ForceWeb: Puget Sound Live Music

[CForce]

Some ten years ago, when I wasn't even really aware of local rockabilly except for Los Hornets, another fan by the name of Mary told me about a band called the Dave and Deke combo. I kept an eye out but never did see them. Shortly afterward, they broke up. A while later, I saw a Deke Dickerson CD at Cellophane Square, picked it up and liked it. His music gets played fairly regularly on Shake the Shack, and he's got a sterling reputation among the other fans I talk to. I kept meaning to go check his thing out live, but something always seemed to get in the way. Until last night.

At long last, nothing got in the way. Kala and I went and caught them and the Black Crabs at the Tractor, and now I can only lament all of those shows I've missed. Most bands that are named for one person tend to be that person with some other musicians behind them, and you spend all of your time watching the front-person. Do that at this show, and you're doing yourself a severe disservice! Drummer Chris "Sugarballs" Sprague and Bass-slapper Wally Hersom each have enough talent personality to front their own bands. I know Sugarballs does, and suspect Wally may as well. There's an old quote about most bands being lucky to have one front-man, and the Clash having three. It definitely applies here too, and seeing all three feed off of one another makes for a great time.

They also manage to effortlessly justify things that I would consider cheesy coming from most other people. For instance, Deke plays a custom double-necked guitar with his name on the fretboards, and Sugarballs has a gong with his name on it set up behind it.
Like I said, normally I'd consider this over the top and it would alienate me, but having read the guitar's history (built in the fifties by a seventeen-year-old) and seen the show live, they only add to my awe.


The music itself is energetic and infectious, mostly uptempo rockabilly with a few surf licks (listen for Dick Dale's "Misirlou", it's there). Most of the set is original music, but they throw in some choice covers. They have an obvious reverence for Buddy Holly, both the well-known ("Oh, Boy") and the less-known (something I hadn't heard before). I'm fascinated by cover songs, the history behind them, and how bands are inter-related, and it's obvious that they are too.

Add the fact that they're extremely friendly and personable, and I'm 100% sold. Sugarballs noticed my camera about to go off at one point, made a crazy face and pointed his drum stick at me. He was singing at the time so the mic is in the way, and the delay on my camera kept the shot from being absolutely perfect, but I still think it came out great:


He also gave Kala a pair of his drumsticks and stood for this photo:


Short version: if you like rock & roll, don't miss this band. If you do, you'll regret it later like me!

Pics of the show (click on each for the larger version):