Tuesday, February 23, 1982
Daily Nebraskan
Page 9
Safety Last's rock W roll gets people dancing
By Danny O'Kanc
Listening to Safety Last this past weekend at the
Drumstick, it was impossible to tell that this was only
their I Oth gig since reforming Last September. This Min-ncapolis-bascd
rockabilly band can really move people on
to the dance floor. Their style is deceptively simple, as
they churn out rock 'n' roll classics by Carl Perkins, and
Gene Vincent, along with a good number of originals.
As a three piece they strive to capture the basic ele
ments of rock V roll, which have been lost amid walls of
sound in recent years. This is highly danceable music,
which only affects those parts of your body below the
neck.
You may recall that Safety Last first appeared at the
Drumstick a year ago as a four piece. Since then, guitar
ists Tim Manscth and Sprague Hollander have left and
been replaced by Gary Louris. All agree that as a trio, the
sound is much better.
"With a three piece there is more open space, and it
becomes a part of the music, as important as the notes
we're playing," Gary says.
Indeed rockabilly provides a good skeleton for study
ing rock V roll. It's restrictive in form, and much like
the blues, relics on the delivery for much of its power. As
Rusty Jones puts it, "rockabilly requires a good deal of
input from the crowd." There was plenty of this at the
Drumstick.
The band gets much of its energy from the not-so-slightly-balding
Jones. His age is as questionable as his
hairline, but his musical tastes arc unvaried.
Same music
"I've been listening to this same music since high
school," he says.
Besides lead vocals, Rusty provides the all important
bass line. As one of the founding members, he has written
most of the bands originals. He says Carl Perkins has been
his greatest influence, and one can sense a little country
in his voice.
Jim Tollefsrud plays the drums and sings backup voc
als. He is perhaps the most animated on stage, with a
rather contagious sway, to go along with his strong back
beat. Jim was impressed with the receptiveness of the
crowd at the Drumstick.
"People get up and dance here, not because it's fash
ionable, but because it's good music," he said.
Gary Louris is the newest member of the band. His gui
tar playing is surprisingly clear and crisp. There is very lit
tle distortion on his Fender Strat, and he will often bend a
a few chords with his vibrato arm. The best thing about
this band is that nobody overplaysrtheir instrument; Lour
is lately has been sharing the song writing duties with
Rusty. About writing he says, "Most of my experience has
been in the pop vein, but I'm enjoying the transition
the hardest thing to do is write a good easy song."
Recording contract
The band has a recording contract with the Minneapolis-based
Twintone Records, and will soon be promoting an
EP recorded a year ago with the original band. Twintone
has rapidly gained national recognition as one of the best
of the small labels. Its biggest success has been with the
Suburbs, who have recently landed a contract with a
major label.
According to Rusty, "Twintone is perfect for us, it's a
chance to get on vinyl - not to make a million bucks, but
to be heard." Gary adds that Twintone is dedicated to
Be a professional . .
or at least look like one.
fashion
- speakers
- raffle
march 8, 1982
8:30pm Union Ballroom
I
QflpLER
bv Henri k Ibsen
March 4,5,6& 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Tickets:
S3.oo Students Howell Theatre
S4 Regular
Group Rates Theatre Arts
Available at Lincoln
cms
University
Nebraska
Lincoln
the Minneapolis music scene - nuturing bands for larger
audiences. This is unique today, in an industry geared for
platinum.
When asked about the recent rockabilly craze, Rusty
said it's "a rediscovering of roots, and this is always going
to be happening. I think this is the fifth time I can remem
ber it making a comeback."
The band seems to agree though, that because of its
historical context, rockabilly will not be the next big
thing in music. Still, Safety Last is confident in its musical
direction.
The band seems unimpressed with the new "cat"
bands, such as the Rockats, and the Stray Cats. Says
Gary, "They tend to put fashion before the music, and
their playing is not the greatest."
The band plans to record an album this summer, and
then promote it by going on the road. They are also think
ing of adding a female vocalist,
vocalist.
"Yeah, she's beautiful, and she sounds just like Wanda
Jackson too," Gary Louris said.
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Photo by D. Eric Kircher
Jim Tollefsrud, Gary Louris and Rusty Jones - members of the Minneapolis rockabilly band Safety Last.
AMERICAN FILM
CLASSICS
PRESENTS
"BRINGING UP BABY"
starring -Katharine
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Cary Grant
Thursday, Feb. 25
Sheldon Film Theater
Admission $2.50 with
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$3.00 General
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A UNIVERSAL
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5400 "O" St. 464-7421
STUDENT
APPRECIATION
DISCOUNTS
This coupon and $12 will
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UNIVERSITY
REGISTRATION
Feb. 22 - March 3
Nebraska Union,
at Booth
See tomorrow's full page in the
Daily Nebraskan for class listings.
Guitar Virtuoso
GENE BERTONCINI
with Rusty White, Bass
SATURDAY, FEB. 27 8:00 p.m.
KimBALL HALL
Tickets $2.00 UNL Students
$3.00 General Admission,
available at the door only.
Ginic Schedule
Friday, Feb. 26 3:30 p.m.
- Improvisation Clinic,
Room 107 Westbrook
Saturday, Feb. 27 1 :30 p jn.
- Jazz Guitar Clinic,
Room 130 Westbrook
Call 472-2651 for clinic information.
sponored by
UPC and the School of Music.
LJ
City