Cleotis

CD Review of Cleotis: Boys Just Want to Have Fun
Betsy Finocchi


From the opening riff of the opening song on Cleotis’ new self-titled CD, you know these guys would be fun to invite to your next party. But you might want to put away the breakables.

Cleotis was formed in Fayetteville during late 2001, when vocalist Lance Lamberth and guitarist Brad Adams began writing what would become their first self-released album. Drummer Daimon Sheets and bassist Andrew Bauman soon joined what is now one of NWA’s most popular college rock bands. The foursome now play in venues throughout the region with their original music.

They call their sound the result of “four hard living best friends” who’ve combined “old country, rock and roll, and 90’s grunge, that tells stories of late nights and hard mornings.” But it’s all in good fun. This attitude is apparent in their music and their lyrics – songs like “Lord Have Mercy on the Whiskey”:

“I woke up hungover again,
I couldn’t really remember where I’d been.
I looked down at my bare feet,
I’d left my shoes out on the street.
I stood up to face the day,
I felt the sun shining my way.
Glanced up at the sky,
Thankful to still be alive.”

“Box O Wine” is a humorous farewell anthem to an ex-lover that anyone who’s ever been dumped (translation: “everyone”) will love. It’s followed by a lullaby, “Sleep” that instantly brings the listener from a raucous, raunchy tempo down to a swaying, lighter-waving level – yet both are equally entertaining.

“1400 Miles” is the album’s token train song (aren’t train songs great? I mean, really) with a twangy 60’s-style opening. I’m not saying they’re singing about trains, but it’s an on-the-road outlaw song with a train’s driving rhythm and rough lyrics about jealousy and retribution that go perfectly with Lamberth’s gritty vocals.

The album is arranged very well – both the song arrangement AND the recording quality – and was recorded and engineered and at Branson Recording in Branson, Missouri, by former Arista Records engineer Charlie Chalmers, who has worked with Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes (to name a few).

This is party music, folks, and it’s fun. Each song tells a story, from heartbreak to happiness, from each stop along the way on a westbound trip across America to the party they were at the night before. Those of you who remember our beloved Tares will want to follow this band, because they’re on the same track.

Look for the Cleotis debut CD available at Sound Warehouse, Clunk Records and online at www.cleotismusic.com, or at any of their live shows around town. Cleotis will play Thursday, February 20 at Dave’s on Dickson, Fat Tuesday, March 4 at Grub’s, and are on board for Springfest on April 19th.

- Betsy Finocchi

The Fayetteville band Cleotis has just released their first album. The new self-titled CD was recorded at Branson Records in Branson, Mo. The music is a mix of old country, rock and '90s grunge with lyrics that that ring true-tales of late nights and hard mornings.
Cleotis is made up of Brad Adams on guitar, Lance Lamberth handling vocals, Andrew Bauman on bass and Damion Sheets on drums. The four guys recently sat down at with me at the Free Weekly office.

How did the band get together?

Brad: Lance and I started playing together, just jamming together and then we got old Damion here.

Who is the main songwriter?
Brad: The newer stuff is all of us, but we used to write things, just Lance and I.

What are your favorite artists and are your favorite artist the ones who have influenced you the most?

Brad: Yeah, I think so. For me the Beatles and Pearl Jam. I guess, Willie Nelson a lot.
Andrew: Pearl Jam as well. I have whole bunch really.
Lance: Oh, god, I dunno. [The Rolling Stones, Flaming Lips were added later on in the interview.]

How did you come up with the name?

Lance: It was just a funny name, you know, you see a guy walking down the street who you don't know you say, "Hey, there's old Cleotis."
Andrew: It wasn't very well planned out-just spur of the moment.
Has your music changed since the album was released?
Damion: It's been awhile since we recorded - August.
Lance: It's more mature, more intricate.
Brad: It's more intricate and it's more… garage rock stuff, it's still got bits of country though. Still rockin' though.
Lance: The lyrics tell stories, basically. I like telling stories about things that have happened, looking back.
Sort of laughing at your old stupidity, laughing at your new stupidity?

Yeah.
Andrew: The songs have gotten better because things are starting to become second nature.
Brad: We just keep on getting tighter and tighter the more we play.

[At this point I've run out of questions so the boys start thinking up their own.]

Brad: Do you like dogs?

Lance: I like big dogs but I don't like 'lil dogs.

What about cats?

Lance: I've only hung out with one cat, but I did like that cat.
Brad: That cat was crazy man! It would get behind the, uh, shades…
Lance: I guess I've hung out with two cats then.

So what's new?

Brad: We're playing on Good Morning Arkansas on Channel 7 in Little Rock on Apr. 11.

Cleotis has dates scheduled next month at JR's, Grub's, George's and Springfest. Pick up a copy of "Cleotis" at Clunk Records and Sound Warehouse or at the website, Cleotismusic.com.

- Maxine Worthy