Thursday, October 20, 2005
The Pittsburgh-based band has built a strong fan base since its start 19 years ago.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Locked out from mainstream attention is what the members of The Clarks have been for nearly two decades.
Whether by design or strictly interpretive, that notion is brought home in a not-so-subtle fashion on the back cover of the quartet's latest greatest-hits-of-sorts release "Between Now and Then," which displays a small but trusty rusted lock with its simple bolt keeping the door closed. Perhaps it's a case of glass half empty/glass half full, but it appears as though the picture represents The Clarks' enjoying their own success while decidedly on the outside of the music industry machine.
"I kind of took it as that's the contents of that, a weathered barn that has lasted for how many years and it's sort of a chapter that's been closed," said bassist Greg Joseph. "And now we move ahead and we move forward and the next piece of material will have to be new stuff that will have to go on another greatest-hits someday."
Celebrating their 20th anniversary together next year, the Pittsburgh-based band has enjoyed tremendous success over the years as a regional group with a solid fan base. There aren't too many independent rock acts that have sold a quarter of a million albums. A brief tenure on major label MCA didn't hurt, but for the most part, any notoriety or success has been hard won and on the band's own terms. Even more impressive for Joseph is the fact he hasn't had a day job in over 12 years.
"Hell, I consider that pretty successful in itself," Joseph laughed.
A perfect introduction
As far as the retrospective "Between Now and Then," it's a perfect starting place for music fans who love bar rock but are unfamiliar with The Clarks. From the group's angsty-sounding beginnings through its alt-country phase to its current keen pop-rock act status, the 18-track album, which does include three new tunes, succeeds in its calling-card mission statement.
"I've always said that American guitar rock is always fashionably in style but yet fashionably out of style all of the time," Joseph said. "You go through phases like R.E.M. or the Replacements or Pearl Jam or whoever you want to call up over the course of years. It's always kind of in and kind of out real quick."
To be in for just a nanosecond in hopes of catching a wave that'll last a lifetime is what The Clarks seek. That opportunity could arrive, but in the meantime the foursome will continue doing what it does best, which is touring its energetic live show, averaging nearly 100 dates a year.
Regardless of whether the group is locked out or just closing another chapter of its career, The Clarks will seemingly always have a home in Northeast Ohio. Even though The Clarks played the B & amp;B Backyard this past summer, the band, which considers the Youngstown market a pivotal part of its regional success, is returning Friday for a show at The Cellar.
"It's always a good show in Youngstown," Joseph said. "People really enjoy coming out and singing the songs and having fun. And they're pretty loyal. They just don't come from Youngstown. They come from miles around to come to those shows, which is really cool."