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Charlotte has been pretty short on British-influenced popmusic - Brit-pop if you will - especially since the demise of shoegazerinfluenced bands like Bellglide, First Night on Earth, and Laburnum, who all referencedthe `80s and `90s in some way. Coincidentally a couple members of those bands -guitarist Taylor Short and bassist Wes Grasty - have found an actual Brit toback as part of the Rels (with drummer Donnie Merritt - pictured right with Grasty, Crozer, and Short from left to right). Band leader Mark Crozerisn’t simply a Charlotte transplant. He’s a former guitarist for veteranScottish alternative rock band the Jesus & Mary Chain. He fell in love withan American during JAMC’s 2007 reunion tour, married had a child, and relocated to Charlotte.
Crozer brings a winking “Doctor Who” reference to the band’sname and a batch of mostly sunny songs that flit between a more accessibleversion of his old band mates (imagine JAMC without the cloud of distortion)and Beatles-esque pop. By the way aRel is the Dalek unit of measurement for time on the long running Britishsci-fi series. A Dalek is probably Who’s most widely recognized enemy - in caseyou were wondering. (I’ll stop there. Is my geek showing?)
In April, Crozer released his self-titled album. The album actually doesn't feature the Charlotte-based players who make up his live band, who he met after finishing the album.
It begins with “War Drum” - a sort of a declaration.There’s even a touch of Southern garage rock in the guitar line. “I Need aVaccination” is a zippy punk-tinged number. Another favorite, “Killed By Karma,”begins with a Cure-like intro (the bassline reminds me of “Inbetween Days”).You can hear that familiar Jesus & Mary Chain guitar tone ringing outespecially during the solo. That sound informs “Sunshine” as well. But these songs are much poppier (even prettier) unless your reference point to JAMC beginsand ends with its 1994 hit collaboration with Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval “SometimesAlways.”
There’s a lot more than Crozer’s former employers in hissound. There is pretty Moody Blues/Byrds-like singing.Things get downright chipper on “Sunshine” and the bopping “Brand New World.” “You are a Light” is a sunny acoustic lovesong. “Just Another Day” bounces merrily. With the vocal melodies and highharmonies songs like those reference the Rels’ Beatles side. In fact songs “Light” and “Day” sound a lot like what Charlotte’s own Beatles-influenced popveterans the Spongetones have been releasing in recent years (a more moderntake on its Beatles’ influence).
More-often-than-not the Rels tread in more recent retro territorytoo. I particularly like “Put Those `80s Records On.” The title alone is anattention-getter. “Let’s Go to the Moon” reminds me of ahappier Echo & the Bunnymen because of the guitar parts thatbookend the verses. The bridge capturesthe same kind of angst as the Psychedelic Furs at its best. It’s prettymagical.
“Waiting for June” maybe the most unusual track on the album. It builds on pensive strings, piano,and near whispered vocals. It reminds me of a trippy, psychedelic soundtrack thatwould suit “Belle du Jour” if it were remade for today or maybe serve a shot of Austin Powers discovering his latest bell bottom bombshell strutting into theroom and shaking her hair in slow motion.
The melody of “Deep Carolina” bopsalong innocently then swells into a dark, psychedelic guitar solo. “What a FoolI’ve Been” begins with jangly strumming and melancholy apologetic vocals. Thingsget darker as the albums nears its close. A James Bond-like guitar and tension-filledpiano give way to a slightly brighter (thanks to Crozer’s vocals) chorus on “AGood Heart.” The final track, "Bristol Hum," closes the record on a dark, dance-y note with abeat that would be at home in one of Blondie’s disco tracks although it’s themost modern song on the album. “Bristol Hum” contains yet another interestingbridge too. I’ve always been a sucker for a killer bridge and the Rels do them well.
The Rels have a string of shows lined up inJune. The group plays the Thirsty Beaver in Plaza-Midwood Saturday,June 9 with Overmountain Men at 9 p.m. Free. It is also part of the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival at The Green Uptown on Saturday, June 15. Its set starts at 7:15 p.m. Free.
It plays the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market (130 S. Main St.) Saturday,June 16, at the un-rock n’ roll hour of 9:30 a.m. before heading to the annualBeatles Tribute at Knight Theater at 7 p.m. where it will perform “If I NeededSomeone.” That last one is not a free show, but it’s an incredibly popularlocal tribute to the Fab Four - more on that next week. Over 20 acts. Ticketsare $20. 704-372-1000.
The Rels have also been added to the June 22 bill at SnugHarbor with Temperance League, Wylie Hunter & the Cazadores and Darth Hipster& the Star Destroyer. Admission is $5.
Find Crozer online here or here. Larry Toppman also interview Crozer in December. You can read that story here.
Grammy-nominated country music hit-maker and Granite Falls, NC-native Eric Church brings his "Blood, Sweat, & Beers" Tour to his home state in November. He headlines Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte November 28.
