Live!
Who: Rusted Root, the Kin When: 8 p.m. Tuesday Where: State Theatre, Falls Church
Sometimes it's hard for a band to get out from under the shadow of a big hit.
For Rusted Root, that song is "Send Me on My Way," the infectiously catchy track ("I would like to reach out my hand") with some nonsensical lyrics ("Bum diddly eh, bum diddly um") that has appeared in numerous films, ads and 1990s compilations.
But this energetic ensemble, known for fusing rock with a percussion style drawn from African, Latin America, Native American and Middle Eastern influences, has more to offer in concert than that one delirious hit.
The band was formed in Pittsburgh by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Michael Glabicki in the early '90s. Rusted Root's first CD, in 1992, was the self-released "Cruel Sun." Two years later, the band, then signed with Mercury Records, released the album "When I Woke," which was a multiplatinum success thanks to "Send Me on My Way."
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Although none of its subsequent releases -- "Remember" (1996), "Rusted Root" (1998), "Welcome to My Party" (2002) and "Rusted Root Live" (2004) -- matched those commercial heights, Rusted Root became a touring machine, sharing stages with Santana, the Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, the Allman Brothers Band, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
Along the way, Rusted Root has issued three EPs and a live video. The band's music is part of numerous soundtracks, including family friendly films such as "Matilda" and "Ice Age" and darker TV fare such as "Homicide." NASA engineers chose "Send Me on My Way" as wake-up music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.
Rusted Root's new CD, "Stereo Rodeo," was released in May, seven years after its last studio album. Along with Glabicki, original members Liz Berlin (vocals, percussion) and Patrick Norman (vocals, bass, percussion) are joined on the album by Jason Miller (drums, percussion), Colter Harper (guitar), Preach Freedom (percussion) and Dirk Miller (guitar).
The album includes a cover of an Elvis Presley classic ("Suspicious Minds"), a blistering rebuke to the Bush presidency ("Bad Son"), Talking Heads-style dance tracks born of organic grooves ("Driving One" and "Driving Two") and, throughout, the polyrhythmic joys of a band that celebrates the creative diversity of its members and the global vibes around them.
The opening act takes the concept of international brotherhood more literally; the Kin consists of siblings Isaac and Thorry Koren from Australia. The melodic rock duo, both songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, have earned comparisons to Coldplay and Jeff Buckley, among others, and have spent much of the last few years in the United States, recording, touring, making industry friends and nurturing a growing fan base.
The Kin is promoting a new album, "THE UPside," which follows a 2008 eight-song EP, "Live at the Pussycat Club," and a 2007 album, "Rise and Fall." The album -- produced by Jack Douglas (the Who, Aerosmith, John Lennon) -- will be released this month.
Since making their area debut at Jammin' Java more than a year ago, the Koren boys have had a lot of success. Their music was featured on the TV shows "Army Wives" and "The Hills" and on a national Super Bowl commercial in February.
The brothers recently finished a 16-city summer tour with Rod Stewart and will be touring with Rusted Root this month, visiting 11 cities in the Northeast. View live footage at http://www.thekin.com.
-- MARIANNE MEYER
The State Theatre is at 220 N. Washington St. in Falls Church. General admission for those 18 and older (unless accompanied by parent; valid ID required) is $25. Tickets are sold at the box office and http://www.thestatetheatre.com. Doors open at 7 p.m. Food and a full bar are available. 703-237-0300.
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