Pickin’ The Scabs And Lettin’ It Flow: 10W40 Gets Lubricious
Wednesday 28 August @ 09:59:18 |
 by Donny Doane,
“We’re not a roots band anymore,” says 10W40 honcho James “Scab” Edlund. This isn’t the first time he’s made that assertion about one of his outfits, and it probably won’t be the last. Roots are a good beginning, but growth requires branching out, and sometimes, going out on a limb. “Doll House,” the opening cut on their new CD Food, Drink, Speed and Mathematics, does just that. Somewhere in the uppermost branches of the tree, it ranks as the most atypical 10W40 tune yet.
Being equal parts Morphine slide and metal slither, the dark undertow of Zach Zins’ trombone provides a sebaceous slick, while DJ Chris Marose scratches along to Edlund’s false harmonics in a bob and feint that Edlund himself would call a “pugilistic dance.” Add to this resident motorcycle-freak bassist Jim Michels’ ominous rhythmic underpinning, and you have one slippery musical parquet floor where one could easily end up on one’s ass.
10W40 has seen a number of changes over the past several years. At one time they sported a dual guitar attack with ex-member Jeff Johnson. Bassist Michels has been in, out and back again. During Michels’ absence, former Magnolia Tom Lischmann filled in. And although like most bands 10W40 has had their share of drummers come and go, the position has finally been filled with the addition of the more-than-capable Mike Hinton. Perhaps the most innovative move the band has made in their movement away from being “rootsy” is Jersey native, DJ Chris Marose. The current lineup is by far the sharpest. With Edlund the sole six-stringer, the songs find the space they need to break away from the old mold.
Though Edlund insists that the band has departed from trailer park templates, his songs are still rife with white trash scenery, degradation and debauchery. Herein lies some irony: Edlund is a well-educated northern Minnesota boy. But he remains fascinated by the musical traditions of the South, particularly New Orleans jazz and the often oily denizens of that region. On the flip side, his diet of guitar influences spans from metal to the arty-ass stylings of Tom Verlaine, Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew. His voice is what Flim Flam Man bassist Guy calls a “brusque baritone,” which in one moment bears fair resemblance to Tom Waits’ shambling cough, and the next gets pretty damn close to the croon of a one Mr. Mojo Risin’.
With the new release bolstered by the new roster, James has concocted a potent blend of fossil fuel, moonshine and human sebum that’s sure to blow up real good if it gets anywhere near a lit match. If you plan to see these guys live, be sure to wear some flame-retardant clothes, because quite literally, I’ve seen them go up in flames.
10W40 light up the Turf Club in celebration of their new album, Thursday August 29 with T.V.B.C. sharing in the fun. Be advised: Do not miss! 8 p.m. $5 adv./door. 21+ 1601 University Ave, St. Paul. 651-647-0486.
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