IT'S easy to bring your preconceptions to a band such as Counting Crows.
The American outfit, who perform at the Odyssey Arena tonight, are known for songs which never quite conform to the stereotype of a US rock band.
Frontman Adam Duritz has often been painted as a morose individual – his lyrics are categorised as mo
ody and introspective, often drawn from his own experiences with depression.
It hasn’t stopped the band from selling 20 million records, but it’s natural to expect the real Adam Duritz to be a reflection of the man he is on record.
As he cruises to work in the early morning Californian sunshine, with the roof down on his classic convertible car and The Undertones blasting out of the stereo, it’s clear that this isn’t the case.
“You get me vibrant and alive in a 40-year-old death trap,” he said with a laugh.
The car, it turns out, is a Karmann Ghia he bought with his first advance cheque from a record company.
“I’ll never sell it – it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
But that’s not the only reason why Adam is so chipper.
“I got a letter from Billy Doherty of the Undertones saying the band were marking the 30th anniversary of their debut album and asked if Counting Crows would be involved in a cover of Teenage Kicks,” Adam said.
“Aside from being shockingly honoured, I’m intimidated at having to sing a song that Feargal Sharkey sang.
“I want to do it, it’s one of the greatest songs I’ve ever heard, and it’s a big deal for us to be asked.”
Firstly, you expect Adam Duritz to be dour and introverted, but he is upbeat and enthusiastic.
Secondly, you don’t think he would be so keen to talk about Northern Ireland music.
“Stiff Little Fingers are another great band from there,” he said, adding that the mid-1970s to mid-1980s were his favourite time for music.
Travelling to the set of a film called Freeloaders, where Adam is the executive producer, he is relishing branching out into new art forms.
“There’s a chance to be creative without tearing my guts out,” he said.
