I’m not going to lie- I’ve never been a big fan of the alternative rock of the nineties and early two-thousands. I always seemed to be drawn to heavy metal. However, there have been a few bands outside the metal scene that grabbed my attention. One of those bands was Everclear. I appreciate them because their founder and lead singer, Art Alexakis seems to have a vulnerability about him. He’s an honest songwriter and is relatable. Everclear’s music is fairly simple- but there is a depth to this band that very few can replicate. Hundreds of families gathered together for the Party in the Park to watch the Portland-based band play in downtown Rochester, Minnesota.
The first song Everclear opened with was one of my all-time favorites, “So Much For the Afterglow.” This is the opening song from their 1997 album of the same name. Although Alexakis is sixty-two years old and has battled multiple sclerosis for several years now, he sounded great and was in good spirits. Hearing this band brought back so many memories to everyone who was there. I’m nearly forty years old, but for over an hour, I felt like a teenager again.
This year, the band is celebrating the 27th anniversary of their aforementioned third album and aptly treated Minnesota by playing several songs off of it, including “Everything to Everyone,” “I Will Buy You a New Life,” and their incredibly popular hit, “Father Of Mine.” Although everyone may not be able to relate to Art’s childhood, that particular song conjured up a ton of feelings in the audience. Some people were tearing up, most people were singing along, and everyone was living in the moment. The band also played older hits such as “Heartspark Dollarsign,” “Fire Maple Song,” and “Local God.” Another treat was hearing the band play their latest single, “Sing Away.”
To close the night, was one of the band’s biggest hits, “Santa Monica,” and a cover of “Molly’s Lips” by The Vaselines. There were countless cheers and whistles as the musicians threw their picks and sticks and set lists. Our night watching this beloved band stirred up many fond memories and I’m thankful that Everclear has persevered over the decades. It was surely a night I won’t forget.
