Reunited, Overtones prompt rejoicing

The rumor mill began a-churnin’ last April, when word leaked that Portland funk rock powerhouse Rustic Overtones might be re-forming, five years after the band broke up. Unless you lived under a rock in the late ’90s and early part of this century, if you’re from Maine, you knew about Rustic. Quite possibly, you saw the band live, since it played all over the state. At one point, it was arguably the biggest band in the 207.

In May, the rumor proved true, when it was officially announced that yes, the band was getting back together, and yes, an album of brand new material was in the works. And there was much rejoicing.

The first two shows, scheduled for this weekend at the Asylum in Portland, sold out in a matter of days. The new album, “Light at the End,” came out this week in Bull Moose Music stores, and according to keyboardist Spencer Albee, it’s already “selling a buttload.” For him, Rustic Overtones version 2.0 is all about positivity and having fun.

“The dust has settled,” said Albee, who moved back to Maine from the other Portland (Oregon) in April, spurred by news that his former bandmates were starting to hang out again. “We can be in a room together. We can bury the hatchet, and enjoy each other’s company. I always kinda wanted it to happen, but obviously we couldn’t rush it. Now is the time.”

Besides the fact that the negativity that arose around the time of the breakup has dissipated, all seven members of the band have had five years to further improve as musicians.

“The vibe is that everyone is five years better at their respective instruments,” said Albee. “We’ve had five years outside of the shell of Rustic, and everyone brings that to the table. It’s a pretty crazy experience to have.”

Albee’s band, the power-pop foursome As Fast As, is still together, as is vocalist Dave Gutter and bassist Jon Roods’ band Paranoid Social Club. Drummer Tony McNaboe released a solo R&B album in 2003, while the horn section, including Dave Noyes, Jason Ward and Ryan Zoidis, have kept busy as musicians in and around Portland.

One thing all seven members can agree on is that they’ve learned their lessons when it comes to the music industry. After Rustic Overtones was ignominiously dropped by two major labels (Arista and Tommy Boy), and As Fast As experienced label troubles as well, the band is set on doing it all themselves – from album distribution to touring.

“One of the best things about this album is that we didn’t have any meatheads at record labels [messing] it up,” said Albee. “Nine times out of ten record companies employ people who know nothing about music. Sure, there are some that do a good job, but that was never our experience. We want to define our own project. Freedom is very valuable.”

That creative freedom has resulted in an album of more of the gritty, horn-drenched funk rock that made them so beloved in bars and clubs all over the state. It’s no frills party music, pure and simple.

“It’s been 100 percent about the band. All the minutiae of gets in the way of it being what it is. It sucks the joy out of it,” said Albee. “We don’t need everything to be autotuned and airbrushed. Remember in the ’70s, when bands were ugly? We’re ugly too.”

“Well, who am I kidding. We’re handsome devils,” he added, slyly.

Rustic Overtones will play a free show at 5 tonight in Monument Square in Portland. Their two shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Asylum are sold out, but another pair of shows set for Aug. 4 and 5, also at the Asylum, are not yet sold out. The band will also play at the Lobster Festival in Rockland at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rusticovertones. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.