Dreadnaught refers to themselves as "...Prog Rock/Americana..." just vague enough to whet my multi-faceted prog appetite. This is the type of prog band that keeps the Concert Closet waking the neighbors at 2am--not only can they blow the doors off the coolest gin joint on the strip, they can also hunker down and prog with the best of 'em. Dreadnaught defies any singular definition and have been referred to as one of the best kept secrets in the prog world. I think it only fitting to dig elbow deep in that box of Crackerjack and open the prize inside...
The buffet opens with a slice of what is best described as an improv sound; "Knife Hits." As the piece opens, I half expect Jamie Muir to jump out from behind the curtain as sounds emanate from all directions...and then ride a wave of soothing percussion melded smoothly with semi-ornate guitar work. Simmering in aromatics of Adrian Belew era King Crimson and early Genesis, Dreadnaught leaves a lasting impression with this cut...much like running into the geeky kid from gym class while in the library and discovering he's well versed in three foreign languages and has a hot girlfriend...
Having peeled a layer off this onion, I am curious as to what lies buried beneath, and a taste of "Surface Raid" fills the auditory canals with an adult dose. This song teaches Sybil a thing or two about mood swings...an opening that is akin to a mild ELP interlude, only to pull a bootlegger's turn and run headlong into a Stickmen/League of Crafty Guitarists melange. The intensity continues to climb; you feel as though you are in a kayak cascading over the falls into the abyss...and is it ever exciting! Oh man is this gonna be a fun week...
Taking an offbeat spin this time around the carousel whilst circling back to the buffet with an extra hitch in my giddyup, my third slice of Dreadnaught prog is a sweet nugget called "Nervous Little Dogs." Filling the canvas with obscurity and bright colors right from the onset, this piece pays homage to many in the prog garden with an emphasis on the metal section--but don't apply a standard-type label to this piece. I pick up top notes of Dream Theater, Yes, Weather Report, and Happy Graveyard Orchestra...these guys run all over the prog garden gathering ideas and imagery like so much stalagmite in a mine shaft...
Liner Notes...Dreadnaught hails from a New England paradise known as Portsmouth NH and consists of the artistically incredible trio of Bob Lord on bass, Justin Walton on guitars, and Rick Habib on drums. Formed in 1996, Dreadnaught has eight albums, cassettes, CD's, and EP's already released and available for your listening pleasure, with a new one due this fall (not that I want to rush through the summer!). This is a band that takes prog to a different plane; they are hard working, serious musicians who never forgot the first rule of choosing a career--enjoy yourself! Dreadnaught has walked the width and breadth of the prog garden, but rather than gather for themselves--they have shared their experiences with the rest of the prog world.
Dreadnaught has put together a rather impressive resume over a twenty year span including performances with John Entwistle, Tony Levin, and NRBQ...being the house band for the
Music Hall/New Hampshire Public Radio Live Series...and performances with Steven King, Salman Rushdie, John Updike, and Ken Burns just to name a few. If you are asking yourself; "How did I miss these guys?" you are not alone, for I, too, am pondering the same question. Of course, rather than beat myself up, I will simply make up for lost time and over indulge myself now...
Back to the buffet for a hefty serving of "Barefoot Kicker." Dreadnaught has mastered the art of avoiding the routine. This song opens unlike the previous three I have reviewed, and is different still than most of what they have etched into vinyl and burned into disc. The guitar work is circa 1960's classic while steering clear of anything cliche. The drumming is the perfect foundation to keep the entire piece afloat; subtle yet solid. Vocals weave their way through like spun sugar in a cotton candy machine. The music carries you across decades of the prog garden, culminating in a calliope-like ride that throws wild imagery against the inside of your skull...
Dreadnaught comes across in this tune like a band with nothing to prove and everything to say--they drive a spike through the heart of all that is "conventional." I have seen King Crimson perform live wearing three piece suits and pressed shirts; Dreadnaught is just as at home on the same stage wearing sweatpants, torn jeans, and T-shirts with sweat stains...it ain't about the look; it's the music--and Dreadnaught nails it. Learn more about Dreadnaught at http://www.dreadnaughtrock.com/. Please do yourself, your prog collection, and your music senses a favor and purchase their music at
http://dreadnaughtmusic.bandcamp.com/. Dreadnaught has a Twitter account @dnaughtmusic for keeping up with everything they think, say, and do...and I am sure you won't want to miss all the fun...
The clip posted below is the first single from their forthcoming album called "Takin' A Ride With The Fat Man (Fatta Fatta Puck Puck)." I chose this song for several reasons...the music and vocals flow so well together you get a sense of what velvet feels like...an introduction to virgin acreage in the prog garden. After listening, the urge to purchase the album when it is released will be irresistible...
Dreadnaught emits strong top notes of King Crimson, Genesis, Talking Heads, and Uriah Heep on this tune...no easy feat. There is a nostalgic feel to this song; a throwback to simplicity coupled with a burning drive forward into the future...yes, Dreadnaught covers a lot of ground in eight minutes plus...
Well fellow progheads, this has been a week to remember! Dreadnaught took me back to why I was initially drawn to progressive rock as a young innocent; the music is real. This is a band that plays because they love what they do, and they are probably unqualified to do anything else--lucky for us.
Dreadnaught has a passion that cannot be quantified nor minimized. The prog garden needs more bands that play simply for the love of playing...takes me back to days spent in record stores spinning the latest release of an up and coming...the next "can't miss." Speaking of which, there must be another "raw gem" in the prog garden just waiting to be noticed. Which can only mean the search for all things prog continues...until next week...
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