The Crimestoppers Set to Play Bangkok Blues

The Crimestoppers have been rocking the local music circuit for 30 years. The seasoned quintet plays a blend of blues, classic rock and newer alt-rock selections for audiences all over the Washington metropolitan area. Check out their next show at Bangkok Blues tomorrow night. I recently caught up with drummer Eric Nelson for a few questions.  

Back in the early 80s, you covered hits by The Kinks, the B-52s and Elvis Costello. How has the band’s sound evolved over the years?

Eric Nelson: Our sound has evolved in step with the music going on around us over the years, and with the different musicians that we have added to our band family over time. As we became better players, we took on more complicated music like Joe Jackson, Jeff Back and others. And as different players sat in and/or joined the band family, they brought different influences and likes; so our musical horizons are always being broadened by the folks we have playing with us. Recently, we have enjoyed playing with some fabulous bluesy female front singers, so we have reconnected with our blues roots and have fashioned a whole up-tempo blues show around them and our main band lead singers.

Who would you say your major influences are today?

EN: I would have to draw you a Venn diagram to show you all the intersections of interests amongst our musical family. But we all love the blues, so that certainly is one area we share. After that, it goes from 80s new wave, to pure 90s power pop, to Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, The Grateful Dead, The Gin Blossoms, Cage the Elephant and Rise Against. So, who can say anymore?

Keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Edward O’Connell released his own album last summer. Will the band be playing any songs from Our Little Secret tomorrow?

EN: I cannot tell you how proud we are of Ed and his debut CD. He has garnered rave reviews from all over the world; the quality of his writing and his song arrangements is stellar. He has made the pop charts in several countries, including Spain; so we keep urging him to do a European tour. But until then, yes we do back Ed on some of his songs at our shows. And Ed, of course, plays his originals at his own shows. We have incorporated one of his songs, “With This Ring,” into our regular set line-up since it is up-tempo and fits in well with our other songs.

The Crimestoppers perform frequently at Bangkok Blues and JV’s Restaurant & Bar. What draws you to Falls Church?

EN: Falls Church has more than its fair share of surviving live music venues, so it is a good place to be for music lovers. State Theatre with its fine regional acts, Bangkok Blues with its steady menu of diverse bands, the legendary JV's, Clare and Don's Beach Shack, and the new club on the scene Public House No. 7 make Falls Church a solid music destination.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t point out how much the DC area bands appreciate owners like Lorraine (JVs) and Darryl (Bangkok Blues) who treat and respect the bands as well as they do their customers. Lorraine has done as much for the DC Metro music scene as has anyone else in the whole area, and Darryl is a former musician who really knows how to run a live music venue. But I would also say that part of the music scene here in Falls Church includes a very well-educated set of live music devotees who do a good job of supporting these venues and the bands who play out here regularly. It is always a good time playing in Falls Church.

How do The Crimestoppers get pumped before a gig?

EN: Being able to get up and play music, of any kind, is really a blessing. We are so very lucky. It is easy to get stoked to play, because we simply love playing music, and we truly enjoy playing in a band with each other. We feed off of each other’s great playing, our stage antics, and of course the fans voicing their appreciation for a song they like to hear or a really ripping solo. Trust me, it is never a problem getting pumped up to play – we’ll be doing it until we physically can’t climb up on stage anymore.

What can local concertgoers expect from your show tomorrow night?

EN: Well, one of the things our shows are known for, besides our lead singer dancing on tables and inviting fans in the audience to get up on stage and play the tambourine or sing, is that we almost always have several guests sit in with us. This helps us make sure every show is fresh and different, and it keeps us on our toes as well! This Saturday night will be no exception. We will have one of our female blues singers doing some tunes with us, and a couple of other players sitting in with us as the night goes on. Get up off the couch and come on out – we promise to make sure a good time will be had by all!

Saturday, April 9, 10pm-1:30am; $7
936 W Broad St.; (703) 534-0095