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Volume 40, Issue 9.
February 4, 2003
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Truckers hit the road with final
version of ‘Cruel twist’
By Carly Schorman
For the Mesa Legend
Truckers on Speed has more than a following, they have
a cult. If a person is at one show, chances are they’ll be at another.
And another. And another.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA
VASSETT
Truckers on Speed perform for fans
around the state.
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When Dave Wolfmeyer, fearless leader of the foursome, announced the band’s
decision to “move on” to other things, some members of the audience
cried, surprising those who were seeing Truckers for the first time.
What compels so many people to listen to a specific band?
Perhaps it’s because the music Truckers make is so diverse in the
sounds it encompasses that it is almost a metaphor for the state; one
place, different origins.
Perhaps it’s because the band’s live performances are some of
the best to ever grace the stages of Tempe. Other bands might have achieved
more success, but no one is as entertaining to see live as Truckers. Energy
is never down, even if spirits are. The band just looks like they enjoy
playing every single time. This is regrettably rare.
The crowd that amasses to watch Truckers on Speed perform is just as dissimilar
as the influences heard in their music, but also equally homogeneous.
It just works. Younger and older fans gather to drink and rock out together.
There is also a “who’s who” of Tempe music at each show.
Good music is often first identified by other musicians. Truckers are
in the good.
The loss of Truckers on Speed is a tragic one for Tempe.
Unfortunately, the emergence of the band was not recognized on a larger
scale. Although the fans are adoring enough, their numbers don’t
add up to large enough financial gains.
This is largely due to the fact that the phenomenon seen at each live
performance is difficult to capture on an album.
The rapid transitions from one song to the next aren’t reflected
in changing tracks on a cd. Nor is the brilliance of Dave and Chad Hines
displayed when playing together. Switching leads, or simultaneously playing
lead, isn’t uncommon with this band, as with every other.
Never can an album capture the character of Truckers on Speed which is
a defining point.
Dave appears oddly shy for the frontman of such a raucous musical ensemble,
wearing a cowboy hat that droops over his eyes although he claims he can
still see who is dancing in the audience. Dave sings in a voice of sandpaper
and whiskey, but like Bob Dylan, his distinctive voice adds personality
to their music rather than detracting from the overall sound.
Shelby James Garner jams on bass, singing along with Dave despite the
fact that he is not a backing vocalist. Shelby just has fun. Mike Wood
spins his drum sticks while playing, creating animosity amongst other
drummers because he makes the long and difficult set look easy. Then again,
for Mike it is. Chad on guitar is unparalleled, by most if not all, in
the area. When Chad decided to move on, Truckers sought a guitar player
to “step and see if their man enough” to fill in for Chad. No
one could fill the role, and the other members of the band came to the
consensus that it might be a good time for all to move on.
Sadly, only two shows remain for the world-famous Truckers on Speed. Tempe
will say goodbye to the band this spring. Truckers on Speed will be more
then simply missed. Tempe music will feel the loss of one of its preeminent
children.
Thankfully, the Speed boys were heard, at least for a little while. For
concert info write to thevassettagency@aol.com.
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