Published: January 17, 2007 03:04 pm      

MUSIC: Reality winner explodes onto the scene with Supernova

Lukas Rossi, the singer chosen to front the band Rock Star Supernova on the recent CBS reality television show “Rock Star: Supernova,” has never done a tour that plays theaters and arenas.

But he didn’t sound fazed by the reality that he was about to go from a career spent playing bars up to the big stage, fronting a band that also features Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, former Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt (subbing for former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, who is recovering from a severe shoulder injury).

“I don’t think it’s going to be any different whatsoever,” Rossi said. “I mean, I’ve played for empty beer bottles and ash trays, man, so I always play a show like it’s the last show I’ll ever do. Obviously, it’s amazing to play for such big crowds and all the great fans out there, but I can’t really change. I lose myself in the music and hopefully I’m left stand at the end of the song.”

Of course, Rossi also has the advantage of having performed on television for millions of viewers during the “Rock Star” episodes, in which he competed with other aspiring singers for the chance to be in Rock Star Supernova, whose tour comes to Buffalo this weekend.

On the show, Rossi gained a reputation for being self-assured, almost to the point of being cocky. He, in fact, said he never felt nervous on the “Rock Star” show until the moment before he was announced as the new winner.

“The cameras were a little weird at first,” Rossi said. “But then I slowly slapped myself and said, ‘Listen dude, you’re here because of who you are and what you’ve been through in music,’ and that’s the only thing that kept me focused. If I wasn’t the right thing for the band, I would have graciously stepped aside for the betterment of Supernova and the vision. But I never wanted to think about that.”

Rossi will need that confidence as he tries to establish himself in a group whose other members have played in three of the most popular rock bands in history.

But unlike INXS — the band featured in the inaugural season of television show — Rock Star Supernova isn’t an established group. Instead, the show gives its three well-known band members a chance to revive lagging careers.

Lee, who remains a part of the still-active Motley Crue, has enjoyed a little success outside of that group in fronting the band Methods of Mayhem and releasing a pair of solo albums. Newsted, though, hasn’t made many waves since leaving Metallica in 2001. His most notable venture has been joining Voivod for two of that band’s most recent CDs. Clarke, who was in Guns N’ Roses from 1992 to 1994, has released four solo albums that made little commercial impact.

As for Rossi, 29, he spent more than a decade playing in bands in Toronto and Montreal, working odd jobs to help make ends meet. So Rock Star Supernova is certainly a big step up.

But success is anything but assured for the group. The self-titled debut album that emerged from the show is a decent, if fairly generic, collection of poppy hard rock. A few better-than-average songs, such as the swaggering “Leave The Lights On,” the glammy “Underdog” and the combustible “Valentine,” at least provide high points between more forgettable songs.

Rossi’s involvement in the recording of the CD was somewhat limited because the other band members recorded the instrumental tracks for the songs before Rossi got the gig. Rossi, though, did contribute one of his own songs, “Headspin,” to the CD, and he sang all the songs. He also said he was able to suggest some last-minute changes to the instrumental tracks. This level of participation, Rossi said, helped him feel a part of the record.

“It was a challenge, man,” Rossi said. “But they chose me to be their lead singer, and I figured, Don’t let it stress you out. Just pour your heart out onto the record and it will all be fine.’ And it turned out to be just that. I got quite a bit (of input) on the record, actually, even some of the chord changes in the guitars and stuff like that.

“It’s a Supernova record, and it’s one part me, one part Tommy, one part Jason and one part Gilby. That’s what we are, Supernova.”

Alan Sculley is a St. Louis-based freelance writer.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Rock Star Supernova concert.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo.

COST: $36.50 or $46.50.

MORE INFORMATION: Call 847-1410.