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Spotlight on OLEANDER By Bruce Reaume Oleander, photo by Kay McEntee If a new full-length release and non-stop touring are Oleander's idea of rewarding the faithful, then the congregation has been saved. On a rainy March night in a renovated north Lansing church aptly named the Temple, Oleander proved why they are one of the hardest working bands in rock and roll. Opening with "Where Were You Then?" from their 1997 release "Shrinking the Blob," the band kicked into high gear from the outset, hot on the heels of opener and perennial crowd pleaser Brother Kane. "We're a rock and roll band. It's that simple." says front man and guitarist Thomas Flowers. Proving it, the band pounded into "Don't Break My Fall" from their new release "Joyride" and settled in for a powerful show. Without letting up, the band ripped into "Unwind," the title track from their 2001 release, followed by a breakneck "Joyride" from their latest of the same name. Sacramento based Oleander has enjoyed varying degrees of success since their inception about 12 years back, the least of which being a gold record with their 1999 release "February Son." Has success brought complacency? Hardly. With a monster touring schedule (34 dates and counting in almost as many days including12 dates in January with Nickleback), Oleander is finding their passion in live performances and salvation in their intensity. "We do tend to steer clear from our mellower songs live," says bassist Doug Eldridge. After a powerful and epic version of "Lost Cause," drummer Scott Devours thankfully slowed the tempo some for the fitting "Rainy Day" anthem and a chance to check out the house. The Temple was originally built in 1868 and was known as the First Methodist Church. Rebuilt in 1918 as the Bethlehem Temple Church it underwent various renovations of both the physical and spiritual variety until settling into its current incarnation as the Temple Club. >From the intact church pews and stained glass to the choir loft over the stage the Temple brings the shrine of rock to an unmistakable physical presence and gives a band like Oleander the proper altar from which to preach. Although small by Oleander's standards, the crowd was clearly appreciative of the bands tightness and intensity and was repaid in kind by versions of "Down When I'm Loaded" and "I Walk Alone" which highlighted rhythm guitarist Ric Ivanisevich's layered chord work and Devours steady backbeat. "Hands Off the Wheel" though was the highpoint of the show. As the crowd pressed the stage, Oleander unleashed the first single from their new release and eliminated any division between audience and band. The low stage and intimate crowd fired Oleander into playing to 200 like they were playing to 2000. These guys are sincere about their performances. The well-crafted "Hands Off the Wheel" turned the Temple into a house party and the band into a group of guys who turned out to blow the doors off 200 of your closest friends. Showing no signs of fatigue, Oleander cranked through a strong "Why I'm Here" and the thoughtful "Are You There" before settling into the closer "Fountain and Vine." Given the venue, "Fountain and Vine," a compassionate plea for the downtrodden from "Joyride," couldn't have been scripted any better. Between raising the spirits and rewarding the faithful, Oleander showed why rock and roll was meant to be played live and loud.
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