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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MUSIC
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2002
'District has Cocker sound-alike
By Amy Kelly
Jayplay writer
When young and thirsty bands begin their uphill battles to stardom, that everelusive something special is not always present. For Minneapolis band The District, that element is always coming in loud, clear and sounding a lot like Joe Cocker's gravelly voice.
In a phone interview from his home in Minnesota, vocalist Nick "The General" Hensley discussed his unique bellow that is coming to The Jazzhaus. 9261/2 Massachusetts St., tomorrow night.
"We've called ourselves everything from 'epic rock' to 'Meatloaf with soul..."
Nick "The General"
Hensley vocalist
"I've been singing my whole life," said 25-year-old Hensley, who admitted his one connection with Cocker was the occasional indulgence in Jack Daniel's. "Of course, cigarettes had a lot to do with it," he said.
The Marlboro Man had a hand in
Hensley's vocal ability, but it wasn't until he hooked up with founding District member, songwriter and guitarist Mickey Ruiz that Hensley was ushered into the spotlight in 1998.
After hearing Hensley's voice for the first time, one might expect a convulsing Cocker rendition of "With A Little Help From My Friends." But this band, formerly known as The Red Light District, follows more in the footsteps of such college radio favorites as Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Barenaked Ladies and Uncle Tupelo.
"They label it college rock," said Hensley. "We've called ourselves everything from epic rock to 'Meatloaf with soul,' but there's really no label to us."
Changes are on the horizon for the band, though.
After this Friday's show at The Jazzhaus, guitarist Dustin Smith, drummer Ryan Dodge and bassist B.J. Schramke are taking their careers in other directions. Constant change seems to be a theme in The District, whose founding member Ruiz left to become a veterinarian.
Hensley said he and remaining guitarist Paul Johnson would likely veer their sound in the direction of more contempo
Photo contributed by The District Nick "The Generat" Hensley's voice is a little bit of Jack Daniel's and a lot of Joe Cocker.
IN YOUR DISTRICT
The District performs tomorrow at The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Massachusetts St. For performance information, call 749-1387.
To find out more about The District, go to the band's Web site. www.thedistrictband.com.
"There will definitely be a change in style." Hensley said. "There are artists out today that have more of the style I want to do, like Ryan Adams and Pete Yorn."
This assortment of sounds has helped The District to achieve acclaim at the 2000 North by Northeast Music, an invitation only music festival in Toronto.
In the meantime, the band will tour with a variety of guest performers who have made appearances onstage over the years.
The band has also released a live CD recorded at Minnesota's Gara's Garage, and has put together a self-titled studio record.
Life magazine once called Joe Cocker "the voice of all those blind criers and crazy beggars and maimed men who summon up a strength we'll never know to bawl out their souls in the streets."
rary artists.
Hensley must have been paying attention.
Contact Kelly at akelly@kansan.com. This story was edited by Adam Pracht.