Steve Poltz Pulls a Slow One

Is it asking too much of a fan base to embrace the sensitive side of a guy who has worn a pink dress onstage while fronting an unruly, irreverent rock band?

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Steve Poltz will soon find out. The front man of the San Diego-based Rugburns just hit the road in support of his brand-new solo debut, “One Left Shoe” (Mercury Records), an introspective song-cycle of romantic ups and downs. Poltz, who plays Wednesday at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, says he just had to plunge ahead.

“All signs are pointing me to do this right now,” Poltz, 37, said recently by phone from a tour stop in Manhattan. “I will do another Rugburns record, but after 12 years with the same group, I just wanted to take a break for a while and do something that was a complete 180.

“This project is like my alter ego in a lot of ways. I’ve always been a romantic at heart, and I like stories within songs. There’s always been one or two in that vein on each Rugburns album. Only with this solo tour, I can do quieter songs and not have people expecting to hear one rowdy song after another.”

Many people are familiar with Poltz’s work--but just don’t know it. He co-wrote Jewel’s smash hit “You Were Meant for Me” and co-starred with his former girlfriend in the much-aired video. She returns the favor on “One Left Shoe” by adding background vocals and co-writing four songs, including the bittersweet ballad “Silver Lining.”

Also lending a hand were such notables as veteran session drummer Jim Keltner, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ horn section, accordionist Van Dyke Parks (Brian Wilson) and keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). Poltz has producer Steven Soles (Victoria Williams, Peter Case) to thank for bringing in such a stellar supporting cast.

“It’s kinda like in that movie ‘Donnie Brasco,’ when Lefty [Al Pacino] introduces Donnie [Johnny Depp] to his Mafia pals by saying, ‘This is a friend of ours.’ Sometimes you just need the right introduction,” said Poltz, the Nova Scotia-born son of an air-conditioning salesman. “These guys are all such good players, but it’s not about fancy licks and stroking egos. They were there to make the songs better.”

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Although poignant, serious-minded numbers are abundant on “One Left Shoe,” Poltz hasn’t ditched his charming if slightly warped sense of humor. The tracks range from playful (“Impala,” “Krikor’s Waltz”) to downright twisted (“Kicking Distance”).

“You gotta remember, you’re talking to a guy who wrote ‘Uncle Reggie’s Pantyhose’ and ‘My Carphone’s on the Pill,’ ” Poltz said. “I mean, I love the unashamed sarcasm of people like Loudon Wainwright and Randy Newman. I find their mix of insight, irony and comedy to truly be an inspiration.”

* Steve Poltz, Roger Smith and St. Monday perform Wednesday at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8 p.m. $8-$10. (949) 496-8930.