Medicine for the Ears

Rock band Tonic spends an awful lot of time fending off assumptions as well as detractors. The first, and most persistent jab, is that the guitar-driven quartet plays only ‘70s-era classic rock.

For the record, Tonic, which plays tonight at the Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana, does play music that can recall such classic rockers as Led Zeppelin, Bad Company and the Eagles. And the first two singles from its 1996 debut album, “Lemon Parade,” reached the Top 10 of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

But the band’s music also reflects the time its members spent listening to such new wave and modern-rock bands as Blondie, the Cars, the Smiths, the Pixies and Radiohead. Their current single, “If You Could Only See,” is doing well on both mainstream rock and modern rock charts.

The second common misperception, according to lead guitarist Jeff Russo, is that because Tonic is from Los Angeles, it must be one of those fashion-conscious “hair bands.”

It’s not. But even without Dennis Rodman-like ‘dos, this rather unassuming band, which also features singer-guitarist Emerson Hart, bassist Dan Lavery and drummer Kevin Shepard, has sold about 700,000 copies of “Lemon Parade,” according to SoundScan.

“We just focus on writing the best possible songs and then go on stage and give as much of ourselves to the audience as we can,” Russo said by phone from a tour stop in Edmonton, Alberta. “We don’t think in terms of alternative rock or guitar rock . . . or how many CDs can we sell.

“We just have to be ourselves, and so far, enough people seem to like who we are--or at least what we play,” he said. “It’s too bad that some bands have to get arrested or look like Marilyn Manson to attract attention. That’s just not us. Over time, I believe we will stand or fall on the quality of our songs.”

One charge the members of Tonic don’t dispute is that “Lemon Parade” is something of a guitar-lover’s paradise. Assorted electric, acoustic, slide, lap steel and Dobro accents weave through the 12-song collection, whose chief strength is such rockers as “If You Could Only See,” “Wicked Soldier,” “Bigot Sunshine” and “Celtic Aggression.”

The title track, written by Russo and Hart, is a true story about a not-so-pretty girl who is pelted with lemons by some boys who are taunting her looks. But as she grows, so does her beauty--and her popularity.

“The song looks at the pain kids can thoughtlessly inflict on others and how emotional wounds are often slow to heal,” said Russo, whose musical baptism came with violin and clarinet lessons in the fourth grade. “Even though this story has a happy ending, life can be so cruel, especially when you’re young.”

Russo and Hart, both 28, were young when they met, having grown up in New Jersey and attended the same high school. After moving separately to the City of Angels, they bumped into each other about five years ago at Canter’s Deli in the Fairfax district. Every Tuesday night was “jam night” in the restaurant’s Kibitz Room, an adjoining bar where the likes of the Wallflowers or Slash dropped in from time to time.

After renewing their friendship and jamming together, Russo and Hart started writing songs, which landed them a publishing deal with EMI Music. Before long, they hooked up with bassist Dan Rothchild (who left the band several months after the release of “Lemon Parade”) and drummer Shepard. Rehearsals ensued, and the seeds of Tonic were sown.

The group caught a break by getting booked for six months at L.A. nightspot the Mint. Not only did the regular work let them hone their skills, but it also was perfect for getting the attention of nearby record company talent scouts. Tonic was signed by Polydor backstage at the Mint on Halloween 1994.

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While band members are ecstatic over the breakout success of “Lemon Parade,” Russo said he realizes it’s time to focus on the future--including the challenge known as sophomore slump.

Russo said there’s no point in trying to avoid it with strategy.

“You can’t just sit down and say ‘This is what makes a good song.’ We know you need a good lyric, melody, the groove . . . all that stuff,” he said. “It’s like when you’re cooking--even if you have all the right ingredients, that doesn’t necessarily translate into a great meal. It’s hard to explain, but you need some intangibles . . . like chemistry, a certain touch and even some luck.

“We’ve been on the road a long time now, [and] it’s given us inspiration for new material,” he said. “Seeing so many new places, meeting so many people. . . . It has given us this well to draw from. Personally, I can’t wait until we all sit down and sharpen our pencils.”

* Tonic and Summercamp play tonight at the Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana. 8 p.m. $15-$17. (714) 957-0600.