Blitzen Trapper: new century rock

Roots band makes classic rock for the 21st century, releases new record next week, heads out on tour

If you haven’t heard Portland’s Blitzen Trapper before, it’s as good a time as any to drop whatever you’re doing and learn about one of the country’s best roots rock bands.

Led by primary songwriter Eric Earley, the band consists of Erik Menteer on guitar and keyboards, Brian Adrian Koch on drums, vocals and harmonica, Michael Van Pelt on bass, and Marty Marquis on guitar, keyboards, vocals and melodica. Formed in 2000, the band has consistently earned critical praise for its songcraft — “Wild Mountain Nation,” off the album of the same name, was placed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone also named 2008’s “Furr” the nation’s 13th-best recording that year, and Spin, Pitchfork and other periodicals have consistently praised BT’s music.

Last year, the band released its first live album, “Live In Portland,” which was followed by a live cover album of Neil Young’s “Harvest,” recorded at Doug Fir Lounge.

With the exception of former bandmate Drew Laughery, the band’s personnel has remained fairly consistent through its existence, as it has evolved from an experimental, even psychedelic band (originally called Garmonbozia) into its current more straight-ahead style. Over the years, Blitzen Trapper has delved into hip hop, prog rock and other styles, all the while becoming noted for its high-energy live shows. Earley sings as well as plays guitar, harmonica and keyboards, sounds like Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt singer Jay Farrar and is getting ready to lead his bandmates on an extensive tour to promote their eighth full-length album, “All Across This Land,” which drops Oct. 2.

“I wanted to make a record that was just sort of playing on our strongest points — country, rock, folk,” says Earley, a Southeast Portland resident. He adds that any good BT song features a narrative lyric, harmonica, slide guitar and vintage synthesizer. He adds that he and his band deliberately kept instrumental production to a minimum on “All Across This Land.”

“With this record, I really wanted to do it so we could play it live and it would sound as big as the record,” he says.

You can catch Blitzen Trapper playing songs off “This Land,” as well as their other recordings, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Skype Live Studio, 1210 S.W. Sixth Ave.

After playing all over the country, the band returns to Portland for a 9 p.m. show Saturday, Nov. 28, at Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

For information on the Skype show, visit www.skypelivestudio.com.

For information on the Revolution Hall show, visit www.revolutionhallpdx.com.

Riffs ‘n’ reflections

“I think there’re two kinds of songs I love to write,” Earley says. “I love songs that rock hard and that just make you feel good, and then I love songs that are sad and introspective and touch you in a very deep place.”

The new album showcases both sides of Earley, and opens with the title cut, a rollicking number that would not sound out of place on mid-’70s radio, nestled between tracks by Thin Lizzy, Little Feat, the Doobie Brothers and Joe Walsh.

“I think that song sort of musically just goes to my obsession with Joe Walsh,” Earley says of “All Across This Land.”

“To me, it’s the sound of blue-collar America when it still existed.”

Indeed, the tune’s funky hook undergirds its casual philosophical take on rambling across America. “All my trials/Won’t you take my hand/Gonna raise it up/All across this land,” Earley sings.

Another standout tune on the album is “Lonesome Angel,” which is flavored with Dylanesque harmonica as Earley sings about his wife.

“I’ll call you when the river changes course/And I’ll call you when I just can’t find my voice/But these feelings I’ve been feeling I just can’t control/To be all dressed up with no place left to go.”

“That’s just really about me being on tour and trying to maintain a relationship,” he says, adding he did play the number for his spouse before putting it on the album.

“She reacted well,” Earley says with a chuckle.

The songwriter adds he hopes the BT audience will be as willing to give “All Across This Land” a listen as much as they have the band’s previous records.

“We’re never going to be a band that plays the same song over and over again,” he says. “We like to explore. And sometimes that’s not so easy for people to deal with. But we’re going to just keep on doing what we do.”

To learn more about Blitzen Trapper, visit www.blitzentrapper.net.