REVIEW: Gilby Clarke, Rubber (Pavement)
- Linda Scott
Gilby Clarke's a rock and roll soldier. He's fronted two bands, been part of one of the greatest rock bands in the world, and most recently released/toured on three solid solo rock albums. This soldier's done it all. Clarke became a name during his stint as rhythm guitarist (substituting for Izzy Stradlin) for Guns N'Roses. Izzy walked out on the bloated GNR circus that was the Illusion tour, and GNR lead guitarist Slash found Gilby to be a talented guitarist and compatible second row guy in the band. Clarke stuck with GNR until the tour's end and beyond, recording GNR's last album, The Spaghetti Incident.
Armies don't encourage soldiers to question the general's commands, and neither do bands. Clarke found himself shown the door for privately and publicly questioning Axl Rose's plans to produce a techno-industrial sound for the band. While Clarke was the first to stand up and say this wasn't a good direction for GNR, every other band member has been fired or quit over this same issue. Clarke's been leading the way showing that they all have the names and followings individually to have a lot of fun as musicians.
Recording and touring with Slash's Snakepit for the It's Five O'Clock Somewhere album, Clarke and Slash continued their dual guitar role from GNR. At this time Clarke was also flying high with the release of his first (highly recommended) solo album, Pawnshop Guitars . As part of the Snakepit club shows, Clarke would do a couple songs from his album and the Snakepit album. Crowds found Clarke to be a congenial guy who connected with the audience and took time to sign autographs and chat after the shows.
The Hangover was Clarke's second album. It was good, but not quite as good as Pawnshop. Pavement Records released the current album Rubber, and it gets another positive recommendation. Once again, the multi-talented Clarke is credited with writing, playing all guitars on all tracks, and singing lead vocals. With Rubber, Clarke has pulled together a solid rock album. With nods all over the place to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Clarke's albums all have an uptempo familiarity; no wallowing in anguished phrasing about sad subjects. Even the first track, "Kilroy Was Here", written about suicide, is from the point of view of acceptance. Risking the wrath of classic rock purists, Clarke wrote music for Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz". Listen to it a couple times on Rubber . It's so in tune with that era that you begin to believe this was the way it always was. Clarke writes what he lives and knows, so the songs have honesty. A man who loves his motorcycles and his family, Clarke has laid down "The Hell's Angels" and "Frankie's Planet" (for daughter Francesca).
Rubber is another "highly recommended" Gilby Clarke album, and if you like classic rock, Slash's Snakepit, Guns N'Roses, Izzy Stradlin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, you should give it a try. Clarke put a little of all of these in Rubber but mostly himself. Check out Pavement Record's web site for Gilby Clarke at: http://www.pavementmusic.com/gilby.html . This rock and roll soldier can play with the biggest and best, but when it comes to speaking his mind on musical direction. this soldier is ready to go over the wall and try it out there on his own.
