In the beginning of its nearly three-decade career, the almost un-Googleable Live was hailed in late-’80s college rock circles as the second coming of U2, or at least a more muscled Smithereens. Front man Ed Kowalczyk led the York, Pennsylvania, crew, his vaguely Eastern lyrics steeped in an awkward mysticism that went swimmingly with his quasi-Krishna rattail. Not until hooking up with former Talking Heads guitarist and producer Jerry Harrison for 1991 debut Mental Jewelry did Live streamline its sound for mainstream radio palates. Throwing Copper (1994) remains Live’s high-water mark, selling 8 million copies and spawning four hit singles. The band has since steadily released new music for a much smaller following, starting with 1997 cult hit Secret Samadhi. Its lyrical tone has softened somewhat, now lighter on the Eastern imagery and dealing progressively more with family and aging.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2009.