DMTB IN 'THE 11TH HOUR'

10/12/06

The DMTB was recently featured in 'The 11th Hour', an independent entertainment magazine in Statesboro, GA.

Dave Matthews Tribute Band

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, based in Chattanooga, TN, has a single goal: to recreate the dynamic stylings of Dave Matthews in intimate venues for the fans.  I spoke with Ryan Clifford of the band, who has sung and played guitar for DMTB since 2004. 

How does one decide to join a tribute band?  In Ryan's case, it was the music he learned to play guitar by.  "I was in high school listening to mostly hip hop.  My friends kept bugging me to listen to Dave Matthews.  So I bought the Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds CD, and learned to play guitar playing these tunes.  Eventually we auditioned for a tribute band."

Ryan has seen the real live Dave Matthews 32 times.  Asked about any onstage resemblance to Matthews, Ryan confessed that he "had Dave's receeding hairline, unfortunatly.  And some people claim that I move my feet around like him."

The most popular tune?  Everyone could guess that one - "Crash".  Ryan's personal favorite?  "Don't Drink the Water".

DMTB averages a grueling 200+ gigs every year.  For the fans, hearing the music in their local bars is a great experience for those who never saw Dave Matthews back in the day he was performing in the local watering holes of Virginia.  When asked about the limitations of playing Dave-only music, Ryan is realistic.  "Our bassist has an original band, as does the violinist.  I write original songs, but have no time to pursue them.  Sometimes it bothers me, but I'm playing music for a living, and that's the best job in the world."

DMTB is a band that makes every dime off of touring.  There is no merchandise - their entire song catalogue belongs to the band that inspires them, and even the use of their name on a t-shirt or sticker could leave DMTB with an infringement suit.  But they're happy just making a good living off the tribute circuit.  As to how long the band will go on, Ryan says that "some day we'll want to pursue our original music, but for now, we're making money and having fun."

DMTB will be appearing at Retrievers on 10/12.  For more information, check out their website: thedavematthewstributeband.com.

Thanks to Debra McCorkle for the piece!


GEARING UP

8/29/06

The band is busy packing their bags and getting their instruments tuned up one last time before hitting the road Friday morning for a string of dates that will guide them through the flatlands of the Midwest, the beaches of the Pacific, the Vegas Strip, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the Mojave Desert and the city streets of Los Angeles.

Back 2 School 2006 will be in full swing come this weekend, beginning at Suede Ultralounge in Tulsa, OK and closing out with a 2-night stand in Tallahassee, FL at Potbellys.

Be sure to keep checking back with The DMTB - Road Page as the band will be posting pics and journal entries daily throughout the tour.  You'll also find the updated setlists for each nights show on the Road Page links.

Also remember to check the Tour Dates page as new Fall dates are being added constantly.  It's going to be a busy Fall for the band.  We're sure we will see you at some point before it is all over! 
 

NEW WEBSITE!

7/27/06

The DMTB is pleased to announce www.thedmtb.com version 2.0. This redesign is the first for the band, and has been focused on making navigation easier, pictures clearer, and the installment of a new page - "The DMTB - Road Page".

Inside the road page you'll find journals from the band - road stories and road pictures galore.  We'll also post the setlists from each night and a review of how the show went - this way you won't miss a thing!  Don't hesitate to use the contact page and submit any suggestions you might have for the new site.



GOIN' BACK TO CALI

7/23/06

The DMTB has announced today a small 13-show tour which will swing the band out West again.  The short string of dates includes first time stops in El Paso, TX and San Diego, CA.  The band will also return to some familiar venues in Flagstaff, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, Hollywood, CA, St. Louis, MO and Little Rock, AR.

For more info on all 13 shows, hop over to Tour Dates.

Fri. 9/1 - Tulsa, OK
Sat. 9/2 - Austin, TX
Sun. 9/3 - Corpus Christi, TX
Tue. 9/5 - El Paso, TX
Wed. 9/6 - Flagstaff, AZ
Fri. 9/8 - San Diego, CA
Sat. 9/9 - Las Vegas, NV
Sun. 9/10 - Salt Lake City, UT
Mon. 9/11 - West Hollywood, CA
Wed. 9/13 - Denver, CO
Thu. 9/14 - St. Louis, MO
Fri. 9/15 - Fayetteville, AR
Sat. 9/16 - Chattanooga, TN
Fri. 9/22 + Sat. 9/23 - Tallahassee, FL

NEW SHOW TORRENT POSTED

7/22/06

Our good friend Eric Wallace came out to our show in Jacksonville Beach, FL a couple weeks ago and taped.  He has generously posted a link to the torrent over at www.thetradersden.org.  Here it is...

http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=24081

Enjoy!