Howlin’ Rain back with a storming second album
Words Barnaby Smith / Image(s) Jake Endo
The first incarnation of Howlin’ Rain did not disintegrate, implode or dissolve - the band merely evolved. Musical and ideological hub Ethan Miller may be the only member left standing in the current five-strong line-up from the 2006 version that made their outstanding self-titled debut, but the dramatic development, he claims, isn’t an upheaval.
“That kind of thing is invigorating,” he says from a hotel in Chicago as he gears up for an East Coast tour. “Change is a necessity to remain vital as an artist. When life throws you these little tricks and hiccups, it’s a blessing. Sure, you might have to cancel a few shows, but from these initial problems often springs forced growth.”
The old Howlin’ Rain were, in Miller’s words, “a regular power-pop trio”. The revitalised ensemble offer a quite devastating mix of seventies rock touchstones (like a more soulful Allman Brothers or a funkier version of The Band), and sophisticated pop that is pleasingly reminiscent of Traffic. But don’t be put off. Then there’s Miller’s voice, a charismatic and powerful belter clocking in somewhere between Winwood’s and Steve Marriott.
Of course, he was in Comets On Fire, who once roared with a chaotic wall-of-sound psych-rock that was quintessentially San Franciscan. Miller grew up on the Humboldt Coast a few hours north of there, home of California’s best marijuana harvests.
And like any band heartily weaned on the area’s rock past, Howlin’ Rain (as well as Comets) have had to put up with comparisons with the Grateful Dead. Miller’s diplomacy is admirable. “It’s fairly flattering, but there’s a lot of baggage that comes with a Grateful Dead comparison,” is his knowing understatement.
On the Howlin’ Rain website, there’s a poem by the great Richard Brautigan, of whom Miller remarks: “I like his shtick of holy reverence and audacious irreverence to the world.” Indeed, the beat poet’s child-like wonderment and joyous energy are to be found in the new Howlin’ Rain sound. But then again, he did end up shooting himself in the head 24 years ago.
