Artful Dodger

by Peter Kurtz
Hailing from Virginia, Artful Dodger was a tuneful working-mans band that had a brief run of success in the late 70s. In classic power pop style, the group combined hard-driving electric guitars with catchy arrangements and harmonies. But where the Raspberries emphasized balladry and romanticism, and Big Star had both that plus lyricism, Artful Dodger put its stock in straight-ahead guitar energy and high-end vocalizing. Lead singer Bill Paliselli provided the latter, with Gary Herrewig and Gary Cox sharing guitar duties. This energy carried over on stage as well as in the studio, and the band had a rather fervent cult following among those who like their rock tough, yet melodic, especially in working-class cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Although Artful Dodger never managed to push through to a mainstream audience, anyone with a taste for 70s power pop should not be without at least one of their records.