Local unsigned trio Andrew and the Tree is in the process of completing its 18-song “Full Frontal Nudity” album and, meanwhile, has put together an intriguing six-track sampler demo tape.
The finished album will consist of a combination of live, in-studio performances, recorded in a warehouse-rehearsal space by drummer-engineer Brian Deck, and home studio tracks from the trio’s guitarist-vocalist-songwriter Andrew J. Robb.
Robb-who was principal songwriter for local band Tribe from 1984 to 1990-now divides his time between music and his day job as a philosophy teacher at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines and the College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn. The band is filled out by poet and author J.J. Tindall on drums and vocals, and Matt Tyndall (no relation despite the similarity in last names) on bass and vocals .
Andrew and the Tree began as a solo project in 1991 with the release of Robb’s “As If,” home-studio tape, and subsequently evolved into a performing band. Then came 1992’s “Vita Activa.” The Tree’s present lineup played its first gig in June 1993.
“I’ve gotten a lot of critical attention over the years but it’s always been `This is great, Andrew, but what is it exactly?’ ” says Robb. He has higher hopes for the latest effort, which is aimed more at making people dance than making them daydream. “A lot of the stuff I’ve done was mood music. This one is a little bit different. I’m trying to write hit songs. That’s why it’s called `Full Frontal Nudity.’ It’s an in-your-face, three-piece band, playing songs.”
Robb’s description of the “Full Frontal” demo is accurate from a production perspective. From the rag-tag and exuberant “Some Girls”-era Stones rock of “Nothing’s Better” to the Bob Marley-inspired slow-burning reggae groove of “Chemical Pull,” the band gets under your skin right away and stays there.
According to Robb, the full-length release, tentatively scheduled for release this spring will be more arranged and psychedelic, with mandolin, lap steel, timpani, dulcimer-based “mood stuff woven in between solid tunes.” The trio’s live show alternates between a structured, song-based format and extended psychedelic jam sessions. Andrew and the Tree will perform at Morseland, 1218 W. Morse Ave. 743-5955, on Feb. 4 with Mint Aundrey.
– Chicago-area bands Loud Lucy, Seam, Veruca Salt, Dolly Varden, Wreck and Roots Rock Society, Big Guitars from Memphis, Suede Chain and Jason Eklund have been invited to perform at this year’s “South By Southwest Music and Media Conference” in Austin, Texas, March 16-20.
– The New Duncan Imperials will celebrate the release of its “We’re in a Band” CD at Lounge Ax Saturday. The trio’s latest gambit is to cover songs with the word “band” in the title, such as Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Band on the Run” and Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band.”
The Women’s Music Network was founded last summer by Deb Langland, a local rock publicist and photographer, Laura Kohnke, a rock art rep and Angela Martin, who plans to open “Fashion Jail” rock-clothing store this spring.
“We find sometimes it’s difficult for a woman to get equal time or consideration in the rock world,” says Langland. “The women who don’t really have the confidence, we hope to help them attain the confidence to go for it and do their thing.”
The organization meets the first Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room 200 of the Best Western O’Hare, 10300 Higgins Rd. in Rosemont. “It’s basically a support group where we all network and hopefully increase everybody’s business,” says Langland.
Membership ($25 for six months or $50 per year) benefits include seminars, forums and occasional guest speakers. The network also plans to publish a newsletter in May, with advertisers who provide discounts to members. The next meeting takes place Wednesday; call 708-848-2903 for details.
