A couple of months ago, I sidled up to the track-side bar at Silver Beach Pizza with family and friends in tow to wait for a table and stumbled onto an old friend, musician Dave Carlock, who was just shaking hands on a deal of some sort. Curious about the obvious joy on Dave's face, I asked him about it…and he immediately closed down, saying that while it was a gentleman's agreement on a really big deal, he couldn't tell me any more (about what would become a big recording contract) at that time without potentially jeopardizing the final contract in the deal. He also promised to tell me as soon as possible about it, and that day has come.
As SW Michigan’s only Grammy-winning engineer/producer (at least that I'm aware of), Dave has officially announced a DJ dance party in celebration of The Rain Dogs’ anticipated premium, 180g vinyl release of their new album, “Roses”, on Saturday, December 17, 2016, hosted by The Box Factory For The Arts at 1101 Broad Street in St. Joseph.
The red carpet celebration will include a live auction for charity, all-inclusive multi-floor/multi-generation DJ dance party courtesy of Center Line Music DJs, gourmet pizza hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Silver Beach Pizza, and shuttle service to auxiliary parking for attendees courtesy of Signature Automotive Group.
Big Bear Auction Company’s Jerry Glassman will kick off the event by auctioning off foil-numbered, limited edition gold and silver sleeved versions of “Roses” over hip-hop beats–uniquely “mashing up” his verbal art form with urban grooves in the spirit of the evening–to benefit a number of regional charities.
The bidder who pledges the highest album bid of the night for charity will win a free concert by The Rain Dogs, redeemable within the 2017 calendar year. Other high bidders will receive an overnight stay at Benton Harbor's newest hotels, Spring Hill Suites Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn.
Released exclusively on vinyl with an accompanying digital download, "Roses" is the first release of a themed, two-album collection produced in his Benton Harbor Arts District recording studio by Carlock, who describes the music as “a variety of alternative pop/rock styles shaken together like a great mixed drink and served on the rocks.”
Each ticket-holder will also be entitled to a free, 180g standard edition version of the vinyl (with digital download), filled with minor chords, haunting hooks and lyrics. The band’s stylistic collection of Goth-A-Billy, Punk-Pirate, raise-your-glass drinking songs, and tongue-in-cheek novelties provide the soundtrack for the perfect house party.
Songs written by guitarist/vocalist and band founder Bruce Bigford proved to be the key to Carlock’s interest in producing the long-term dual album project for the band. Dave says, "Bruce’s dogged 16 year commitment to creating unique, original music in Southwest Michigan has always impressed me. Having co-produced a record with David Foster & Greg Ladanyi for The Tubes, The Rain Dogs’ take on arty alternative pop/rock felt very natural, and turning an art gallery into a multi-floor dance house for the launch seems apropos.”
Founded in 2000, the current Rain Dogs roster also features Mike Briney on bass guitar and backing vocals, Jenny Lynn on keyboards and backing vocals, and Mike Holton on drums.
Insisting on a primarily-original music format hasn’t always been an easy road for the band. As Bigford says, "I’ve always had a vision for the band and its performances, which has at times cost us band members who couldn’t see where we were going. For me, performing should create a full experience, so we have various stage wear and subtle props that get the mood across. Lately it’s a gangster/prohibition era look.”
Where keeping a band together can always be tricky, writing original music has been less challenging for Bigford, which he started right away after switching from violin to guitar as a teen. He tells us, "When I started fooling with the timer to make (practice) sessions go faster, I knew the violin wasn't for me. Without the pressure of that timer, I found myself practicing (guitar) for hours every day, and also writing songs."
Regarding the new project, Bruce says, "Collaborating with Dave (Carlock) to make a professional record on-par with the big acts he's worked with, pulling out all the stops and making it top notch with mastering pros from LA, pressing to heavy-duty vinyl–it was all done to create this two-record crown jewel in honor of my late wife Crystal, and I'm very proud of the work."
At the December 17th release party, ticket-holders are encouraged to dress to make a statement in the spirit of a stylish, fun, rock and roll evening. Carlock suggests, “Be ready to have your picture taken on the red carpet with the band.” He adds, “Express yourself in concert t-shirts and Converse, or black dresses and dancing shoes, or jackets and ties, or go wild with face painting and something that would make Bowie proud. It’s an artist’s celebration!”
Following the party on Monday, December 19th, “Roses” can be purchased in Berrien County at 3 Pillars Music at 198 Water Street in Benton Harbor, with a unique offering: a 10% discount on turntables and stereo equipment. The offer is good through January 13, 2017.
The album will also be available December 19th at Shuga Records at 1272 N. Milwaukee in Chicago…Ignition Music at 805 W. McKinley in Goshen, Indiana…Satellite Records at 808 S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo…and Vertigo Music at 129 South Division in Grand Rapids.
Here are the details: Tickets went on sale November 26th for advance ticket sales only. There will be no door sales offered, you must get tickets in advance. The $20 admission price includes a free album. To order tickets, visit www.boxfactoryforthearts.org or www.theraindogs.us, call 661.RAINDOG (661.724.6364) or email inquiries at tickets@theraindogs.us. Doors open at 7pm, the auction is at 7:30, and the multi-floor/multi-generation DJ Dance Party will immediately follow, running until who knows when??
Online music magazine Pitchfork reported that last year’s total domestic vinyl record sales rose 32-percent to $416 million, marking the classic format’s highest sales rate since 1988.
