"You're in for a wild Western psychedelic sonic ride thru the streets of Detroit when DUENDE! takes the stage. This Motor City five have been taking their show on the road and introducing others to their brand of dark Americana rock" - CITYFEST performers guide 2008
Originally assembled by Jeffery "Odidlee" Scott Howitt in July of 2006 after a fateful Summer Solstice party when a thunderstorm blacked out the neighborhood and "the band played on". The proposed studio-only project that followed improvised on Howitt's collected arrangements and lyrics with traveler themes ranging from late blues man R.L. Burnside, secret society mystery schools and your lover showing up with a stack of records just as you're stepping out the door. The line up developed past the recording experience and started to write and gig steadily after they made their first cowboy shirted live debut that November of 2006.
"No matter how you cut 'em, this slightly psychedelic, boot-stomp, hip-shake, Pabst slammer band bleeds Detroit. When I think of DUENDE!, I think of a Tarantino soundtrack for a film he hasn't yet made. Dark at times but with a groovy garage savvy." Real Detroit Weekly announced in "mr.wright's picks of the week, 3/28-4/3/07."
The ensemble, though loose at first, has maintained it's core of Howitt whose vocal style has always held a touch of Tyrannosaurus Rex-era Bolan and post motor cycle accident Dylan; Laura "the Boom" Willem drumming like Mo Tucker twisting Charlie Watts wrist; and bassist Jason "Bludgie" Worden who has united a ethos of rhythm and discordance. Guitarist "Jelly Roll" Joel McCune a finger picking purveyor of Sonic-Americana Howitt met on his sojourn Westerly joined the band just in time for DUENDE! to mark their first year performing live by releasing their self titled debut CD on Loco Gnosis Productions/LGP-023. Original White Panther Gary Rasmussen guests on bass and 12 string guitar. Xiao Dong Wei plays her erhu(Chinese fiddle)adding a feel of lineage to the songs along with friends who participated in the band throughout that year. They recently recorded a version of Rasmussen's old band The Up's Just Like An Aborigine mixed with Together for a compilation celebrating the Ann Arbor/Detroit bands of 1968 set to be released later in 2008 with a documentary for PBS and to culminate with a live event marking the 40th year anniversary of the taping of Kick Out The Jams on October 31th 2008.
"Dirt and mascara. Dark-Psyche Americana(but with some light of dawn,too)," assured the Metro Times in their performers guide for Hamtramck Blowout X.
Presently they are half way through their second album (which is set for a Fall release) with Johnny "Mr. Lovely" Miller aboard as collaborator and live performer. A collection of various other recorded material including the original "On The Steps.." sessions will be available by the time they open for FUNK BROTHER Dennis Coffey on August 28th in Detroit the night before they return to New York where they made their debut last April.
DUENDE! picks up where west coast psychedelia trailed off, answering Britain's masterful reflection of roots music in the States and informing it with the uniquely Detroit rock 'n' roll heritage of the White Panther's punk and soul.
for booking contact DUENDE! here or: [email protected]
CLICK HERE TO "UNLOCK" THE FOX2 NEWS "PERFORMANCE VAULT" AND SEE THE DANCE PARTY WE THREW AT THE STUDIO FOR THE HAMTRAMCK BLOWOUT XI..notice the whiskey flask in front of the VOX.
HAMTRAMCK BLOWOUT X at KELLY'S with a reunion of the originals back in the saddle..
Jorge/guitar, Laura/drums, Jeff/vocals-guitar, Miguelito/bass, LT/guitar, Ryan/vocals..
