If some California-based rock bands have their way, music fans may soon forget other California bands that came before them.
Already, Santa Barbara's Toad the Wet Sprocket and San Francisco's the Origin are creating a splash in the world of post-modern music - with folk- and acoustically-based pop and guitar rock that harkens back to the days of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. In fact, many music writers are calling the two groups the forerunners of a new California musical renaissance: one similar to that started in Athens, Ga., by R.E.M.The two groups differ in their musical approaches by their instruments of choice - where Toad prefers electric guitar jangles, the Origin often adds swirling Hammond organ swells to surprisingly noisy acoustic guitar. Salt Lake crowds will get two chances to see the groups, in concert Wednesday, Feb. 12, and Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the State Fairpark Horticulture Building. Tickets are $10 in advance ($12 the day of show) and are available at all Graywhale CD and Sound Off locations.
Origin bassist Topper Rimel said in a recent telephone interview that the band has done considerable "growing up" since its 1990 debut album. Organist Daniel Silverman departed after the Origin recorded its second album, "Bend" (Todd Davidson will replace him for the upcoming tour), and band members have suffered financial straits between their first tour and now.
But while the Origin has suffered growing pains, Toad the Wet Sprocket has prospered. During a recent telephone interview, Nichols said the four-piece is reaping the benefits of its "Fear" album, which has spawned a controversy from its debut single, "Hold Her Down." Though the song's chorus features "Take her arms and hold her down ... until she stops kicking," the single is actually an apology from males to females for sexual assaults and rapes, according to Nichols.
"It goes much more beyond just its lyrics, and I think people have understood - if they really listen to the song - what it's all about."
Former Lone Justice bassist Marvin Etzioni (who also produced Toad's second album) will open with a special acoustic set. - Jeff Vice