BeatRoute Magazine BC Edition May 2019

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Hip-hop duo Snotty
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Nose Rez Kidz think
ahead and look towards
Dando the future and the with
Evan
Lemonheads responsibility break a
10-year hiatus with
By SAFIYA HOPFE
a second anthology
of covers
By GRAEME WIGGINS
MICHEL VAN COLLENBURG
THE LEMONHEADS
Thursday, May 18
Rickshaw Theatre
Tix: $25
E
nding a 10-year hiatus
with an album of covers
is one way to shrug off
any expectations. It’s
certainly in keeping
with The Lemonheads’
Evan Dando’s way of doing things.
The Lemonheads seemed poised for
greatness in the mid-90s; the combination
of Dando’s model looks, musical hooks and
slacker charm seemed destined to take
the world by storm. But a combination of
constant touring, drugs and off-stage antics
made for a slim discography. They took
a nine year hiatus starting in 1997, then
released two albums between 2006 and
2009, the latter all covers. Ten years later,
they’re back with a sequel: Varshons II.
“I’m competing for the most slacker of all
time because I haven’t finished my own record
yet,” says Dando. “I like other people’s
songs. It’s kind of a cool thing to do.”
It was also a nice way to get his feet wet
back in the studio after a long break.
“Been writing a bunch, but don’t really
have enough for a new album so I went in to
record a bunch of covers as something to
tour on until I get my album done. I like going
into the studio and letting it inspire me. It
was fun.”
The first Varshons album came about
from trading mixtapes with album producer
(and Butthole Surfers frontman) Gibby
Haines. It was an eclectic assortment of
songs that avoided clichéd choices. The
new one is also diverse with a brilliant Lucinda
Williams cover (“Abandoned”)
alongside punks The Eyes and
Nick Cave.
“A lot of them I’ve been doing
for years. Wouldn’t do something
like ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ or something
classic of all time, just songs that I really like.”
There were some sacred songs that
couldn’t be touched, to keep the album
fresh. “No Velvet, no Stooges, no Modern
Lovers. No Hendrix.” But there is an Eagles
song (“Take It Easy”) on there, and “Round
Here” by country superstars Florida Georgia
Line, which seems delightfully out of character.
“I like that song. It’s a hard one to like. It’s
a little overblown, a little over-produced. But
it’s a great song.”
After this tour, Dando hints at the possibility
of a new record.
“Going to start recording a new album.
I have a bunch of songs, and we’ll hit the
studio soon. Like a back to school thing. Get
a new record out.”
As much as he might be construed as a
slacker king, his perfectionist streak is really
the only hold up: “It’s not easy. I don’t want
to do it until it’s really good and I haven’t
got there yet. I’m trying. I’ve done a lot of
records I’m really proud of so I don’t want to
do one until I’ll be really proud of it. I should
be ready soon.”
Until then we have some great covers and
a tour of the hits. Hopefully the recent hiatus
will be the last and The Lemonheads will be
back in full. ,
Media partner
May 30 . 7:30 PM
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
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MAY 2019 BEATROUTE 21