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Bands To Support

This feature of the page is dedicated to those bands I think every fan of The Nadas and Hello Dave should check out. Download a couple songs on Napster, buy a single, borrow a cd, but these bands/artists work hard and deserve as much or more credit than they are receiving. If you feel there is an artist who belongs on this page please email me (bmallen@iastate.edu) the band and add some comments so I can post them up. I'll always be adding more and more artists as time goes by, so check back routinely.

Ben Harper- I think Ben Harper is the best signed artist out in the recording industry at the present time. His work is amazing, both his vocals and slide guitar playing are unreal. He has so much passion in each song, and his band, The Innocent Criminals, add that define sound that they have created. I once read that Ben Harper is today's version of a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. That is very true, and I think anyone can listen to Ben Harper and enjoy his music.

Recommended CD's-(all of them!) His two best are "Welcome To The Cruel World" and "Burn To Shine"

Recommended Songs-Steal My Kisses, Burn To Shine, Jah Work, Waiting on An Angel, Forever, Another Lonely Day

Web site- www.benharper.com or www.benharper.net

JackoPierce- JackoPierce was a band formed in Texas in the late 80's. They broke up in 1998, but left a legacy of great work behind. They sound similar instrumentally to what you might expect on a Nadas track, but have quite a unique sound. Many of you have pry heard the Nadas cover version of "Vineyard", which is a great Jacko song. Three of the former members of the band formed a group called American Horse that just called it quits, and co-founder Cary Pierce has just released a solo album receiving some national radio attention.

Recommended CD's-"JackoPierce Decade 1988-1998" & "Women As Salvation"

Recommended Songs-Vineyard, More Than He Could Give, Jacob, Finest Hour, Free, Three of Us in A Boat

Web site- www.jackopierce.com

Pat McGee Band- The Pat McGee Band is from Virginia, and exploded in 2000 with a record deal and major label release. The band also invited Hello Dave to open for them for a couple midwest dates on their fall 2000 tour. Their album "Shine" received a few Grammy nominations as well... look for them in the near future.

Recommended CD-"Shine"

Recommended Songs-Rebecca, Shine, Haven't Seen In A While, Girl From Athens, Runaway, Passion

Web site- www.patmcgeeband.com

The Samples-The Samples are quite the group, promoting great accoustic/folk rock right out of Colorado. They have released a couple major label albums, and can be found in record stores anywhere. They have great respect in the industry, and even the Dave Matthews Band covers a Samples' classic, Nature.

Recommended CD-Return to Earth

Recommended Songs-Indiana, Nature, Feel Us Shaking, Who Am I

Web site- www.thesamples.com

Domestic Problems-Domestic Problems is a band from Michigan familiar with all Hello Dave and Nada fans. They are a mix between the Dave Matthews Band, with horns in the band, and vocally a lot like Blues Traveler. And they are really, really fun to listen to. If they ever come near your area, definetly check them out- they are worth it!

Recommended CD-any, I like Live their latest release recorded live

Recommended Songs-Untitled, I Think It's Funny, Mary, 24 Hours, Where Have You Gone, Summer In The Sandbox

Web Site- www.domesticproblems.com

Dazy Head Mazy-I first heard about these guys on Matt Meyer's Web Site (nadas.com link) and picked up "They're all Wearing Pearls" to try it out. It really impressed me, and what impressed me more was the show they played outdoors on campus this fall. They have a nice blend of electric and accoustic guitars, like Hello Dave but they sound far different than both HD and the Nadas- Check them out though, they are very good.

Recommended CD-"They're All Wearing Pearls"

Recommended Songs-Push Away, Melvin James, Not Raven, My Capacity

Web Site- www.dazyheadmazy.com

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones- I saw The Flecktones open for the Dave Matthews Band on the summer 2000 show and they were unreal. These guys are the definition of a "jam band". They just play their butts off and it is a great musical experience. Bela is a well respected musician throughout the music industry, and a damn good banjo player. Their bass player, Vic Wooten, is just phenomenal. He is considered the best, and he lives up to those standards playing these wonderful solos on the slap bass. They also have the famous Futureman who plays the "drum guitar" he created himself. It's what it sounds like, a drum device that is played like a guitar. Sax player Jeff Coffin plays two saxes at the same time. They are a great band, and I would highly recommend checking them out live if you ever get the chance.

Recommended CD's-"Left of Cool" and "Greatest Hits of The 20th Century"

Recommended Songs-Big Country- Note: The Flecktones really don't have any smash hits... they are all just great "jam" songs- anything by them is great.

Web Site- www.flecktones.com

Gear Daddies- The Gear Daddies were a band formed in the late 80's headed by Martin Zellar, (now of Martin Zellar and The Hardaways) that broke up in the early 90's after they signed a record deal. They are a funny band, playing folk/country that is easy and fun to listen to. They released a couple of albums, and even had a song on The Mighty Ducks 2 soundtrack, but unfortunately, like JackoPierce, they are no longer together. The Nadas do a great cover of Statue of Jesus, one of my favorite Gear Daddie songs.

Recommended CD- "Let's Go Scare Al"

Recommended Songs-Statue of Jesus, Boys Will Be Boys, She's Happy, I Wanna Drive The Zamboni

Web Site- www.martinzellar.com

Martin Sexton: Martin Sexton is the man. He reminds me a lot of Ben Harper- blending folk, rolk, r&b, and blues into one amazing sound. He can do it all. His voice is just phenomenal, and his lyrics/songwriting ability speak volumes. I really think he is one of the few talented musicians you can discover, because he has the complete package. Check him out.

Recommended CD-"Black Sheep"

Recommended Songs-Angeline, Glory and Bound, Black Sheep

Web Site- www.martinsexton.com

Jack Johnson: Johnson is a real talent w/ his three man -band. I saw him open for Ben Harper and he almost stole the show. I would put him up there with Harper and Sexton as the 3 top acts listed here to definitely check out. He sounds a lot like a "less pop" Dave Matthews-minus the violin and sax. Just a bass, drums, and an acoustic guitar. Really good music.

CD: "Brushfire Fairytales"

Recommended Songs-Mud Football, Flake, Bubble Toes, Inaudable Melodies

www.jackjohnsonmusic.com

Five for Fighting: This is an interesting bit-picked this CD up by recommendation and actually like it, eventhough it gets airplay in "mainstream pop". Would recommend it to any DMB fan; the singer sounds a lot like Dave-almost too much like Dave. Good mix of instruments although not anywhere near one of my favorites, still some good music to look into-especially if you like mellow music like "Crash" and "Satellite".

CD: American Town

Recommended Songs: Superman, Out of Love, Love Song

www.fiveforfighting.com

Life in General: Saw lead singer Jason Levassuer open for the Nadas last year- great stuff. Never seen the band before, but jason was great. Levassuer currently has a solo cd released on The Nadas record label you can check out. A lot of accoustic in this music-almost a Simon and Garfunkel meets college folk feel.

CD: No Need to Be Lonely

Songs: Late Night Cigarette, Eagle

www.lifeingeneral.com

 

coming soon: Guster, Mr. Blotto