UPPER LAKE >> Blues rock band the 24th Street Wailers are on a musical mission. “Our band sort of a 50s style rock and roll band,” said drummer and vocalist Lindsay Beaver. “Now a days [blues has] been becoming sort of less about the soul part and more about the loud guitar solos.”
While this approach works for other groups, Beaver prefers a more traditional approach to the genre. “I would like to see the New Orleans style of stuff, which is rare. You don’t get a lot of piano players that play that way,” she said. “I’m trying to do what was traditionally done with this music.”
On Monday, April 13 the 24th Street Wailers will bring their music to the Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake.
Five years ago Beaver and her band mates, Mike Archer (bass), Elliot Sowell (guitar), Jesse Whiteley (Piano) and Jon Wong (Sax), met at music school and connected over a shared love of musicians such as the Neville Brothers, Little Richard and Sam Cooke. “When I started the group I didn’t actually think quite this long term but it’s worked out pretty well,” Beaver said.
The members of the 24th Street Wailers may be young in years, but don’t define them by their age. “I don’t like to present it as a young band,” Beaver said. The group has an older bunch of fans who “find it odd that we’re playing this stuff when in reality it may have started in the 50s and 60s but good music is good music.”
Beaver likes to remind people that during their heyday, the band’s influences weren’t so different from herself. “They were all my age too when they were wiring all those songs you love,” she said. “Age doesn’t necessarily equate to knowledge of the music or talent level for that matter.”
So what was traditionally done with blues rock music in the 1950s? “It’s just got a real lightness to it,” Beaver explained. “At that time this stuff was made for a younger audience. People just wanted to go out and dance and have a good time … I just love the artists of that era and how things were recorded and how they sounded.”
Audience also played an important part in 50s rock blues. “Instead of sort of being about the musician it’s about giving the crowd a good time,” Beaver said.
And Beaver’s view on music matches up perfectly with this idea. “The whole point of going to see a band is you work … all week and this is your time to get out and enjoy yourself,” she said. “The job of a musician … is to make sure those people – no matter how many have come out – are enjoying themselves and our show reflects that.”
Those who attend the show at the Blue Wing Saloon won’t be dissatisfied. “They’re in for a heck of a show, even if it’s a Monday,” Beaver said.
The 24th Street Wailers perform Monday, April 13 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. There’s no cover charge but reservations are suggested. Call 707-275-2233 for reservations.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
