Visit me at www.daveporterband.com
or
www.burningbridgesband.com
License this music for commercial use through Pump Audio
REVIEWS … After all, I have an obligation to the hardworking men and women of Roanoke music, and this week, I made a call on one of the more meticulous: Dave Porter. Playing with his band at Cheers in Salem, their version of Aerosmith’s “Same Old Song and Dance†called to me while I was eating dinner at the neighboring Western Sizzlin, and thus they became my review for the week…after I finished my steak, of course. For the most part, Dave’s focus is on his original music. He’s released an album entitled “Desire†on which he performs the majority of the instrumentation himself. Usually artists who do this say something about how playing everything is a more personal reflection of the music inside themselves. While this is true to a certain degree, it can also mean simply freeing yourself to do whatever you feel like without having to get someone else’s consent, as in a band setting. Solo offerings like this always fascinate me because of the potential to paint a fuller picture of the artist’s musical understanding across instruments. Done right, it can become the ultimate expression of genius – the difference between being a composer and being a bassist, or guitarist, or drummer, or singer, etc. It is also not without it’s risks. If you’re supremely talented in one area, the rest of the record can end up sounding like generic filler while you explode on your specialty. Or, similarly, you may concoct an album so devoid of ability, so lacking in inspiration, that it simply demonstrates your overwhelming ineptitude. A bassist by trade, Porter’s greatest asset throughout “Desire†is his attention to groove. While quite talented, this isn’t the record of a bass virtuoso and that’s probably for the better. He tastefully limits the times in which he shows off for the sake of showing off, and instead puts his focus on making everything memorable. It’s not Mozart, but then Dave would probably be the first person to say that wasn’t his intention anyway. Each song is built around a catchy drum rhythm that he accentuates with [mostly] funk bass. The guitars create the hooks along with the vocals, and the keys fill up the spaces in between. Hardly the self-indulgent sludge I would’ve expected from someone who makes liberal use of the word “eclectic†in describing their work. The songs themselves feel purposefully dated to conjure up memories for anybody who went through adolescence with 90’s alt rock as their soundtrack, blending together lighter rock mood and funk melodies in an “STP meets Extreme†kind of way. While this is definitely commercial music, there is enough indie quirkiness in the songs and the production to mask a bit of the glossy pop sheen and keep it from sinking under it’s own pretentiousness. Porter is someone who knows what he wants, thinks he has a good ear on what will sell, and is focused enough to keep pushing. That he clearly believes in what he’s doing is evidence of some considerable talent, or at least the kind of intolerable ego that lets him isolate himself from the opinions of others. In any case, the result is still the same, and I don’t have to worry about whether or not he’s likable offstage.
The Phantom Critic (Roanoke Times) Awesome Production. Everything is clear and mixed very well. Deisr is totally kick ass, I love the instrumentation with the Sitars. The lead guitar sound was insanely awesome with a creative approach to the melody. I have to say this is one of the best produced songs Ive heard on Garageband. I totally applaude the effort this band has made to break away from the norm. I love this song... Great Job !
wizardsdream from Long Island, New York The more I listened to this track, the more it grew on me. What stands out about it are the harmonies. The chorus keeps it from drifting into a mechanical feel. Nowadays many singers tend to maintain a monotonous drone; this singer keeps things interesting, uplifting and diverse. Guitars are tight and crunchy, the synth adds just the right amount of accent. The song definitely has hook, the chorus is still in my head. The rythm is exceptional, reminds me of King's X. I'm definitely downloading this one!
vuduchyl from Bloomington, Illinois I'm a sucker all day for a groove like this. Stopped typing to download the song. This is definitely "hated my day, I need that song to relax" kind of music. I think you know I like the mood. Lyrics are very pensive and easily heard I like it. Rhythm is SOLID. Bass and drums work great together. I love the smokey keys in the song. This is a great song. Keep up the good work.
squonk28 from Fairfax, Virginia Excellent mix. Love the vocalist, very convincing. Tight band. I can’t get over you has a Sade feel and a timeless sound. Great job. I really like this one.
Darian from Hatfield, Pennsylvania Garage Band Awards: Best ranking: • 10 of 153 in Modern Rock on 12Dec2004 Track of the Day on 25Nov2004 in Modern Rock
Best Guitars in Rock, week of 4Oct2004
Best Guitars in Modern Rock, week of 29Nov2004
Best Bass in Modern Rock, week of 29Nov2004
Best Keyboards in Modern Rock, week of 6Dec2004
Best Keyboards in Modern Rock, week of 13Dec2004
Best Programming in Modern Rock, week of 22Nov2004
Best Production in Rock, week of 4Oct2004
Best Beat in Modern Rock, week of 6Dec2004
Most Original in Rock, week of 27Sep2004
Most Original in Modern Rock, week of 13Dec2004
Rocking Track in Rock, week of 27Sep2004
Grooviest Rhythm in Modern Rock, week of 6Dec2004
Chill-Out Track in Modern Rock, week of 22Nov2004
Potential Soundtrack in Modern Rock, week of 13Dec2004