Compared to many other bands, you’ve been playing together for a long time. What brought the four of you together?

We came together to make ladies dance. We’ll keep goin’ till they don’t want to dance anymore.

When you started playing together at “Rock Central”, did you know you were in it for the long haul? Did you have visions of success at that time, or did you just keep playing and the audiences kept growing?

We thought we were successful already. Free beer, high fives and sometimes, even money. It seems like now we’re in the bonus round. If we bid within $100 of the actual retail price, we can go home with both showdown showcases.

If you had to describe The Dudes’ sound, it would be…?

It sounds sort of brown. Brownish.

Is the songwriting a collaborative effort for all of you, or does one of you come to the band with fairly complete ideas and let the others fill in their parts?

I(Dan) write the songs, then I bring them to the kids to put their personal touches to them.

Playing together for so long, you obviously have to have a sixth sense for each other’s style and musicianship, for both live performances and songwriting. How have the songs evolved in the almost ten years you’ve been together? Are you still playing songs from “Rock Central” days?

The songs evolved as we did. We learned how to play together. We made our triumphs and mistakes together. I know these jerks better than anyone else in the world. We still snake some songs from the past. Some of them are still my favorites.

The CD release Party is July 26th. This is your second release (the first was “This Guy’s the Limit” back in 2001). How was this experience different from the last time?

We hardly did any drugs while recording this album. We had never worked with a producer before. “this guys…” was pretty ghetto. Half-inch tape, kitchen recordings. In between we also released a 7 song ep “beepuncher”.

How long were you in the studio?

All said, it took maybe 6 weeks time. We’d go hard a couple days, then, take it easy and repeat.

What prompted the decision to have the CD release in Vancouver?

I wanted to come to the coast because I think I’ve got a shot at our bass players ex girlfriend. She moved out west a little ways back. She’s really foxy. Hey Erin.

You say that you want to bring the music to the people – to inspire and uplift your fellow human beings. What inspired your songwriting? Is there an underlying theme?

Its supposed to be a celebration of what makes us all the same. Its all about what life is just like.We hope you’re able to relate to the musical stories, and if you don’t, you might be a cylon.

Your live shows are known for beer-fueled antics – or as you call it, “fully embraced do-it-yourself entertainment. Is your stage show something you’ve planned and worked through, or do you keep it random and improvised? What can fans expect from The Dudes show?

There’s no plan. We just have a genuinely good time playing. Fans can expect to laugh and dance.

You have a lot of experience in the music business, and have definitely paid your dues. Working for a pitcher of beer is cliché, but sadly, it’s also too true for many bands. Is there any wisdom that you would like to pass on to anyone just getting into it? What have you learned along the way that you wish someone had told you?
Photo Credit: James Dangerous

I don’t think you cant really expect to be compensated at any level. Rock has to be its own reward. And the road is really fuckin rough and stuff. I suspected, but no one told me that. I wish someone would have told me about all the golden pepsi’s I’d be leaving along side of the highway one.

The Internet has changed the music business dramatically from when you guys first got together. What do you think of the new economy of music? Do you think the web makes it easier for bands to build a fan base, or is it just a different experience?

I’m behind the internet. I don’t think anyone could argue that the net is bad. We’re a beautiful world community nowadays.

Your first CD made inroads on college radio and helped build your fan base. That has allowed you to share the stage with other bands like Mudhoney and 54-40. Do you still see the college circuit as an important part of success, or do sites like Project Opus or MySpace make that level of exposure less relevant.

I have no idea how to get success. Everyone I know listens to college radio still. I trust the DJ’s I like. You can discover new music everywhere. Its all relevant.

Congratulations on the release of your second CD. What's next for The Dudes? Are you heading out on a tour to support it?

Thanks for the support. We’re touring right this minute, and we probably wont stop for a few months when fall comes. Come see us, please. We can shotgun a beer in the parking lot.

Thanks guys, and again, congratulations.

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