Long before the current crop of post-alternative root rockers suddenly discovered Hank Williams Sr., pre-war blues, and the like, Bill Davis and his band Dash Rip Rock were steadfastly shucking 3 minute gems from the ancient yet stately storage bin of American song. And doing it in their own high-octane kind of way…with huevos, a sense of humor, and a carnivalesque appreciation of all things “southern.” Formed in the year of our lord – 1984 – in Baton Rouge, DRR laid waste to the college bar circuit, playing legendary shows at numerous venues across the south-eastern U.S. Sometimes lumped in with other 80’s American roots acts like Rank & File, The Red Rockers, and Jason & the Scorchers, however Dash had their own take—never taking themselves too seriously—which decades on down the line, has somehow magically kept them in the good graces of the collective subconscious. Their latest CD, Country Girlfriend, keeps the bon fire burning with a mess of chicken-fried twang heaped on a paper plate of rock & roll. Dash Rip Rock play Artmosphere tonight, Jan. 23.
Playing Favorites with Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock
1. White or dark meat? Talking about chicken. Why? I grew up fighting for the leg - dark is moister and more flavorful. Chicken is the baddest bird going. Louisiana was founded on chicken.
2. Most necessary item to bring on tour? Books, Ipods, and SiriusXM in the van - that’s crucial. We fight over EmergenC and Airborne like it was cocaine.
3. Least favorite album ever? Why? Probably a Celine Dion or John Tesh record.
4. Fastest way to clear a room, musically? Get drunk and forget how to play your instrument or invite someone out of the audience to play your instrument so you can go pee.
5 Worst gig ever? Where? Why? Years ago we played Black Mountain, NC. The club owner hated us so much he went outside to smoke a joint and locked us in the club. When we were done we had to beat on the door to get him to let us out.
6. Favorite icon who isn’t a musician? I have a deep love and respect for Lester Bangs. We need another one of him around today.
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
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