Imagine The Strokes on valium with a psychedelic post-grunge sound and you have The Greenhornes. The Cincinnati foursome are hitting the national club scene with a vengeance and last year released their third effort "Dual Mono" (Telstar). The album is a very keep-it-simple-stupid rock assault that is at times hard, but often relaxed. Guest vocalist Holly Golightly captures the moment with her mesmerizing Mazzy Star style in the duet "Gonna Get Me Someone," and "There’s An End." Mono was produced by the band and John Curley (The Afghan Whigs).
With a new guitarist on board, lead singer Craig Fox finally has the sound power behind him to blow audiences away. He did just that on March 8 at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.
Fans lined up in the front and a lucky hyperactive kid got to touch Fox’s leg. Fox paid him no attention. They performed nonchalantly, with a business-as-usual attitude. They pleased the crowd with new hits "The Way It’s Meant To Be," "Don’t Come Running To Me," and the catchy suitable for commercial radio "Satisfy My Mind ."
The band sports Nirvana hairdos, and drummer Patrick Keeler is a talented beat keeper, certain to have a secured rock career.
The Greenhornes keep their music simple and are destined for MTV2 late-night rotation. In their three-chord heaven they implement ’60s Britpop elements with post-grunge flare. It sounds awkward, yet they make it work. No encores granted, they will tranquilly play loud at a venue near you soon. q