Thenewno2: Here Comes The Son
Being the son of someone famous is a double-edged sword. Sure, it helps you cut through the clutter, but if you're not careful that sword can cut you. If your father happened to be a Beatle, the blade is even sharper. Just ask John Lennon's sons Julian and Sean, who released records under their own names to mixed reviews and an incredible amount of scrutiny. Ringo's son, Zak Starkey, may have had it a little easier, since he's not in the spotlight, but rather behind the kit, although he has played with such high-profile acts as Oasis and the Who.
Dhani, the son of late, great Beatle George Harrison, acknowledges his surname "comes with a lot of baggage." It's for that reason that Harrison and his mate, drummer Oli Hecks opted to record as thenewno2. Check out this exclusive performance of thenewno2--joined by Jon Sadoff on keyboards and Jason Hiller on upright bass--performing "Give You Love," one of several fine tracks from the band's debut album, You Are Here. Be sure to hang in until the end when things get a little less like Dhani's father and the Beatles and a little more like Radiohead.
Interestingly, as you'll see in the interview below, Harrison doesn't refer to thenewno2 as a band, but as "a company." It may be the first you're hearing of it, but the company already has some impressive credits for its graphic art, including album design for George's final album, Brainwashed as well as the Concert For George, The Dark Horse Years boxed set and the menu design for Concert For Bangladesh DVD.
As a musician, Dhani played guitar and added backing vocals on Brainwashed, working to complete it with producer Jeff Lynne following his father's passing. He also served as an honorary Traveling Wilbury, joining Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Lynne to perform "Handle With Care" at the tribute concert to his father, which was subsequently released on CD and DVD.
Of course, all of those credits are well and good, but Dhani really wants is for thenewno2 to be taken on its own merits for its music, which he says is quite different than his father's. He acknowledges that his father is an influence. How can't he be? But still, he and his band are trying to forge their own identity, as Dhani explains in the interview below.
Do you think Dhani and thenewno2 will get a fair shake from the public? Or will they be forever dogged by comp-Harrisons?
Go Dhani :)
tacky na!