The Lovemongers Branch Out Again At Christmastime

Even though the Christmas extravaganza staged by The Lovemongers at the Moore Theatre last year was a first-time event, it felt like a season tradition sprouting. Tonight's "Ring Them Christmas Bells" Christmas concert at the Paramount, at 8 o'clock, is the star on that tree.

The Lovemongers - the healthy little Heart bypass put together by Ann and Nancy Wilson, Heart lyricist Sue Ennis and old friend Frank Cox - has gone from an excuse to do a few casual gigs in public to a tidy little cottage industry. From a bumpy but satisfying start at Ballard's New Melody Tavern two years ago, The Lovemongers have really jelled, easily holding their own at the Gorge last summer with Queensryche. The band's reworking of the old Led Zeppelin hit "Battle of Evermore" landed on the "Singles" soundtrack and will now be part of a four-cut Lovemonger CD coming out Jan. 4. The band is even talking about going on the road.

"I guess you can call us legit, now that were actually on a disc," says Nancy Wilson. "Yeah, we're thinking of doing a little road trip, L.A., Texas, New York, who knows. Just do theaters and clubs, keep it small."

"I couldn't believe we've been talking about traveling," says mandolinist/guitarist Cox. "I didn't want to say anything. I thought Ann and Nancy were sick of touring from Heart. But they brought it up! Hey, I'm ready."

Touring, however, would have to wait until March. The Wilsons are still working on the next Heart album, there's the Christmas show, and then there's the long-promised Ann and Nancy Wilson solo album.

"WE'RE AFRAID TO STOP WORKING!" Ann Wilson shrieks in mock terror over the phone. "No, really, we are busy. But everything is going so great, who wants to stop?"

Back at what Nancy refers to as the "Loud Office" - the Wilsons' Bad Animals recording studio - the younger sister is putting the finishing touches on her contribution to the Christmas program.

"We have a real special occasion planned. We're orchestrating things for the people from the moment they walk in to the time they finally leave. I'm programming all the music you'll hear before, between and after. We'll have the Columbia Girls Choir in the lobby and then later in the show, Inflatable Soule will be there and Rumors of the Big Wave, and there's new songs we've worked out and . . . well, I don't want to give it all away."

"It's a typical Lovemonger production," says Ann, "very hands-on. Sue's sister and another friend of ours are decorating the entire theater. It's so funny, it's like the ladies' decorating committee for the prom."

"The whole idea is that this is to do something nice for people that need it," says Nancy. "We're doing a blanket drive, so there'll be a truck to collect blankets and warm things, and the money we're raising is going to the homeless at the First Avenue Mission. Anytime's a good time to give, but things like this really seem to count at Christmas."

The band members note they played over two hours at last year's festivities without knowing it. "We were having such a good time, we didn't want to stop," says Cox. "Yeah," adds Ann, "we were The Lovemongers! We were free! We got offstage - we were horrified! We don't come from a place where you get to be that loose. But the people stayed. The Lovemongers has been really good for us, and for the upcoming Heart stuff, too."

"We're doing straight, scorchin' rock," says Nancy. "I don't think we have a new Coliseum power ballad in the bunch."