Rob Dye Band

The ten songs that comprise Days To Here, the debut CD from New Jersey native Rob Dye, are a journey through the rich landscape of American music’s roots. With feet firmly planted in those roots, Dye’s music incorporates elements of rock, old school country, Stax-influenced R&B, gospel and more while remaining true to the essence of each style. Guitars wail, the pedal steel and piano bring us into a honky-tonk saloon, a trio of singers takes us to church, an accordion whisks us into bayou country, while a saxophone echoes the famed Jersey Shore sound. Through it all, the lyrics tell classic stories of love, faith, drinking and hitting the road.The songs on Days To Here are split into two sides. The disc’s first 5 songs are straight ahead rock with a touch of rhythm and blues and the last 5 songs are country-based. “I wanted to capture the days of vinyl, when you listened to an album and had to get up and turn the record over,” Dye says. “You were always excited to hear what new and different sounds the other side would bring. The first song on the second side was always great. It had to be or you might not listen to the rest! Neil Young’s Rust Never Sleeps is a perfect example. Side One was classic acoustic Neil – reflective, introspective storytelling – while Side Two was flat-out rock, beginning with the first notes of ‘Powderfinger’ (a song Dye often performs) to the last chord of ‘Hey Hey My My (Into The Black)’!”From the eerie, ominous minor chord opening notes of ‘Maybe Some Day’ to the uplifting gospel-influenced ending of ‘You Called Me Here’, the five songs on Days To Here’s first side explore lost love, true love, faith, uncertainty and hope. ‘Believe’ and ‘Loose Ends’ are bona-fide Jersey-style rockers, while ‘Precious One’ is a heartfelt, soulful ballad complete with classic Memphis R&B horns. Side Two’s first track ‘Here Comes Loneliness’ continues these themes, but the pedal steel sounds make it clear we are on a ride through country music territory. Along the way, stops are made in Cajun country (‘My Baby Left Me Yesterday’) and honky-tonks (‘I’ll Have Another Drink’), with the ride ending (appropriately) on ‘Cars Trucks And Buses,’ an infectious toe-tapper that recalls classic truck driving songs, complete with rip-roaring guitar solos.Music has always been a part of Dye’s life. He logs over 150 shows a year, whether it’s as a duo or with a band playing covers along the Jersey Shore to touring the country and overseas in the groups Holiday Express and Light Of Day. “I love music, all styles. Period. It can be a great ballad, a silly sing-along, a hard-hitting social commentary or just a great riff. If it’s written well and moves you, then ‘mission accomplished’ – the songwriter has done his or her job. I’m more than happy to take what these great songwriters have done and share that with an audience. Hopefully my music will do the same.”To achieve the sounds on Days To Here, Dye enlisted a stellar cast of some of the Jersey area’s finest musicians. “I wanted the right player to bring out the best in each song. Everyone involved delivered beyond my wildest expectations. It truly was a collaborative effort with an eclectic cast of musicians. I am so thankful I was surrounded by such talent.”The cover of Days To Here accents the CD’s theme and features a beautiful, emotive photograph of two people under trees on a foggy early morning, taken by renowned photographer Danny Clinch. A fellow New Jersey native, Clinch’s resume is a virtual who’s who of today’s music stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Metallica and many more. The CD’s accompanying images of Dye were taken by rising star Jimmy Hubbard, who has shot bands such as Mastodon, Slayer, Judas Priest and more.For Dye, the days to here are much more than the culmination of years of live shows, writing and recording. It marks the beginning of a journey – for both the listener and the artist. The journey to get to here took many years. The journey forward is just beginning.