DARK SIDE: Odd Fellows On An Even Day

Dark Side

Odd Fellows On An Even Day

© 2005 OHO Music, BMI (783707092607)

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Dark Side bring sources as different as Alice Cooper, rockabilly, Springsteen and the Bonzo Dog Band: old-wave rock with incipient signs of modern weirdness and an up-to-date sensibility. For rock 'n' roll comic relief it's hard to beat Dark Side.

notes

Evolving out of the infamous OHO, Dark Side began as a studio experiment in late 1977. While 70s OHO developed from a weirdly sinister and oddball Ubu/Beefheart approach, Dark Side had a preoccupation with "updated-for-the-80s" 60s pop, manifested in the teen-drama lyrics, neo-Spector production and delightfully squeaky Farfisa organ fills.

The original 6-man line-up recorded 2 EP's in January ("Wholesale Diamonds") and September ("Damaged Goods") 1978 respectively. Thanks to the intervention of Ful Treatment keyboardist, Ray Jozwiak, this incarnation of the band made their only live appearance on a local television program (Baltimore At Ten) in the spring of '78.

The band, reduced then to a quartet, began to play live at the infamous Marble Bar on Franklin St. in downtown Baltimore and The Odd Fellows Hall in Towson, MD. Due to the opportunities afforded by regular gigging, the Side discovered its identity and began to shape its own sound.

An LP (Rumors in Our Own Time/Legends in Our Own Room) was produced with USE guitarist, Paul Rieger, during 1979 and on into early 1980. Joining shortly thereafter, drummer David Reeve (OHO's current drummer) helped the band integrate its various influences and explore a range of music that encompassed 60s R&B, punk, humorous pop, garage and gothic-progressive rock. The band defied easy categorization, living up to the notoriety that Dark Side members Jay & Jeffrey Graboski, Mark O'Connor and David Reeve established in 70s OHO (1973-1977). Dark Side remained true to a music that was stripped down and driving, yet capable of an emotional subtlety not usually associated with bands of their ilk.

"Odd Fellows On An Even Day" includes 6 of the 8 recordings from the band's 1st 2 EPs, the entire "Rumors/Legends" LP, and 3 very rare basement recordings that include 2 never-before-released songs, "Dogs On Drugs" and "Another Crack In the Jaw." ("In the Dark" was included on the late Greg Shaw's "Battle of the Garages Vol. 1" on a Voxx Records LP in 1981 and again together with Vol. 2 on CD in 1993.) In 1986 Dave Jarkowski, Jay Graboski and drummer Bobby Ginyard recorded "Back Up Man," the CDs closer, featuring former OHO/Hand to Mouth chanteuse, Grace Hearn, on backing vocals. Bill Pratt engineered this session at his Bratt Studio in Woodlawn, MD.

Surviving members reunited in the spring of 1995 to record "Dark Side '96," a cassette-only release, co-produced with OHO bassist/engineer Steve Carr at his Hit & Run Recording Studio in Rockville, MD. Three tracks from that live-to-digital-2-track session are included in this anthology.

On June 5, 2004 Dark Side (with honorary members Gyro on bass and Johnny Cochran on keyboards) performed as one of ten finalists in the Washington, DC edition of Little Steven's Underground Garage Battle of the Bands.

"Dark Side is difficult to contain within a genre. In fact, it is nearly beyond categorization. The 1st thing that impressed me were the nervy punkish vocals. I heard David Johanson of the NY Dolls, a dash of the suave Brian Ferry (Roxy Music), Elvis, and bit of the raw sensuality of Jim Morrison, quite a bit to cram into just the vocals.
The sound is HUGE--a wall of sound--not unlike the Phil Spector aural experience. Listening repeatedly to this CD reveals new little quirky pieces here & there--tiny morsels hidden under the instrumentation. The tunes are straightforward rock 'n roll, but again they straddle a myriad of genres--punk, rock, rockabilly, new wave, and pop. The Side's sound can be compared to (on various songs) Roxy Music, The Tubes, The Animals, Elvis, Bruce, the NY Dolls and THE RAMONES. There is the smash of the guitar power chords, the staccato punch of the organ & the pounding rhythm of the drums. You will just have to listen for yourself to hear all the stuff they crammed into these tunes. "Good Boy" is that kind of song where you immediately know the words & can bop along or wave your fists in the air. YOU are a member of the club, YOU are right at home. This CD is full of little gems that are like sparklers, totally amusing and temporary. If you need to just have a good time, throw this platter in the disc changer."
-Kat Dickinson (Music Monthly, July '06)

"Although the feel is definitely 60s, the band have a powerful and aggressive 80s attack and they breeze through a fine selection of songs with hints of the Ramones and Springsteen. The record is FUN and often finds me smiling out loud at the great hooks, stomping pop feel and humourous lyrics--the band sure know their stuff as the lovely spoofs-thrown-in-as-fills indicate too. A most rewarding album, it's like Big Sound's 'Bionic Gold' but with 10x the punch!" -Comstock Lode (UK)

"It is rock in its most primitive incarnation. 'Where The Action Is' carried to a frenzied extreme. A focused, robust effort of playful rock 'n' roll experimentation that aims for the heart. The horns punch, the sound is full and lively--this record crackles with energy. A perfect context for David Jarkowski's soaring growl."
-Unicorn Times

"Dark Side make energetic and raucous revivals with a driving rhythm section setting the tone for Jarkowski's raunchy vocals: a rockin' good time. The Side bring sources as different as Presley, Alice Cooper, rockabilly, Springsteen and the Bonzo Dog Band. With abundant enthusiasm the lineup makes consistently engaging and stimulating old-wave rock that shows incipient signs of modern weirdness and an up-to-date sensibility."
-Trouser Press

"Sure man, this is some mighty real R&B-infected rock in the Springsteen/Parker tradition. David Jarkowski's edge gets the point across. The band really FLIES, and I don't mean Northwest Orient. Production and packaging are in the same league as all the crud you buy at $15.98."
-Stefan Hammond (Minnesota Daily)

"What really impressed me was the way the band has consolidated its influences into a coherent style where, at its best, Dark Side manages to speak the dialect without stealing anybody's lines. The band operate on the most economical formula rock 'n' roll has to offer: a strong melody, solid hooks and an accessible beat."
-J.D. Considine (The News American)

"For flat-out rock and roll with comic relief it's tough to beat Dark Side. Their 'Fun In Nicaragua' ranks with the best stuff the Bonzo Dog Band ever did."
-Michael Yokel (Baltimore City Paper)

"Dark Side play a fusion of new wave and progressive rock, and the result is interesting, enjoyable, and strange. The band has a neo-60s sound that bears a striking resemblence to the pop rockers that scaled the charts when most of our parents were in high school. The guitar work is excellent throughout and mixes well with the ever-present organ. The standout cut is 'Fun In Nicaragua.' The song sounds like something third-graders sing during recess. I can't help but LIKE this album. I hope Dark Side are not the future of rock and roll, but they are an interesting sidetrack."
Scott Flood (Night Rock News)

"Co-founder/guitarist Jay Graboski is not only back, but he's better than ever with Dark Side. The tracks resonate with grit and guts. Chock full of sonic surprises, this CD shines a fresh new light on Dark Side."
-Mark Bounds (Music Monthly)

"The 60s live on! The guitar work throughout this CD is excellent and the album flows with a uniqueness and power that make the music vital. Versatility and musical emotions make Dark Side a band that has rock and roll captured." -New Music Review

"Dark Side lunges forward with the kamikaze style of bands who believe there's no tomorrow." -Washington Times

"David Jarkowski tells the truth. Jay Graboski provides an explosive lyric. Mark O'Connor proves you can't watch too much TV and David Reeve's and Jeff Graboski's drummings have plenty of muscle and no unnecessary licks. Thanks for the great graphics, vintage photos and for making each cut segue seamlessly into the next. Highly collectable."
-Pam Purdy (Baltimore City Paper)

reviews

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  • Dark Side's CD now playing
    author: Mark Drexel

    I am at work and have Dark Side's CD playing in the background. I am having such a good time listening that I may feature it on my car stereo on our way to beach later today. I'm as far as "Down the Tubes." It's GREAT!

  • "Absolutely LOVE the Dark Side disc!"
    author: Howard Markman
  • "The sound is HUGE!"
    author: Kat Dickinson (Music Monthly 07/06)

    This CD is full of little gems that are like sparklers, totally amusing and temporary. If you just need to have a good time, throw this platter into the disc changer.

  • Electric Guitars vs. Electric Minds!
    author: Frank Kaufman

    Dark Side Anthology 1977-1995 explodes with primal driving beats, visionary lyrics and band spirit seldom seen in today's music. This CD is an eclectic mix of tunes created by clever songwriters who are dedicated to their craft. Dark Side is propelled by driving electric guitars, crazed keyboards, powerful vocals all combined with incredibly catchy melodies. Fasten your seatbelt, secure your headphones....get ready to rock to Dark Side's Anthology.

  • "The sound quality is GREAT!"
    author: Rolf Niemeier (Leverkusen, Germany)

    Many, many thanks for the Dark Side CD. The sound quality is great! The only thing I really miss is the "Wholesale Diamonds" version of "You Should Envy Me." Thanks again and please let me know if you need something from me."

  • "Punches straight into your brain and leaves you wobbling."
    author: John Dashner III (Flushing, MI)

    Wonderful! Sounds like a cross between MC5, ? & The Mysterians, and Mick Jagger on nitrous oxide. Baltimore's Dark Side punches straight into your brain and leaves you wobbling. Well done, lads!

  • "Perfect!"
    author: Mark O'Connor (Towson, MD)

    Thanks for the Dark Side CD. Everything sounds great! Would've glady exchanged "Dogs On Drugs" for "Emotional Breakdown" but otherwise...perfect.

  • A Free CD From CD Baby and it is Worth 5 Stars!
    author: James Duckworth

    This CD came free with my order and it is worth 5 stars...I always knew it could happen. I only give 4 or 5 stars. When I was young my mother said that if you do not have anything good to say then don't say nothing at all. So, if I buy a CD and I am sorry I did that, my response is to not rate it at all. If I am glad I got it I give it 4 stars. If I am overjoyed that I bought that CD it gets 5 stars. And just think...this one was free, thank you CD Baby!

  • "I believe!"
    author: Gracen Diamond (Seattle, WA)

    I can really identify with the lyrics Jay writes. I believe in what this music is saying. To me it's different from any other new (wave) music around.

  • "IT SOUNDS GREAT!"
    author: Del Field (Pocatello, ID)

    Thank you for the Dark Side compilation. The CD arrived last week and I listened to it straightaway. It sounds GREAT! The production values of the different sessions have been seamlessly equalized. Take care!

  • "JUST RIGHT!"
    author: Greg Shaw (Bomp!)

    I really like the new Dark Side stuff. The whole album has what I'd call a good grasp of 60's ideas and the cheesy recording quality is just right.

  • "Appreciate the CD very much!"
    author: Ray Jozwiak (Baltimore, MD)

    I remember Dark Side better than you think. I played electric piano in an early incarnation of the band. Matter of fact, I'm looking at the 12" LP version of "Rumors/Legends" right now. Also, this should be in your scrapbook. I was instrumental (pardon the pun) in getting Dark Side on television around 1978--"Baltimore At Ten" on WBAL TV. Hope your takling care of your health. Stay in touch."

  • "Irresistible & supercalifragilistical!"
    author: Mary Beth Abel Hughes (Somerville, MA)

    Anyway, the music is FUN!

  • "I really appreciate these releases."
    author: Paul (PB) Brown (Lutherville, MD)

    Wanted to say "thanks" for the Dark Side and OHO CDs. I enjoy listening to them. I have a "local" category in my I-Tunes PC library which contains all the incarnations of OHO, Dark Side, Food for Worms and BLAMMO. Take care!

  • "INCREDIBLE, RADIO FORMAT FRIENDLY!"
    author: Bennett Davis (Sterling, VA)

    Much appreciated! It's incredible to hear such a chronological span of music in almost one sitting. I hear lots of influences and directions...a varied musical legacy. One thing seems constant: there's a no-nonsense pop sensibility."

  • "It's pretty COOL!"
    author: Daniel Reyes Llinas (Columbia, South America)

    Great surprise! I love the singing and even my Dad likes it. "Down the Tubes" is a favorite. Thank you again!

  • "YOU ROCK!"
    author: Dennis Tirch PhD (Ringwood, NJ)
  • "In the key of JOY!"
    author: David Scharf (Teaneck, NJ)

    I got the Dark Side CD yesterday. It is in my car and I am listening to it as I go to work. I have a short commute so the short track lengths are perfect. The music is FUN and puts me in a good mood for the day's work. Thanks.

  • "It's FANTASTIC! Great job! Congrats and thanks!"
    author: Paul Rieger (engineer/co-exec producer)

    "I've been enjoying your Dark Side remaster, nice job! You brought the best out of the Flite III mixes...pretty much the sound I was trying to get--bright and splashy, in the days before digital reverb made that easy to do. Brought back a lot of memories of the 'quick fixes' we had to do...the snares dropped off the snare drum somewhere in the middle of basic tracking so we added a super short analog 'doubling' to make it a little more 'ratty' and less like a tom...did it help? Who knows? Nick Lowe used that effect a lot on his productions so...And then there was the bizarre revelation that the plate reverb was only mono. Wow! So we used the plate on one side of the stereo field and the (also mono) AKG spring reverb on the other side, matching the reverb times as best as we could. We needed to EQ the returns to match the reverbs sonically, but as the studio did not have a spare stereo EQ, I brought my HI-FI system from home. And then Jarkowski was using my Rick bass because his was trashed but the sound came out super tinny due to his aggressive playing...so we had to do major EQ, filtering out the tinny overtones to get a more natural sound...too bad I didn't have a Fender Jazz bass then...and I'm pretty sure we used my Pioneer reel-to-reel to produce tape echo for the vocals...and I remember we were bumped once because Face Dancer was using the studio to practice in...not record, just practice. They wouldn't even let us in the door...I wonder if they'll do a CD some day?"

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