“Thanks so much for coming,” exclaimed frontman and 1990’s hitmaker, Art Alexakis of @everclear, last night at a powerful night of music and a journey down memory lane. “We hate bands who don’t play their hits. We’re going to play our hits.”
You know @everclear, even if you can’t remember why. During the alternative radio-friendly decade, the Portland outfit scored platinum sales and a string of hits, including “Father of Mine,” “Santa Monica,” “Wonderful,” “Heroin Girl,” and “Everything to Everyone.”
Primary songwriter and vocalist Art Alexakis channeled a fatherless childhood, drug abuse, unhealthy relationships, struggles with sobriety, and general teen angst into radio gold, and in the process, connected with millions of disenfranchised, alienated youth, while also producing hooks that are memorable and enduring even 30-plus years later.
At one point in the show, Alexakis also pointed out the diverse age range of fans — 20s–60s. He said, “Look at all the kids here tonight. Please keep coming back and going to shows so we can keep this place (The Sovereign) open.”
Several times before launching into their deep catalog and hits, Alexakis talked about his struggles with heroin, alcohol, losing his brother and a girlfriend to heroin overdoses, and how hard his mother struggled to raise him. He also talked about his diagnosis of MS and what that’s meant to his perspective on life and touring. Time and life’s challenges seem to have reinvigorated his love of playing music and connecting with the audience.
You can’t go back to your youth, but you sure can enjoy the nostalgia and sounds of a more care-free, fun decade. @Everclear can transport you, even if it’s for a few hours.
