Back in December on one cold snowy night, DCist walked upstairs at DC9 and into a unique blend of smooth melodic pop rock, country, bluegrass, and Americana that left us feeling intoxicated with the smooth stylings of Alec Gross and the Districts' “whiskey rock.” A self-taught guitarist from the age of 15, harmonica player, and talented singer/songwriter, Alec defines all that is the hardworking musician. As they currently write and record tracks for their new full length album, and follow-up release to 2004’s What Lasts, you can find Alec and the band touring through bars, pubs and concert halls performing anywhere and everywhere from PA to VA. They love what they do and just can’t get enough. Neither can we.

Covering artists such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon, Alec finds his roots in these innovative rock legends. April, May, and June offer up two chances each month to catch Alec with a solo performance on the 2nd to last Sunday of each month, and back again with full band the following Thursday at Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights. Last week DCist sat in on his April acoustic set, which highlighted Alec’s wide range of vocal abilities through several new songs including a few off his last EP, The Huckster. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to kick your feet up, crack open a beer and just soak in the sweet southern sound. Mix in the Districts for a more full bodied flavor guaranteed to turn you into an Alec-aholic.

Visit Them At: http://www.alecgross.com/

See Them Next: This Thursday night Alec's in Wonderland , 9 p.m., NO COVER

Buy Their Album: At CD Baby

Questions for Alec Gross:

How has growing up in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania and moving to both New York City and Washington, DC influenced your music? Do you have a favorite city/venue?

Each had their own energy, and living in different places allowed me to work and play with all sorts of different folks. That certainly informed the music. NYC is one of a kind. It has such a beat... the energy is always peaking and everyone is always moving and going so fast. It was a very inspirational place to live and I always write a great deal when I’m there.

How did Alec Gross meet the Districts?

Ahh, yes. Well, for the most part, we met through that greatest classifier of classifieds, Craig’s List. I just kept checking the missed connections section everyday and, sure enough, we found each other. Lovely.

What is “whiskey rock,” and more importantly, will it get us drunk?

Whisky rock goes all over, from bluesy power-pop, to straight-ahead soul, to whisky soaked country balladry. It feels so good that it makes you play until you’ve run out of songs and voices and sweat and you’re no longer any different from the other guys in the band. The whole point is to make you feel the same way. And it feels pretty drunk.

Where do you find inspiration for your songwriting, and are there any tracks in particular that hold special meaning for you?

I don’t write too much about specific events or people. I write more about a general experience tied to an emotion. I find that intense emotions are impossible not to write about. I find a great deal of inspiration in the work of other artists. It could be a brush stroke in a painting, a look or gesture from an actor, or a lyric or melody and it’ll just kill me. If I feel that connection to it I want to just swallow it and make my own version.

As far as the upcoming album goes, I’m real pleased with the lyrics in “Just A Boy” and there’s this musical moment in “Cold Apples” where the hook resolves out of the instrumental section. I’m very pleased with how that was arranged.

Who or what is “The Huckster” and what can we expect from the new LP?

My favorite busker, Harry Huckster, is a peddler of shoddy wares, and he just drips the bravado and immature-type energy of the characters on the record. Had to name it after him, really. Also, I didnt realize “huckster” was such an obscure word until i used it for the title, then I found out I was the only person who didnt realize it was obscure.

The LP, Win?orLose?, should be out in early June and captures pretty accurately the music the band has been making in basements, barrooms, clubs, and concert halls all year long. While the EP focused mainly on our pop rock tunes, the full album is composed of a pretty diverse selection of our music, and Harry’s kazoo isn’t as high in the mix this round. Much more texture. Yes.

You’ve done quit a bit of touring around the city, but do you have plans for anything national? Where would you most like to perform?

Right now we’re limited mainly to this fine mid-atlantic, what with gas prices being what they are. Soon, we’ll be upgrading our 1991 Dodge van to run on plutonium, just like de loreans do. Plutonium is cheaper than gasoline this summer. Fact.

I’d love to do a tour of barrooms in the American South and West. Also, (I have absolutely no basis for this theory), but I would imagine that playing clubs in Southern Mexico or Argentina would make for an incredible adventure. Might not make it out alive.

Quite clearly though, my main goal is to play a gig on a stage surrounded by chicken wire. I have a vision of myself finishing such a show at the very last minute of the night, turning off the amplifier, when all of a sudden a huge power surge blows the amp, killing me. And I’m pretty sure in that last millisecond I’d be damn pleased about how the whole thing turned-out.

Where do you see yourself and the band a year from now?

I’d love to be playing newer and better songs at bigger shows in more venues in more cities. Newer, better, bigger, more.

If you could play alongside any musician dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Yikes. Let me offer an alternative question along similar lines:

If you could see one musician/band at any time in history, who and where would it be and why?
The Who in 1965 at The Crawdaddy Club. Maximum R&B is all that rock ever was supposed to be.

What’s currently on heavy rotation in the Alec Gross iPod?

I’ve been listening to Clem Snide’s The End of Love, a lot lately. Just a collection of really catchy folk-rock tunes with great lyrics. Very accessible melodies and hooks with some real quirky themes and clever words. A very cool record.

I’ve also been digging Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town... incredible character sketches on that one.

What’s your opinion of the DC music scene? Positives/negatives.

My music experience in this town has been pretty insular, limited to indie rock and alt. Country. Would be great to see those bands mix-up their shows with r&b/hip hop groups and latino groups. I guess music diversity is a perenial cry. Wait, i’m in a band, why dont i mix it up more?

Name of few of your favorite local bands.

My buddy Steven Capozzola’s got some great tunes. These United States are great. Michael Jantz is another really strong act.

Photo from www.alecgross.com