Rob Aldridge – Mind Over Manners

Alabama-based rock and rollers Rob Aldridge & the Proponents leaned into a two-part strategy for their upcoming second album Mind Over Manners: speak thoughtful truths and back them up with tasteful grooves. To that end, they dodged the dreaded sophomore-slump by a mile, delivering a twelve-song collection strong enough to break through into the ranks of fellow-Alabaman contemporaries like Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit or Alabama Shakes. The Proponents recorded Mind Over Manners at Studio 144, a smokey clubhouse-like loft space in Green Hill, Alabama. Aldridge produced the album with Jay Burgess of Shoals psych-rock/power-pop band The Pollies. In addition to the Proponents’ current lineup—guitarist Rob Malone (Drive By Truckers), Nick Recio (Great Peacock) on drums, and the late Stone Anderson on bass—Burgess’ bandmate Clint Chandler contributed keyboards on “Mind Over Manners,” and the strings were courtesy of cellist Caleb Elliott and violinist Kimi Samson. Grammy-winner Gary Nichols, formerly of The Steeldrivers, contributed lyrics to the song “Devil on Sunday” and Freddie Hewitt did so on “Poor Taste.”

For a talented band that’s paid its dues, the release of Mind Over Manners should be a triumph. And it is. But it’s a bittersweet triumph. In April of 2021, Proponents bassist Stone Anderson died from an accidental drug overdose. His passing shook the North Alabama music scene and of course the band. For Aldridge, it’s been especially tough. He and Anderson had been tight since they were little kids. Even now, Aldridge will sometimes catch himself reaching for the phone to text Stone a new music idea or just a funny thought. As the finishing touches were being put on Mind Over Manners, Aldridge was haunted by the fact this was the last thing he’d ever work with Stone on.