Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine
October 8, 1994

by Lucky Clark

BROAD SPECTRUM FROM OVER THE RHINE

Over the Rhine, a Cincinnati-based rock quartet, comes to the State Theater in Portland, October 15.

The band, which took its name from the old German neighborhood in which the group began recording and rehearsing, is known for its adventurous and challenging approach to music. Over the Rhine navigates musical waters ranging from near-ambient, moody works to an intense, in-your-face rock and roll. The group is touring in support of it second IRS Records release, "Eve".

The group definitely has an eclectic approach to music.

"I guess that's the down-side of being in love with a lot of different music," says Detweiler during a phone interview from Madison, Wisconsin, "It tends to creep in and it certainly keeps things diverse.

"I personally happen to like that. I like records like "Revolver' (by the Beatles) where each song is its own little universe, in a way, and it sounds like maybe they unplugged everything and started over with each song. We tend to approach our recordings like that.

"I'm not very good at making records that are one-dimensional - we tend to sort of view each song as its own little adventure. I like surprises."

Does Detweiler categorize Over the Rhine as an alternative band?

"Yes and no, but I'm not sure what 'alternative' is at this point - or even was. I mean, isn't Pearl Jam currently one of the biggest, most successful acts in the world? Anyway, these labels seem to be so necessary in our society - who knows? Who cares?"

When the topic of concerts and what his band is like live comes up, Detweiler ponders long and hard about the best way to explain.

"I hope people who come to our concert, first of all, are able to let their imaginations take a few sudden left turns along the way as a lyric pops out here and there. I think Karin - our singer - is really quite a wonderful performer in terms of the way she internalizes each song. She tends to get lost in the music, to sort of get carried away in the arms of the songs.

"I mean there's parts of the concert that are fairly aggressive. I hope a concert reflects the fact that, ultimately, we're doing this because we're big fans of music - we feel very fortunate to be a small part of a larger, very human tradition. It's a whole lot bigger, than we are individually, and it's nice to be part of something that's bigger than yourself.

"Music, for me, has always been sort of an excuse to explore important questions: struggles with honesty, with myself; struggles with building bridges to other people--even quote-unquote 'eternal' questions.

"But I hope we don't take ourselves too seriously - I think there's some light moments in the concerts, as well."