That '90s Show celebrates all facets of romance at Rhythm & Brews

IF YOU GOWhat: That '90s Love Show with Soul Mechanic and Maid MyriadWhen: 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16Where: Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St.Admission: $10Phone: 267-4644Website: www.rhythm-brews.comTOP 10 '90s LOVESONGS1. "Everlong" Foo Fighters2. "You Got Me" by The Roots3. "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls4. "Wonderwall" by Oasis5. "One in a Million" by Aaliyah6. "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode7. "The Book of Love" by The Magnetic Fields8. "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star9. "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal10. "I'll Stand By You" by The PretendersSource: Nerve.com

As the decade that marked the heyday of grunge rock and the emergence of emo, it might be hard to see the romance in '90s music. As a local tribute collective hopes to point out Saturday, Feb. 16, however, being in love, especially around Valentine's Day, isn't all sunshine and lollipops.

"In the '90s, there was love in songs, but bands felt like they were able to show multiple sides of love -- the good, the bad and the ugly. In the '90s, love was a little more angry than it was before," said Jonathan Susman, drummer and co-founder of That '90s Show.

The songs in That '90s Love Show at Rhythm & Brews will reflect the diverse attitudes artists of the decade had toward romance, both good and bad.

"We're trying to really cover all the aspects of being in love through these songs," Susman added

Susman and his Glowing Bordis bandmates TJ Greever and Dan Pinson helped form The Communicators, a tribute collective supergroup of local artists, in late 2011. The Communicators specifically cover classic albums in their entirety, but when the group performs as That '90s Show, even though the lineup is similar, the shows tend to sample a period of music rather than a single record.

There were several That '90s Show performances in 2012, but despite a wealth of rehearsed material to pull from, Susman said Saturday's set will include only three songs the band has previously performed.

The show should last between 90 minutes and two hours. From a page jam-packed with proposed covers suggested at the start of rehearsals in January, the group narrowed it down to 28 diverse songs, including Seal's "Kiss From a Rose," The Cure's "Lovesong," Biz Markie's "Just a Friend," Stone Temple Pilots' "Interstate Love Song" and Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'."

As with all That '90s Show performances, the lineup will feature a core of local artists, including emcees Sparkz FreeAgent and Warner MC as well as musicians from bands such as Toneharm and Digital Butter. Local progressive funk band Soul Mechanic and out-of-towner rockers Maid Myriad from Akron, Ohio, also will join That '90s Show onstage after solo opening slots.

Whether the audience is full of broken hearts, happy couples or a mixture of the two, the music should resonate with everyone, Susman said.

"Everyone sees Valentine's Day in a different way, whether you're with somebody or without somebody," he said. "We're trying to speak to all those Valentine's Day situations people find themselves in every year."

Contact staff writer Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.

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