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Sir Raymond Douglas Davies, CBE (pronounced day-viz) is an English musician born in 1944. He was the rhythm guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for The Kinks, which he led from 1963 to 1996 with his younger brother, Dave. In 1973, Davies attempted suicide by overdose following the breakup of his first marriage. He was later diagnosed with bipolar […]

A young British guitarist, Mark Knopfler, enlisted his brother David, John Illsley on bass and Pick Withers on drums to form the band Dire Straits in 1977. Little did the fledgling band know they were embarking on the road to world fame in the 80’s and beyond. Extending the “pub rock” tradition, Knopfler’s spare guitar […]

Mary Beth Patterson, (born February 19, 1981), known by her stage name Beth Ditto, is an American singer-songwriter, most notable for her work with the indie rock band Gossip (previously known as The Gossip) and whose voice has been compared to Etta James, Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. She is often reported describing herself as […]

Like some kids everywhere, and in Beaverton, Portland particularly, Courtney Taylor-Taylor recalled sticking out as a high school teenager. “You don’t fit in if you’re a make-up-wearing weirdo, surrounded by large, clumsy guys and cheerleaders.” He found refuge in the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and Kurt Vonnegut. It was there in 1994, he met future […]

Based out of Venice, California, The Dustbowl Revival are a large string and brass ensemble whose colorful combination of swing, bluegrass, jazz, and Americana have earned them a national following. This eclectic eight-piece “would have sounded utterly at home within the hallowed confines of Preservation Hall in New Orleans’ French Quarter” (Los Angeles Times) and […]

Dada is a three piece rock band from California (United States). The band is made up of Michael Gurley (guitar/co-lead vocals), Joie Calio (bass/co-lead vocals) and Phil Leavitt (drums). The band’s songs feature both Michael and Joie sharing the vocals on each song. The group write highly melodic, harmony laden tunes, and their constant touring […]

The Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though two of five current members (Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley) are originally from The Shoals region of northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. An assortment of musicians joined briefly over their first three albums in their first three […]

Among the diverse Oregon bands devoted to “keeping Portland Weird,” The Decemberists formed in 2000 when Colin Meloy left his band Tarkio in Montana and moved to Portland, Oregon. There he met Nate Query, who introduced Meloy to Jenny Conlee (they had played together in the band Calobo) and the three scored a silent film […]

Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. Consisting of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards, guitar), and Jason McGerr (drums) they are noted for their use of unconventional instrumentation, as well as Gibbard’s distinctive voice and […]

Dave Matthews Band also known by the initials DMB, is an American rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991.  Founded by the South African born singer-songwriter guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer and backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore.   DMB was later joined by violinist Boyd Tinsley.  LeRoi Moore died in 2008 […]