It seems like just a few years ago (it was 1995!) that the Portland rock band Everclear rose to success with its “Sparkle and Fade” album.
The single “Santa Monica” became a big hit, with its recognizable opening bars and Art Alexakis’ first lines: “I am still living with your ghost / Lonely and dreaming of the West Coast.” Hits such as “I Will Buy You a New Life” and “Father of Mine” followed two years later on the album “So Much for the Afterglow.”
Now decades later (how has it been 30 years?!), Everclear is celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Sparkle and Fade” with a two-month tour, a 42-show slate that comes to The NorVa, in Norfolk, on Oct. 17. The bands Local H and Sponge are touring with Everclear and will play at The NorVa.
This is not the Everclear of your Gen X youth. Alexakis remains, but bassist Craig Montoya and drummer Greg Eklund departed in the early 2000s. Now it is Davey French (guitar), Freddy Herrera (bass) and Brian Nolan (drums) who fill out the band.
Still, 30 years after that rise to prominence, Everclear is still going strong, now with 11 studio albums and 12 Top 40 hits. That’s definitely more sparkle than fade.
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If you go
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17
Where: The NorVa, 317 Monticello Ave., Norfolk
Tickets: Start at $59.20, including taxes and fees; packages available
Details: thenorva.com
