(photo by Paul Brickman)
Yes, this is a reference to the awesome music flick "Almost Famous" (not my last name,I may be a pompus ass but I'm not a total dick). As I said in my intro post, I wanted to use this blog not only to spout my opinions about music, but to also put people on to artist that are out there but may be under their radar. First up, The Dennis Padula Band
In full disclosure, I am connected to the band, but that being said just because you found out "Songs In the Key of Life" was fire from Stevie Wonder's best friend doesn't mean that you still won't be singin "I Wish" at the top of your lungs.
So let's move on to what inquiring minds truly want to know "who do they sound like?" Now I could throw together some sort of inter-woven grouping of well known, established artists like some screwed up human math equation (they're like Musiq Soulchild mixed with a little Stevie Wonder times a little Lady Gaga stage pressence minus all the unecessary attention grabber crap) or unrealistic all-time musician jam sessions (Imagine Robin Thicke co-fronted Prince and the Revolution but Babyface and Donny Hathaway wrote all their songs). I could say this, but:
A) It would just make you skeptical that such a musical act could exist and not already be signed.
B) I would just sound flat out stupid.
So I'll say this, they sound just like them. A "throw back" of sorts to the quality R&B that all us 80's babies grew up with. Well crafted male and female harmonies that float effortlessly underneath the melodies created by the four piece rhythm section on songs like "When We Make Up". A horn section that blends itself in with the band to create almost a fourth vocal section in tunes like "(Do A Little) Work", and a rhythm section that drives every song with such a ferocity that it might as well reach in your chest grab your heart and force it to follow the beat of songs like "Dirty Little Secret" and "Good Face". But the true heart and soul of the band comes from its' main song writer, frontman and namesake Dennis Padula; whose vocals can easily go from the sweetness and sincerity we've grown accustomed to hearing in a Robin Thicke track ("Without You") to as aggressive as a lion's roar similar to the ending of Stevie's "As(Always)" ("1 O'Clock in the Morning").
But the thing that will really make u flock to this band faster than a 14 year old to Justin Beiber is their live show. The seven-piece act's concerts are that of city legend. Regardless of the stage and venue their performances consistently resemble that of an old school basement party, intimate and energy filled. Dennis as a frontman projects his energy and the kinetic energy of their music through his mic and into the audiences feet (needless to say, dancing isn't encouraged it's demanded). The DPB has ripped stages from the old Knitting Factory to Sullivan Hall and every NYC venue in between and all stages have been left resting in peace.
For the skeptics out there you may still be looking at this post and saying "this is just a guy tryin to put his friends band on" to which I say...no shit Sherlock! Of course, I'm gonna put my people on, that's half the point of starting a music blog. But that doesn't make them any less dope. Still don't believe the truth? Then by all means, prove me right! The new "Good Face"(es) of blue eyed funk & soul are playin tonight (4/17) @ The Bitter End (147 Bleeker St.) at 10 PM. By all means check'em out and see if you don't leave that place drenched in sweat with a smile on your face (and maybe a little something to go home with if you get your game right during "When We Make Up").
Peace Up, Peace Out
The Dennis Padula Band:
Dennis Padula - Lead Vocals
Jenna Gilfoil/Josh Upton - Backing Vocals
Mike Nurick - Guitar
Sam Wolk - Bass
Geordie Wood - Drums
Tobe Tsuchiya - Keys
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dennis-Padula-Band/313730910496?ref=ts
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