The Intelligencer
Doylestown, PA - Central Bucks Edition
Sunday, March 5,
Music with a political message
Rick Denzien produces tunes for the Web out of his
studio in Ambler.
By Brenda Lange, Correspondent
Rick Denzien has strong beliefs, a philosophical
outlook and earnest speech.
He easily could have been the theologian or
philosopher he once studied to be.
Instead, the singer/songwriter from Ambler blends his
views of government, big business and the environment with his musical
talents to tell deeply personal stories about our past, present and
future.
"I got angry at businesses that messed up the
environment," says Denzien, of the title track on 1991's "Heal
the Land," his first release. "That whole CD made a statement
on the environment."
"Exit 21," Denzien's latest effort,
continues in the theme of what he calls "organic" or real
music.
"This is about the exit of the old century into
the new -- the age of innocence coming into the age of
accountability," he says as he tries to explain the CD's crossover
appeal to all age groups -- even to children as young as 10.
"These kids like music that's not
contrived," says Denzien, who will perform at 1 PM today at Track
Records in the Doylestown Shopping Center, Doylestown. "They may be
in 10-year old bodies, but they have 25-year old heads. They're all
computer- and Internet- and technology savvy. They're almost adults
already."
Appealing to an Internet-savvy generation is
appropriate, as "Desperation," the lead song on the CD, has
topped the Internet music charts as set by www.mPulse.com,
since its debut last March.
"This song deals with my frustration with
government," Denzien says. "In the context of a free society,
no matter who you are, you should have freedom to be happy. Yet, if you
go against the grain of society, and are a contrarian -- like MOVE or
Waco -- you will become a target."
The CD is just now making its way onto AAA (adult
alternative) stations across the country, behind the single's worldwide
travel via the Web.
"We just started on the Internet right away in
1991 with "Heal the Land," he says.
He hasn't looked back.
Denzien is a native of Buffalo, NY, and settled in
the Philadelphia area after graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College in
Rochester, NY, with a degree in religion, philosophy and psychology.
"Mostly self-taught" on the guitar, Denzien
credits an epiphany in his backyard when he was about 16 and one
excellent music teacher with helping him realize his talent on the
instrument.
Denzien formed his own recording label when he
couldn't final major label that appreciated his music enough to
represent the entire CD.
Slot-1, named after the position held by the No.1
song on the Billboard Magazine hit list, is headquartered in a
residential/industrial neighborhood in Ambler.
In his cave-like studio there, Denzien composes and
records with his band, The Gas House Gorillas. He also produces albums
for Sony, as well as local bands, when he's not touring.
"Laser
Writing on the Moon," Denzien's second release, won a Billboard
Magazine Songwriter's Award in 1994 and began to receive air time on
those early AAA stations.
Drummer Ronnie Crawford and bassist Mike Gregos, as
well as Philadelphia-area musicians J.J. Zeller on drums, Dave Strong on
guitar and Phil Smithburg on bass all joined Denzien on "Exit
21" which was part of the Grammy process for best engineered
album.
"It didn't make the shortest list," he
says, holding his thumb and forefinger close together, "but it made
the long short list. It was the thrill of my life."
Explaining Denzien's musical style requires a long
list of adjectives, and some Internet music commentators have described
it this way:
"Lyrically, 'Exit 21' leans toward the
political, blending optimism with social commentary, interspersing
spirituality with practicality. The songs build and draw you in; the
hooks captivate." (Andy
Stevens, Press & Sun Bulletin).
"It is honest, thought-provoking tunes with a
message." (Muzik-Man).
Or, as Denzien says simply: "You don't create
music in a vacuum. Sometimes it's a struggle, sometimes it comes like a
flash. When you make that connection...find the real message, it just
works."
Denzien doesn't come across as your
"typical" rocker. Indeed, his music blends elements of rock
and pop with very introspective lyrics. His Old Navy fleece and cargo
pants are a paradox to the double-pierced ear and sunglasses, but his
philosophies come across as well thought out and deeply seated.
Married and the father of two, Denzien involves his
family as much as possible in his work.
He tells the story of his son, who, when he was about
1-1/2, sat on his father's knee during a recording session. The boy
stayed perfectly still and quiet until the final chords.
Then, a little voice -- "Daddy done?' -- came
through softly on the recording, where Denzien let it remain, maybe as a
reminder of what's really important in his life.
