Re: That’s a wrap on the 20th Bluesfest, July 14.
The RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest lineup comprised an interesting mélange of American bands with Canadian members including Styx, fronted by Lawrence Gowan, Slash’s band with Todd Kern, and California’s Third Eye Blind (3eb) with bassist Alex LeCavalier.
Of these, 3eb, with their first Ottawa performance, put on the most memorable one. Frontman Stephan Jenkins was surprised to hear many in the audience singing along, remarking: “I didn’t think we were this popular in Canada.”
For many years, a toxic myth surrounded 3eb; i.e., that they were corporate sellouts who were essentially a one-hit wonder with the song Semi-Charmed Life. The band has gone through a resurgence in recent years, as one of the most requested bands for concerts on college campuses in the United States.
The band has an inimitable talent for fusing infectious melodies, hard-driving rhythm chord progressions with minimalistic leads, introspective uplifting lyrics together with Stewart Copeland-like drumming.
Many songs induce a nostalgic, bittersweet euphoric and transcendental experience.
Despite multiple-year gaps between albums and legal battles with former guitarists, 3eb has managed to exhibit longevity.
With any luck, Jenkins’s promise to return to Ottawa after their next album’s release will not be in vain. The band’s Bluesfest performance should put the last nail in the coffin among concertgoers of the myth surrounding their misdiagnosed musical talents.
Scott Ventureyra, Ottawa
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