By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 1, 2002
Alejandro Escovedo refuses to be pegged. He is a rock ‘n’ roll veteran who began his career in the San Francisco punk band the Nuns, which opened for the Sex Pistols during their last concert in America. Escovedo went on to play lead guitar with the 80s cowpunk group Rank and File before fronting his own roots rock band, the True Believers.
Then there was his garage rock group Buick McKane.
“I always believed in playing everything,” says Escovedo. “I love all kinds of music and can appreciate just about any genre. I’ve been doing this for about 26 years now and like to experiment with a lot of different instruments and sounds. That keeps music interesting for me. When it becomes too much of the same thing, I become tired of it.”
These days, he’s boasting an acoustic trio. Sort of.
“I’ll be playing acoustic guitar, but the other guys won’t be completely acoustic,” he says, laughing. “But it sounds better than saying semi-acoustic trio.”
Back in the day, his love of Brian Eno’s work inspired him to create his own music.
“Everyone thinks it’s weird that he’s such a big influence on me and yet my music doesn’t sound like his,” Escovedo says. “I do more roots and simple folk music, but I also want to create another dream world. I think I’m like him in that way.”
Touring keeps him on the road most of the year. Though he bought a new place outside San Antonio, Texas, a year ago, Escovedo says he was only able to make it home for about three months.
“I’m trying to tour less so I can enjoy home more,” he says. “But I’m so used to being on the road that touring can sometimes feel like home as well, especially when you’re playing familiar places like Chicago.”
SPEAKING OF CHICAGO, Escovedo had this to say:
Favorite club to play: I really enjoy FitzGerald’s in Berwyn a lot. That was the first place I played in [the Chicago area] when I was in Rank & File.
Favorite bar: I like to go to the Green Mill.
Favorite restaurant: There’s a Mexican restaurant over by the Century mall that I love but I can’t remember what it’s called!
Favorite Chicago food: The Mexican food here is delicious. And Nick Tremulis took me to get hot dogs at the Weiner Circle that were delicious.
Favorite hotel: The Days Inn on Diversey–or the Rock ‘n’ Roll Days Inn as all the musicians call it. There’s always someone I know in the lobby.
Most memorable Chicago experience: We played once at FitzGerald’s and there was a huge storm that night. The wind was knocking down trees and there was a power shortage. So we set up a generator in the middle of the room. It was funny ’cause any time we hit a really loud crescendo with our instruments, the place would get dim. It felt a little dangerous, but the crowd was really great. I also liked when we did a four nights at the Hideout and they set the stage up with all these beautiful candles.
Favorite Chicago sports team: Absolutely the Cubs. I go to Wrigley Field every chance I get.
Favorite Chicago personality: John Langford [of the Mekons].
Favorite thing to do in Chicago during your time off here: I love to shop there, usually for clothes and guitars.
Favorite Chicago souvenir: Cubs T-shirts.
The last word on Chicago: Chicago is my favorite big city. The people are genuinely nice.
