Adam Reichmann Resurfaces Six Feet Under

In a way, it should surprise no one that the former singer and songwriter of Nadine (and Sourpatch for those keeping score) Adam Reichmann returned to live performance in a small basement bar run by KDHX’s own Fred Friction. Fred’s Six Foot Under (and that’s “foot” not “feet,” as “foot” has more of a hoosier ring to it) is a new extension to the venerable Iron Barley that echoes the smoky dive glory of the long lost Frederick’s Music Lounge. Nadine was a fixture there and Friction’s KDHX program, Fishing w/ Dynamite, has long championed Reichmann’s music.

Friday night Adam was joined in the basement bar by Sourpatch and Nadine collaborator Todd Schnitzer. The two have been recording together again — results remain top secret, though Adam, post-tequila shot, said he plans to release new material for free on the web.

Fred’s Six Foot Under is just what you’d expect, hope or fear, depending on your level of speluncaphobia and/or fumiphobia. Capacity is set at 30 (though I counted at least 40 at one point), with chairs and couches for half that many, and the walls are brick and stone, with a ceiling that may prove hazardous for the Steve Picks among us. Note the chalkboard tiling on one side and the stratocaster-shaped coffee table, as well as the essential neon Stag sign and small bar, behind which Fred chain smokes and dishes the cocktails. One bathroom and no ventilation or ceiling fans to speak of. With lights kept low, the joint feels like a secret club house.


Adam started out the night with what probably seemed like a new song to most: “Laurel Canyon,” written at least three years ago, and recorded on the limited edition, solo CD Another Version of the Same Story. He followed with another solo song on the acoustic guitar, “Clear From a Distance,” which captured that delicate balance Adam always strikes between hope and realism: the serious love hasn’t vanished, it’s just gone underground. His first Nadine song was “Closer,” the opening track to Downtown Saturday and then a terrific new rock song on the Telecaster, “Sixes and Sevens.” Todd Schnitzer joined Adam on bass, guitar and keyboards, and if they weren’t always in sync, it was great to hear so much new material, especially “Too Old to Be Living This Young.” By the end of the night, Schnitzer found his stride, getting all Fender Rhodesy on “Whenever You Are Around.”

I may be guilty of projection, but as Adam finished with an audience-prompted, half-remembered cover of Tom Wait’s “Poncho’s Lament,” I sensed nostalgia and sadness in the room, a wistfulness in being reminded that a talent like his would ever retire from the public. Reichmann is one of our best songwriters, with a natural feel for tone, image, hook and emotional pitch. And he’s one of our most emotionally true singers. His voice, high and breaking and clear, hides nothing and can grab you by the throat of your heart. Adam has his reasons for semi-retiring from music. Nadine, a band that was at the center of his creative life for years, dissolved and dispersed, and performing doesn’t come easy for him, I think. You can tell by the tremble of his fingers and the quaver of his throat. His songs are accessible but also private and poignant. And he’s a perfectionist. Why should he continue performing and recording? How selfish to want that.

But I don’t think I am projecting when I say the fans and friends who heard him sing his songs in that basement dive hope he’ll be back before too long.

Adam and Todd performing “Twilight”

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Posted by Roy Kasten | February 1, 2009 | Concerts, Video/Film | 7 Comments 

Comments

7 Responses to “Adam Reichmann Resurfaces Six Feet Under”

  1. Tony Renner on February 1st, 2009 8:35 pm

    “downtown saturday” is one of my favorite ever records….

    nice review, roy….

    – tony

  2. Liza Horton on February 2nd, 2009 12:53 am

    Brilliant. The performance and the review.

  3. Nick Cowan on February 4th, 2009 10:06 pm

    Great write up Roy, and thanks for posting Twilight too. Few people can convey the same sincerity with quieter songs like Twilight or rockin’ songs like Something’s Gotta Give. I hope he does some more gigs, I’ve missed them. Now I’m going to listen to Nadine until the “end of the night”.

  4. It’s a Fred Friction Frenzy! : KDHX Blog on February 5th, 2009 6:29 pm

    [...] a recent post by Roy introduced the world to Fred Friction’s new music venue, Fred’s Six Feet Under, the [...]

  5. Ben on September 14th, 2009 10:11 pm

    I will always be a fan…I miss this I miss this I MISS THIS!!! With all the crap out there, Nadine should have made millions upon millions..

  6. Miles on September 19th, 2009 10:47 am

    I really miss Nadine. I’m thrilled to see that Adam is still performing, and I sure woulda got me one of those solo CDs if I had even known they existed before this article. Does he have a website, MySpace, or anything to promote himself? Can’t find anything but (presumably) his personal Facebook page via Google.

  7. donkeyhoatie on October 16th, 2009 12:10 pm

    I first heard Adam play when we were teenagers growing up in Illinois. We reconnected about 7 years ago just as Nadine released their final album. I’m so sorry that I came on board so late. His talent is incredible and as far as good people go, they don’t get much better than Adam. I’m wishing all the success in the world for him. I hope to hear about plenty more shows like this one in the near future.

    “Reichmann is one of our best songwriters, with a natural feel for tone, image, hook and emotional pitch.”

    I couldn’t agree more. The imagery in this song is concrete and dramatic. I wish I could hear lyrics half this good on the radio today.

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