Dungen

This band could be your neighbor: fin

Monday, January 5th, 2009 | musiX, pdX | 3 Comments

It’s been more than two months since I’ve written about the mysterious band that lives in my apartment complex. Well. It finally happened. I came face to face with the face of pure rock magic. Get that?

If you’re an avid reader of TDoL (and I know you are … wink) you’ll recall that when I moved to Portland three months ago I became mildly obsessed with a gray van that occupied a space in my complex. It would disappear for days at a time, and I only caught fleeting glances of the inhabitants as I tried to collect clues as to who was rocking apartment No. 1. If you’re just joining me on this tale of mystery and intrigue, feel free to get caught up in parts one, two and three before reading on.

I wasn’t getting anywhere by craning my neck every time I passed the van as I searched the dashboard for clues—which amounted to a few scattered maps and a CD case. When I finally decided to just walk up to the door and ask, the van disappeared for three weeks, no doubt on a whirlwind tour filled with sex, drugs and red snappers. Told you I’m obsessed with the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.

The other day I was heading down the walkway that skirts the apartment. Two shadowy figures emerged, one an attractive young woman with long brown hair, the other a short, rail-thin man clad head to toe in denim with long jet-black hair. I came right out and asked …

It was Dusty Sparkles, frontman for Portland psych rock band Danava (pronounced DON-uh-vuh). I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard the band, but it ended up being too good to be true. Danava is the second coming of Hawkwind, with the added hue of Blue Cheer … maybe even a dab of Blue Öyster Cult. They’re signed to Kemado Records (Dungen, The Sword). They are purveyors of mysticism and rock. And they’re effing good.

Sparkles moved to Portland from Quincy, Ill., a few years ago and formed the band which has since released a handful of 7-inches and two full-lengths, including 2008’s UnonoU.

He wasted no time explaining what Danava was all about.

“We’ve been called prog, metal, someone even called us glam rock,” said Sparkles with a slight drawl. He appeared slightly disgusted by the latter description. “We just play rock.”

I like this guy.

I think the video for “Where Beauty and Terror Dance” off Danava’s latest record illustrates without a doubt that I live in the raddest apartment complex in the city. Take me with you, Dusty.

“Quiet Babies Astray in a Manger” - Danava

“Where Beauty and Terror Dance” from UnonoU

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I get Women

Monday, November 10th, 2008 | interviewZ, musiX | No Comments

Calgary, Canada’s Women hides very well on the Internet (Google it … I triple-dog dare you), so I’ve found them for you. Little is known about these four lads, but here’s what I can tell you: Women formed less than a year ago and are already touring the world, playing dates with Swedish psych outfit Dungen and Montreal garage weirdos King Khan and BBQ Show. They love the Swell Maps (which makes me love Women). The band includes brothers Matthew and Patrick Flegel (bass and guitar, respectively; pictured in the middle). And they play some fine noise-pop captured in its grittiest, purest form to tape. I can hardly figure out women. But I do get Women.

At a time when ’60s psych-rock throwbacks are running rampant, Women are doing it without simply aping bands of yore. Their self-titled debut is fun and equally disturbing right down to the cover art. The band rolled through Portland with the aforementioned Dungen, and will make their way down the West Coast (including tonight at San Fran’s Bottom of the Hill) before heading across the pond for 14 dates.

Patrick Flegel took some time to talk about killing computers, shooting balls of fire at each other and sharing equipment with Van Halen.

TDoL: You realize that it’s almost impossible to find you on Google …
Patrick Flegel: Yes! We’re comfortable with that. Many people mention that and/or complain about it. I don’t think people know how to use the Internet.

Tell me about the shows with King Khan and BBQ Show.
Not only were the shows great, but we had the best time with those guys and their “crew.” We were laughing the whole time and occasionally shot balls of fire at each other. Mark [Sultan's] songs penetrate your mind and slice through your every thought like a flaming sword. They are great people and they know what they’re doing.

I’ve heard the music (can’t get enough of “Black Rice”), and I read you recorded the album on ghettoblasters and old tape machines. Do you fear technology?
Matt once set his elbow on fire and crushed this girl’s Mac Book. Our favorite recordings were done to tape so it just made sense to us. Recently we were lucky enough to record a track to 2-inch tape and use the same mixer that was used on “Hot for Teacher.”

There are elements of experimental and pop on the album; which comes more naturally? Which is easier to write?
They both come naturally. It depends on what kind of day one of us is having. Like if Chris is forced to deal with an insurance company he might proceed to record disgusting, sadistic ambient violence. Or if I’m too weak to end a relationship and I’ve been working a receiving job for 11 months I might turn to substance abuse and try to write an Eddie and Ernie song.

You’re getting attention from music rags and blogs from all over, and touring the States and Europe. What comes next?
More records and more touring. We want to put ourselves a position where we can get our recordings/live shows to sound the way we want them to. Support from promoters, bookers, show goers and record labels in the end will allow us to acquire the gear that we need to make things happen. We really appreciate it.

“Black Rice” - Women

“Group Transport Hall” - Women

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