The First National Band Redux comes to Somerville
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All revamped and road ready, Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux is headed to Somerville for a performance at the Somerville Theatre on September 19. ~ Photos by Ed Heffelfinger

By Jim Clark

By the end of the 1960’s, former cast/band member of the wildly popular television show The Monkees, Michael Nesmith, was reaching out for new direction in his pursuit of his musical interests.

Frustrated by the rejection he faced while trying to get his compositions accepted by the producers of the show, he eventually opted out and began putting together his own band. The result was the First National Band, featuring Nesmith on guitar and vocals, John London playing bass, John Ware on the drums, and pedal steel guitar wizard O.J. “Red” Rhodes.

The resulting three albums produced between 1970 and 1971 – Magnetic South, Loose Salute, and Nevada Fighter – have gained great popularity and are considered by many to be among the progenitors of the country rock genre that emerged during the 70’s and beyond.

Unfortunately, in spite of the inspired songwriting and top-notch musicianship, the records failed to sell well, and the band soon broke up.

But over the years the albums have sustained and grown an ever larger and loyal fan base. Tracks like the hauntingly beautiful Joanne and the mercurial Silver Moon, among other fan favorites, have kept the band’s legacy alive and well for all these many years.

And now, nearly fifty years later, Nesmith – or Nez, as he is popularly known – is striking out on the road with a revamped, renewed, and recast version of the band that he has dubbed The First National Band Redux, scheduled to play a date at the Somerville Theatre on September 19.

While the other members of the original band have either passed on or are retired, Nez has put together a group that truly serves the music well, and he is very happy about taking it on the road.

“I love this music so much, and I love playing it so much,” Nez enthuses. “It’s such a joy, that when an opportunity comes along to play it – especially with players this good – I just jump at it.”

The players in the Redux edition of the band include Nesmith’s two sons, Christian and Jonathan, each on guitars. “It’s not necessarily a family affair,” according to Nez. “But once all the kids realized I was heading back out on the road they said, ‘Could we go too?’ Of course, they’re all highly accomplished musicians, so I said, ‘Sure, let’s go have a good time.'”

The band also includes Christopher Allis on drums, Jason Chesney on bass, Jim Cox on the piano, Pete Finney on pedal steel guitar, and Circe Link and Amy Spear on backing vocals.

“They’re great players, and this is material I wrote years and years ago that I didn’t think would ever see the light of day,” says Nez. “But sure enough, these shows are selling out, so I’m really happy about that.”

Prior to the current 12 date tour that will run through the month of September, the band warmed up with a pair of performances in January of this year. One of the shows, recorded at the legendary Troubadour club in L.A., Michael Nesmith & First National Band Redux: Live at The Troubadour, is available on vinyl or CD through various outlets, including Nez’s own website: www.videoranch3d.com.

Unfortunately, Nez was stricken with heart trouble while on tour with former Monkees bandmate Micky Dolenz back in June. They were doing their The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Tour when, during one of the shows, Nez experienced short of breath and later collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital and in due course underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

The remaining dates of the Mike & Micky Tour were subsequently postponed until January of next year.

Incredibly, Nez is already feeling mostly recovered and ready to go on with the First National Band Redux tour as scheduled.

“I’m OK. I bounced back, which I’m happy to report,” Nez asserts. “The first things are always a shocker, so you don’t really expect anything, you don’t know what to expect. They suddenly just bring everything to a stop.”

As fans breathe a collective sigh of relief, Nez is confident that all is well with his health. “The doctor’s been great. Everybody’s been very optimistic and I feel very good about going on and doing the rest of the tours. And so, I’m getting myself back in shape.”

As for what fans can expect in the way of songs played at the shows, Nez says, “The songs fit together in a certain way. If you put it together where you bring the music out as people are getting used to it, understanding it and so forth, it’s like a really good meal, where the perfect thing follows the perfect thing.”

And so, for those who appreciate the musical legacy of a man who has accomplished so much, he in turn expresses his appreciation for us. “I’m looking forward to playing the Somerville Theatre,” he says. “I’ve got family back there.”

More family than he’s even aware of, as a matter of fact.

Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux, Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 p.m., at The Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville.