THE LIVE BAND:
Dan Rockett - Guitar, Vox /
Dorian Heartsong - Drums, Percusion, Vox /
Alex Howland - Piano, Hammond Organ, Synths, Vox /
Mark Brunner - Bass, Vox ............................................................................................................................................I have finished recording a new concept album called, Songs From The Black Market. The studio band includes:
Myself - Guitar and Vox /
Deantoni Parks(The Mars Volta, Kudu) - Drums /
Dan Rothchild(Beck, Fiona Apple) - Bass /
Les Hall(Trey Anastasio, Crossfade) - Keys and various noises /
Avi Sills(Naked Rhythm)-Percussion /
Alan Sovory(Lenny Kravitz)-Background Vox /
Kandace Lindsey(Marc Anthony)-Background Vox /
Adrienne Woods-Cello /
Chris Woods-Violin /
Bob “Boo” Bernstein(Freddie Fender) - Pedal Steel Guitar /
Eddie Baytos(Cesar Rosas, The Neville Bros.)- Accordian/
Aalok Nehta- Sitar/
Anisha Nagarajan- Indian Vocals
Influences
My influences as a songwriter are: Neil Young, Roger Waters, Bob Marley, Blind Willie Mctell, Joni Mitchell, Ozzy(Sabbath days), JT, Son House, Robert Johnson, Dylan!?!?!, Page and Plant, Bernie Taupin, Jerry and Robert Hunter, Tool, Tom Waits, Paul Simon's Rhythm of The Saints, and.......Women!
My musical influences are: Dorian Heartsong, Mike Powers, Alex Howland, Pink Floyd, Neil, Led Zeppelin, Wes Wehmiller, Les Hall, Herbie Hancock, Tool, Jaco Pastorius, The Wailers, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Bill Frisell, Beatles, Blind Willie Mctell, the Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Jane's Addiction, Alpha Ya-ya Diallo, Manu D'bango, Steve Gadd, Frank Zappa, and that mexican cat with no arms who plays the guitar with his feet!!!
Dan's first solid head rush was aquired while spinning in circles in the basement of his childhood home, listening to "Sugar Mountain" by Neil Young, and "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles. By the time he hit the ground for the first time he was completely sold on the concept of music. The pots and pans were raided on a regular basis, and painfully beat into submission with a wooden spoon, much to the dismay of his parental units. Dan left his home in Rhode Island and moved to Boston to read a book. It was good! He read another, and another....... After four years of this someone gave him a piece of paper that said he didn't have to read books anymore. So, he decided to put all of that reading to practical use, and did the only logical thing that he could think to do.....he became a full time musician. It's fun!
Since his move to California, Dan has been fortunate enough to meet and play with some incredible musicians. He has a stand-out track on the Tupac Shakur album, THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE. The song, "Sometimes I Cry", is an acoustic ballad that Dan wrote and performed using Tupac's poem as the lyrical foundation. He also had the incredible honor of learning the art of songwriting from one of Rock's greatest producers, Bob Ezrin(Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Kiss, Lou Reed, Jane's Addiction....). The month's spent with Ezrin helped Dan realize the importance of every word chosen and every note that goes into telling the story behind the song. You can also find Dan's guitar work on the new Macy Gray Album, produced by Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am. Dan is currently putting together a new band to support his newly recorded concept album SONGS FROM THE BLACK MARKET. Though the album has yet to be mastered, a few songs have been added to his myspace playlist. Please check them out, and enjoy the music!
Much props to you Dan, for being on the LASC friends list!
Hey, ever thought of putting concert video on your space? I would love it! I have seen it time and time again, and brother, you project your message physically almost as well as you sing it. Just a thought.
Hey Dan, It was great seeing you the other day at the Improv...What a surpise! Too bad we couldn't hang out more. Let me know if you get back east anytime soon! Peace
Dan my brother things are going well on the East coast. Living on the DZ 40 minutes from Boston. Skydiving for a living and enjoying my life. I hope things are well with you. The West still beckons...talk to you soon...
hey Dan! how are ya man i'm in town from boston going to the ascap expo... and damn i wish you were playing... would of been great to hear you and alex
What up man..... thankz for looking me up..... Do u remember playing at the Cabaret on 3rd st. with me? We should set up a show together...... KIT Lantz
Got a player with your stuff open man.... Just hanging the short time we did, hearing your stuff, even if once..... Prodigal Son still does it for me. Well done sir.....
babeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.. sorry i didnt make it to your show tonight!! I really wanna to go... but today it was very hard to leave home.. when is gonna be the next one??
Check out our recent blog entries Find info on D.A.N.K's role in the "1st Annual Drug War Freedom Congress" (August 8-13, 2008-New Orleans, LA) What it is, why you should be involved, and resources to link you with other drug law reform groups-within and beyond myspace. Take part, oppose the American Correctional Association- Finding ways to keep you incarcerated since 1870. Have a D.A.N.K day
The Alumni of Ballard High School in Seattle, WA have given a finacial donation and a plaque to the schools music department in the name of Jan Kurtis Skugstad for his contribution to the music industry as a drummer, manager, engineer and producer. March 8TH Jan will be featured in concert with the Ballard High Jazz Band. Ballard High was Jan's high school. " I am very honored " Jan.
