Austin’s Sons of Fathers is the brainchild of David Beck and Paul Cauthen, two guys who were born and raised all over Texas in musical families. After meeting at a park in San Marcos, the duo christened themselves Beck and Cauthen only to have representatives from Beck Hansen send them…

First hired in 1979 by Frank Zappa as a music transcriptionist, guitarist Steve Vai has just about done it all. Whether as a solo artist or playing with everyone from David Lee Roth to John Lydon, Vai’s sheer musical ability has never been questioned. Undoubtedly a hired gun, Vai’s career…

Missouri’s Ha Ha Tonka is another one of those quality alt-country bands that always seems to grow away from the genre. Led by the talented Brian Roberts, Ha Ha Tonka have evolved into an indie rock act that loves mining traditionally alt-country subject matter (religion, racism and rural settings), but…

Although it’s been nearly five years since Idaho indie rockers Built to Spill have released an album, the band continues to be a solid concert draw across the United States. Led by the enigmatic Doug Martsch, Built to Spill have featured several different lineups and this year is no exception…

Eric Pulido sounds excited and apprehensive at the same time. His band, Midlake, is about to open some high-profile shows for Pearl Jam (including one last week at American Airlines Center) and there is also a new Midlake album, Antiphon, that hit streets a few weeks back. But it is…

Incredibly, Japan’s Melt-Banana has been making a hell of a noise since 1992. The band’s experimental take on punk rock is made even more bizarre by the vocal antics of Yasuko Onuki. Shrieking in a maniacal sing-song manner, Onuki yelps out her English lyrics like a banshee randomly choosing words…

Thoughtful and meticulous, the songs of singer/songwriter David Wilcox belie their simple presentation. For the better part of three decades, Wilcox has been touring the States playing just about any coffee house that would have him. Wilcox hit his commercial peak with 1989’s How Did You Find Me Here, but…

Over the course of six years, Seattle’s The Lonely Forest have released five full length albums, each of the better than the previous and each one filled with solid, emotionally-driven indie rock. 2011’s Arrows featured the wonderfully dry “Turn Off This Song and Go Outside” and garnered the band a…

Recently in town performing with The Monkees, Michael Nesmith is much, much more than just the guitarist for a ’60s pop band. Over his lengthy career, Nesmith has worked as a producer, novelist, and actor and is often cited as the person responsible for creating music video. Via email and…

Patty Griffin’s albums are popular with both fans and critics and her songs are covered by the likes of Emmylou Harris and the Dixie Chicks (just to name two). What draws so many people to Griffin’s music is her unflinching honesty and her beautiful simplicity. Over the course of 8…

Currently on tour in support of Page Avenue, 10 Years and Counting, a reworked and revised version of the band’s 2003 debut, St. Louis’ Story of the Year has returned from hiatus on a roll. After spending two years decompressing from endless touring, the five guys in Story of the…

For a quarter century, Sacramento’s Deftones have done the alternative metal thing with a sense of musical growth missing from many in the genre. Expanding into darker and lighter territory, the band’s diversity has never seemed to impact its popular standing. From his home in Sacramento and in anticipation of…

In 1997, Nick Urata and his band DeVotchKa began playing background music for local burlesque dancers in Denver. Soon the band’s unique combination of Eastern European folk music and indie rock began gathering the attention of critics and fans alike. With the release of How it Ends in 2004, DeVotchKa…

Earth, Wind and Fire are one of those legendary bands that are beyond genre identification. Throughout the ’70’s, ’80s and ’90s, the band’s mixture of R&B, soul, jazz, rock, funk, disco and gospel challenged radio programmers and sold more than 90 million albums. From a tour stop in Los Angeles…

Portland’s the Helio Sequence has been hanging around the fringes of mainstream rock for 15 years. In that time, the duo of Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel has released five outstanding albums, including 2012’s Negotiations. From his home studio in Portland, Brandon Summers talked with DC9 about the trials and…

Even though Imagine Dragons have been playing music for a little over four years, the band’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts seems to have occurred over a much shorter time. Hailing from Las Vegas, the band plays unapologetically play infectious, radio-friendly alternative rock. From a tour stop…

Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy hasn’t always had it as easy as he does now. After having a hit and miss high school career due to the effects of bi-polar disorder, Wentz played with several Chicago area punk acts before hitting the big time with Fall Out Boy. From…

Also known by his stage name, Honus Honus, Ryan Kattner has been leading the odd band Man Man for a decade. Speaking from his home in Philadelphia and in anticipation of tonight’s show at Dada, Kattner was equal parts affable and quick-witted. On the heels of Man, Man’s find new…