Everclear singer gets to the point about tour headed here

It's seven hours before the launch of Everclear's 30th-anniversary tour, and Art Alexakis is in a serious conversation, wrangling with a decision he never dreamed about decades ago: Do backstage visitors need vax cards and masks?

"Three years ago, we didn't need to worry about that," Alexakis said, simultaneously commencing a phone interview to discuss Everclear's 25-date tour that visits Keswick Theatre in Glenside on June 23, The Meadows casino in Washington County on June 24, Levoy Theatre in Millville, N.J., on July 13 and Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pa., on July 14.

"I've heard so many people say, 'I'm so glad it's (COVID) over,' and I'm like, 'What? It's not over,'" Alexakis said. "People keep getting it every day.'"

But the shows must go on, and Alexakis said he's stoked for fans to see the Everclear tour that features support acts Fastball (1998 alternative chart-topper "The Way") and The Nixons.

Asked what Fastball and The Nixons bring to the party, Alexakis wisecracked, "Hopefully Starbucks," before settling down to discuss what an "awesome" lineup that will be.

"One thing we all have in common is we don't use (pre-recorded) digital tracks on tour, and most bands do," he said.

So it'll be the raw, raucous and utterly live versions of Everclear hits like "Santa Monica," "Father of Mine" and "I Will Buy You a New Life" concertgoers will hear, plus any tracks from Everclear's debut album, "World of Noise," remastered for release in deluxe form last week for the first time on digital platforms.

The deluxe edition includes bonus content like the never-before-released "Drunk Again." Alt-rocker Alexakis said he didn't previously release it because it sounded too heavy metal/hard-rock.

"But people have glommed on to that song. We may need to learn how to play it," Alexakis said. "You can tell I was newly sober when I wrote it, though it's not about me. It's about having a partner who is not sober."

Everclear's debut album includes "Pennsylvania Is..." a feisty song you won't find touted by the Keystone State's tourism bureau. The final line: "Pennsylvania is wrong."

Alexakis said he based "Pennsylvania Is..." on a "heartbreaking story" about a friend from Philadelphia, set against the backdrop of then-Gov. Bob Casey Sr. pushing for anti-abortion laws.

"But I love Pennsylvania," Alexakis said. "The people, the culture ... I even love scrapple, and who loves that?"

Seldom shy about stepping into the political arena, he revealed another of the debut album's tracks, "Your Genius Hand," was inspired by the then-growing momentum behind Presidential candidate Bill Clinton.

"It's about hero worship and putting all these responsibilities on one person and how that's an unsustainable model of government," Alexakis said.

"I mean, he was super smart and super charismatic," he said, though noting the 42nd President's infidelity became an issue.

"I voted for Clinton. The Clintons were high and mighty until they were not so much."

Turning 60 in April, Alexakis reports he's feeling good, even as he's contending with multiple sclerosis.

"I've got great medicines, great protocols, a good diet," he said.

He does weight training and yoga under the guidance of an expert on autoimmune issues, "which makes me feel good."

Plus there's the therapeutic power of hearing thousands of fans cheering him on as Everclear rips through a song like "Santa Monica," named after his hometown.

"I love that song. That song changed my life," Alexakis said. "Thanks to that song I got to see the world, buy a couple houses, pay for a couple divorces."

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Alexakis makes sure Everclear − with Davey French (guitar), Freddy Herrera (bass) and BrianNolan (drums) − plays its '90s hits each night, as fans desire.

"I'm very respectful of the fans' wishes. I think it's frustrating when bands don't play their hits, or they mix them all together. It's like they're embarrassed by it," he said.

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And don't get him started about people snarking about one-hit wonders.

"Do you know how hard it is to write a hit song?" he said. "(Forget) you. I say to those people, 'How many hits do you got?'"

Because in Alexakis' view, any song that makes the masses smile, or feel uplifted, is a wondrous thing.

"It's the closest thing we have to magic in this world," Alexakis said.

Maybe he'll share more on that if you get backstage to meet him.

Judging by his June 9 phone conversation, you'll need a vax card and mask.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Everclear singer gets to the point about tour headed here