After Nearly 30 Years, Sparks Proves It’s No Flash in the Pan

Think of the most original and influential Southern California musicians, and who comes to mind?

The Beach Boys, certainly. And the Byrds, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield and the Eagles, on up through X and Beck.

But what about the group that virtually drew the blueprint for ‘80s new wave as well as presaging much of contemporary electronica and pop-rock dance music?

That would be Sparks, the eccentric band nearing its 30th anniversary and fronted by brothers Russell and Ron Mael. Sparks inspired Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Erasure and scores of other European bands that followed, yet in discussions of the Southland’s key bands, Sparks is rarely mentioned.

“We’re never lumped in as being an L.A. band in any kind of context,” says lead singer Russell, 44, over an iced tea at a coffee shop in West Hollywood, roughly halfway between Ron’s home in Westwood and Russell’s in Coldwater Canyon, where he also has the home studio in which they’ve done most of their recording in recent years. “It’s a strange thing: We are an L.A.-based band, and we do spend all that time in Europe and are visible over there. Yet we’ve had this lengthy career, but no one ever associates us with Los Angeles.”

Adds keyboardist Ron, who turned 50 this month, “I don’t know if that’s a reflection of us musically or a reflection of the fact that people think of our music as being . . . more European. I try to take the latter judgment.”

Sparks’ music has always sounded more European than classically American, or specifically Southern Californian, even when it started out simply trying to make music like that of such heroes as the Rolling Stones and the Who. But its sound turned even more Eurocentric in the late ‘70s when it made a series of widely influential, synthesizer-laden albums with electronic dance-pop innovator and producer Giorgio Moroder.

What also has set Sparks apart from most American rockers is the distinctive sense of humor that’s been the Maels’ hallmark since their 1972 debut album.

Their penchant for sometimes hilarious irony is as strong as ever on “Balls,” Sparks’ first album of new material in six years. It’s also evident in abundance at https://www.sparksofficialwebsite.com, which the Maels launched recently. In conjunction with the album’s release this week, the Maels and drummer Tammy Glover are going on tour, with shows today at the Key Club and Saturday at the Sun Theatre in Anaheim.

The new album’s title song has nothing to do with pingpong, tennis or football, but with the only character trait required for success in life--at least according to the song.

The album also includes odes to two forms of public transportation (“Aeroflot” and “Bullet Train”), the curiously foreboding “The Calm Before the Storm” (accompanied by an animated video done in the style of ‘30s Disney cartoons) and the mordantly funny “How to Get Your Ass Kicked.”

The last typifies Sparks’ twisted approach to music. The song floats along with a dreamy melodic line and ethereal synthesizer textures, while Russell’s gorgeous high voice outlines various ways to get the stuffing beaten out of oneself.

“I like the jarring thing, both in the music and the lyrics,” says Ron, who writes both for the group. “That’s why a lot of times our songs have a proper name of somebody. Usually you hear lyrics and something’s going on, but it’s just song lyrics. But if there’s something in it, even a name that you don’t associate with a song, it sticks out and becomes less wallpaper. . . . I like that--just to kind of jolt the listener.

“So much respect is given to artists who are doing things that seem sort of timeless and legitimate,” Ron adds. “That kind of legitimacy and timelessness is to me sort of the opposite of what pop music should be. . . . We really like pop music, and it’s not something to look down on or to legitimize. It is what it is.”

Whether “Balls” appeals to modern-rock radio stations such as KROQ-FM (106.7), which championed Sparks during the crest of its early ‘80s popularity, is a question the Mael brothers can’t answer.

So what’s the payoff for a group that has seen many of its musical descendants find far greater fame and fortune?

“In a certain way,” Ron says, “longevity is its own kind of success. While we would like to be in the position of those bands that are secure in ways that maybe we’re not, we kind of feel like we’re in a better position. We’re bitter for short periods of time, but in the long run, we think we won out.”

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Sparks plays today at the Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. $22. (310) 786-1712. Also Saturday, Sun Theatre, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. $26.50. (714) 712-2700.