Ask any of the members of Wildside who their major influences were and you'll hear a long list of rock icons, including Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and AC/DC.
"As a band, we look to the `old school' of rock 'n' roll," said rhythm guitarist Benjamin Rhynedance. "Our new album will feature the `back-to-basics' sound we heard while we were in high school."Wildside, the five-member band hailing from Los Angeles, was in Salt Lake City last week as part of KBER radio station's promotional "SugarBear Search" before heading to the studio to record a new album due sometime this summer. The band played two shows, one Thursday night at the Power Plant and the other Friday night at Rafters. Rhynedance said he loves playing in Salt Lake City.
"The fans here are really great," he said. "We've got a massive following here, and they really love to get crazy and rock 'n' roll."
Wildside's roots are found in Seattle. Rhynedance and lead vocalist Drew Hannah left "the home of the grunge (and Jimi Hendrix)" in 1986 to find fame and fortune in the shiny streets of Los Angeles. But fame eluded them for four years.
"We ended up playing continuously up and down Sunset Strip," Rhynedance said. "You name it, the Roxy, the Whiskey and the now-demolished Gazzari's - we played them all. Then in 1990, Capitol Records approached us with a contract."
The band then featured Rhynedance, Hannah, bassist Marc Simon, drummer Jimmy D. and lead guitarist Brent Woods. They released "Under The Influence" later that year and received mild recognition.
"The (record) label didn't push the release as much as we would have liked," Rhynedance said. "But by touring, we were able to gain a steady following across the country."
Earlier this year, Wildside went shopping for a new label. "We are in the middle of negotiations and hope to have it all squared away in time for the new album's release."
But another obstacle met the band even before it began laying the basic tracks for the new album - the departure of Woods.
"Brent was with us since the beginning, but over time, he started to get weary of the business," Rhynedance explained. "Our musical direction began to diminish as well."
On a whim, the band pulled in "Graveyard Train" guitarist Bruce Draper.
"We held auditions and all we got were metal dudes," D. remembered. "I had played with Draper in another band, and we talked about where we could find him. That night, I was walking to my car, and some ugly looking dude asked me for a light. I thought he was some weirdo. Then I realized it was Draper."
Draper officially joined the band two weeks ago and has proved his importance. His specterlike stance behind Hannah during the band's Power Plant show only added to Wildside's performance. Draper's spooky emotional blues was enhanced by his lurching stage presence as the band blasted a powerful set that featured new and old Wildside tunes, as well as a couple of surprises.
"We just wanna try some stuff out on the fans," Rhynedance said. "The new stuff will have a sharper edge but also that familiar Wildside punch."
That night, a new song "How Can You Love Me," enhanced by a clean, sharp mix, kicked off the hourlong show as fans crowded together in a standing-room-only attendance. The band fed off the intimate atmosphere as Hannah stepped in front of his microphone to slap a few high-fives to outstretched hands.
The music was biting and raw.
During "Hang On Lucy," Draper pulled out dark, blusey chords from his strings and was accompanied by D.'s syncopated back beats and Simon's steady bass lines. Rhynedance provided melodic, "locomotive" rhythm licks as Hannah's throat-crunching vocals made the band's point.
Another new song, "Lookin' To Move," snaked its volcanic dynamics through the system and brought screams from the crowd.
Probably the loudest cheers were heard as Draper and Rhynedance picked the opening chords to the band's first single "How Many Lies" from "Under The Influence." The audience joined in singing the chorus.
The band's first surprise came at the start of the encore. Wildside pumped out the driving cowbell introduction to a spunky remake of Nazareth's 1975 hit "Hair Of The Dog." The set ended with an energetic cover of AC/DC's 1981 "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)."
Next week the band returns home and will focus its attention on the new album. "Hang in there, it's coming," Rhynedance said. "If you like what you heard tonight, you'll love what you'll hear in a few months."