraig Johnson on electric bass, The Jester aka Jessy Greene on electric guitar and violin, Reno aka Dave Pirner on drums and trumpet, with all switching on and off for lead and backing vocals with Reno adding low notes for variety.
Although The O'Jeez musicians are better known for playing other instruments, the members mix it up to add a little fun and adventure to making music.
That fun quality comes through in their lyrics and song titles, also. Two of the catchiest tunes were named "Super Friends" and "Super Baby."
The same concept of freeness applies to the way The O'Jeez approach musical genre. Nothing is set in stone for them. The O'Jeez play everything from rock to folk to jazz, doing all well. The musicians are so talented it's no big deal for them to make genre changes.
The O'Jeez portray fun and musical enjoyment. That spirit ruled the show at The Point.
Musical enjoyment was also the focus for the opening act, singer-songwriter Dave Pirner, who was equipped only with a microphone and an acoustic guitar.
Taking the stage while "rock n roll nigger" by the Patti Smith Group played, he paced around, lit a cigarette, got his guitar ready, and waited for the song to end before he began. He was dressed in a horizontally-striped shirt, loose jeans and combat boots without laces.
Pirner said hello to the crowd, then played and sang "Pretty Boy Floyd," a Woody Guthrie song he had played at a tribute to Guthrie put on by the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame last year. Then he did something rare: he asked for requests, saying he would sing the song requested if he still knew the words.
The other songs performed by Pirner came from Soul Asylum's catalog. The set included "Homesick," "Closer to the Stars," "String of Pearls," "Somebody to Shove," "Stranger" and the request, "Eyes of a Child." Also part of the excellent set were two new songs from the upcoming Soul Asylum album which is due out in February or March.
Between his set and The O'Jeez set, Pirner sat on the edge of the stage, talking to anyone as he smoked a cigarette and sucked on his locally-made beer, Laughing Skull. He sent a vocal coach on his way by explaining that most vocal coaches requested that he quit smoking and drinking, which made him too nervous to sing.
It proved to be a terrific night for all forms of music. The small crowd that was assembled at the show was pleased and appreciative of the music and the musicians. The O'Jeez titled their tour correctly -- their music certainly came "to the rescue" that night for the audience.
rockfan@mindspring.com
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