| Who
is Webb Wilder? |
 Who
is Webb Wilder? An "A" list musician, a B-movie film star,
cool enough to have a Credo, a DJ formerly on XM radio, seen on
MTV, and has 6 CD's and one DVD of his rock n' roots sound. There
is no beginning or end, just an eternal Webb.
Webb's
comin' back to St. Louis!
The show will start about 9pm
Friday,
April 13th, 2007
Lucas School House Music Hall
1264 Gravois Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 621-6565
Here's a short 'You Tube' video
From Gibson Guitar's feature article:
There are roots rockers, and then there's Webb Wilder.
For over 20 years, Wilder has mined rock 'n' roll's most hallowed
ground, but unlike so many others, he has approached it all with
a rare irreverence and wit. His self-effacing persona—a tongue-in-cheek
1950's noir character, equal parts high school principal, tent preacher,
and private detective—gives Wilder's music a sense of fun
and imagination often lacking among his peers.
Judging from Wilder's most recent release, the DVD and CD "Tough
It Out!", a rocking time will be had by all who come to their
live shows. Captured live in 2005 by Jack Clarke and R.S. Field,
"Tough It Out!" captures Webb and Co. in fine form, thanks
in no small part to Webb's crack band, featuring bassist Tom Comet,
former Los Straitjackets drummer Jimmy Lester, and guitarists Tony
Bowles and George "The Tone Chaperone" Bradfute.
A native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Wilder formed the Beatnecks
in Nashville in 1985, with school chum Field. As Nashville moved
toward unapologetically commercial fare, Wilder and Field were busy
crafting their signature brand of rock 'n' roll, founded on the
classic sounds of '50s hillbilly rhythm and blues. London may have
had Rockpile, and L..A. may have had the Blasters, but Nashville
had Webb.
And while many other proponents of American roots music simply stopped
at Elvis and Chuck Berry, Wilder's music incorporated a British
Invasion influence that further separated it from the pack. Years
before the Raconteurs chose Music City as a base of operations for
their Nuggets-inspired juggernaut, the Beatnecks were incorporating
some of the same fuzztone-and-Farfisa inspiration into their music.
Through the years, Wilder's albums have continually maintained the
high standard set by the first. Time after time, producer, writer,
and all-around conspirator Field has stepped up to the plate with
songs like "Human Cannonball" and "The Rest (Will
Take Care of Itself)," while the Beatnecks have tackled the
material with an energy and expertise that make Wilder's six albums
textbooks for aspiring roots rockers. And throughout it all, Webb
has been ringleader, spokesperson, front man, and proselytizer—an
evangelist for real rock 'n' roll.
Proving he's far too mischievous to be contained by any one medium,
Wilder has applied his touch to the independent film world as well.
His short '50s noir parodies, Horror Hayride, Aunt Hallie, and Private
Eye (compiled on 1992's Corn Flicks), are the cinematic extension
of Webb's music—hilarious and affectionate send-ups of B-movie
Americana. Part sci-fi and part P.I., the movies have become cult
classics. The latest in this series, Scattergun, is due out in 2007,
and finds Wilder returning to his role of private detective in a
small Southern town.
Singer, guitarist, bandleader, filmmaker, humorist—Webb Wilder
may be roots-rock's only true Renaissance man, and not to be missed.
"Work hard, rock hard, sleep hard,
eat hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
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