Beth Wawerna (who was named after the iconic KISS song "Beth") brings her band Bird of Youth to LPR in support of Mark Eitzel performs American Music Club on July 18. Bird of Youth's first album, produced by Will Sheff of Okkervil River and engineered by Phil Palazzolo (The New Pornographers, Neko Case, Radio 4) boasts an impressive cast of players including members of Nada Surf, the Wrens, the Mendoza Line, Okkervil River, Royal American and The National, resulting in an album that, according to the band, sounds like a Pretenders album ghostwritten by Dorothy Parker. Hmmmm. Intrigued? Check out more here.
Mark was born in Columbus, OH, but spent most of his formative years in a military family traveling to different areas of the world, including the United Kingdom.
His first band was formed while he was back in Columbus, called The Naked Skinnies. They disbanded within three years, and, in 1982, Eitzel formed American Music Club. The band performed and created albums for twelve years. At one point, Eitzel also sang with San Francisco's Toiling Midgets, and often recorded solo work while involved in the band.
American Music Club called it quits in 1993, and Eitzel focused on his solo career, offering up 60 Watt Silver Lining as a compilation of songs he had recorded over the years in 1996. Following this, he released West in 1997 with help from R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck. He quickly followed up with Caught In A Trap And I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby, which was a different type of album for Eitzel, and assisted by Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo bassist James McNew.
Mark released more music in 2001, beginning with a more electronic turn in The Invisible Man. This was followed by two covers projects in 2002: Music for Courage and Confidence, which was material written by other songwriters, and The Ugly American, an album which included reinterpretations of American Music Club songs.
American Music Club reformed in 2003, and released Love Songs for Patriots along with touring the United States and Europe. Eitzel released new solo material, Candy Ass, in 2005. Candy Ass was recorded in San Francisco and London over a three-year period, both before and after the AMC reunion album and tours, and was mixed and mastered in London in June of this year where Eitzel spends much of his time. All photos on the album were taken by Eitzel.
