Jack White considers roots rock guitarist and songwriter Dex Romweber to be a huge influence. “I owned all of his records as a teenager, and was thrilled at the fact that we were able to play together recently on tour,” White has said of the former Flat Duo Jets frontman. “He is is one of the best kept secrets of the rock n’ roll underground.”
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In 2007, Romweber welcomed his sister Sara (drums) into The Dex Romweber Duo. You can stream their eclectic third album, Images 13, the followup to 2011’s critically acclaimed Is That You In The Blue?, below. The new album hits stores via Bloodshot Records on March 18 (pre-order it here).
“I can’t talk about the new record without giving nod to strange musical visionaries that have come before us,” Romweber tells American Songwriter. “Glenn Bland from Texas, the blues artist Lonnie Johnson, Django Reinhardt, Fredrick Chopin. There’s just so much great music to be found out there. ‘Prelude In G Minor’ gives rise to visions of a rain-soaked day, when your love has gone, for good, and no matter what you do your sorrow still remains. ‘Blackout’ has influences of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and might have been written for an old mystery show, or even a Twilight Zone episode. ‘Beyond The Moonlight’ is full edged authentic rockabilly. Our sound is still a force to be reckoned with.
“‘Roll On’ the single and the first song I wrote for the record conjures thoughts of the Yardbirds and the Who, but its more backwoods, American, garage then that. ‘Long Battle Coming” might have been written for a folk or blues artist of the 1930s. One thinks of Leadbelly and his struggles. ‘Baby, I Know What It’s Like To Be Alone’ seems like the Stones circa 1965.’One Sided Love Affair’ penned by Johnny Burnett is pure country. ‘Weird (Aurora Borealis)’ was penned by Harry Lubin who wrote off kilter, bizarre music for early ’60s TV shows One Step Beyond and the Outer Limits. Our recording borders on the sinister and also features Melissa Swingle of Trailer Brides playing a spaced out saw and great sounds from our producer Rick Miller of Southern Culture On The Skids.
“I listened to a lot of music this year that influenced this new record. J S Bach, The Who, The Ventures, Johnny Cash, and these influences can all be heard on Images 13,” says Romweber. “Our new record is born out of the times when rock n’ roll was rock n’ roll. It’s mostly no bones about it stripped down drums and guitar. My sister Sara, her drumming abilities have always made my recordings sound better than they might have. We don’t declare ourselves as only one genre …the word versatile comes to mind on this new one. Hope you enjoy!”
Check out the band’s tour dates here.
