Timeless Dennis Mitchell Band takes
flight for thrill ride at concert halls & more
Stardate 2010 – From studio to stage, the fun spigot is turned on, the finest handcrafted instruments that can be made are gleaming. The players, timeless and ageless, take flight for the thrill ride in music this year; cleared for take off is The Dennis Mitchell Band.
Dennis Mitchell Band
(Photo by Kim Taylor)
Compared to heir-apparent Clapton-Bonamassa-Knoplfer tradition of classy rock, the emphasis is first on the presentation, next the projectory of sound and then, the pleasure of the performance. This nightflight includes starbursts of meticulous note-to-note renditions of pure licks, vocal performances from each band member and the rolling thunder of the drums. The instruments punch-out like a fine-tuned jet, all systems go. From original tunes such as Highway Kind of Life, to resounding cover tunes like Clapton’s Crossroads, this band rocks.
Band members include Mike Mitchell, big brother to Dennis Mitchell and the founder of The Kingsmen Band of Louie Louie fame. The longest performing rock’n’roll band in the USA, Dennis also plays in the Kingsmen Band when they tour. Mike is a master guitarist and vocalist and continues to ground the band with his seasoned and colorful stories of experience, while enjoying an occasional fine cigar. This is the guitarist that other musicians come out to hear and enjoy!
The Dennis MItchell Band performed a special concert for the Veterans at the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall. Pictured: The Mt. Hood Jazz Band
(Photo by Kim Taylor)
Brian Johnsen, drummer always in motion, this guy brings power and glory to each performance and truly is the “heartbeat” of the band. His distinct style and power never disappoint.
Bass guitarist Tom McPherson plays this stringed instrument primarily with the fingers or thumb (either by plucking, slapping, popping, tapping or thumping), or by using a plectrum (pick). He smiles the entire time; this guy loves to perform! Watch him trade in the bass for lead or rhythm as he and Dennis rip up their eclectic mix of performance style.
Steve Miller, keyboardist with his Hammond B-3, is one of the finest performers on the West Coast. Consider his talent and style over the past 20 years and you will be mesmerized by each performance.
Lead guitarist Dennis Mitchell plays with power chords, distortion pedals, sound compressors, creating creamy distortion. He never compromises the sound but makes it his own. This band leader goes beyond what’s popular, to what’s possible in sound. A prolific lyricist, Dennis has composed tunes for the asking, ass-kicking, heartbreak and simple, road drivin’ music. His vocalistic style and range remind you why this great artist has stood the test of time from his fun ‘80s hair band days, where his ownership in the band No Ties was non-stoppable. This front runner artist, well-known West Coast bad-boy-good-man plays his cuttin’ style of rock. Dennis has recently written and arranged 18 new songs and plans are in the works for the new CD in Q4 2010.
The Dennis Mitchell Band joined by the Clackamas, Rex Putnam, West Linn and Lake Oswego High School Choirs
(Photo by Kim Taylor)
Sound engineer Doug is the dialed in “roads scholar” to all, mystery man and geek noid for all ages. He totally gets the message of the DM Band sound and delivers extreme sound with perfection.
2009 took the band all over the Pacific Northwest, performing some 25 shows. The emphasis was to deliver the best concerts and support charity and awareness events.
A few seasonal highlights included opening for the world-renowned band Boston for a summer concert in Salem that another writer described as “a rock band with fierce delivery in performance. Dennis’ guitar performance and vocals energized the crowd” and supported one of the most memorable bands of all time. Backstage, the impending kudos spoken by the masters was only matched by the smiles on each performer’s face. Magic was in the air.
The Portland Trailblazers NBA Team/Organization personally asked Dennis to re-arrange the team’s theme song in a local competition, where Dennis’ version was selected. The band spent the good part of two days in the studio with “green screen” (chroma-key), performing the newly arranged hit. It will be seen both in the Rose Garden arena and aired on local TV for promotion during the 2010 season.
Oregon Veterans, Cancer Society and supporting sponsors Team Latus of Gladstone, The Portland Trail Blazer Organization, the City of Renton, Wash., Positively Entertainment and Dining music paper, Kim Taylor Photography, Lantheman Productions are just a few of the fine business relationships the band shares.
The 2010 schedule has started with the band, recently performing at the Rose Garden in support of the Tacoma/Lakewood fallen police officers. The year is filling up with festivals, casinos and private events that will take the band up and down the West Coast, performing in a few clubs, but focusing on the bounty of the road trip and the big shows. The countdown begins!
For booking and upcoming gigs, contact GC Productions at www.gcproductions.biz or
www.dennismitchellband.com. Also, see ads and Bandstand this issue.