The Russek Band

“Life is just a metaphor of everything we've done before,” sings Erich Russek in “He Thought He Saw,” one of many thought provoking songs by the eclectic singer-songwriter that marries cleverly unpredictable lyrics with foot tapping Rock, leaving listeners with a knowing grin and no doubt that Russek is a thinking man’s roots rocker. Take his love ballad, “Come Back To Me,” which swings merrily along while quoting six philosophers, one poet, and Albert Einstein. Then there’s “Transients,” where Russek impishly riffs on Simon and Garfunkle with the words, “I am a rock/I like being a rock/All in all, it’s easy work.”

What’s not easy work is sticking a label on this versatile musician, who during his childhood lived alternately in Tampa’s Cuban quarter, where he was exposed to Cuban music, and the suburbs of Maryland, where he received classical training. Moving between these two very different worlds provides Russek with a unique perspective and the ability to adapt, mix, and match musical styles and instruments. He is skilled in eight different wood and string instruments, and his songs draw on a diverse range of influences including punk, folk, swing, mariachi, Cajun, and Klezmer.

In Los Angeles, Russek served as front man for the band Poets In Heat, which was voted “Best Funk Band in California.” Following the release of a song on the compilation CD Secrets of California, Russek teamed up with keyboardist Martha Renee to record the alternative folk album Duck Inherits Spoon, which received AAA airplay. Following a well-received tour, Russek once again explored new musical horizons, combining his early exposure to Cuban musical sensibilities with more contemporary influences in HeartBurn, a roots-rock album that began the Russek tradition of surprising his audience; in this case with deceptively upbeat tunes that reward keen listeners with delightfully incongruous lyrics that skillfully dance between politics and poetry.

Russek’s versitality led him to his next creative venture continued to break established boundaries when he reformed Poets in Heat as a nine-piece, and recorded the material for the self-released Nine Lives CD. The CD featured scorching violin and guitar battles with smooth backing harmonies. This melding of styles resulted in songs combining the energy of rock with the heartfelt emotion of folk, and satisfied the loyal followers of this multifaceted performer reinforcing the notion that Erich Russek is truly a master of surprises.

Erich’s new album, What Are You Afraid Of?, uses twangy guitars and the sweet sound of the Hammond organ to express love, passion, and longing with this characteristic tongue in cheek lyrics. In “Didn’t Want To Say Good-bye To You Darlin’,” Russek sings, “You can say you lost your true love/Or you can say you just lost me.” The modern rockabilly sound of these twelve tracks offers something unique for everyone_award-winning musicians, ear-catching tunes, and insightful lyrics.