Even if you have never heard of the band War, you know its songs: "Low Rider," "Why Can't We Be Friends," "Cisco Kid" and "Spill the Wine" (a collaboration with Eric Burton). War's early work garnered 17 gold, platinum and multi-platinum records, seven top-ten pop hits and eight top-ten R&B hits. It's been sampled by everyone from ZZ Top to the Beastie Boys.
This week the self-described "Universal Street Band" will join comedians Cheech and Chong for their "Up in Smoke" tour stop in Anchorage. From his home in Los Angeles, original band member Lonnie Jordan spoke about War's 45-year musical odyssey, its ongoing commitment to touring and its new album "Evolutionary."
Jordan, an original member, says he lives to perform and calls music his "medication." He said it's unusual for him to be home in LA for more than a few days at a time, and he prefers it that way.
"You gotta stay positive 24/7, no point in doing anything else," he said in a phone interview.
Jordan will tour to Anchorage with six bandmates. "I have to keep reminding them, 'don't think; you have to bounce. Be present, be a little more raw, make mistakes.' That is how you come up with new ideas, get creative. You have to take risks and experiment."
For Jordan, that experiment began in 1969, when the multi-ethnic LA street band formed with the focus of using music to make a political statements against war, violence and poverty. "We were not afraid of throwing ourselves out as musical messengers against social injustices. ... Our logo was and still is, War is different from all wars -- our choice of weapon is our musical instruments. We give voice through our instruments and lyrics. The hope is, with music as a healing power, we can spread a message of brotherhood and harmony. The same holds true today, just like it was 45 years ago."
Throughout its history, the band has defied easy categorization: "Rock, jazz, funk, soul, R&B and Latin, we play it all. It is impossible to put us in any one category."
War's album "Evolutionary" was released this year, 20 years after its last album. During such a long dry spell, bands can become irrelevant. Jordan said he realized this and knew he had to face some stark realities. "The music industry changed a lot in the last 20 years. Radio and Internet drive record sales. For old-school bands, this was a tremendous shift in focus and (brought) more competition from newer artists. For War, we kept in touch with our fans by touring. We noticed a new fan base following us after hearing our songs as samplers. We decided to respond to this younger audience I call 'the new Googlers' and created 'Evolutionary,' which is a mix of musical styles that appeal to fans of all ages."
But, Jordan admits, he is more into performing than recording. "Yes, being in front of an audience and having a shared experience is what it is all about. We record so we can reach out to more people. But, it is a spiritual experience to be in the music with an engaged audience and the music flowing. I would call us a jam band. We invite musicians to join us all the time -- Joe Walsh, Tower of Power, Los Lobos. If you come to our performance, you are part of it. Music is all about collaboration."
Cheech and Chong's Up In Smoke Tour with War
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10
Where: Dena'ina Center
Tickets: $70.65 at ticketmaster.com