D.A. & the Hitmen

D.A. & the Hitmen - Looking Past the Blues - 2002 - D.A.& the Hitmen

The blues has been recognized as a good foundation for other, “past the blues” genres for several decades now. You can look at the back of a CD with a title like Looking Past The Blues, see the longhaired, facial haired white guys in black shirts and be pretty sure you’re going to hear something along the lines of Foghat. Foghat had it right, and so do D.A. & the Hitmen. Blues is a great starting point for highly amplified, jam-based rock. Live, it’s a kind of music that often draws a discouraging crowd of drunks who just don’t get it and who applaud the hair length rather than the talent on the bandstand ("Yee-hah, bubba, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! Raise hell! Hey, got a light?"), but that makes it all the better news when an act in this category puts out an un-self-conscious record. You have the option of listening to it without that crowd, or with it, if you prefer. All ten songs here are Lance Dieckmann (vocals/harmonica) / Paul Alvarado (electric guitar) originals. Back to the Foghat comparison, Dieckmann’s harmonica tone is very Rod Price, but the harp/guitar teamwork is a completely different thing. Actually, the tandem hitting of notes by all instruments and singers here is what sets the album apart from most blues-rock releases. Another strong point is the harmonica solo work, which is impossible to categorize. It is not there just to rock, or just to provide a blues element, or just to thicken electric bass or guitar chording, but to take over the songs’ storytelling and tell them effectively for 12 or 24 bars. If Dieckmann is not recognized as one of the top x players of any particular subcategory of harp, it is only because he cannot be confined to any particular subcategory. In the frontline partnership, the guitar keeps up by virtue of very similar tone and deep mutual understanding between Dieckmann and Alvarado. Production-wise, the record’s a little heavy on reverb, and some of the guitar effects selected are a bit dated, but it achieves a blues-rock synthesis that most listeners only dream of and that wouldn’t even occur to most bands. Arthur Shuey All contents © 2003, Blue Night Productions. All rights reserved http://www.bluenight.com/BluesBytes/wn0803.html

In 2003 "Looking Past the Blues" was nominated for Best New blues CD in the San Diego Music Awards. All the songs are originals, composed by guitarist, Paul Alvarado, and harmonicist/vocalist, Lance Dieckmann. The band have a great "in synch. rapport", and although the guitar effects sound a bit dated at times, there is no doubting the sincerity of the musicians, and the obvious terrific musicianship on the album. The music is reminiscent at times of artists like Paul Butterfield, Roomful of Blues, and Walter Trout. "Looking Past the Blues" is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Check out the band's "Lucky Dog" album

TRACKS

1. Minuteman 4:35
2. Soul of the City 5:27
3. Blue Menagerie 4:57
4. Reap Just What You Sow 4:06
5. Monkey Dance 4:03
6. September Moon 5:21
7. Rolling the Dice 4:08
8. Beaver Fever 4:21
9. I Need You 3:50
10. Vegas Vows 4:13

All songs composed by Lance Dieckmann, & Paul Alvarado

BAND

Lance Dieckmann - Lead Vocals/Harmonica
Paul Alvarado - Guitars
Brad Engstrum - Bass
Jamie Luna - Drums

BIO

Lance Dieckmann – Lead & Background Vocals and Harmonica Born and raised in San Diego, Lance is a respected vocalist and blues harp player. Lance began his musical career as a power rock vocalist with bands such as Archer, Alley Rat and Gridlock, where he opened for national acts such as Blue Oyster Cult, Pat Travers and Fog Hat and others. He sings with power and deep conviction with a formidable range. Paul Alvarado – Lead and Rhythm Guitar An Encinitas native, Paul leans toward the heavier electric side of the blues. Strongly influenced by Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, Paul started playing guitar at age 8 and joined his first band at the age of 15. Paul has played in many San Diego and North County bands including the Bluesmatics, Santa Fe Blues Line, and the Blue Ravens. Jaime Luna – Drums Hailing from North County, Jaime has been playing out for almost 20 years as well. Jaime is known as a well rounded drummer as shown through his versatile style and his ability to play all types of music. He’s played simultaneously with a variety of bands like The Rudies and Groove Lab. Jaime has also played with Phat Beat Squad, the Michael Bliss Band, Latin Express and the Blue Ravens. Bob Prater – Bass Bob Prater has been making music for most of his life. Playing upright and electric bass in surf and rock bands in the 60s; blues, country, and swing bands in the 70s; rock and Top-40 bands in the 80s; blues, jazz, and swing in the 90s, Bob has become a versatile player capable of producing many styles. http://bellyup4blues.com/bands/dahitmen

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Lance Dieckmann -- lead & background vocals and harmonica: Born and raised in San Diego, Lance is a respected vocalist and blues harp player. Lance began his musical career as a power rock vocalist with bands such as Archer, Alley Rat, and Gridlock, where he opened for national acts such as Blue Oyster Cult, Pat Travers and Fog Hat, and others. He sings with power and deep conviction with a formidable range.
Paul Alvarado -- lead and rhythm guitar: An Encinitas native, Paul leans toward the heavier electric side of the blues. Strongly influenced by Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, and Carlos Santana, Paul started playing guitar at age 8 and joined his first band at age 15. Paul has played in many San Diego and North County bands, including the Bluesmatics, Santa Fe Blues Line, and the Blue Ravens.
Jaime Luna -- drums: Hailing from North County, Jaime has been playing out for almost 20 years. He is known as a well-rounded drummer as shown through his versatile style and his ability to play all types of music. He’s played simultaneously with a variety of bands like the Rudies and Groove Lab. Jaime has also played with Phat Beat Squad, the Michael Bliss Band, Latin Express, and the Blue Ravens.
Bob Prater * -- bass: Bob Prater has been making music for most of his life. Playing upright and electric bass in surf and rock bands in the '60s; blues, country, and swing bands in the '70s; rock and Top-40 bands in the '80s; blues, jazz, and swing in the '90s, Bob has become a versatile player capable of producing many styles.
N.B: Not playing on this album