The Dexateens

Last updated
The Dexateens
Origin Tuscaloosa, Alabama United States
Genres Southern rock, punk rock, punk blues
Years active1998 – present
LabelsCornelius Chapel Records
Skybucket Records
Estrus Records
MembersElliott McPherson
Matt Patton
Brian Gosdin
John Smith
Past membersCraig "Sweet Dog" Pickering
Craig Gates
Lee Bains III
Nikolaus Mimikakis
Taylor Hollingsworth
Brad Armstrong
Ronnie Lee Gipson
Website Dexateens.org

The Dexateens are a five-piece rock and roll band out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. [1]

Contents

History

1998-2010

The Dexateens began as a five-piece band in 1998 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, [2] [3] with co-lead singer-songwriters and guitarists Elliott McPherson, John Smith, and Craig Gates, with drummer Craig "Sweet Dog" Pickering and bassist Matt Patton rounding out the group. [4] [5] [6] Patton pulls double duty, as he is also a full-time member of the Drive-By Truckers, [7] with whom The Dexateens have toured in the past. [8] In its earliest form, the band was known for its punk shows at The Chukker and Egan's. [1] [9]

McPherson said The Dexateens' name originated from a guitar pick Smith's brother/roommate had signed by Dexter Romweber, "DEX," which subliminally stuck with him when thinking up names for the band. Once they had the name, they tried to change it to something else (The Highwatts, Red Dirt Five, Sweet Dog) but the name stuck. [9] [10]

Starting in 2004 with their debut self-titled record, [11] The Dexateens have released two albums on Estrus Records and three albums Skybucket Records. [12] Their 2004 self-titled debut and 2005 followup, Red Dust Rising, were both produced by Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Poison 13, Jack O'Fire, Lord High Fixers).

In 2006, The Dexateens released the EP, Teenager, on Dell'orso Records. The record is made up of material from 2000 and consists of the band's earlier punk rock sound. [13]

2007's full-length record, Hardwire Healing, features the acoustic song "Nadine," a song notable for its portrayal of devastation. [3] [14] The record features artwork by Jimmi Hole and was mastered by JJ Golden. [15] Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) and David Barbe co-produced the record, which was recorded in Athens, Georgia, at Chase Park Transduction Studios. [13] [16] Also in 2007, original Dexateens drummer Craig "Sweet Dog" Pickering left the band [3] and Brian Gosdin joined the band on drums. [17]

In 2008, the band released the record, Lost and Found, on Skybucket Records. It was initially released as a free digital download with a purchase-able physical product released later. [18] They recorded 2009's Singlewide with Tim Kerr producing over a three-day period in Birmingham. [19] [20] The artwork is by Mike Egan. [21]

In 2008, Brad Armstrong (13ghosts) joined the band, also on guitar and backing vocals. [22]

They appeared at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival. [23] [24]

In 2010, singer-songwriter and guitarist John Smith left the band. In July 2010, The Dexateens announced the band was disbanding. [25] [26]

2013-present

In 2013, the band returned from a two-year hiatus [27] with the EP Sunsphere, which is named after the Knoxville, Tennessee, observation tower that was built for the 1982 World's Fair. [19]

Teenage Hallelujah was released October 7, 2016. McPherson said the record is inspired by the C.S. Lewis novel The Screwtape Letters. [28] The record was recorded in 2011 in McPherson's barn and was produced and engineered by Bronson Tew (Seratones, Jimbo Mathus, Water Liars), and features liner notes by WFMU's Kevin Nutt. [29] Teenage Hallelujah was a shift for the band, as guitarist and vocalist Lee Bains moved on to work on his own band, Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires. [30] [31] The band welcomed the addition of Taylor Hollingsworth (Dead Fingers, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band) on lead guitar and backing vocals.

A new record called Struggler was reportedly tracked at Dial Back Sound Studios in Water Valley, MS in 2017. The band reunited as a four piece with original member, guitarist and songwriter John Smith at Heathens Homecoming 2020 in Athens, GA and recorded a live album. It was released in 2020. They have played a few intermittent shows as a four piece since the release of the live album.

Cornelius Chapel Records

In 2013, the band started the record label, Cornelius Chapel Records, which McPherson and the extended band family run. [17] Bands on the label, in addition to The Dexateens, include Beitthemeans, Brad Armstrong, Vulture Whale, AdamAdam, Chooglin, The Blips, The Bohannons, Will Stewart, Taylor Hollingsworth, Janet Simpson and Sarah Lee Langford.

Other projects

In addition to the record label, McPherson works as a cabinet-maker and woodworker in Tuscaloosa. [32] He is involved in various music projects including the band Rattler [33] and has a solo project he is working on. The rest of the band members are also involved in various bands. [26]

Current band members

Discography

Albums
EPs
Compilations
Video

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InMe</span> British rock band

InMe are an English alternative rock band originally formed in Brentwood, Essex in 1996. They have released seven studio albums, two EPs, one bootleg album, one best-of compilation, one live album, one live EP and an acoustic album. A DVD of the band's Overgrown Eden show at the Highbury Garage in November 2010 was released via PledgeMusic as a part of the band's campaign for their fifth album The Pride. The band has had eight singles appear on the UK Top 100 Singles Chart. The band are open about the fact that they all have day jobs, and ask fans to support them financially.

Alabama has played a central role in the development of both blues and country music. Appalachian folk music, fiddle music, gospel, spirituals, and polka have had local scenes in parts of Alabama. The Tuskegee Institute's School of Music, especially the Tuskegee Choir, is an internationally renowned institution. There are three major modern orchestras, the Mobile Symphony, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; the last is the oldest continuously operating professional orchestra in the state, giving its first performance in 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Moody</span> American guitarist

Benjamin Robert Moody II is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as a co-founder of rock band Evanescence, which formed in 1994 and which he departed in 2003 after the release of their 2003 album Fallen. After leaving Evanescence, Moody co-wrote and co-produced songs for Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Anastacia, Lindsay Lohan, Bo Bice, Daughtry, and Celine Dion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man or Astro-man?</span> American surf rock group

"Man or Astro-man?" is an American surf rock group that was formed in Auburn, Alabama in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.

Wellwater Conspiracy was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1993. The band was created by members of the grunge-era side project Hater. Wellwater Conspiracy featured Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. The band originally featured Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd, who left the band in 1998. Various other artists have contributed to the band's albums, notably Queens of the Stone Age front man Josh Homme, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exile (American band)</span> American rock and country band

Exile, formerly the Exiles, is an American band founded in Richmond, Kentucky, in 1963. The band consists of J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis (keyboards), and Steve Goetzman (drums). With a founding membership including original lead singer Jimmy Stokley, the band played cover songs and local events in the state of Kentucky for a number of years before becoming a backing band on the touring revue Caravan of Stars. After a series of failed singles on various labels, Exile achieved mainstream success in 1978 with "Kiss You All Over", a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. This iteration of the band mostly played soft rock and pop music.

Hater was an American rock supergroup that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1993. The band formed as a side project mostly under the direction of Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd. Additional members included Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, guitarist John McBain, bassist John Waterman for the self-titled album, Devilhead vocalist Brian Wood, brother of Mother Love Bone vocalist Andrew Wood, and Alan Davis on bass for The 2nd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estrus Records</span> Record label

Estrus Records is an independent record label from Bellingham, Washington that makes surf, garage and trash rock music.

The Flaming Sideburns are a garage punk/garage rock revival band that was formed in Helsinki, Finland in 1995. Most of the members are Finnish, but lead vocalist Jorge Eduardo "Speedo" Martinez is an Argentine expatriate.

Verbena was an American rock band from Birmingham, Alabama, founded in the early 1990s by Scott Bondy, Anne Marie Griffin, Les Nuby, and Daniel Johnston. They released three albums, two of which were issued on Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Johnson</span> Musical artist

Damon Rogers Johnson is an American guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, currently a solo artist, a member of Brother Cane and guitarist in Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the 1990s he co-founded Brother Cane, and later joined Alice Cooper's band as lead guitarist. He became a member of Thin Lizzy in 2011 and was also the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for hard rock group Black Star Riders from 2012 to 2018. Johnson has also released several solo albums and his songs have been recorded by many artists including Stevie Nicks and Carlos Santana.

Skybucket Records, based in Birmingham, Alabama was formed in the summer of 2002 to release a CD sampler of local music. After the success of this initial release, Skybucket continued to grow, concentrating on signing local musicians and independently releasing their recordings.

David Wayne Perkins is an American rock and R&B guitarist, singer, songwriter and session musician. According to a 2017 feature about him on the Alabama website AL.com, he is "arguably the greatest guitarist Alabama ever produced."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owsley (musician)</span> American musician (1966–2010)

William Reese Owsley III, known professionally as Owsley, was an American singer and songwriter. His two solo albums won critical acclaim, and his debut album was nominated for a Grammy Award, as was the song "Threaten Me With Heaven". Owsley was also a record producer, a recording engineer, and the guitarist in Amy Grant's touring band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Hollingsworth</span> American musician (born 1980)

Taylor Hollingsworth is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and artist from Birmingham, Alabama. Hollingsworth is also member of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and Dead Fingers, and has toured with Conor Oberst, Maria Taylor, The Dexateens, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans and his Southern Ace's and Verbena.

<i>Herald Moth</i> 2009 studio album by InMe

Herald Moth is the fourth studio album by InMe, released on 14 September 2009. It is their only album to feature Ben Konstantinovic on guitar. Following Konstantinovic's departure, Gary Marlow joined the band on 1 February 2010. The album peaked at number 68 on the official UK albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Through the Sparks</span>

Through The Sparks is an American, Birmingham, Alabama-based psychedelic/folk rock band, formed in 2003. The band received critical success following the release of their first album, Lazarus Beach, in 2007. Their sound is often characterized by lush instrumentation and precise arrangements. The band utilizes both traditional instruments and a variety of electric pianos, guitars, organs, eccentric percussion, horns and synthesizers.

Lee Bains & The Glory Fires are an American alternative rock/Southern rock band, formed in 2011 in Birmingham, Alabama.

References

  1. 1 2 Davis, Lance (14 February 2009). "Rebel Land, Alabam: The Dexateens & Archibalds". The Adios Lounge.
  2. ↑ Windham, Ben (10 April 2006). "The Dexateens". The Tuscaloosa News .
  3. 1 2 3 Dowdy, Morgan (24 August 2010). "Dexateens represent new South, new values". The Crimson White . University of Alabama.
  4. ↑ Hughes, Mark (21 May 2014). "Meet The Band: Craig 'Sweet Dog' Pickering". The Tuscaloosa News .
  5. ↑ Editor, Mark Hughes Cobb Tusk. "The Dexateens". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2023-10-01.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2009-01-01), "Dexateens", The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195313734.001.0001/acref-9780195313734-e-92792, ISBN   978-0-19-531373-4 , retrieved 2023-10-01
  7. ↑ "English Oceans". Drive-By Truckers . 30 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Zuppardo, Scott (21 January 2016). "This Yankee Survived 10 Days with the Dexateens and the Drive-By Truckers, A Tour Journal - Glide Magazine". Glide Magazine.
  9. 1 2 Pennington, Cory (11 April 2009). "The Dexateens". The Tuscaloosa News .
  10. ↑ "We Have Signal: Dexateens, Birmingham, AL". We Have Signal: Live from Birmingham, Alabama Public Television . The Bottletree Cafe, Birmingham, Alabama: PBS. January 2009.
  11. ↑ Windham, Ben (19 March 2004). "Music Review: Dexateens' debut offers a sample of 'Southern Rock'". The Tuscaloosa News .
  12. ↑ Ulibas, Joseph (29 November 2015). "The Dexateens are preparing to release their latest studio album in 2016". AXS .
  13. 1 2 "About Dexateens". Myspace . Archived from the original on 14 January 2007.
  14. ↑ "Spotlight: The Dexateens". SPIN . 5 February 2007.
  15. ↑ "5/21/06: Brothers and sisters". Dexateens.net. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006.
  16. ↑ Mark, Hughes (26 January 2007). "The Dexateens". The Tuscaloosa News .
  17. 1 2 "Biography" (PDF). The Dexateens. 2016.
  18. ↑ Parker, Chris (11 December 2008). "The Dexateens may be a part-time love, but they're more faithful than a lot of other bands". Nashville Scene .
  19. 1 2 "Dexateens". Cornelius Chapel Records.
  20. ↑ Woxy Radio (21 December 2009). "Dexateens". American Songwriter .
  21. ↑ McPherson, Elliott (9 March 2008). "The Dexateens are about to release our 4th full length record". Cabinet Makers Notebook.
  22. ↑ Kristoff, Anne (31 May 2016). "With Dexateens and solo success, Birmingham native Brad Armstrong an artist on the verge in upstate New York". Alabama NewsCenter.
  23. ↑ "BMI Sets Stage for ACL Music Festival 2009". BMI . 14 July 2009.
  24. ↑ Pennington, Cory (29 May 2009). "Dexateens hitting the road for new CD". The Tuscaloosa News .
  25. ↑ Pennington, Cory (23 March 2012). "The Dexateens will retire the name, not the music". The Tuscaloosa News .
  26. 1 2 Flanagan, Ben (19 January 2011). "Are the Dexateens done? Guitarist Elliott McPherson opens up about the quiet end as a new beginning". The Birmingham News .
  27. ↑ Flanagan, Ben (22 March 2012). "Lee Bains & Glory Fires happy to rock for recovery at Tuscaloosa Get Up concert (Q&A)". The Birmingham News .
  28. ↑ Ells, Blake (19 February 2015). "Spiritual matters". Weld for Birmingham.
  29. ↑ LaBate, Steve (7 October 2016). "Dexateens - "Boys with Knives"". Paste .
  30. ↑ "10 New Artists You Need to Know: April 2014. Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires". Rolling Stone . 10 April 2014.
  31. ↑ Pareles, Jon; Ratliff, Ben; Chinen, Nate (26 May 2014). "Southern Rock, Proudly Revised: New Albums From Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, Sleaford Mods and Owen Pallett". The New York Times .
  32. ↑ Hughes, Mark (21 May 2014). "Local Q&A: Elliot McPherson". The Tuscaloosa News .
  33. ↑ Flanagan, Ben (20 February 2015). "Watch the concert film 'The Dexateens: Live at the Nick' now; see Rattler in Birmingham tonight". The Birmingham News .
  34. ↑ Kerr, Tim (February 2008). "The Dexateens: Lost and Found". Skybucket Records . Archived from the original on 15 March 2008.
  35. ↑ Haag, Stephen (26 May 2009). "Dexateens: Singlewide". PopMatters .
  36. ↑ Dearmore, Kelly (28 May 2009). "Dexateens – Singlewide". Twangville.
  37. ↑ "Boxcars on 1st, Vol. I". Bhamwiki. January 2005.
  38. ↑ "The Dexateens Lake Fever Session". No Depression . 12 October 2009.
  39. ↑ Pace, Jessica (1 June 2010). "Singles Reviews: Dexateens, Cass McCombs, David Ball (The Country Way Digital Vol. 1)". American Songwriter .
  40. ↑ Hughes, Mark (25 September 2009). "'Old Bryce' started out as a Dexateens documentary". The Tuscaloosa News .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.