Friday, November 12, 2010

THE TRUE BELIEVER


Come hell or highwater, Dexter Romweber has always stuck to his guns. While completely capable of playing the game, he's always seemed to know his role. He is a rare bird, a true believer. A believer in classic rock n' roll. It was apparent in the 80's documentary "Athens, GA Inside Out" and in old clips from MTV. He's seen as a young kid, then in the Flat Duo Jets, who idolized Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Elvis, and James Brown; he stood out as as one of the few who ignored what would have been easy. While half the population of Athens was getting all new wavey n' shit, he paid tribute to his heroes, rock n' roll artists whose peaks came and went before he was even born.

It begs the question, what is a career? Doing what gets you paid the most, or doing what you love and just getting by? For some, the dilemma is wearing a necktie or wearing a guitar. For Romweber, it's getting new wavey n' shit, or playing timeless well written songs, be they ballads or flat-out rockers. Even if it means playing at a neighborhood block party. While the ultra big time may have eluded him, he's won the respect of some pretty big names. The Cramps. Jack White and Iggy Pop have all name-dropped (and more). On his 2009 album, "Ruins of Berlin" (of which, only 1,000 were pressed), he's joined in duets by Cat Power, Neko Case, and Exene Cervenka (LL Dexter R, indeed!). In a perfect world, Dexter Romweber would be huge.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Dexter Romweber Duo - Lookout mp3 at The Line of the Best Fit
Dexter Romweber Duo - Picture of You mp3 at There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
Dexter Romweber Duo (w/Jack White) - Last Kind Words mp3 at Cover Me
Dexter Romweber Duo (w/Cat Power) Love Letters mp3 at Bloodshot Records
Dexter Romweber Duo - Still Around (live at a block party) video at YouTube
Dexter Romweber Duo - Guybo mp3 and 18 more live tracks at Southern Shelter
Jack White, Cat Power, Exene Cervenka and Neko Case testify at YouTube
Flat Duo Jets - Rockin' Bones mp3 and two videos at The Walrus
Dexter Romweber interview and sidewalk performances, 3 videos at The Village Voice
A shitload more of Dexter Romweber videos at YouTube

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