The Dudes introduced some new music to an enthusiastic audience of 225 at Studio 54, April 11.
While I missed the end of the Supervoid’s opening set, I caught the end of Cosmic Charley’s set.
They were in fine form as always, playing their upbeat brand of funk flavoured rock. Frontman Nathan Kunkel bounced up and down and bassist Thomas Burd was locked in with drummer Tony Arse
nault.
They wound down a hot an sweaty set with a newer song “Funked Up Charley,” which appears on the latest Windy Rock compilation, and officially ended with “ Scream Like a Bear,” an upbeat highlight from their last CD.
The Dudes always entertain.
The turned Studio 54 into a giant party with well crafted pop/ rock music about everything from God to being ignored by women and partying in musical styles ranging from Weezer-like power pop and a touch of R and B and soul.
Frontman Dan Vacon showed off his huge voice, which has a unique twang reminiscent of the Reverend Horton Heat’s voice. Vacon and band mates, drummer, Matt Doherty, Brock Geiger, Bob Quaschnick provided played a supremely tight set which had the crowd clustered in front of the stage singing along and dancing and cheering. They have been playing together for many years and it showed.
“ Saturday Night” was one of many highlights which had a good part of the audience singing along. They slowed things down a touch for a slower , blues tinged number and picked up the tempo with a whole lot of new music.
