Funny, how that worked out...

This year, musically, has been one that has made me just sit back and say, "Well. DNA didn't expect that."

It started with DNA getting connected with a great group of guys, BB Gun, D-Tronic, and the Jester, and forming the band the Crestview Kings. In this band, DNA is referred to as Big Daddy. We are a cover band. We are good. We play lots of songs. On an average night, we will play for about four hours. So far, we have been paid on average more per show than DNA made at the height of his career when he played out regularly.

There is this conceit among musicians who play in "original" bands, that being a creator of music is somehow more important, or perhaps, more prestigious, than being an interpreter of someone else's composition. DNA held this view for many years. The "art" that we created from our own inspiration was somehow better than music we imitated from another artist's creativity.

A few years ago, DNA came to the realization that as important as the creative process is for writing music, so too is the interpretive process for playing music. In some cases, the interpretive process is more important. Both processes are creative, exacting, demanding, and require talent to produce an end result which people will appreciate.

Even though DNA knows this is true, he still couldn't stop saying things to his friends like, "Yeah, I'm in a new band. No, it's just a cover band." Qualifying the descriptor for the band ("Just" a cover band) speaks to the conceit of its worth, a valuation which is hard to extinguish.

Having now spent several months working as hard as DNA has ever worked to learn a huge repertoire of songs, paying careful attention to the details which turn those songs into labors of love and not just perfunctory recitations, has reinforced the strength of DNA's convictions. It doesn't matter whether it's DNA's intellectual property or not, when we play it, it is OUR SONG. If DNA doesn't give the rendition of the song that kind of respect, the performance won't work. If DNA doesn't feel the intricacy of the work, as if he wrote it, then the end result is no better than any of the thousands of other roadhouse musicians you could listen to. Not that there is anything wrong with them. In fact, those that care for their craft share DNA's perspective.

So, DNA is in a kick ass cover band called the Crestview Kings. We play out pretty regularly. Check it out.

Huge Events in the DNA Constellation....

The new Carbondale supergroup featuring Chris McAtee, Derek Cook,and the DNA Vibrator has arrived, and they are known as MPC. Model car enthusiasts, MPC originally formed to make plastic injection mold models of kick ass cars. Now MPC makes kick ass rock and roll.

American as DNA...

DNA hopes that you spent your Veteran's Day honoring a veteran. No, that was not said with sarcasm. Both of DNA's parents were veterans. My oldest brother is a veteran. His wife is a veteran, my niece's husband is currently in Iraq. My sister-in-law is a veteran, my wife's grandpa's were and are veterans, (respectively, one passed away, and one still here), and my favorite aunt who has also passed away was a veteran, too. Many other family members were also vets, but DNA thinks you get the drift.

So, even though it was a holiday, DNA went to work, caught up on some stuff he needed to do, spared some time to reflect on the sacrifices that many have made so punks like us can complain about well, everything, and then honored those folks as best he can: by doing something DNA loves to do!

Yes, DNA worked on some songs, and the new album is nearly ready. There is the matter of a couple of covers, and one or two more overdubs, the title, and then the album artwork. DNA has decided on a title, and it will not be any of the previously considered titles.

Previously considered titles included:

Return of the Purple-Headed Stranger

Demandatory

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Something Super Double Kick Ass!

Individual Arias From The Collective Opera

Three [even though it would be DNA's sixth record](go figure)

The Intersection of The Blatant and Sublime

ALL LIES!!!

The DNA Vibrators Aren't Gay: Your Face Is

and those were the good ones! Yes, DNA realizes they suck. But, this last title is the shiznit, for real:

"Walking The Highly Improbable Road From Obscurity to Total World Domination" by the DNA Vibrators.

DNA will put up clips from its recent recording session in the next few days.

Also, H.O.G., if you're listening, email or call DNA, cuz DNA gots some work for you to do.

March, 2007

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