Rubberband Racecar Go brings unique flavor to The Union

by Chas J. Hartman
Assistant Entertainment Editor

"What inspired you to become a musician anyway? How did that happen?"

"Three chords. E, A and B7," Tony Xenos said.

"How did you get your first guitar?"

"I took it from my dad," Xenos said.

"Was your dad happy about this?"

"Yeah," Xenos said.

That's how a conversation begins with local music veteran Tony Xenos. Throughout the course of spending two hours with Xenos and drinking some beer with him, he starts to offer longer answers to my questions. Even then, nothing is a sure thing with this artist.

Xenos is the short, quirky singer-songwriter in 1-year-old Rubberband Racecar Go. One might say Xenos is Rubberband Racecar Go and Rubberband Racecar Go is Xenos. Only recently did he invite others into the band on a full-time basis.

"I can't control being part of a band," said Xenos, previously of the Cactus Pears. "I end up being part of a band, even when I try to just be a solo act."

At the start of this particular band rehearsal, Xenos begins strumming the opening chords to a song he just learned. The song is "Sad Professor" from R.E.M.'s "Up" album, and bassist Jef Shilt joins in, along with percussionist/backup singer Candida Bach. The passion in Xenos' voice demands your attention, and listening to the band makes all the day's worries slip away.

Rubberband Racecar Go rarely learns cover songs, instead opting to perform tunes written by Xenos. In fact, all but one of the songs on Rubberband Racecar Go's debut album are written by Xenos.

But his songwriting is an evolving process that didn't always go so smoothly.

"I played when I was seven, but (mom and dad) made me play stuff like 'Happy Birthday,' and that sucked," Xenos said. "So I picked it back up at 12, and I just practiced, practiced. My dad had a bunch of sheet music, and I'd just get the sheet music and play all the songs. Just go through it, and eventually I just started making up my own songs."

"I write pop songs," Xenos said. "I can't get away from it."

Thus, began Xenos' long and strange journey to become the musician he is today. At age 26, Xenos is able to read music and play the guitar with the kind of natural ability that eludes most aspiring musicians. With more than eight years experience performing in Athens, it is a shame Xenos' new band is not being booked all over town.

One listen to Rubberband Racecar Go's album "Try Autopilot" should help convince everyone that something special actually exists in Athens. From the isolationist theme of "A Way of Tracking Me" to the somber tone of the song "Sleep Pristine," "Try Autopilot" is an eclectic collection of songs.

Fear not, the trademark Xenos acoustic guitar sound and some noteworthy influences never leave the mix.

Xenos is not afraid to cite major artists as his biggest influences. Among those he credits with inspiring him to write and perform music are R.E.M., U2, Radiohead, Tori Amos and Depeche Mode.

As the band's rehearsal nears a beer break, it almost seems surreal listening to the band give "Sad Professor" another try. This time, Xenos' guitar is in tune and Shilt and Bach seem more comfortable performing the song.

If you close your eyes for a moment, it's as if Michael Stipe is in the same room.

Come celebrate the release of Rubberband Racecar Go's debut album at 10 p.m. tonight at The Union. There will be a cover.