Although best known for their promotional stunts, local band Rookie Card is actually an incredibly tight unit, churning out catchy country tinged pop rock tunes with an ease that should be the envy of many up and coming artists. Helmed by frontman Adam Gimbel, the group includes virtuoso musicians Dylan Martinez (guitar), Nasr Helewa (drums) and Kevin Gossett (bass).
With a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and an endless series of pop culture references to interject into their musical proceedings, whether Rookie Card is playing a moving tune such as their own “Mazzy Starship,” or running through a jokey, but well-played Air Supply medley, the band’s infectious way of making a show fun is second to none. In 2003, the group released their debut EP, “First Day of Class,” with their full length album, “Near Mint,” emerging twelve months later. That same year the band took home the trophy for “Best Pop Artist” at the 2004 San Diego Music Awards.
On May 26, Rookie Card will unleash their latest disc, “What’s On Second,” with a CD release party at the Casbah. The band is reluctant to say what, if any, mayhem may ensue at this show, but with a track record that includes plugging into a wall-mounted Judas Priest guitar at the Hard Rock Café, doing a Halloween show dressed in Star Wars outfits as “Wookie Card,” or leading a Casbah crowd outside the venue to perform The Beatles’ “Back In The U.S.S.R.,” perfectly timed to include the planes in the Lindbergh Field flight path, it’s clear this will be a show that shouldn’t be missed.
“Even though we write songs as good as anyone else in San Diego, our shtick always overshadows our music,” said Gimbel. “As the band gets more known for our songs, we have to rely on the gimmicks less but it’s still fun to have something different for folks to come see at our shows.”
The new album continues the group’s baseball motif titles, and includes a selection of new tunes and old favorites. “A couple of the songs were around when Near Mint hit,” remarked Helewa. “We just weren’t sure they fit our sound at the time.” He explains the dynamics with in the group. “For me, Adam’s the idea man, Dylan is the musical refinement, Kevin brings the necessary chaos factor, as in just the right amount of something different or untried, and me…what does the drummer do, really?,” he joked. “I guess I still consider myself outfield – I’m trying to catch the fouls before they hit the stands.”
For Gimbel, the main difference in the albums is the strength of the material. “We saved the strongest songs from our original demo for this album,” he noted. “I think the main differences are in the guest musicians, who brought harmonica, piano, saxophone and Wurlitzer organ to our songs for the first time. It’s the last minute additions that I like best.” He cites one example of a song on the new disc taking a different turn than originally envisioned. “I didn’t like my vocal on our song "I Wish I Missed You," he stated. “So we brought in our friend Angela Correa and made it into a duet. The end result was that the song ended up completely different and better than we thought it could be.”
Plans for Rookie Card include more recording and increased road trips, though at a cautious pace. “Unfortunately, touring doesn’t pay the bills,” Helewa explained. “San Diego’s been very kind to us, and while touring is both fun and upsetting, we need to get the music out there.”
With so many memorable shows under their belt, is there a stunt or promotional ploy that hasn’t panned out. “One that got away?,” asked Gimbel with a laugh. “We were one of a few bands recommended to open for the Strokes just after we’d recorded a version of "Last Nite" that showed how closely it resembled Tom Petty’s "American Girl." While he likely would have upset the headliner, the smirk on Gimbel’s face makes it clear he’s up to a challenge. “It would’ve been incredible to have opened their show and closed our set with it.”