Talking to Aimless Blades drummer Jim Richardson about his and his fellow band members' previous experience is like a quick lesson in Milwaukee music.

But even after decades of playing in local clubs, Richardson is still enthusiastic about original music, which is clear when he discusses The Aimless Blades fourth CD, "Rara Avis," now out on Boat Recordings.

The disc is the latest effort from singer, guitarist and main songwriter Blaine Schultz, bassist Angela V-Elles, keyboardist Paul Setser, guitarist Scott Krueger and Richardson.

We asked him about "Rara Avis" and more.

OMC: Although the band's first record came out only six years ago, most of the Blades have had lengthy careers in local bands, right?

JR: Blaine started the band with Angela and Paul. ... Scott and I go way back. I moved to Milwaukee from Sheboygan Falls in 1971 and joined a band called Death. Most of that band later became Forearm Smash and included Howie Epstein and Breck Burns. Scott was with In A Hot Coma at the time. When Forearm Smash broke up and Scott left In A Hot Coma, he, myself, Breck and Howie started a band called The Craze in around '76-'77; '60s Mersey Beat type stuff.

Howie quit to go on the road with Leslie West and ended up in California where stayed and ultimately joined Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Meanwhile, Scott, Breck and I bounced around in short lived projects like The Drones. I was with The Lubricants for a summer tour around '78. Scott and Breck started The Orbits and Scott's girlfriend and I started The Shivvers. Breck and Scott ultimately joined The Shivvers. We planned to move the band to Boston in 1982 but that never materialized and we broke up.

For the next 10 years or so, we all went our separate ways. Scott and Breck did a lot of cool stuff on four-track. After Breck died, Scott brought his recording equipment to Sheboygan Falls, were I returned in '85, and we made his solo record; he did everything on it but drums. We were also doing some things with The Fabulon Triptometer -- a later variation of Plasticland. He also was playing with the Blades around then. They recorded the first album at my place and I played on a cut or two when their regular drummer couldn't make it, and joined the band soon after the record came out.

OMC: Blaine's sort of the face of the band, but the band is really a collaborative project isn't it?

JR: Blaine does most of the detail work and started the band and has the most connections, but what I like about the band, and the reason I joined, was because of the emphasis on original material. I didn't want to play covers any more.

Blaine and Scott share most of the songwriting credits; I'd say 60/40 Blaine/Scott with Paul and Angela adding a couple for each record. Blaine has his distinctive style -- he's more lyric minded than Scott, while Scott comes from more of a melodic, guitar riff-driven style.

Blaine is an excellent writer, so his lyrics are sophisticated and provocative. His influences come from the Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Neil Young directions while Scott is more Big Star meets the Rolling Stones kind of thing. Paul is more a pop song guy and Angela is very "alternative."

I'm the only one in the band who doesn't write or sing. Although each of Blaine and Scott's songs are very distinctly recognizable as theirs, they really don't take shape until the whole band gets involved. Interestingly, most of the guitar solos on Blaine's songs are played by Scott and vice versa.

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Posted by Jim on Jan. 19, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (report)

Sorry I didn't make it clear (unintentional omission) that the "Scott's Girlfriend" I started the Shivvers with was the one and only Jill Kossoris. Jim Richardson

Posted by sandstorm on Jan. 19, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (report)

one of the best and most unheralded bands in town. these guys manage to fly under everybody's radar by doing nothing more hip than not caring about being hip. fantastic Giant Sand, Neil Young, desert inspired throwback rock. there are bands that are shamelessly in it for the "Brass Ring" (i'm looking at you Gufs) and then there are bands that are aimlessly in it for the music, and that to me is the right reason (well...that, and getting girls). The Aimless Blades might not be to everybody's taste, but at least they're making music for the right reasons.