Dave Bidini Closes The Book On The Rheostatics

10/31/07 5:00pm

by Shannon Whibbs (CHARTattack)

"The Rheostatics broke up quietly."

This is the opening line of Dave Bidini's latest McClelland & Stewart book, Around The World In 57 1/2 Gigs. It's enough to make all grieving fans clutch dramatically at their still-aching hearts as the author, singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist sets the scene with one of Canada's most seminal rock bands quietly giving up the ghost after 25 years.

And while Bidini's heartbreak over the disintegration of The Rheostatics provides a powerful undercurrent throughout the course of the book, in reality it's more of a jumping-off point. For the first time in his professional musical career, Bidini picked up his guitar and hit the road solo, travelling to far-flung locations in Finland, Russia, China and Africa. This is where the real story happens.

"I kind of want to see this as a bookend to On A Cold Road, that was kind of about all the time up until a certain achievement," says Bidini. "And this is kind of the shadow of that.

"Having achieved that, it was sort of the top of the mountain, and this is the other side of the mountain in a way. And I thought that was worth talking about through the energy of my trip or travelling."

Around The World In 57 1/2 Gigs (there were supposed to be 80, but Bidini ran out of time) is a powerful read and a fascinating combination of travelogue, confessional memoir and musical history. Bidini narrates his adventures with a mixture of comedy and introspection. In addition, he hungrily delves into the musical history of each region. Readers get to learn about the Finnish Elvis, aspiring rappers in Sierra Leone and struggling rockers in China who can't find a gig unless they're willing to play entire sets of cover songs. In addition to Bidini's personal musings, there's a rotating cast of "characters" whom he meets during the course of his travels, each of whom leaves a lasting impression.

And then there's his travelling companion, Toronto folk-rocker Alun Piggins, an old friend and seasoned solo performer who shares musical bills with Bidini during his gigs in Finland, Russia and China. Piggins provides a combination of sage advice, comic relief and a memorable yin to Bidini's yang.

And, through it all, are The Rheostatics. They're never far from Bidini's mind as he navigates the unfamiliar waters of solo gigging and touring.

"It's very different," he says. "It's horrible at the beginning."

But, as the book progresses, Bidini becomes increasingly confident and is able to come to better terms with his new direction. One has to wonder how the other Rheos feel about their inclusion in the narrative.

"Well, usually with Martin [Tielli], I've got carte blanche," says Bidini. "When I was doing On A Cold Road, he said to me, 'You can write whatever you want about me, it doesn't matter.'

"And it really doesn't matter — mostly because his memory recall isn't that great, anyway, and so often he'll be happy that I remembered half the stuff. And also, I think, because of that book, the guys know all bets are off. They know me as an honest musician, so why wouldn't I be an honest writer?"

The book wraps up with The Rheostatics' final gig at Toronto's Massey Hall on March 30. It's a fitting end to the book and a start to the next unwritten chapter in Bidini's career. For Rheos fans, Around The World in 57 1/2 Gigs helps give some closure, but it's really a book for all kinds of people: music nerds, adventurers, armchair travellers and anyone else who wants to know what happens when a hoser takes on the world armed only with a guitar and a passport.