Pearl Jam, The Band, Bob Dylan all figure into Lockwood’s biggest influences, along with an under-the-radar artist. Check out the latest edition of this popular series and listen to tracks from the albums.
Passion for Some Iconic Artists: Max Lockwood and his band performing recently in Grand Rapids. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians and songwriters can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for West Michigan musician and singer-songwriter Max Lockwood. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks, including a current favorite and tracks from Maxwood’s most recent studio album.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Think of singer-songwriters, and depending on your age you might think of James Taylor or Jason Mraz. Maybe Ryan Adams or Tracy Chapman. Lyle Lovett or Brandi Carlile. One thing they seemingly all have in common is they primarily play guitar (Taylor, Chapman, Carlile, Lovett) or piano (for example, Carole King and Ben Folds).
Even though Grand Rapids singer and songwriter Max Lockwood knows his way around guitar and keyboards, he considers the bottom end to be where he’s typically most comfortable. “Bass is one of my first loves and my main instrument,” he says.
Max Lockwood (Photo/Anna Sink)
It’s on bass you can often catch him with May Erlewine, and he pulls out his bass for session work and performances with others, as well as when fronting his own band. While still in high school, Lockwood formed Big Dudee Roo, playing various rock covers and originals. Included among its set lists were a few Tom Petty covers, which were always well-received. Little did he know it would grow into another musical side trip, as his band, The Insiders, is now one of the most successful Tom Petty tribute bands in the country.
The Insiders play Riviera Theatre in Three Rivers at 7 p.m. Friday (March 1), then stop at Midtown in Grand Rapids on April 12 and The Alluvion in Traverse City on April 13.
Lockwood also is a mentor — a guitar instructor who also produced up-and-coming singer-songwriter Izubel’s latest album.
He told Local Spins last year that on his most recent solo recording, “Diamonds,” he felt the singer-songwriter and rock ’n’ roll parts of his musical soul had come together.
His selections below suggest there’s some classical influences in there too, appropriate given he started on cello and studied classical upright bass while at DePaul University in Chicago, before decamping when he decided orchestral music wasn’t where his heart lay. “I was already gigging, playing more rock ‘n’ roll, folk, soul and funk,” he says. Hence his eclectic musical stylings today, where he veers from one to the other among those musical quadrants.
1. Pearl Jam, “Yield” (1998) – I discovered Pearl Jam while I was still into pop and punk, and classic rock like Led Zeppelin. I heard “Riot Act” on radio and went out and bought it. It was grunge/alternative, but I thought Pearl Jam grooved, too. My stepdad had the first three (Pearl Jam recordings) on CD, then I saw Pearl Jam live with my cousin, uncle and aunt. I thought, “This band is sick. I want to do that.” My cousin turned me on to “No Code” and “Yield.” I really got into “Yield.” The band was just on fire, the vocal takes were raw. There was a lot of depth, singer-songwriter vibes, and balls to the wall rock ‘n’ roll.
Listen: “Brain of J.”
2. The Band, “The Band” (1969) – My uncle turned me on to the band. I was amazed by their unique approach to songwriting and songcraft: R&B, soul, folk, Americana and rock ‘n’ roll. I have to acknowledge how much came from the Black musicians. The rhythm section – as a bass player, Levon Helm’s drumming was unique, the feel, bass by Rick Danko, Southern flair with these Canadian dudes. I found it on vinyl and would check it out in the basement where we also rehearsed.
Listen: “Across the Great Divide”
3. Steve Reich, “Different Trains/Electric Counterpoint” (1989) – This is a really different part of my musical journey. The two sides are radically different pieces of music. As a Jewish kid in New York, Reich took the train to Los Angeles to visit his parents (one lived on the East Coast, the other in L.A.). He later thought if he’d been in Europe, he’d have been in a different train (one taking Jews to concentration camps). He interviewed Americans and Holocaust survivors, then he’d take the pitch of their voices and mutate them. The motion (of the music) feels like trains. It’s one of the most powerful pieces, a deep artistic achievement. “Electric Counterpoint” has Pat Metheny overdubbed on guitar. It’s a pretty easy listen.
Listen: “Different Trains/Electric Counterpoint”
Currently Loving: Bob Dylan, “Shot of Love” (2008) – I’ve always been a Bob Dylan fan. He’s been a big influence. Earlier this year, I decided I needed to check out some (Dylan) I hadn’t listened to. “Shot of Love” is the third of his gospel/Christian revival albums. I enjoy getting into a different side of Dylan. The songs have Biblical imagery and references, but not so directly. It’s brilliant, unique, the way he interprets traditional Christianity. It’s a unique take on haunting, spiritual quest. Also, the album rocks. It’s raw.
Listen: “Shot of Love”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Max Lockwood’s Playlist on Spotify
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
