ROCK MUSIC Yardbirds reinvent band in 'Birdland'

The new group competes with the sound of the original Yardbirds.
By JOHN PATRICK GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Lacking a new release over the past 35 years, it's understandable that the Yardbirds are frequently mentioned in a historical perspective.
"When the original Yardbirds broke up, we all went off into different careers," explained guitarist Chris Dreja.
"Paul [Samwell-Smith] was a record-producer. I went into photography. Jim [McCarty] carried on with a band called Renaissance. Jimmy Page formed the wonderful Led Zeppelin. Stuff like that. Basically, we had different careers in the arts and were unable to do anything with the band."
During the band's five year-run in the 1960s, it had at one time or another in the lead guitarist spot Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.
Timeless hits such as "Heart Full of Soul," "Shapes of Things" and "Train Kept a Rollin'" are still viewed positively, and the group's constant pushing of pop music toward new musical realms unexpectedly led to the creation of hard rock, garage rock and the rave-up.
1992 induction
In 1992, it seemed that the group was hermetically sealed as an artifact of the past when it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Instead, Dreja and McCarty used an invite for a gig at the Marquee Club in London as a new beginning.
The latest version of the Yardbirds has been playing live shows in Europe over the past six years to the type of enthusiastic responses that encouraged Dreja and company to take the next step in the band's re-emergence -- recording a new studio album.
Dreja understands that he and his bandmates -- McCarty, ex-Dr. Feelgood guitarist Gypie Mayo, vocalist John Idan and harpist Alan Glen -- must compete with the Yardbirds' glorious past, but it was something he was willing to do because he felt confident with the new lineup and new material.
"Obviously, we've had an awful long holiday. A band coming back from 35 years to re-establish itself is pretty unheard of. It's quite some exercise, I have to say.
"It took a long time to get the record correct. A lot of people offered us deals that didn't seem right to bring the Yardbirds back on. Of course, with the major record companies, we were not relevant."
"Birdland" finally came out last April on guitarist Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. It presents a number of the band's older songs alongside brand-new original numbers in a method that seamlessly unites the past with the present.
Adding lead guitar parts on a portion of the tracks were special guests such as Vai, Brian May (Queen), Slash, Joe Satriani and Steve Lukather (Toto). John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) contributed vocals. Even Jeff Beck returned to the fold, recording "My Blind Life" at his home studio.
"We wanted to bring the Yardbirds sonically, if you like, into the 21st century. We wanted to re-introduce people to some of our original classic material because we felt it was still relevant. We felt if we could get the integrity right on the album, they would be worth including. So, hence, this 50-50ish mix of material."
What helps
Working in the group's favor is that its songs are known yet are not overexposed due to being overplayed on classic rock radio.
"In a way, we've restimulated what the band is by doing this. I mean, there would have been no point if people weren't terribly familiar with our original material. There's a freshness again because the spirit's there. The music's good rock 'n' roll. It's urgent. It's slightly edgy."
Dreja considers promoting "Birdland" and speaking about this next phase of the Yardbirds in terms that defiantly avoid the word "nostalgia" a primary concern.
The pride he takes in the album is noticeable, as if he wouldn't be bothered going through all this if he didn't view the musical product worthwhile.
"I know no other way except exceptionally hard work, dedication, energy and passion. I mean to do what we've done in the last five years is somewhat of a miracle, really, just to get an album out on a decent label. A lot of barbed wire was in front of that."
While summertime finds many classic rock acts teaming up for package tours, the Yardbirds are playing small, intimate gigs across the United States in order to reinforce the seriousness of their endeavor. "I think for credibility purposes this is probably a good way of doing it," Dreja said.
"I know there's been many years gone, past et cetera, but I find that rather irrelevant. This is a good live rock 'n' roll band. We believe in what we're doing. Jim and I, we see ourselves as relevant. We wouldn't do it otherwise. There's just no purpose to it.