It’s hard to imagine a musical landscape untouched by the far-reaching influence of guitarist/vocalist Dexter Romweber. The Batesville, Ind. native was certainly one of the innovators of the guitar/drum duo concept, launching Flat Duo Jets with his man-mountain drummer Crow in 1985. Jack White has said that the Jets sent him into paroxysms of six-string ecstasy, filling him with thoughts of creating his own similarly structured two-piece band in the not-too-distant future.
Romweber enjoyed a long and sadly hit-free run with Flat Duo Jets although the band was a critical darling, particularly with 1992’s Jim Dickinson-produced Go Go Harlem Baby and 1998’s rollicking and polished Human Eye, the last album Romweber did with Crow. In 2001, Romweber connected with drummer Sam LaResh and released his debut solo album, Chased by Martians, which was ultimately short-circuited by the label’s demise in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Three years later, Romweber signed with Yep Roc and dropped the stellar Blues That Defy My Soul and in 2007, Romweber filled the recently vacated drum chair with Let’s Active/Snatches of Pink beatkeeper Sara Romweber, his older sister. The freshly conceived sibling iteration of the Dex Romweber Duo moved over to Bloodshot Records and cranked out a formidable trio of albums, 2009’s melancholyRuins of Berlin, 2011’s Is That You in the Blue? and 2014’s blazingly diverse Images 13, featuring flashes of visceral Blues, stomping Rockabilly, cool Jazz, muscular Surf and finger-snapping Pop.
For his latest solo project, the recently released Carrboro, Romweber has followed the sonic template of Images 13, with some fascinating tweaks. There are guests aplenty (including Sara and Southern Culture on the Skids guitarist Rick Miller), interesting originals and covers (like “Smile” and “My Funny Valentine”) and tracks where he plays the piano and sings, plus a few where he plays every instrument.
After 30 years and a variety of configurations, you might think you’ve got Romweber figured out, but he’ll have little trouble proving that you don’t know Dex.
Click here for more info on Thursday’s free show.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 2, 2016.
