In tune

Radio Kings find the blues frequency

by DON FLUCKINGER

Two years ago, I found myself at the House of Blues in Cambridge, on the crappiest of snowy Saturday nights, ready for a treat I had waited all my blues-fan life to hear: Johnny "Clyde" Copeland live. The plan was to meet a friend who, like me, braved a slippery, tedious drive. My pal made it, but Johnny never did. We were told that "some local band" would be filling in, which really pissed us off. But we were there, so what was left to do? We went to the ticket window, got a partial refund, spent it on long-necks, and braced for the worst.

That local band turned out to be the Radio Kings, who rocked us to the bone. They jammed hard, engaging a tough crowd who had come to hear a master play -- and they did it by playing loud and energetic. Lead singer/harmonica and accordion player Brian Templeton struck great poses behind the mic; at times, it seemed as though flames would shoot out of Mike Dinallo's lead guitar. Johnny Copeland fans left the joint feeling great.

Still showing that same spunk, the Radio Kings arrive at the Iron Horse next Friday to celebrate the release of their third album, Money Road, their first on Rounder's Bullseye Blues label. A band based squarely in the blues but adding in a mix of flavors, the Radio Kings are evolving into a solid roots-rock band who are closer to Los Lobos than they are B.B. King.

"There's so much different stuff we listen to -- old-time country, rockabilly, blues, soul -- it all kind of mixes together in what we do," Dinallo says. "We were pretty well steeped in traditional Chicago- and Memphis-style blues when we started, but it's expanded from there. . . . A lot of guys who we admire in the roots end of things try to mix it all up. And being big fans of country music we figured there's no reason not to make that part of what we do as well."

Money Road opens with "I Can't Win," a Little Walter-inspired number that will make all but the most stodgy New Englanders shuffle their feet to the West Side Chicago sound. The second tune, "Virginia," however, veers into Dwight Yoakam twang country. Later on, "Leave a Light On" serves up Southern soul complete with horns, and after that, "Song of Love" -- originally a hard rocker, according to Dinallo -- moves along to a walking rockabilly beat down Nashville way.

Looping back into straight-blues territory, Money Road closes with an acoustic gutbucket rendition of the title tune. Inspired by the Radio Kings' pilgrimage to Robert Johnson's grave, which many people believe lies on the road between Greenwood and Money, Mississippi, the song, band members say, has a double-entendre concerning the bluesman's final resting place and the costs -- emotional and financial -- of leaving your family behind and going on tour.

The album's pretty good, but in concert these guys are at their best. One of the reasons: they don't rely on many covers of blues standards. Leaving the evergreens to other bands, the Radio Kings stick to their own tunes or new songs others have written for them (Michael "Mudcat" Ward wrote a pair for Money Road). The one exception to their rule is "Thirty Days," a Clyde McPhatter tune that shows up on the new release. Although it's a cover, it's far from anyone's definition of a blues standard.

"Both Brian and I feel that when you're recording you're making a musical statement, and you should do your own stuff," Dinallo says, adding that they did a live album at B.B. King's club in Memphis for their former label, Icehouse, that contained standards. "It should be songs that you have written or that people have written for you. Maybe a cool cover here and there, but when you're making a record, it should be your own."

Money Road's exuberant liner notes were written by Dave Alvin, formerly of the Blasters and now an influence on the band as a solo artist. He's a booster of the Radio Kings, having met the players and seen them play. At one point, the band wanted him to produce their record, but their schedules afforded only time for him to contribute an essay.

After enduring several years of upheaval in the drummer and bass player positions, the Radio Kings' line-up has settled for the moment with founding members Templeton (lead vocals, accordion, harmonica) and Dinallo (guitar), as well as new bassist Steve Norris and drummer Bob Christina -- brother of Fran, formerly of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Fran himself makes a cameo appearance on Money Road, playing on "Money in Her Pocket."

The Radio Kings play at 7 p.m. on February 20 at the Iron Horse, in Northampton. Tickets are $8. Call (413) 584-0610.