The Observer

Soulsavers team up with Mark Lanegan, bring stormy alternative rock to the Grog Shop

By: Luke Shivers
Posted: 10/2/09
Alternative rock group Soulsavers began when Rich Machin and Ian Glover got together to create their debut album, Tough Guys Don't Dance, in 2003. That record was the last the group released before Machin decided to form a writing partnership with accomplished songwriter and musician Mark Lanegan. Machin says, "We [Mark and I] had a mutual friend and I was looking to do something new, and he knew I was a big fan of Mark and he said he had given him Tough Guys Don't Dance and that Mark was a big fan of that record and that we should get together."

Mark Lanegan was certainly not new to collaborations, and besides his immense body of work as a solo artist and with his original band Screaming Trees, he has teamed up with Queens of the Stone Age, Greg Dulli, Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, and Layne Staley. Machin has long been a Lanegan fan and says, "Mark's work is some of my favorite and something that I find inspiring and it gives me other ideas."

Machin is so fond of Mark's work that Soulsavers have covered three Lanegan songs, including "Praying Ground" and "Sunrise," on their new album, Broken. "I enjoy doing cover tunes as much as I do doing our own stuff," says Machin. "Taking other people's work and reinterpreting it is something I kind of have fun doing."

Broken is the second Soulsavers album to feature Lanegan and also has several guest appearances including Mike Patton of Faith No More and singer-songwriter Will Oldham. The guest appearances fit in nicely with the songs without being overbearing and Machin was never worried about egos compromising the quality of the music. "They're all really cool at what they do, and I think they all kind of came in and just did what felt right for the song."

Soulsavers are currently on a tour that included a stop at the famed Reading and Leeds Festival in the U.K. The current lineup is ever-changing but Machin does not mind the ever-changing nature of the band. "I like it to change because that's what keeps it interesting. Some people just like to play with the same four guys and be really tight and, you know, they've played with each other for years and I can see the benefit in that. But I also like the freshness of new blood," he said. "In fact we always learn something from everybody that comes in, be it good or bad." Their current lineup features Machin, Glover, Lanegan, and newcomer Rosa Agostino, who goes by the stage name Red Ghost.

Soulsavers' Sept. 26 show at the Grog Shop saw the band performing songs from their two most recent albums as well as a couple of Lanegan-penned songs. A highlight of the night was the song "Rolling Sky," in which Red Ghost trades a wispy vocal melody with Lanegan's baritone hum all over a sturdy bass line.

Lanegan also sang "Kingdoms of Rain" from his 1994 effort, Whiskey for the Holy Ghost. Soulsavers expanded on his original acoustic version and introduced electric guitars and keyboards to provide the perfect ambient backdrop for the haunting track.

Lanegan's sobering stage presence created a contemplative atmosphere in the room and he spoke only once between songs to thank the opening acts and the crowd for attending. Soulsavers closed the night with their 2007 single, "Revival," which includes the lyric, "Let this dark night be done." Based on the reaction from the crowd, no one wanted even a dreary night in Cleveland to be over so long as Lanegan was there to see them through it.