Harper Simon rocks folk at Bishop

Harper Simon proved he is not living in the shadow of his father Paul Simon, displaying a pure talent of his own on Saturday at The Bishop.

Harper Simon’s set included a more rock ‘n’ roll style than the folk harmonies recorded on his album.

Local band Old Flames opened the show with an alternative country and rock sound similar to the sound of the band The Jayhawks.

Former drummer for the Indianapolis-based band Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s Chris Fry drove from Indianapolis to see his friends perform in Old Flames.

“I really love how Kenny and Chris’ harmonies sound together,” Fry said. “I have been a fan of them since the middle of the ’90s.”

Christian Rutledge, the drummer for Old Flames, met the band’s members through friends and joined the band four months ago.

“I liked that their influences seemed to be The Replacements and Big Star, which are bands I really love,” Rutledge said.

He said the future of Old Flames includes more shows, regional touring and more recording for an album.

Local resident Dennis Sipe said he enjoyed the opening act.

“They were a confident rock ‘n’ roll band,” Sipe said. “They’re definitely on my radar now.”

Sipe said he decided to come to the show after hearing a story about Harper Simon on National Public Radio  a few weeks ago.

“Being a lover of Paul Simon, I wanted to find out what is his son was up to,” Sipe said.

Harper Simon began playing music on other artist’s albums because he said he had not been comfortable to carry an entire album or show on his own.

“I am more comfortable with the supporting role, but I have gotten more confident with every show on the tour,” he said.

Harper Simon said his band is constantly changing, whether he is performing on the east or west coast.

“It is a little frustrating when you build something with someone, but on the west coast we gain Money Mark from Beastie Boys,” he said.

Harper Simon’s band currently includes bass player Eric Paparazzi and keyboardist Gregg Forman from Cat Power, guitarist Mike Bloom for solo artist Jenny Lewis and Bloomington native drummer Russell Simmons from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Simon Harper said that because rock ‘n’ roll has been around for a while, artists know who is available to go on tour.

“I’ve been very blessed to have a great band and players on my album,” Simon said.
Local resident Charlie Sinex said he attends shows at The Bishop a couple times a week.

“I didn’t know about Harper Simon before I came out tonight, but I really enjoyed the band’s instrumental jams,” Sinex said.

Harper Simon said he does not know where the direction of his music is headed.
“I don’t know where the sound may go,” he said. “I feel the sound is already changing from the album recorded in Nashville, Tenn., to a more rock ‘n’ roll sound live.”