Sleeping Beauty

When this post was first published a few years back, it appeared to be largely neglected. I think that's an unforgivable travesty, one which nearly borders on criminal for two basic reasons:

1.) Widely disregarded by the public at large, being overlooked appears to be the sad and unfortunate fate of American Music Club, a band that deserves much better.

2.) I think they are one of the few truly great bands to have emerged in rock music over the last few decades.

Here's my chance to prove the latter and rectify the former. Read, listen, and see the light.

The Music of Mark Eitzel
and American Music Club
Friday, September 02, 2011

Lyrically, the most compelling aspect of Mark Eitzel's songwriting is the underlying theme of detachment and dislocation that runs through the material. His songs are filled with disenfranchised characters who don't belong to this world, or have lost their way within it. Hapless souls who are endlessly searching for that elusive ingredient that might ground them, whether it be the happiness or stability that is missing from their lives, or the redemption that could ultimately save them. The missing links that force them to wander restlessly, never quite finding peace, or that sanctuary that we call home. This rootlessness is underscored by the often minor, unresolved chords that accompany his poetic words. Augmented by the lonely atmospheric cry of a pedal steel guitar and a tapestry of rich sounds, the music evokes the wide open spaces of the Western American landscape. A topography where the impending darkness of nightfall soaks up the last of the light to squeeze the day down to an angry red line. But in a larger sense, that sound might also stand as a metaphor for the vacant spiritual connection that is all but lost on those of us who live in this land of plenty.

This sense of dislocation should come as no surprise when one understands and appreciates the unsettled background of AMC's sole songwriter. Born in suburban San Francisco, the band leader was the product of overbearing parents who moved from town to town, country to country following their professional pursuits, hardly allowing the young Eitzel to develop meaningful or lasting friendships throughout his early life. Pushed by his domineering parents to excel both academically and vocationally, his only natural recourse was to rebel in the only way he knew how --- by making bittersweet music. And what fragile, aching music it is, minor keys adrift in oceans of space upon which float anguished lyrics of disillusionment, longing, regret, and resignation, all sharpened by a sour jaundice that would end up serving only to undermine his ultimate success.

For years, San Francisco's self proclaimed 'laziest songwriter' was a mess, but a beautiful mess, if you know what I mean. Dogged by a drinking habit brought on by his shyness, insecurity, and perhaps his own self loathing, Eitzel nevertheless pushed himself out on stage night after night to play his songs to largely indifferent audiences. Yes, his band had its following, and yes, they also had their fair share of accolades. But in the end, they never succeeded in breaking through to claim the rewards they justly deserved. And perhaps that's a good thing in some ways. International stardom likely would have never suited Eitzel (although his bandmates might have relished the idea), and as a result, they might have become something entirely different in the process (à la R.E.M.). But at the very least, they all merit receiving a more-than-decent living from the beautiful music that they've collectively produced.

Early on it seemed that despite his best intentions, Eitzel's self destructive ways often interfered with the band's better plans. Easily the least proficient technically, his bandmates frequently struggled with Eitzel's poor sense of timing, but nevertheless, it was the emotional rawness of his music, and sadly his drunkenness that created many memorable performances. As the band made serious attempts to capture the moment, Eitzel, always his worst enemy, would flail away in a stupor of alcohol, seemingly intent on sabotaging everything that they had originally set out to create. Like witnessing a train wreck, you couldn't take your eyes away, but beneath the carnage lay a thing of rare beauty. As an occasional member of the audience at their first shows within San Francisco's Hotel Utah, I often found myself feeling helpless, guilty almost to be watching one man's public implosion unfold on the tiny stage in front of me. But it was Eitzel's demon to conquer, not my own. Unfortunately however, the audiences at those early performances at times appeared to be there not so much for the music, as they were to see just how much havoc the singer was actually capable of creating. And in the worst of circumstances, perhaps to see just how far he could actually fall. A sad scenario to contemplate, especially when you consider just how much that morbid curiosity might have actually fueled his self destructive behavior. Still, those early shows were magical, if not for the sad passion play that accompanied them, and the band themselves were certainly top notch.

In terms of personnel, AMC were somewhat of a revolving door, the most productive line-up surrounding Eitzel, drummer Tim Mooney, and bassist Dan Pearson. Bruce Kaphan provided that 'wide open feeling of the Western skies' ambiance on pedal steel guitar, while sound designer, Mark Prankler (a.k.a. Vudious Maximus, and more commonly known simply as Vudi) created a sonic backdrop of tasteful guitar textures that defied all description, and still does today. This unit epitomized AMC's creative peak, and held together for roughly 4 years recording 1991's 'Everclear,' through their swan song, 'San Francisco' released in 1994. But after 10+ years and 7 LP's that failed to find any success, the core members, Eitzel, Pearson, and Vudi decided to lay AMC to rest and move on, having barely even earned a living during the groups entire lifespan. In Eitzel's case, his move was to an equally unsuccessful solo career. But then, as I've stated previously, the man has always been his worst enemy.

Besides being San Francisco's 'laziest songwriter,' Mark Eitzel might also be the city's 'most miserable.' Social clumsiness notwithstanding, he somehow manages to alienate most everyone around him. Cantankerous, cynical, and perpetually glum, he almost seems to enjoy wallowing in his misery, whether it be perceived or otherwise. And in my extremely limited experience, he also seems to expect others to understand and share his angst. I'm told however that he has finally succeeded in abating his drinking habit once and for all, and perhaps is now a bit more gentle and kind as a result. His newer material seems to indicate as much, but of course giving up a decades long love affair with alcohol might easily push one in the opposite direction as well. Either way, Mark Eitzel is still a formidable songwriter of great candor and poetic grace. Remarkably, despite his own emotional scarring, he is able to brilliantly convey the heartbreak, torment, suffering, and despair that is capable of running through our lives. And he does so with a voice that while not outstanding, is irresistibly human, managing to go flat in all the right places at just the right times. Despite his cranky demeanor, Eitzel's (AMC's) music can be deeply tender and quite captivating, evoking the sort of ache that one can sometimes get in their heart. The type of ache that feels something like falling down stairs.

Note: American Music Club reformed in 2004 to record 'Love Songs For Patriots,' sans Bruce Kaphan. A long 4 years later they released their superb, 'The Golden Age' in 2008 with yet another new shift of personnel in their ever evolving line-up. As of this writing, the status of AMC is a question mark as nothing has been heard from them in quite some time. Their recordings however (as well as Eitzel's solo outings) are all still in print and worth seeking out. To my knowledge, no official statement that addresses the band's future (or demise) has been issued, despite their maintaining an active website.

Wishing The World Away

1.) Chanel #5
2.) Hello Amsterdam
3.) Gratitude Walks
4.) If I Had A Hammer
5.) America Loves The Minstrel Show
6.) Firefly
7.) Somewhere
8.) Laughingstock
9.) The President's Test For Physical Fitness
10.) On A Clear Day
11.) I Broke My Promise
12.) The Sleeping Beauty
13.) The Stars
14.) All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco
15.) Hollywood 4/5/92
16.) Johnny Mathis' Feet
17.) I've Been A Mess
18.) Love Doesn't Belong
19.) Blue And Grey Shirt
20.) Western Sky
21.) All My Love

Source material for 'Wishing The World Away' comes from the following recordings:

California (1988)/Everclear (1991)/Mercury (1993)/San Francisco (1994)
Love Songs For Patriots (2004) and The Golden Age (2008)
plus one or two CD Singles