Opening acts seldom get begged for encores, especially the locally-brewed variety. But a few days into the new decade, on-the-rise Bay area group Alexander and The Grapes earned lengthy applause and hearty shouts for more after their support set for Gainesville art rockers Clock Hands Strangle came to an end.
What makes it even more intriguing is that no one in Alexander and The Grapes was older than 21 at the time.
I spoke with the foursome a little while back in the cramped bedroom-that-serves-as-a-rehearsal space of lead singer/guitarist Alexander Charos at his parents’ home in suburban Dunedin.
The Grapes produce melodic alt-country in the vein of artists like Micah P. Hinson, Lambchop and Wilco, the sort that calls to mind scuffed cowboy boots and dusty Southern barrooms. For interested new listeners, Grapes members tend to use Wilco as reference. And sometimes, even Wilco draws a blank. “The conversation for me will go, ‘Hey, how does your band sound?’” bassist Tom Dicks explained. “And I’ll say, ‘Have you heard of Wilco?’ And they’ll say, ‘No.’ and I’ll say, ‘Nevermind.’”
However, for those who have heard of Wilco, there’s no denying the similarities between the alt-country megastars and the emerging Dunedin four-piece. They both make innovative yet accessible downhome-flavored rock music that fits in with people who enjoy a bit of Southern Comfort in their indie latte. Yet, it’d be hard to find a person who hasn’t heard of another, more popular group the band appreciates and is influenced by: The Beatles. The band’s 17-year-old drummer, Philip Charos, sees a resemblance in terms of their song structure.
This article appears in May 20-26, 2010.