“No matter where we go, when we’re on stage and when we’re together, we are Memphis. Representing all those that have come before us and all it is now as well; keeping that musical heritage alive and recognised.”
A person’s place of origin is inextricably tied in with their outlook on life. In Memphis, music vibrates in the soil. The city’s pillars of cultural importance include the Sun Records progenitors of rock and roll (Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf) and the lubricated soul and R&B sounds of the Stax Records catalogue (Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave). Lucero have been active troubadours for the last fourteen years, which is an indication of how fundamental music is to their picture of living.
“Where we’re from, Memphis music – and music in general – is a big part of the culture. Taking that and spreading it all over the world is definitely a thing. It has always been my calling, if you will. Where I’m the most at home is on stage and out spreading music around.”
Touring so relentlessly could very easily impinge on upholding healthy relationships, but John doesn’t see it as a burden.
“It’s just what I do. It’s just life. I would probably go crazy if I wasn’t doing this. You just make time and the band is the bulk of our relationships. I suppose we’re a band of brothers at this point. We’ve made it this far so, like, ‘just get along’.”
Growing up in a place that proudly honours such masters of music might sound enthralling but John admits when they were younger they dismissed the reality they were thrown into and yearned for what lay yonder.
“It’s the human condition almost no matter where you’re from, to a certain degree – rebelling against your parents or rebelling against everything around you – you wish you were from anywhere but here. For us, we all wished we were on skateboards in southern California or something. As time goes by you really start to appreciate where you’re from. Memphis is just a very cool place.”
Lucero were cultivated in Memphis’ punk-rock scene in in the 1990s but their country/western influences were actually a revolt against the punk movement of the time.
“We almost started out the band as a rebellion to the punk rock stuff. You know, ‘let’s start a country band to piss off the punk rockers.’ But then they wound up loving it and we played at a lot of house parties and punk shows.”
The band’s line-up grew a few years ago to include a horn section and the added strength waved an opportunity to embrace the classic soul music of their hometown. Their latest release, Women & Work, is overtly indebted to Memphis soul music. John explains that the homage to Memphis’ music tradition wasn’t so much a conscious decision as an inevitable progression.
“On the record before, 1372 Overton Park, we added some horn players. They played in the studio with us and then they started touring with us and after them being on the road with us for a good couple of years they became integrated as part of the band. So that was a big part of it, considering that even more in the writing process. Also our keyboard player Rick Steff brings a lot of that flavour and feel. As you grow older you definitely start to look around and appreciate where you’re from and kind of really explore some things.”
Lucero have journeyed through a variety of tenets in gutsy American song-writing in their eight album history but Memphis has always been a major influenced on their creative ventures.
“Going back and listening to our first record – whether or not they were really intentional at the time – but going back and listening to it recently, the tunes on there really harken back to the Sun Records days, Elvis and Carl Perkins and all that. The new record is paying homage to the other side of it, the R&B and soul side and the Sax Records, and mixing the two worlds together; mixing the black and white together.”
Their escapades into diverse stylistic terrain have been conducted with enthusiastic integrity and accordingly have been embraced by fans.
“When you do it for the right reasons and try to keep a sense of humility the fans will definitely respond to that and they have. It’s not like we’re doing it to cater to anyone or anything. Some folks want you to keep putting out the same record every time but to me you’ve definitely got to progress and grow. There’s still a common thread through all of our albums. It’s still Lucero; it’s still the main core four of us after fourteen years.”
Joe affectionately speaks of the inspired impulse that takes possession of them when they’re in Memphis.
“Usually the magic happens in Memphis, there’s just something about it. That’s undeniable. I don’t know exactly what it is, I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something that happens here that makes it all kind of work.”
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
