THE BAND
Amy Hughes-Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Jason Malmstrom -Drums, Percussion
Kevin Johnson-Bass guitar, Background Vocals
Joey Wells-Lead Guitar, Background Vocals
When you look out at the faces in the crowd of a D7 show, it’s more than just a little indicative of what kind of show you’re going to get.
Amy Hughes and the Dirty Seven like to describe their style of music as, “sorta rock, sorta country.” Some people call it, “country for people that don’t like country.” Either way both descriptions seem to hit the mark. Among the sea of faces, there are a few Metallica shirts, certainly some snake skin boots as well as a ton of Pat Green loving college kids, and believe it or not a group of Harley owners who bring their hog down for nearly every show. The eclectic nature of a D7 crowd is just the way these musicians prefer it.
“I like that we can’t be fit into a neat little box,” says Amy Hughes, whose musical influences range from Janis Joplin to Jewel to Wade Bowen. “It’s more fun that way.”
She’d like to say that she’s a pretty big portion of the country in the band, having grown up in Nashville, sitting in the crowd while her dad played his own traditional country music. Because of this influence, Amy decided at an early age that playing the guitar and singing her songs was hands down the path for her. Contributing the raspy, infectious powerhouse vocals, as well as the majority of the songwriting in the band, she formed the group with fellow country music lover- lead guitar player, Joey Wells- whose gritty tone and southern style are inspired by Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan. Together, Amy and Joey created the first album in the band’s repertoire, 45 South, which boasts both catchy songwriting and unique melodies combined to make for a debut album that’s actually worth paying attention to.
Not too long after the completion of 45 South, they joined up with drummer Jason Malmstrom, who proved to be just the right amount of progressive rock that the band needed. It’s pretty obvious that Danny Carey of TOOL is the most influential musician in Jason’s style, and that suits the D7 music just fine.
“I really dig Jason’s style,” says Joey. “He brings a level of musicianship to our music that we need, and he pretty much completes that link between country and rock and roll in our songs.”
With that said, you won’t catch Jason overloading the crowd with excessive flash or overdone stunts. Instead, he displays a quiet confidence that draws your attention to the clear and obvious fact that he is one of the most technically sound drummers around.
At last having snagged the perfect drummer, they only needed one more piece to complete the puzzle. After many shows and just a few members later, the band finally found that last piece to the puzzle in bassist, Kevin Johnson. His musical style is distinctly metal, having grown up listening to Pantera and Metallica, Kevin adds the final dimension of rock to top off the eclectic style that perfectly compliments the Dirty Seven’s sound.
Together they make country music that rocks, music that continuously leaves their audience not just wanting...but needing more. Between Amy’s refreshingly honest lyrics and the bands unapologetic mix of country and rock, The Dirty Seven is capturing a diverse audience that is quickly becoming a loyal following.
“[The band] is like Jewel meets Janis Joplin with a little Hank 3 thrown in,” says Sandra Bell of Huntsville, Texas.
On more than one occasion, fans have pointed out the fact that it is about time a girl-fronted band came along that could actually stand up to the Wade Bowens and the Cross Canadian Ragweeds of Texas/Red Dirt Music. Feeling well established and itching to produce more music to put into the hands of that enthusiastic following, D7 is now in the studio working on their first record as a new and complete group. They have already shared the stage with such well known artists as Tracy Byrd, Bleu Edmondson, Roger Creager, Granger Smith, Jimmy Kaiser, Bonnie Bishop and Matt Powell. Combined with the determination to keep their music honest as well as the overall infectiously witty nature of the group, it seems that Amy Hughes and D7 are destined to continue playing the same stages as those musicians that they’ve always looked up to do. Whether their band is labeled as Country, Rock, Red Dirt, Americana, or Texas Country, Amy and D7 aren't to concerned; as long as the Dirty Seven fans keep coming back for more!
BUY AMY'S NEW CD HERE!!
Also available at CDBABY.com
and at ITunes.com!
REQUEST 'I LIKE IT BEST' AT 100.3 KILT, RADIOFREETEXAS, TEXAS MUSIC RADIO SHOW AND TOSSM MUSIC!!
Hey Girl!!! I was just looking at your site, and I am so happy and proud for you. You are really doing good. I cant believe you have an awesome band, great photography (but then you always did that), and now your going to be a mommy. Its such a great feeling, you and Josh are in for such a great ride. Well, just wanted to say hi, and tell you how proud I am to say we were old roomies. I hope everything is good, and tell Josh I said hi. Bye Sweetie.
Awww! I knew you'd be having babies not long after I left! I can't wait to see pictures! I've been good, I'm going into my 3rd year at Univ. of North Texas but right now I'm in Houston! Are you still coaching?! Please say yes! lol ♥ Jessie
I wish i could...my hubby left today to go out of town for the weekend and I was able to get a sitter for tonight (going to the rodeo), but I wont have one for tomorrow...I need to get back into the swing of things with ya though!
oh, but i do have something funny to tell ya...I went to see Bo Cox play at the firehouse on Feb. 28th. Well, i was outside smoking and talking to Bo and his girlfriend/agent, Brook...and she was thanking me for coming and stuff and we started talking about how I help out bands by spreading the word and stuff and then she brought up you!!! She said she had never heard of ya until she kept reading my posts and bullentins and now she is very familiar with you!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!
hey mrs hughes! this is trey, from your 6th period class. im really liking your music, and im not much of a country person. its cool to know my teacher is in the local music scene. this is my band page by the way, we have up some live recordings, theyre pretty rough but were getting there.
well, best of luck in the future! see you in class haha.
