The Days of Lore

This band could be your neighbor: fin

Monday, January 5th, 2009 | musiX, pdX

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

Tags: Danava, Dungen, Dusty Sparkles, Kemado Records, The Sword, UnonoU

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