"For me it's where I started; I started in the blues-rock world and that's kind of where I am," says blues rocker DustinDouglas as he discussed his band The Electric Gentlemen, their new record, video and more.
"All rock and roll music is rooted in the blues," is a quote many a rock musician has heard and/or lived by but some such as Dustin Douglas understand this to their very core. The blues music genre runs neck and neck with progressive rock as perhaps the toughest to sell and market; both always seeming to simmer beneath the music landscape until something erupts and pushes them to surface and in this ever changing climate of digital versus analog, downloads versus physical product, Douglas knows that one thing MUST be a constant and that is honesty.
"I like my blues pretty injected with volume and power but the feeling and the vibe and honesty of the traditional blues guys is what really makes me gravitate to that music. When I listen to that music it's the honesty; all of the Kings, Albert, Freddie and also there's Muddy and all of those dudes; "Zeppelin I" was my bible. I mean these dudes in these white suits took these blues tunes and injected them with power and that's all I really try to do; carry the flag or the torch. Whether it's Jack White or Black Keys, I just kind of re-imagine it for a new crowd and hopefully that crowd goes back and says; where did this all come from? For me that's the purpose of it all; just kind of putting a fresh spin on the old honesty of the blues and that's what it's all about for me."
Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen are in the process of assembling their still untitled third album and in doing so are navigating some uncharted territory; releasing singles and a video before the project is complete and yet while adapting, they have also managed to keep busy which makes Douglas very happy.
"I have a solo record out; I was in The Badlees for a few years playing second guitar and after that kind of dismantled I recorded a solo record and then The Electric Gentlemen were formed," he explained. "We have a self-titled and our latest which is about two years old called "Break It Down;" so, this will be our first new music in about two years."
"Yeah," he continued with a laugh; "It's nice to say that we are busy these days. We just put out a new single on April 30 and we're kind of doing it the way the industry is going right now; you give away half the CD as singles and then the CD comes out (laughs). So, yeah, we're going to release a few singles first to just try and ease us back into things and that seems to be kind of the norm right now from what I see; whether it's John Mayer or Royal Blood; it's amazing. I mean you're talking five singles before the record comes out and you have half a released record and half not. I think it's the A.D.D mindset really setting in; the beautiful thing about making a record is that it could be a cohesive piece like the concept albums used to be and that's where I feel like it is just going away because you have to go into it today with a mindset that every song is a single. Man, times are changing again and it's a daily thing and you just have to roll with it. There's great bands doing stuff out there but it is certainly harder to access and it is certainly not in the forefront."
Like the rest of the world, things ground to a halt for Douglas and the band over the last year and as is the case with many other artists they have used their time away from the stage to get creative.
"Honestly, the machine shut down and it took a bit to adapt that; not being locked into a schedule or the calendar book and obviously it took a little bit to adapt to that but once I got used to that I thought; let's make the most of it. I spent time with my fiancé and my dog and it was nice to relax and then I thought, I've got to do something or I'm going to go nuts. Then the writing began and we went into the studio and recorded four tracks, about half of a record so we have four done already. We started sending ideas back and forth to each other and there might be another solo record in the future; there was a lot of music written in our down time."
So, with half an album recorded, the decision was made to release "Broken" along with a video to accompany the single and it just so happens that they found the perfect location; even if the cold temperatures upstate were less than ideal.
"We worked with an awesome director who we've worked with in the past, his name was Jonathan Edwards. There was this old theater which is currently being restored in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where we are from; The Irem TemplePerforming Arts Theater and back in the day it was "The spot" and after years and years of it not being used it was kind of dilapidated. So, I thought it was the perfect scene for the vibe, a broken-down theater; "Broken" being the single. We went in there and I do believe it was one of the coldest days (laughs), I believe it was warmer outside than it was inside and we did about a 13-hour shoot; although I felt like I needed my feet amputated at times the result was pretty good (laughs) and it was released first on "Rock Blues and Muse" and then worldwide."
So; how did they discover such a location?
"Ironically, I was scrolling through Instagram and a photographer who we worked with named Brittany Boote was down there taking pictures for something to do with The Irem Temple restoration project and I saw the pictures and we were starting to get ideas for shooting a video and thinking about locations but nothing was really wowing us and she put up pictures and I sent her a text saying; where are you? What is this? Fortunately the director that we were going to work with was friends with the head of the restoration project and it all worked out and there's nothing better when that happens."
When asked about a potential release date for the upcoming record, Douglas was confident it will be later in 2021.
"I would say in the fall; I know that after "Broken" we are going to release another single pretty quickly, probably about two months after so we can get something out there and keep things moving; we have a few working titles but nothing yet."
Featuring a true blues line-up; the band consists of three members and as the calendar turns from Spring to Summer; things are heating up for the unit.
"We are a power trio with myself at the helm doing vocals and guitar, Matt "The Dane" Gabriel on bass guitar and TommySmallcomb on the drums. I couldn't ask for a better rhythm section, they hold it down and I'm excited to say that we have quite a busy schedule coming up over the next few months. We celebrated the release of the single on May 1 at The Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania which is a beautiful little theater. We've got a few things that are crackin', a hometown show here at a club called Karl Hall and that's an outside series; the phone has been ringing and the calendar has been filling up and that's a beautiful thing and it's a good thing to be coming back."
With no tour on the horizon just yet; they have booked a series of local shows near their home town of Wilkes-Barre; to discover more about those dates or more about Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen, please visit www.dustindouglasmusic.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Al's Airport Inn 636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton (609) 883-5252 Wed. 7 p.m. Jessica DiDonatoArts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-8777 Sat. 7 p.m. "Cafe Improv" feat. Eric SommerBowman's Tavern 1600 River Road New Hope, PA (215) 862-2972 Thurs. 6 p.m. Alex Otey Wed. 6 p.m. Neil PodgurskiBroken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA (267) 812-5653 Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Estabrook Sat. 8:30 p.m. "5th Annual 80's Party" feat. Mike Estabrook and his BMX BANDits. Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic w/ Cara Cartney All Shows 21+Carpool Cinema 204 North Union Street Lambertville (609) 483-5237 Sat. 8 p.m. "Abominable." Lot opens 7:30 p.m.Championship Bar 931 Chambers street Trenton (609) 396-5457 Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb Ages 21+Clubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio) 850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing (609) 771-0400 Fri. 6 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd. COARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown (609) 241-7103 Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. various artists and Dave Caponetto of The Live Test ShowCooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. 7 p.m. Deep Release Fri. (5 p.m.) "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Happy Hour" feat. Jerry Monk (8 p.m.) Ear Candy Sat. 8 p.m. Spare Parts Sun. 11 a.m. " Sunday Latin Jazz Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam" and Country Music Night Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark Wed. 12 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays' All Events Ages 21+Dacey's Pub 215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-4838 Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo Dempster's Pub 437 Pine Street Mount Holly (609) 261-0500 Fri. 6 p.m. Random Notes DuoDog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA. (215) 788-2855 Fri. 6 p.m. Box Of Books Sat. 5 p.m. Eddie Sun. 4 p.m. Brian ElliotEddington House Bensalem 2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA (215) 639-1220 Fri. 8 p.m. Paul Wiese Sat. 8 p.m. Brian & MindyGerman American Society 215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton (609) 585-5200 Sat. 3 p.m. "6th Annual Dubs In The Shrubs" Camp Out, Car Show and Swap Meet. Sun.3 p.m. "6th Annual Dubs In The Shrubs" Camp Out, Car Show and Swap Meet. Gleason's Bar 6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA (215) 943-4781 Thurs. 7 p.m. Weekly Corn Hole Tournament Fri. 6 p.m. "Happy Hour" w/ (TBA) Sat. 8 p.m. Karaoke Wed. 5:30 p.m. Family Fun Night w/ "Gina the Balloon Girl" Greenhouse 90 South Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 693-1657 Thurs. 8 p.m. "Musicians Night Out" Hosted by Lovelight Sat. 9 p.m. Joe Hoyer and Mark Sacco Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Sam Ryan Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Dwayne DunlevyGrounds For Sculpture 80 Sculptors way Hamilton (609) 586-0616 Thurs. 10 a.m. "Spring Blooms" Sat. 10 a.m. "Member Mornings" "Spring Blooms" Havana New Hope 105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. (215) 862-9897 Sun. 4 p.m. The Sensational Soul CruisersHG New Hope Pizza 6510 Lower York Road New Hope, PA (215) 862-1740 Sat. 6 p.m. Stranger ThingsHopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington (609) 737-4465 Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) Sahara Moon Sat. (1 p.m.) Acoustic Road (2 p.m.) Wayne Freitag Outdoor Art Show (5:30 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. DC Duo Sun. 1:30 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz BandIron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus (732) 306-9111 Fri. 6:30 p.m. Mario and Frank Sat. 2 p.m. Bob O Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Thurs. 9:30 p.m. "Thursday Night Dance Party" Sat. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft and The Alternators All shows 21+ Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton (609) 586-1166 Thurs. 5 p.m. "Girls Night Out" w/ Radio FictionKUO Social 2360 Route 33 Suite 106 Robinsville (609) 208-9988 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. The Blue-Eyed BalladeerLaurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt (609) 752-0200 Fri. 6 p.m. Pasta Night "All You Can Eat." $29 Sat./Sun. 12 p.m. "The Magic Food Truck Fair" $8 (Kids age 12 and under FREE)McGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence (609) 392-0599 Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke Ages 21+ More Than Q 13 Klines Court Lambertville (609) 773-0072 Sat. 2 p.m. Sam RyanMusic Mountain Theater 1483 Route 179 Lambertville (609)397-3337 Fri. 8 p.m. "The Fantasticks" Sat./Sun. 3 p.m. "The Fantasticks" New Egypt Flea Market Village 933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge (609) 758-2082 Sun. 8 a.m. Spring Crafters Market Mon. 5 p.m. Full Moon Market New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA (215) 794-2331 Fri. 8 p.m. PettyBreakers (Tom Petty Tribute) Sat. (1 p.m.) Foreigners Journey (8 p.m.) Highway Run (Journey Tribute)Newtown Brewing Company 103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA (215) 944-8609 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night Sat. 7 p.m. Sarah HeineNick's Roast Beef 4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA (215) 637-5151 Thurs. 6 p.m. Ray Coleman Fri. 6 p.m. Kenny Raye Band Sat. 6 p.m. The B-Street Band (Bruce Springsteen Tribute) Sun. 4 p.m. Juliano BrothersO'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 200 State Road Croydon, PA (215) 785-6998 Fri. 8 p.m. DJ EntertainmentOlde Liberty Tavern 2114 Liberty Street Trenton (609) 396-2262 Sat. 8:30 p.m. Sara and The SoundPalmer Square 40 Nassau Street Princeton Thurs. 4 p.m. Live "Strolling" Musician Sat.12 p.m. John Abbott Trio Sun 4 p.m. The Suyat BandPasquale's Sports Bar 9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA (267) 202-6268 Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (TBA) Sat. 7 p.m. DJ or Live Band Entertainment Tues. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo Wed. 7 p.m. Open MicPatriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville (609) 737-2780 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo" Princeton Country Club 1 Wheeler Way West Windsor (609) 452-9382 Sat. 7 p.m. Kindred SpiritRecklesstown Farm Distillery 2800 Route 206 North Columbus (609) 784-8046 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. TriviaRiver Horse Brewing Company 2 Graphics Drive Ewing (609) 883-0890 Sat. 2 p.m. "Summer Kick Off"Romeo's Restaurant & Pizza 10 Schalks Crossing Road Plainsboro (609) 799-4554 Fri. 7 p.m. The Blue-Eyed BalladeerRosedale Mills 101 Route 31 North Pennington (609) 737-2008 Sat. 1 p.m. Outdoor Line Dancing. $10 (Rain date Sundays 12 p.m.)Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA (215) 944-8050 Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton (609) 924-2310 Sat. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Brian Botnick Sun.1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Billy O'Neal & Andy KoontzThe Beer Garden at Snipes Farm 890 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA Sat. 6 p.m. "Music at Snipes Farm Spring 2021" feat. Steal Your Peach w/ Ron Holloway / Wes Knorr. Gates at 5 p.m., $25The Buck Hotel 1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA (215) 396-2002 Fri. 7 p.m. Love Junk Sat. 7:30 p.m. The Danny Lynch ProjectThe Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke 7 p.m. The Gyrl Band Reunion Concert Sat. 8:30 p.m. Asylum ChoirThe Irish Horne Bar & Restaurant 882 2nd Street Pike Richboro, PA (215) 942-4000 Fri. 9 p.m. The Kickbax TrioThe Morrisville Tavern 376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-5310 Fri. 7 p.m. Dan Ward Mon. 7 p.m. "Country Night" The Sycamore Grill 255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA (215) 908-6326 Sat. 8 p.m. Plush DuoTriumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage All shows 21+ Vault Tap Room 19 West College Avenue Yardley, PA (267) 907-8550 Thurs. 7 p.m. Comedy Night w/ Tommy Gooch Fri. 6 p.m. Brick Acoustic Duo Sat. 6 p.m. Easy DriverWater's Edge Gastropub and Lounge 1067 Totem Road Bensalem, PA (267) 332-2095 Thurs. 7 p.m. Cornhole "Blind Draw." $10 Sat. (11 a.m.) "Spring Into Summer" Vendor Event (7 p.m.) "Comedy on the Crick" Sun. 12 p.m. Drag Brunch Wed.7 p.m. Drag Bingo & KaraokeWorking Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown (609) 371-6000 Sat. 1 p.m. Williamsboy Sun. 2 p.m. Brooke DiCaroWWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor Jazzon2.org Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Broadway's Rock of Ages Band on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 8:00pm. The Electrifying Band from the original Broadway smash hit! The only trademarked group from the original Broadway production recognized as Broadway's Rock of Ages Band®
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