Dana Colley

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Dana Colley
Dana Colley in BA 2014.jpg
Dana Colley performing with Vapors of Morphine in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2014)
Background information
Born (1961-10-17) October 17, 1961 (age 62)
Portland, Maine, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s) baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, harmonica, triangle
Years active1985–present
Labels Rykodisc, Dreamworks Records, Hi-n-Dry

Dana Colley (born October 17, 1961) is an American musician, best known as the baritone and tenor saxophonist in the alternative rock band Morphine.

Contents

Early life

Colley was born in Portland, Maine, but he was raised in Hanson, Massachusetts, where he took up the clarinet in the 4th grade, switching to tenor sax in 7th. He picked up the baritone sax in 1984. [1]

Musical career

With Three Colors (1985–1988)

Colley originally appeared in the Boston, Massachusetts indie rock scene playing with the group Three Colors, a post-punk band formed in 1981 whom he joined in 1985. [2] While Colley established himself as primarily a saxophonist, he also played harmonica with the group. After modest success behind several small-run records and a brief relocation to Princeton, New Jersey, the group disbanded in late 1988.

Morphine (1989–1999)

In 1989, Colley co-founded Morphine [1] with front-man Mark Sandman of Boston-based Treat Her Right. The two were joined by drummer Jerome Deupree and quickly garnered a local following. Their debut album, 1992's Good , was picked up by the Rykodisc label in 1993, and the band embarked on extensive, successful touring. Colley's main instrument with the band was baritone sax, but he occasionally sang backing vocals, played percussion or other saxes (tenor, bass or soprano).

Shortly thereafter, Treat Her Right drummer Billy Conway replaced Deupree, who was suffering from health problems. Following two more albums with Rykodisc, the band signed with the major label DreamWorks Records in 1996. They scored a minor MTV hit with "Early to Bed" from 1997's Like Swimming , and continued to enjoy local and international success, particularly in Europe. In 1999, Sandman died unexpectedly of a heart attack while onstage in Italy, bringing the band to an abrupt end.

Post-Morphine projects (1999–present)

Following Sandman's death, Colley, Conway and Deupree assembled a nine-piece band they dubbed Orchestra Morphine to tour behind their posthumous final album, The Night . Orchestra Morphine remained sporadically active thereafter, reassembling occasionally to perform Morphine material. [1]

Musical chemistry between Colley, Conway, and Orchestra Morphine member Laurie Sargent (a Boston mainstay and former member of Face to Face) led the trio to start their own group, Twinemen, [3] a name they took from a comic drawn by Sandman. Formed in 2001, Twinemen have since released three full-length studio albums and toured extensively. Continuing a tradition he had begun in Morphine, Colley provided woodblock print artwork for the band's records. [3] Colley, Conway and Sargent were also instrumental in re-opening the Hi-n-Dry studio and record label, Sandman's former workspace and imprint.

In 2004 Colley produced and performed on "Black Feather Wings", the second release from Bourbon Princess. 2006, Colley co-founded A.K.A.C.O.D. with bassist/songwriter Monique Ortiz of Bourbon Princess and drummer Larry Dersch. The band released their debut Happiness album in 2007.

Colley and Deupree began playing with New Orleans transplant Jeremy Lyons as Members of Morphine in 2009. This trio performs classic Morphine songs alongside of new material, and played the ten-year anniversary of Sandman's death at the festival at which it occurred, the Nel Nome Del Rock Festival in Palestrina, Italy, on July 3, 2009. [4] As of 2014, the trio renamed themselves Vapors of Morphine and regularly performs shows in Boston and New Orleans.

Colley has also made guest appearances with Primus (on live versions of the song "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers"), and Lilium, a project from Pascal Humbert of 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand. [5] He also played saxophone and bass clarinet on Dan Brenner's 2011 CD Little Dark Angel, produced by Jay Newland. In 2012 he played in Italy with the Italian band Rudy and the M.O.B. made by the Italian singer Rudy Marra.

Occasionally since about 2012, Colley has been a guest with several Boston-area bands, prominently the instrumental groups Dub Apocalypse and Club d'Elf. [6]

In 2013 he joined a 3-piece named The Deltahorse, releasing an EP despite never having been in the same place at the same time as the bandmembers. [7] They released their first full-length album, "Transatlantic" in September 2016. [8]

Colley contributed to the album Stewing released in 2015 by The Grownup Noise.

Personal life

Colley lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his wife Kate and their two children. He is also a visual artist, and has attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morphine (band)</span> American alternative rock band

Morphine was an American rock band formed by Mark Sandman, Dana Colley, and Jerome Deupree in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1989. Drummer Billy Conway replaced Deupree as the band’s live drummer in 1991. Deupree recorded the album Cure For Pain, with the exception of the title track which was recorded by Conway, before being permanently replaced by Conway in 1993. Both drummers appeared together during a 15 date US tour in March of 1999. After five successful albums and extensive touring, they disbanded after lead vocalist Sandman died of a heart attack onstage in Palestrina, Italy, on July 3, 1999. Founding members have reformed into the band Vapors of Morphine, maintaining much of the original style and sound.

<i>Cure for Pain</i> 1993 studio album by Morphine

Cure for Pain is the second studio album by alternative rock band Morphine, released through Rykodisc in September 1993. Jerome Deupree, the band's original drummer, quit due to health problems during the recording of the album and was replaced by Billy Conway.

Treat Her Right was an American rock group, formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, in 1985. The band originally featured Mark Sandman on "low guitar," Billy Conway on cocktail drum, David Champagne on guitar, and Jim Fitting on harmonica. Singing and songwriting duties were shared by all but Conway. Champagne and Fitting reformed the band in 2009 with new members Steve Mayone and Billy Beard.

<i>B-Sides and Otherwise</i> 1997 compilation album by Morphine

B-Sides and Otherwise is a rarities compilation album by the alternative rock band Morphine, released in September 1997 by Rykodisc. It features B-Sides and other rare tracks not otherwise available on the band's studio albums.

<i>Yes</i> (Morphine album) 1995 studio album by Morphine

Yes is the third studio album by alternative rock band Morphine, released in March 1995. It was their first album to make the Billboard Top 200, but fared less well abroad than its predecessor. As of February 1997 it has sold 156,000 copies in United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.

<i>Good</i> (Morphine album) 1992 studio album by Morphine

Good is the first album by the Boston-based alternative rock trio Morphine. It was released in 1992 on the Accurate/Distortion label. It was reissued by Rykodisc in 1993 after the band signed with the label.

<i>The Night</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Morphine

The Night is the fifth and final studio album by the alternative rock band Morphine, released in 2000 via DreamWorks. The album expands the band's sound beyond their usual arrangements of previous albums, introducing acoustic guitars, organs, strings and female backing vocals.

<i>Like Swimming</i> 1997 studio album by Morphine

Like Swimming is the fourth studio album by the alternative rock band Morphine, released in March 1997 by DreamWorks/Rykodisc. It was Morphine's first album released as part of their multi-album deal with DreamWorks and the last album released within the lifetime of singer and bassist Mark Sandman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Sandman</span> Indie-rock musician, lead singer for band Morphine

Mark Sandman was an American singer, songwriter, musical instrument inventor, multi-instrumentalist and comic writer. Sandman possessed a distinctive, deep bass-baritone voice and a mysterious demeanour. He was an indie rock icon and longtime fixture in the Boston/Cambridge music scene, best known as the lead singer and slide bass player of the band Morphine. Sandman was also a member of the blues-rock band Treat Her Right and founder of Hi-n-Dry, a recording studio and independent record label.

<i>Bootleg Detroit</i> 2000 live album by Morphine

Bootleg Detroit is the only authorized release of a live recording of Morphine. It was released on the label Rykodisc in September 2000. Recorded by Alan J. Schmit—a fan—on March 7, 1994, at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, Michigan, it was edited and mixed under Mark Sandman’s supervision. He also laid out and delivered the low-fi artwork for the album prior to the band’s final tour in Italy.

<i>The Best of Morphine: 1992–1995</i> 2003 greatest hits album by Morphine

The Best of Morphine, 1992–1995 is a greatest hits compilation by alternative rock band Morphine, released by Rykodisc in February 2003.

Twinemen is an alternative rock band based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA created by former members of the bands Morphine and Face to Face. The group includes Dana Colley, Billy Conway, and Laurie Sargent. Various bass players, including former Face to Face guitarist Stuart Kimball, also perform with the band on the road and in the studio. Twinemen's music includes a mix of jazz, blues, acid rock, and lounge.

Russ Gershon is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, and founder of the Either/Orchestra in Massachusetts in 1985.

<i>Sandbox: The Music of Mark Sandman</i> 2004 studio album by Mark Sandman

Sandbox: The Music of Mark Sandman is a posthumously-released 2-CD/1-DVD set by the former Morphine frontman Mark Sandman, released in November 2004 by Hi-N-Dry and distributed by KUFALA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Lyons</span> American musician (born 1970)

Jeremy Lyons is an American musician, currently based in Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerome Deupree</span> American drummer

Jerome Deupree is an American musician, based in Massachusetts. He is best known as the original drummer in the alternative rock band Morphine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vapors of Morphine</span>

Vapors of Morphine is an American rock band founded in 2009 by the remaining members of the alternative rock band Morphine, saxophonist Dana Colley and drummer Jerome Deupree, along with blues guitarist Jeremy Lyons. Deupree stepped down in early 2019; Tom Arey has taken his place.

Jim Fitting is an American harmonica player based in Boston, Massachusetts. He is known for his work with Treat Her Right, The The, and Session Americana. His credits include guest performances on various other artists' albums and live gigs.

Laurie Sargent is best known as a songwriter and vocalist in the 1980s and 1990s. She was active in the city of Boston. Around 2008, she and her long-term partner, drummer Billy Conway, moved to Montana, where they began raising food on an organic farm. Sargent occasionally visits various cities to perform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Conway (drummer)</span> American drummer (1956–2021)

Billy Conway was an American drummer best known for his work with Treat Her Right and Morphine. From 2013, he toured as a duo with Jeffrey Foucault. In recent years, he had also backed Chris Smither. A stripped-down approach characterized his bands, equipment, and playing.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dana Colley | Vapors of Morphine". Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ "3 Colors". www.soulselects.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Bonyata, Phil and Tony. "The Twinemen Interview - One on One". www.concertlivewire.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ "At Your Service by Morphine on Blurt Online". Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Thank You for Clapping. Biography of 16 Horsepower". Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ Archive.org search for Dana Colley, accessed 10 May 2018
  7. ↑ "Deltahorse" . Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Deltahorse Releases Full-Length Debut 'Transatlantic'". indiebandguru.com. September 26, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
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