Craig Wedren/ Brownies/ Feb. 2, 1999
Wearing a black full-length skirt (no b.s.) and white sleeveless t-shirt, former Shudder To Think singer/ guitarist Craig Wedren had fun entertaining this sold out, sardine packed Avenue A venue this Friday eve. With an experienced, well-integrated band of po-mo vets in tow – guitarist Lee Mars (former Nine Inch Nails keyboardist), bassist Brad Vanderark (Verve Pipe), and drummer Kevin March (Dambuilders/ Shudder To Think) – Wedren dropped his stinging, muscular Neil Young-ish hard rock propensity for artsy Bowie-esque theatricality directly in line with his old bands’ two eccentric songs from the ‘98 glam-rock pic Velvet Goldmine.
A few technical glitches (sound system crackles, pops, and feedback) might have momentarily wrinkled some newfangled tunes, but their impact was increased by flawless instrumental delivery. Wedren seemed at ease between songs, offering hilarious quips, playful innuendoes, and a short dedication to a friend prior to the expressive “Lovely Girl.” Throughout, Wedren’s dramatic operatic swoops and surreal poetry were enhanced by burbly electro squiggles, flailing axework, and a strong rhythmic thrust throughout.
One of my faves this night was “Red Hot American Summer,” a hook-filled feel good number. But a shimmering electro-fuzzed version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Hey Tonight” and the melodic, Ziggy Stardust-clipped Velvet Goldmine track “Ballad Of Maxwell Demon” also ranked high.
Though the quartet unquestionably succeeded in this small club setting, their stylish post-fab maneuvers and multi-dimensional arrangements cried out for glitzy, elaborate large scale production. Wedren’s final studio set with Shudder To Think, ‘97s 50,000 B.C., garnered critical raves and made a wider following possible, so faithful fans (and there were plenty at this gig) should look out for his next New York City appearance sometime in March or April. Hopefully a solo disc with these musical partners is in the works. Word is Wedren’s been laying down tracks in his living room. Stay tuned.