THE ROMANTICS
wsgs The Chesterfield Kings and Dixie Hustler
The Machine Shop, Flint
February 18, 2004
by Christopher Chouinard

"Hump" day isn't generally the day to rock, but in this case I had to make an exception. After sitting in on the Yahoo chat with THE ROMANTICS last Sunday, I knew this was going to be one hell of a show. The last gig The Romantics did locally was at the Emerald Theater in Mount Clemens. With buzz about new CD steadily increasing, and a stellar support line up, I rushed out to rock and rock I did.

After a torching warm up (for the lucky winners of a radio promotion by WCRZ Classic Rock ) ...I spoke briefly to THE ROMANTICS lead singer Wally Palmar. Wally was enthusiastic about the positive word of mouth the Rolling Stone review had garnered the band, and was upbeat in the momentum the tour will bring, especially to a hometown crowd.

Local hero's DIXIE HISTLER were the first band up, and I knew right away this show was going to be a blast. It's rare to see a band use a harmonica, and that's one of the reasons I love THE ROMANTICS. It's even more rare to see TWO bands use the harp, and lead singer Dann knew how to wield one mean ass whistle. Having seen the band over a year ago - I quickly remembered why they are so popular. Standout songs "Long Gone Baby" make this southern-styled rock band no "one trick pony." Few acts have a groove so well associated with the Allman Brothers or Lynard Skynard (whom they recently opened for), but Dixie does. Together with Clay, Chris, Sean and Eric - Dann made sure they got the joint jumping. I am very excited to catch them as a headliner; if their opening set is this tight, imagine their longer set!

THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS came complete with their own comic book. You know a band is serious when they come wielding artwork, peg jeans and 007 guitars. Yes, you heard right, CK's Andy Babiuk sports a JAMES BOND Vox styled teardrop guitar while tearing through their tunes. It fits right in with their retro sounding vintage gear and songbook. Essentially, they are Rochester, New York's version of our Romantics - they were a great fit to the show as well. With over 20 years of catalog, they felt at ease on stage, and lead singer Greg Prevost brought memories of the Trash Brats' antics to my teary eyes.  Bassist Mike and drummer Paul rounded out the band as they tore through their new album THE LEGENDARY SOUNDS OF THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS. Make sure you check these hepcats out, dig? They are well worthy of your D-town rock n' Roll attention.

I had only planned to catch a few songs of The Romantics set, being as I was leaving for Houston, Texas the next morning, but 'twas not to be. How could I have left the real deal that stepped onto that stage next? In front of a packed standing room crowd...THE ROMANTICS owned Flint. The hits came right out of the gate and were complimented by the new tunes off 61/49, the new CD. Out came the dual guitars of Coz Canler and the aforementioned Wally Palmar, backed up by a fierce new drumbeat supplied by new member Brad Elvis (filling in for Clem Burke, currently in the studio with Blondie). The excitement helped rev up bassist/guitarist Mike Skill, who led the attack into several longer jams. The stand out for me had to be the extended version of "Devil In Me " off the new cd. Twisted into a boogie worthy of Clapton, this new version turned the Machine Shop crowd into a giant Scary-oke Bar by the time they rolled into "What I like About You."

A real rock show by REAL rock bands. No turntables for these veterans. From opener to closer, THE place to be was The Machine Shop on this fine nite. Of course, my car ride home and a full ten minutes of shuteye nearly cost me my flight... but that's another story. But you know what? It was worth it. In the words of THE ROMANTICS... "Out Of My Mind...and Into my Head!" --Christopher Chouinard