Twice Popped

Stewkey revives The Nazz for the International Pop Overthrow

by A.D. Amorosi

While it’s thrilling to hear The Capitol Years, Acme Rock Group, Cordalene and the Nixon’s Head/Trolleyvox continuum under one festival banner -- that of the annual traveling circus, International Pop Overthrow -- bands and audiences must worship at the altar of Stewkey’s Nazz.

Here’s the history: In the Upper Darby of 1967, Todd Rundgren, departed guitarist/songwriter of psych-blues band Woody’s Truck Stop, formed what would be the 1960s’ first Brit-inspired, well-dressed, good-looking "boy band," The Nazz -- for what turned out to be the start of a Anglo obsession continued today amongst men with shaggy hair. Unlike their modern descendants, The Nazz shimmered with a crystalline Anglo-pop-fizz courtesy the influence of The Kinks, The Who and The Move, songs written from within, and crisp, cutting vocals from keyboardist Robert "Stewkey" Antoni.

They made big waves with self-produced hits like "Open My Eyes," a swirling masterpiece of phase-shifted melody and heartbroken lyrics (see the new two-CD Open Our Eyes comp on Sanctuary); found themselves at odds with labels, management, each other and busted apart -- but not before a Runt-less Stewkey released Nazz III in 1970. After that he stayed on the Anglophile tip with Fuse (Rick Nielsen’s pre-Cheap Trick locals) a swanky solo CD Hello it’s Crazy Me, and songs on the Last Minute Jam Band’s CD Minutes to Millennium.

So, why a new Nazz and why now? "One of my favorite questions from fans, old and new, that I’ve met is 'Are there any live recordings?’" said Stewkey of the band’s rumored sizzling showcases rarely available on rarer bootlegs. "The music is timeless. Why not give fans what they want? Live Nazz." Stewkey promises rabid, rapid-fire takes on songs written by him, Rundgren and Company and -- in anticipation of a live CD and further recording -- that his Nazz will play songs even the old unit dared not play live. "This band consists of seasoned musicians who were Nazz fans when they were young and love the music as I still do" said Stewkey proudly. "So the energy is like it used to be."

International Pop Overthrow, Thu., Nov. 6, $8, 9 p.m., with Dan Kibler, Kara Lafty, The Dent, Steve Ward, John Faye, The Jellybricks, King Radio and Milkshake Jones, The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 267-671-9298; Fri., Nov. 7, 8 p.m., $8, with Tan Sleeve, Nixon’s Head, Parallax Project, The Trolleyvox, Rich Cox Band, The Everyothers, The Vague and The Family Jules, The Fire; Sat., Nov. 8, 7 p.m., $10, with The Nazz, Blue Ash, The Chains, The Capitol Years, Cordalene, Acme Rock Group and Hoppers 13, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888; Sun., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., $10, Glowfriends, Phil Angotti, The Villas, Ed James, The Dipsomaniacs, Blank Pages and Jeremy, The Khyber.