Show pick of the week
DRAMARAMA
When this transplanted New Jersey band hits the Coach House stage, something special usually happens.
Anyone who has witnessed these guys at the old venue can attest. I’ve seen fans invited onstage to perform, amazing electric/acoustic sets, rare covers and marathon concerts lasting until the wee hours of the morning.
Singer/songwriter John Easdale never gives less than 100 percent, while his chief musical foil - Mark “Mr. E Boy” Englert - plays electric guitar like a man possessed. The alt-rock group’s back catalog boasts several gems, including my personal faves: “Cinema Verite” (1985), “Stuck in Wonderamaland” (1989) and “Vinyl” (1991).
Casual modern rock radio listeners should know Dramarama from the modern rock radio staple “Anything Anything (I’ll Give You),” which is reportedly the most played song ever at KROQ-FM (106.7).
“Last Cigarette,” “Haven’t Got a Clue,” “What Are We Gonna Do” and “Work For Food,” from the group’s first incarnation, also logged significant airplay.
Easdale jump started Dramarama again in 2005 for “Everybody Dies,” a solid reunion CD that ranges from blues-tinged numbers (“Try 5 Times”) and compelling folk/rock (“Goodnight America”) to psychedelia (“Physical Poetry,” “Dropping the Curtains). There’s a slight New York Dolls vibe to “Gotta Get Up,” while the infectious title track is augmented by cowbell, plus Englert and Mark Wood’s wailing guitars.
The vocalist says this might be the last Dramarama show for awhile. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
8 p.m. Saturday, the Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, $18 advance, $20 day of show, www.ticketmaster.com, www.thecoachhouse.com, www.myspace.com/johneasdale.
To purchase selected songs or CDs, go to www.itunes.com or www.amazon.com.