Vintage rock ‘n’ roll trio Golden Alexander to headline Northside Concert Series

A sense of humor in rock can go a long way. It worked for Van Halen, who performed with a wink and a smile during its early run with the hilarious David Lee Roth. The Smiths were mistakenly labeled as maudlin courtesy of Morrissey's lyrics, but fans know that Moz penned some of the funniest lyrics in rock history.

Golden Alexander is amusing in its own right. The Iowa City power trio claims to be comprised of triplets. However, it doesn't matter that none of the members of the band look alike. Yes, they could be fraternal. However, drummer Al Alexander is 10 years younger than vocalist guitarist Marc Alexander and bassist Seth Alexander.

"When we formed this band, I thought it would be cool to have a funny back story as in we're all triplets," Marc Alexander said from his Iowa City home. "I thought it would be silly to be the Alexander trio. I got pushback for my wife, who said I was being too silly. We have fun up there. We wear matching clothes. I would rather do that than show up like three middle-aged guys, who look like three random dudes, who get up onstage at the same time. I like to dress up with a cool shirt and fancy shoes."

Alexander, 51, came of age during the '80s when the look was almost as significant as the sonics.

"I was deeply impacted by hair metal," Alexander said. "We aren't wearing fishnets and spikes, but I want there to be some visual aspect to make it interesting for the audience. I like to be entertained at shows. That's why I fell out of love with (former Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt's) Jay Farrar. He is one of those guys who won't look at you or say anything onstage, and you're supposed to be amazed by his songwriting. I like jumping around and joking around."

Golden Alexander's story might be a laughing matter, but the band takes its music seriously. The trio's straightforward sound comes from a collective nerd rock brain with influences ranging from such troikas as Husker Du to Walt Mink. The latter, which was a solid but long forgotten Minneapolis band, might be a footnote in rock history but had such an impact on Marc Alexander.

"Walt Mink was a great band back in the '90s," Alexander said. "Their drummer (Joey Waronker) is Oasis' touring drummer. I come out of that Americana, No Depression world, and Seth is more of a Spoon type of guy, who brings a more poppier sound to the band. I like that Seth likes to do left-of-center things. For instance, Seth will want to do a lot of weird keyboard stuff or add horns in the studio, even if there is no keyboardist or horn players in the band. Our drummer adds to our sound since he's got a wide sonic palette and is 10 years younger than us.

“The cool thing about the power trio is that everybody has a real specific job. You have to fill space sonically, spiritually and emotionally. You have to make it really tight with just three guys."

Golden Alexander, which formed three years ago after Marc Alexander left the band The Negotiators, is working on an album that has yet to be titled.The new material will be previewed Saturday on the Northside of Iowa City as part of the Northside Summer Nights Series. Such songs as "Summertime in Maine" and "Whole Lotta Things" are crisp and catchy.

"We got the basic tracks down," Alexander said. "The album should be out in the fall. We'll play some of the new stuff when we perform at the Northside. The new stuff is a bit heavier than what we've put out in the past. We still have our harmonies and the hooks, but the guitar is heavier. There's more distortion this time out. I like that it's a little rougher around the edges."

When Alexander, who is associate dean for faculty development and professor of music at Coe College, isn't at school or working on new tunes, he can be found in the area at shows.

"I love going out to see recording artists," Alexander said. "I can't wait to see Jeff Tweedy at the Englert ... I absolutely loved when Robbie Fulks played the Englert (in 2024). When I'm not working on music, I'm out at shows. I've always been all about music, and I love that we have this band that I can continue to create music and play out."