On Being a Peacemaker

By Phyllis

I am a Peacemaker. Seriously. Roger Clyne tells me as much every time I see him.

You may have heard Roger's band, The Refreshments, in the late 1990s. I remember hearing them on the radio. I had just moved to Boise from Texas in September of 1996 with my wife, MLB, and our three-year-old son. There was this "new" radio station in town, said my brother Koozown (and some other people, too), that actually played a few decent tracks. Not the usual crap. And for sure, this station had a different style. (I want to say the station was 100.3 "The X" but I am not sure. It sounds right, though.) I heard a lot of PUSA, Geggy Tah (and what a stupid and unimaginative song "Whoever You Are" was), CAKE, Sneaker Pimps. I also heard "Down Together" and "Banditos" by The Refreshments from time to time.

One night I was driving in my car (a la the aforementioned Geggy Tah) and heard "Down Together" again, and a DJ (who knows, it could have been Gary McCabe?) started babbling in his golden-throated way about The Refreshments' album, Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy, and how it was great from start to finish. I wondered if what he said was true but didn't immediately put his claim to the test.

Anyway, The Refreshments enjoyed a small taste of success circa 1997 (if success can be measured by exposure on MTV and the fact that they wrote and performed the theme to the new animated television series King of the Hill) and then they broke up. Roger and his drummer (P.H.) wasted no time, however, in recruiting a few guitar slingers and forming a new band: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers were (was?) born.

That is enough of a history lesson. The only other thing you need to know is that since they formed they have toured extensively. That is how I have seen nearly ten shows (MLB is pushing 30!). So let me shift the focus of this post and propose something to you: you should see them the next time they are playing in town (I mean Boise). I don't care who you are. And of course I am serious.

I know what you are thinking; I have been there (or close) before. You are thinking how lame it would be to see a band you scarcely know. I understand. But trust me. Do it. Here are a few reasons why:

There will not be a huge crowd there. I have seen RCPM at the Big Easy (I guess it is the Knitting Factory now) several times and even if you don't go early to cement your spot right in front of Roger (like MLB) you will have a great spot for the show. Third or fourth row of standing people. You might even get some sweat cast off onto you.

"The Whole Damn Night" will be there. That's what we call the grey-haired and -bearded chap that comes and chants his name (or at least the one we gave him) periodically throughout the show. They might even play the song in which his name is a lyric. In any case, watching him will be good for a laugh or two. Hopefully, on the night you go he will not be silently belching throughout the show, reminding all within a twenty foot radius that he had hot dogs earlier.

It will be a great show. I have seen Echo and the Bunnymen, Social Distortion, and even Brian Setzer at the Big Easy (and other bands at other places) and RCPM delivers the best show. No lie. I will not say that I like RCPM better than Social D. or EATB (because I don't), but the show they put on is better. And it's not really close.

There is a good chance members of the band will come out after the show. (See if that's the case with whoever your favorite band is. I mean, I went to an Echo and the Bunnymen show once where my brother (not Koozown) got us backstage, and Ian couldn't wait to get away from us. It's okay; I couldn't understand him, anyway.) And even though Roger will have downed several shots during the show, he will be completely lucid and pleasant. He will talk to anyone who wants to (even all the annoying drunk people) and he is humble and down to earth and pleasant. You tell him 'nice show' or something and he will genuinely thank you and ask your name. It's pretty cool and you can't help but admire him (especially if you are female, apparently).

So when they come around again, pick a few Refreshments or RCPM songs and get to know them (MLB or I can suggest any number that are sure to be played at the next show). It will make the show even better for you. You won't be standing back there thinking everyone is lame for bouncing up and down and throwing their hands in the air. You will be doing it yourself.