David
Wilcox Report
by Ross Cat.
HOT PAPA….. Canadian guitar virtuoso DAVID WILCOX will be making a stop
in Buffalo this Friday November 11th at Buffalo’s hottest new concert venue
the newly renovated TOWN BALL ROOM located at 681 Main Street.
The singer/songwriters cleverly crafted lyrics are matched only by the
hypnotizin’ hooks, rattlesnakin’ riffs, and the lush licks of his ample
ax. To attempt to categorize his style would be futile, as he has managed
to string together a signature sound through his masterful guitar. The
innovative mix of R & B, rock and roll fused with immeasurable soul,
and a groove that makes you want to boogie, is a perfect landscape for
his lyrics that have a personalized “Natural Edge”.
WILCOX began his fabled career back in 1970 with a band called the GREAT
SPECKLED BIRD, giving him his first taste of fame on a nationwide television
show. After a few years with them he formed his own band the TEDDYBEARS.
In 1977 he released is first solo record “Out of the Woods” independently.
It was picked up and re-released in 1983 by EMI Music Canada and from that
day forward MR. WILCOX “Just Can’t Stop Rockin” and has been “On A Roll”.
His live performances are that of legendary status as he has spent the
last twenty-five years stomping and grinding across the stages of Canada
and the U.S. touring behind several gold albums and a numerous awards.
His most recent discs include “Rockin’ the Boogie, Best Blue and Boogie”
in 2003, and “Rhythm of Love” in 2002 a collection of new songs that shows
he hasn’t lost his lyrical lust and vocal vigor. The album allows
includes some noteworthy contributions from vocalists SARAH HARMER and
IAN THRONLEY, well worth checking out at (www.davidwilcoxrocks.com).
NIGHTLIFE had the “Too Cool” opportunity to speak to the “Bad Apple” himself
DAVID WILCOX as he prepares to bring his “Bad Reputation” to “Our Town”
this Friday, so get on out before that “Cabin Fever” sets in. Tickets are
available at tickets.com or call 888-223-6000, you can also pick them up
at all Tops locations as well as Home of the Hits and New World Record
both located on Elmwood Avenue.
R.Cat.- When writing your music do you start with the lyrics or
do they develop from jamming on your guitar?
D. WILCOX- I try not to have a method. The reason for that is that
it leaves less chance of repetition. This helps me vary the music from
song to song. One trick I do have as a writer is I do a lot of eavesdropping.
This is something I think songwriters do for creative purposes.
R. Cat.- Unlike a lot of current artists today who seem to do a
lot of finger pointing and play the blame game, your lyrics are very personal
and self-descriptive has that been difficult to do?
D. WILCOX- No not at all. It’s essential to be open, without that
there’s no depth to what you do whether you’re a musician or a painter
whatever your craft might be. To say that doesn’t mean it comes easy, it’s
really a process to open yourself up to people, it’s something you have
to continually work on.
R.Cat.- In researching the your website for the interview
I came across the song “Rainy Night Saloon” from the album “Thirteen Songs”
I noticed in the credits on background vocals is SIMON WILCOX whom might
that be?
D.WILCOX
- Yes, that would be my daughter. She is a very unusual
and gifted person and talent. SIMON herself is also a singer/songwriter
who has had some success in writing for other artist. Most notably
she’s written with/for THREE DAYS GRACE, RANDY BACHMAN, and actress/singer
JULIETTE LEWIS to name just a few. Her website is (www.simonwilcox.com)
if anyone would like check out her music.
R.Cat.- Have you had the chance to collaborate with her, and what
does she think of Dad’s music?
D. WILCOX- No we never have, we jammed together a bit when she was
a teenager but our styles are very different. As for my music I think
she’s proud of it, she did name her publishing company after one of my
songs, “Hypotizin Boogie”. I think she respects my music as I respect her
music, very much so.
R.Cat.- Tell fans what we can expect this weekend when you and your
band make a stop here in Buffalo, and what’s in store for the upcoming
New Year?
D.WILCOX- Well the band, which is RUSS BOSWELL on bass, and BLAKE
MANNING on the drums, and I have been in the recording studio for about
a month or so working on a new record which we hope to have done in the
spring/summer. I’m also in the process of looking into making a concert
DVD that won’t be for a while but where in the early stages of putting
that together finding the right venue and such. As for the show on Friday
I just love to play and I feel very blessed to have audiences all over
who allow me to progress as a musician.
BETTER NOW- One of rock and rolls great success stories of the last decade
have been COLLECTIVE SOUL. The band could be found on top of the Billboard
charts throughout most of the mid 1990’s with hits the likes of: “Shine”,
“Gel”, “December”, and “The World I Know”, before leaving the cut throat
music biz following the 2000 release of “Blender”. After a four- year hiatus
the band has regrouped with its most potent material to date and once again
is topping the charts with the new single “Better Now” from their latest
disc “Youth”. The appropriately tilted disc is a rebirth for the band that
has decided to go it alone and release this album without the help of a
record label deciding to go Indie. Singer ED ROLAND explains, “Youth to
me is a mindset not a number, we’ve been doing this for over a decade and
have never felt more ready to be in this position. “We’ve switched gears
and went back to our roots on a music level as well as a production level”.
The band will be making it’s triumphant return to Western New York on Wednesday
November 16th at the Dome Theatre, you might recall the band was here this
past summer as they put on a blistering performance at the Canal Festival
in Tonawanda. Opening the gig will be another 90’s chart topping band BETTER
THAN EZRA whose single “Good” hit high on the charts in 1993.
Tickets area available at all Ticketmaster locations, the DOME THEATRE
box office, as well as New World Record and Home of the Hits both located
on Elmwood Avenue.
HEAVY WEIGHTS….. Two of Buffalo’s hard hitting heavy metal bands EZEKIAL
and HIGH WIRE will be taking the stage together for the very first time
on Friday November 18th for one night only at Holiday’s Niteclub in West
Seneca. Each band has been the recipient of Best Hard Rock Band Award from
the BUFFALO NIGHTLIFE MUSIC AWARDS in the past, EZEKIAL (1985-1986) and
HIGHWIRE (2000-2002). Both groups look to rekindle the fire that only their
live stage shows can offer. Being billed as “Best of the Hard Rock Best”
this show promises to lambaste fans with an evening full of metal mania.
Show starts at 10:30 don’t be late you don’t want to miss this one. |