Greenhornes are fine with garage band designation

They'll open the White Stripes' current tour in Cleveland on Wednesday.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The Greenhornes aren't another emo band.
"Or new country," pointed out the Greenhornes' drummer, Patrick Keeler, calling from Chicago.
No, this Cincinnati-based band is part of another musical trend of the 21st Century, garage rock. While most groups absolutely abhor such compartmentalization, Keeler doesn't seem to mind. After nearly eight years, you can't blame him.
"I think I'm just happy that people are talking about us, period," Keeler said. "To complain about anything would be kind of ungrateful. As for the term garage rock, they make a name for everything. But to be a part of that, I think, is great."
On the rise
Such graciousness is to be expected from the band that has been on the rise since 1997, touring the Midwest incessantly for years. Considering its Buckeye State status, the trio has made plenty of trips to Northeast Ohio, beginning in the late '90s with memorable shows at the Cleveland indie club Pat's in the Flats.
"I got slipped a hit of acid once there while playing," Keeler said. "The show was a little off." But definitely a trip, which leads to the group's latest EP release "East Grand Blues," an unquestionably more psychedelic-based project than previous releases from The Greenhornes -- 2001's self-titled album and 2002's "Dual Mono."
Perhaps Keeler's Pat's in the Flats experience played a role in shaping the band's new sound.
Keeler laughed, "I think that is what started it all."
Indie sound
With a decidedly indie rock sound, The Greenhornes have grown a loyal following and on brief occasions have enjoyed pockets of notoriety. Having the respect of entertainment industry peers has helped.
One admirer is Steven Van Zandt, whose self-professed love of garage rock led to a nationally syndicated radio show. Not only have The Greenhornes received airplay by Van Zandt but the E Street Band member even pitched the group's material to the producers of "The Sopranos," a popular mob series on which he has a role. A Greenhornes song was used in an episode a few years ago.
The band also recorded two tracks for Jim Jarmusch's new feature film "Broken Flowers." Still, the group resides under the mainstream radar.
"I don't know, I think if there was a quick way to get there and a slow way to get there, we definitely took the [expletive] slow route," Keeler said. "And no regrets or anything. We've had a fun time doing it that way. Likewise, you get to meet a lot of people that way too."
Another friendship
Yet another friendship that has blossomed into something bigger for members of The Greenhornes is with Detroit's The White Stripes, arguably the biggest garage rock band in the world. A longtime friend of Jack White, Keeler and Greenhornes bassist Jack Lawrence joined the Motor City guitarist to play on Loretta Lynn's Grammy Award-winning 2004 release "Van Lear Rose."
Now, White has repaid the favor. He asked The Greenhornes to open The White Stripes' current tour, which plays Playhouse Square on Wednesday at the State Theatre.
"I think it's cool to be in cool venues like that," Keeler said. "It's kind of different, a departure from the usual rock clubs or regular concert places, so I think everybody will walk away pretty satisfied."