Upcoming Concerts February 15 2006

Andrew Quinn calls what he does “a lifestyle.” He’s a graphic designer, co-owns the International Hits record label with Shannon Mulvaney, and plays in several bands, including guitar and banjo for Pardner, and his own group, the Roy Owens Jr.

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“It’s homage to several different artists. I’ll let you figure it out,” says Quinn of the band’s cryptic name. When asked for clues, he answers, “Did you ever watch ‘Hee Haw’? Do you remember the two guys from ‘Hee Haw’? That’s your hint. You can go Google it.” On the International Hits website (www.internationalhits.com), he devises an imaginary history for Roy Owens Jr., calling him “a native of Louisiana” who “grew up loving the sounds of the swamp.”

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During a recent performance at Lenny’s for the group’s new CD, Good Times, (Pardner headlined that night’s concert), Quinn’s supporting cast included Mulvaney on bass, guitarist RL Martin (who also plays with Kingsized), and Rob Lewis on backup vocals. Joe Jamison (a former member of Crooked Fingers) replaced Mulvaney on bass for two numbers. Adam Renshaw (who also plays with Anna Kramer) alternated with Brad Lewis on drums. Quinn says that the band’s membership is “fluid,” and something “I do with my friends.” Constant throughout is his rough, sweetly plaintive voice.

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“When I was younger, I had the love of Jesus/Now I’m older, I want to be alone/Jesus left me at the central station/Without a ticket or destination fare/I think he don’t care,” Quinn sings on the yearning, upbeat “Everybody.” “Hey, everybody/Can’t you see it’s right here?”

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Quinn bristles at the suggestion that the Roy Owens Jr.’s Good Times is a country-rock album. “There’s really not a lot of twang on the record,” he says. Instead, he describes the music as “American rock music. And I mean ‘American’ in the most derivative, eclectic, melting pot-ish way.” Oddly, it doesn’t include the group’s collaboration with Americana princess Kelly Hogan, “Commercial Radio Ruined My Chances at Greatness,” which you can hear at www.theroyowensjr.com.

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“I spent a year-and-a-half writing it,” says Quinn of Good Times. “I think it’s really good.”