Check out The Dudes brand spankin' new live video for their new single, "Everybody Dies Too Soon"!
Attending a concert featuring The Dudes is something that must be added to everyone’s bucket list. Let’s paint a picture together: It’s a night where you know you’re going to swing back a few beers and get a little wild. There are insanely attractive people mingling around a warm bar, everyone seeming to know one another. The room itself carries a slight anxious tone, almost intuitively preparing the crowd for what will be. As the lights darken, The Dudes pour onto the stage like lava, drenching everyone in their fiery rock and roll. The audience knowingly howls along every word, and all at once the bar feels like home. Strangers are your best friends, and you don’t even care if you lose your phone in the pit. These are The Dudes, and they know how to infect life into your veins.
Since 1996, the Calgarian boys have been breaking hearts then writing about it. They may have cycled through a few members in their four-piece band, but have always been carried by the illustrious and gritty Dan Vacon. With a voice that could melt the skin off a snake, and an affinity for rock and roll, Vacon has always driven the Dudes with an effortlessly positive attitude.
The rockers have been pumping out the cleverly devised rock songs, since the glorious “Do The Right Thing” from 2006’s Brain Heart Guitar album catapulted them forward. Their three albums are chock full of heart-bleeding lost love laments, coupled with all the melodies and seductive guitar chords you could ever want in a rock record.
“I just try and live an interesting life full of question marks and fun times,” Vacon says. “There’s so many things going on if you’re available to have them happen to you. Then I write about them.”
Vacon, alongside Brock Geiger, Bob Quaschnick, and the newest member Matthew Tyler Doherty, are currently living their second dream: having a great time.
Although they stay true to their rock ‘n’ roll roots, The Dudes are loaded with the depth and feeling you find in classic soul. It’s not just girls that give them butterflies, sometimes it’s about playing to their fans.
“It’s like live performing is my wife. We don’t always see eye to eye. Sometimes it’s damn hard, but we’re in love goddammit! We’ve made a promise to each other and we’re keeping it.”
Discography: “Everybody Dies Too Soon” (2015), Barbers Thieves and Bartenders (2012), “Mr. Someone Else” (2010), Blood Guts Bruises Cuts (2009), Brain Heart Guitar (2006), Beepuncher EP (2003), This Guy’s The Limit (2002)
Touring & Performance History: Matthew Good, Mother Mother, Weezer, Doobie Brothers, Poor Young Things, Maurice, Bryan Adams, Pride Tiger, Two Hours Traffic, Hot Hot Heat, Finger 11, UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Halifax Pop Explosion, Pop Montreal, NXNE, Junofest, WCMA.
Radio: “Pretty Lies” Canada Alt-Rock #30 / Active Rock #61, “The Girl Police” Canada Alt-Rock #126, “Do The Right Thing” Canada Alt-Rock #81, Brain Heart Guitar spins & features at major commercial nationwide stations, Earshot stations and CBC Radio 3, Barbers Thieves and Bartenders Top 5 on Earshot national charts.
Film & TV: National Rogers Wireless advertising campaign, Rookie Blue, Freezer Burn, Heartland, House Party, Falcon Beach, Whistler, Wolfcop, WHL franchise Calgary Hitmen official theme song, The Takeaway.
Awards: WCMA “Rock Recording of the Year” (nominee, 2010), CBC Radio 3 Bucky Award “Best Offstage Performance” (winner, 2009), Calgary’s Favourite Band Award (winner 2006, 2007, 2008), CBC Radio 3 Bucky Award “Musician Most Likely to have a Future Career in Television” (winner, 2007), MuzickiCentar “Best Band In The World” (winner, 2007).