Alternative rock icon Everclear, formed in Portland in 1991 by Los Angeles native Art Alexakis, 62, loves playing the hits, and Alexakis says this Friday’s show at the Windjammer won’t be any different.
But he doesn’t get to stay long, with three shows on the schedule this weekend keeping him moving. The band starts in Rochester, N.Y., on Thursday, heads to Charleston on Friday, then heads back north to New Jersey on Saturday. Another three shows are scheduled for next weekend.
The band’s nostalgia-fueled international tour comes hot off the September 2023 release of Live at Whiskey A Go Go, a recorded celebration of the band’s 30-plus year history, featuring live versions of signature Everclear music like “Santa Monica” and “Heroin Girl,” along with two new tracks.
“We’re going to play the hits — the fan-favorites,” Alexakis told the Charleston City Paper this week. “I don’t trust the bands that don’t like to play their hits. … I want people to have fun. That’s the problem with a lot of contemporary bands these days. They take themselves too seriously. Rock is about fun. If you’re trying to be too cool, that’s not fun for anybody.”
And it’s easy to have fun at the Windjammer, he added, casually mentioning that every time the band has played there, the show sells out.
“It’s our fourth year playing in a row,” Alexakis said. “I love being in the South. I have really good friends in Myrtle Beach and Columbia and Charleston. Every time I come I see people I haven’t seen in a long time, and we just always have great, great shows. These last few years at the Windjammer have been sold out show after sold out show after sold out show. And they got the best burgers.”
Rock ‘n’ roll roots
Alexakis said people often ask about where his ideas for his come from, and that people often assume that they most often come from his life. But those lyrics make up only about a third of the band’s discography.
“A lot of the time, I just write,” he said.”I just create. And if I can do that, and people can’t tell the difference, then I’m doing my job right.”
He’s always been a writer, Alexakis said, and he’s always been a rocker, too. A lot of artists who found their success in the 1990s, like Everclear, often grew up in the 70s and early 80s. As a kid, Alexakis said he would spend birthday money on Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records. At the same time, he said he was raised around funk and soul music. All of those influences come across in Everclear’s wide and deep library.
The music has been described under several genre umbrellas, predominantly alternative rock and power pop, but also post-grunge, grunge-punk and pop rock. Alexakis chalks it up to being influenced by so many different kinds of great music growing up.
Everclear will be at the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Tickets are $35 at everclearmusic.com/tour. Grab them early, as the show is expected to sell out.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.