Dan Russell - Latest News [www.danrussell.info]

After months of silence, the artist formerly known as Dan Russell has emerged as... The Friendly Buffalo! He is also sporting a new 10 piece band called The Creek.

Friendly explains: "Over the last few months The Creek has played 23 gigs (see list below) across North Somerset and the West Coast, and the band has expanded from a 5 piece to a 10 piece. We basically don't give a damn if we are dividing a £100 gig fee between 10 or 5 people... It's a tenner or a twentier! We are all in it for the long haul - 10 souls who really believe in the sound and direction and the whole new universe that is the Creek. We are going somewhere special with this!"

BAND LINE UP

Friendly Buffalo - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Geronimo Peru - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Juliella Fitzcollins - Vocals
Nat King Dixey - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Shaggy Atkins - Keyboards, Bongos, Percussion
Hairless Hippie - Electric Lead Guitar
Chandler C Mills - Snare Drum, Vocals
Jez Jackson - Djembe, Vocals
Anna Kuznier - Violin, Vocals
Elinor Rugby - Flute, Vocals

A self-titled debut E.P. has been recorded and is ready for release, featuring the songs Yosemite Jim, Chief, Colours and Love Takes Time. Full details to follow in due course.

THE CREEK - NORTH SOMERSET AND WEST COAST TOUR 2007/2008

2007
Stanton Court, Stanton Drew - Oct 16th
Hush Hush Bar, Cotham - Nov 1st
Oppo Bar, Clifton - Nov 22nd
Hush Hush Bar, Cotham - Dec 6th
Nova Scotia, Hotwells - Dec 10th

2008
Butchers Arms, Bishop Sutton - Jan 5th
Clocktower, Clevedon - Jan 20th
Claremont Vaults, Weston - Feb 3rd
Clocktower, Clevedon - Feb 10th
Waggon & Horses, Clevedon - Feb 16th
Stanton Court, Stanton Drew - March 9th
The Laurels, Draycott - March 30th
Richmond Springs, Clifton - April 4th
Somerset House, Clifton - April 8th
Waldegrave Arms, East Harptree - April 18th
Somerville Club, Ashley Down - May 1st
Waldegrave Arms, East Harptree - May 16th
Somerville Club, Ashley Down - May 22nd
Blue Lagoon, Bishopston - May 27th
The Grapes, Clifton - June 24th
Mayor's Arms, Temple Meads - June 27th
The Grapes, Clifton - July 3rd
Wheatsheaf, Corston Fields - July 27th

"Hi everyone, just a few words to confirm the news of Dan's departure from the band he founded, and to give my perspective on things. I will agree that many of our recent rehearsals focused more on a few select songs and rehearsing them over and over, but the term "overperfectionism" is a bit strong and somewhat unfair. I prefer to think of our rehearsals as through preparation and investment of time in refining material to the best of our playing abilities. Rehearsing a song 6 times in one session is nothing compared to what many of the pro bands do... we just wanted to focus on quality as well as quantity within the limited time we can devote. To do that takes patience. Yes, it can feel like waiding through treacle but that's the hard work that needs to be done... there are no shortcuts or quick fixes. We all are proud of what we do and all want to do the band justice.

The band will honour it's March and April committments under the Pacific Groove banner. We will perform the songs we've given our time to with pride. After that, out of respect for Dan, Pacific Groove will draw a line in the sand and come out under a new name and new website.

Finally, I would like to thank Dan for my 2½ years with Pacific Groove, and every success with Crystal Creek. Wish you well and every happiness. An end of an era! We wish Dan well!" Rob W.

Hot off the Press! Dan Russell has decided to leave his own creation, Pacific Groove! Almost 6 years ago to the day the Groove was formed by Dan and Steve Orchard. Dan explains: "I was just not enjoying rehearsals anymore. A kind of overperfectionism has been creeping in recently, and I was starting to hate some of my own songs because we would rehearse some of them 6 times a session! I am a free spirited, instinctive musician, and some of the guys in the Groove come from a more technical, almost scientific standpoint, in their approach to the songs.

Neither way is wrong, but over rehearsing songs kind of squeezes the soul out of them, in my opinion. I wish the guys well. They are all great characters, and very talented musicians. I have told them to carry on with the name 'Pacific Groove' if they wish, and to use my songs for the March and April gigs, and then bring in some covers and Steve's songs, if they wish."

An end of an era! We wish Dan well!

News of a new Dan Russell project has just come in! Here is Dan to spill the beans: "After the departure of John Baxter from Pacific Groove, John and I continued to jam together, as I really like the guy and his great, quirky songs. Then slowly the germ of an idea of putting an acoustic band together for the purpose of playing Open Mikes, and eventually playing some gigs came to fruition.

John Dixey (bass) and Simon Sweet (drums) showed interest in the project and are now on board as and when they can, and also ex Groover, Chris Hales (keyboards) has joined, as well as excellent female vocalist Julie Collins. It is a totally different sound to Pacific Groove, which is leaning more towards rock these days, and I would like to re assure everyone I am not leaving the Groove.

I enjoy the sound that both bands make and I now feel blessed that I have TWO shop windows for my songs now, and I can only thank everyone for their continued love and support in both projects... Happy Christmas!"

"John Dixey has settled very quickly into Pacific Groove, and we are all very pleased... no... over the moon with his work.

John watched us play at The Jolly Sailor back in August and attended his first rehearsal early September. Even though he is only able to attend rehearsals fortnightly due to family committments (quite right too), he makes the most of the time he can devote. He's a great lover of the West Coast genre, which makes life SO much easier.

He is a very fast learner, can improvise on the fly, and practices as and when he can in between his attendances. His style of playing is very jazzy and funky, influenced no doubt by a lot of Jazz Rock fusion. Think along the lines of Stanley Clarke and you get the general idea. His deftness and distinct style of Bass playing is just what we've been looking for and leaves our previous players (with the exception of Ed) very much behind.

Steve Ring left the band back in March to pursue other musical interests. Unfortunately for him these haven't worked as he had hoped and he has been knocking on the Band door for the past two months or so. Dan and Steve haven't always seen eye-to-eye (typical songwriters eh...?!? echoes of Don Henley and Glen Frey me thinks) and at times, has (albeit unintentionally) ruffled a few band member's feathers. In his defence, he doesn't mean to, he's just very direct in putting his points across and is keen to move on with the job. However, Steve has expressed his sincere wishes to bury the hatchet and work with us again.

Okay, that's enough of the "Dirty Laundry" (hmm, a good Don Henley song, worthy of covering sometime) The good and positive things Steve will bring to the band have been mentioned in the 24th March entry but are worth re-iterating: "Steve is a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist who [will] contribute greatly to the whole band's [current] sound. His keen ear for arrangements and vocal harmonies [bring] a precision to song delivery, both on collaboration with Dan in penning new material and breathing new life into many old favourites".

In closing, Steve's a lovely guy and his musicianship is a welcome addition to the PG brotherhood. We are, therefore, pleased to announce the return of, and a warm welcome back for Steve Ring to the Pacific Groove fold." Robbie W.

Lots of new Pacific Groove and Dan Russell releases are on the horizon. Following the August release of the single Second Summer Of Love, a follow up single of old favourite, Yosemite Jim, re-recorded with the Groove, is expected to be released in October. Also the long awaited second Pacific Groove album, Approaching The Fluffy Outskirts Of Almost There has commenced recording and is hoped to be released early in 2008.

Also a cassette-only album, Freeing In The Rock World, released by Dan in 2006, is to be trimmed down from it's 19 track format to a snappier 12 tracks and will be remixed by Jason Allen (possibly - committments allowing) and released on CD under the new title, Flowers In A Warm Wind, and could well be released by November.

Also, available on request is a brand new DVD release entitled, 'Pacific Groove... Live At The Wheatsheaf'. This contains 6 tracks, and is priced at £4, plus £1 P&P, and is available from this site, as is the current single, Second Summer Of Love, which is priced at £1.50 + P&P.

PACIFIC GROOVE - APPROACHING THE FLUFFY OUTSKIRTS OF ALMOST THERE

Tracklisting/Lead Vocalist

CALIFORNIA DREAM Dan
KID FROM L.A. Dan
DISTANT SHORE Rob
LOVE TAKES TIME Dan
GUARDIAN ANGELS Dan
INDIAN SUMMER Rob
MARBELLA SUNSET (Jones) Instrumental
YOSEMITE JIM Dan
WIND OF CHANGE Eric
ONE & ONE IS LOVE Rob
YOUR FURRY CUP Dan (Russell/Rundgren)
IT DOESN'T MATTER Eric
CAUTIONARY GIRL Dan (Russell/Ring)
SECOND SUMMER OF LOVE Dan

(All songs by Dan Russell, except where shown in brackets)

------------------------------

DAN RUSSELL - FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND

DAM IN MY SOUL
FREEING IN THE ROCK WORLD
FRIENDS
FUNK ALL NITE
PLANET JANET
HARDEST PART OF THE PLAN
COATHANGER MAN
HOPELESS ROMANTIC
MILLENIUM MAN
GENTLE MAN
OCEAN OF LOVE
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND

All Songs by Dan Russell

"Phew. August is a busy time. The Revolving Door of Pacific Groove just keeps turning. Firstly, and with a real sense of loss and shock and tragedy for us all, is the departure of John Baxter from the band. John's decision to leave was a real heart-render for him and something he had been wrestling with for some time. He felt uncomfortable with the rockier, grittier sound of the band prefers something more acoustic.

I believe John underestimates himself and his contribution immensely and just lost a bit of confidence. His embellishments and subtle guitar work, deft knack for writing simple but POWERFUL and PROFOUND songs, effective arrangements, and ENTHUSIASM added real depth to the collective sound of the band. A real character and jolly nice guy to boot!!! We miss him dreadfully and his absence leaves a bigger hole in the sound than he could ever imagine. John, if you're reading this we're keeping your seat warm for you mate, the door's open for your return.

Secondly, Edd Bateman has relocated to Tavistock. His short stint with PG allowed us to play a return gig at The Wheatsheaf on August 5th, and we thank him for giving us his time. We wish him well on his journey as a Session musician.

Thirdly, a chance meeting and subsequent conversation with an old friend in a local supermarket a couple of weeks back went something like this...

R "Hi John, how's it going?"
J "Hi Rob, how are you?"
[A couple of minutes on the usual stuff about families, kids, work etc. Then] R "Are you still playing Bass?"
J "Yes, when I can"
R [half jokingly] "Haa We're looking for a Bass player"
J "What kind of music do you do?"
R "American West Coast"
J "What's that?"
R "Think Eagles, Doobies, Steely Dan, etc"
J "Sounds right up my street... what's the Band called?"
R "Pacific Groove"

After expressing his interest John asked about any forthcomming gigs. I explained we were playing The Jolly Sailor 25th August. He came along after looking us up on the web and really enjoyed our set. All this has now culminated in the arrival of and warm welcome for John Dixey. I have known John since Infants and Junior School, a kind man with a warm, giving and relaxed nature. He's been working with a practice CD and is aiming to attend his first rehearsal on 10th September." Robbie W.

A brand new single has been released by Pacific Groove this week called The Second Summer Of Love. Dan says: "It is a celebration of 40 years on from the original Summer Of Love, and until last week we were all singing it to the sky like a mantra to bring the sun out! The continual chanting of 'We are still waiting for the Summer' has seemed to work as we bathe in the August sunshine."

The single is retailing at £1.50, plus £1.00 p & p, and can be ordered through this website. The song is the first record release by the Class of 2007 Pacific Groove. It has a calypso feel in the verses, and a full on anthemic rock, harmony drenched chorus, with a "ba ba" outro reminiscent of the Turtles "Happy Together" and the Association. It's great! Buy it, make it a Number One, and keep the Summer Alive!

Other news... Edd Bateman, a fantastic 22 year old bass player, has joined the Groove on a part time basis at the moment. Originally from Plymouth, Edd is a session player making his way in the big city! He played his first gig with the band at the Wheatsheaf on August 5th.

After a slow start, Pacific Groove warmed up and played a generally well received gig at The Wheatsheaf on the 17th June. The gig was originally intended to be held in a marquee but with the weather proving unreliable we were relocated to the courtyard at the back of the pub. Hurredly rigging a Heath Robinson tarpaulin, the band set up and proceeded to perform two 45 - 50 min sets.

The gig was captured on video by Pete Isaccs, a long standing friend of Keyboard wiz Martin Jones, and Miss Amy Jones, Martin's daughter. Martin also audio recorded the performance and a 5 track DVD is now in the pipeline. Oh yes... it was also Martin's Birthday.

A band rehearsal at Langridge Hall, Landsdown on 7th July was adventurous and loud... and fun, with all the band sparking off of each other as some of the songs, in particular, Wind Of Change, evolved into an improvised jam. Eric was on fire, delivering powerhouse drumming, Simon, inspired by Eric, took his drumming to a whole new level. John and Dan out front providing the steady accoustic guitar groundwork and fine vocal delivery, Martin as ever, reliable on Keys and Robbie was on another planet with Zappa-esque improvisation. Martin's keys on Cautionary Girl - a real rocker, penned by Dan and former member Steve Ring, sounded superb.

Other news... we say farewell to Andy Burak. Andy is a nice guy and a technically competent and methodical bass player, but he feels the musical direction Pacific Groove is going is not for him. We wish Andy well for the future and we hope he finds what he's looking for. Now, is there a Rick Anderson, Tiran Porter, Willie Weeks, Scott Thunes, Kenny Passeralli or Stanley Clarke out there...?

After the departure of Tony Veste a year ago (he was sacked), the role of bassist has been the missing piece of the jigsaw. Finally, after a long search it gives us great pleasure to announce and welcome Andy Burak to the fold, filling this long vacant position.

Andy, a Lithuanian Welshman, is our John Deacon to use a Queen comprison. Quiet, shy (at the moment) and softly spoken he is methodical, meticulous, professional and delivers rock solid foundational Bass playing - just what we've been looking for.

Dan found him by chance, spotting Andy's advert in a music shop whist buying a set of strings. Andy auditioned and we all felt he was the right man. He came on the road after just two rehearsals. We are glad to welcome him on board.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the decision of our dear friend Steve Ring to leave the good ship Pacific Groove. Steve is a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist who contributed greatly to the whole band's recent sound. His keen ear for arrangements and vocal harmonies brought a precision to song delivery, both on collaboration with Dan in penning new material and breathing new life into many old favourites. His committment to the band was without question and he was always keen to see the material in the set lists polished and honed before going live. Differences in opinions, approaches and internal politics have, however, culminated in his decision to go. It has not been an easy time as, from a personal perspective, both Steve and Dan are friends of mine and, when all's said and done, both guys do think the world of each other."

"On a positive note, Steve found with the band the courage to come out of his shell and play live. On the two occasions Steve performed with Pacific Groove at the Plantation Lakes near Clevedon, he delivered stunning performances of both Groove material and self-penned contributions. This courage to play live will be, in his own words, something he will forever be indebted to Dan and the band for. He will be missed and we'll have a tough time replacing him. We wish him well and every success in his future projects." Robbie W.

This Thursday, 15th February, Pacific Groove are playing live on BBC Radio Bristol's Trevor Fry Show between 7pm and 9pm. Trevor, a long time fan of Dan's music, has played many tracks from Dan's previous albums on his show, but this will be the first time the two have met. The band are going to air their upcoming double sided new single CALIFORNIA DREAM/DISTANT SHORE on the show, and are expecting to be interviewed by Trevor too! If you want to see the band in the flesh, they are performing outside the Food Hall at the Mall Shopping Centre in Cribb's Causeway, Bristol. It is part of Radio Bristol's Outside Broadcast Day at the shopping precinct. So put down your shopping and lend an ear!

Within the last month Simon Sweet and Eric Mainstone have joined the band. Both are drummer/percussionists. Explains Dan: "Simon's wife, Judie has been caring for my Mum in the care home she lives in, and after hearing my music she told me that her husband played drums and percussion. After a couple of initial get togethers with me he has now come on board. Simon is as sweet a guy as his name suggests and also a very talented computer programmer and designer and he is working with me on the forthcoming album design and accompanying lyric book. Simon is currently playing bongos with the band, but is soon to be getting an electronic kit. Eric is an old friend of Rob's who came along to help us Groovers move the Waterson household. He is a real character, lives near Salisbury, and builds wooden houses in woods! A very experienced dummer and percussionist, who has also started chipping those extra high harmonies on songs like CALIFORNIA DREAM and DISTANT SHORE. He can sing higher than me, pitching in the 7ths! Five part harmony heaven! Having the 2 percussionists playing together has given a real energy to the sound, Eric playing mini djembe to Simon's bongos at the present time. The last rehearsal was mindblowing! Martin has also introduced some beautiful string and Fender Rhodes sounds to the mix - his strings on CALIFORNIA DREAM are nothing short of panoramic!"

Martin Jones, a friend of Steve's, has joined the band! Martin plays keyboards, keyboard bass and drum sequencers. He also has a recording studio, wher we will record the new album! Dan: "Martin is a totally chilled guy and was totally into the sounds we created, and he recorded on our first meeting wth him. Good to have him aboard!"

Steve Ring, long time friend of Rob, and fellow passenger on the sojourn to see the DOOBIE BROTHERS, back in 1994 in Cardiff, with Dan and Rob, has joined the band. Dan says "Steve initially was going to join as a replacement for Mark Voisey back in July, but at that point it wasn't the right time for him to commit. But now it is! Steve is a great singer songwriter, with a beautiful voice and a writer of tender songs... very much in the West Coast mould. He plays acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, bongos and percussion, and has a keen ear for musical arrangements. I am very excited because we have, once again, the capabilities of glorious 4 part vocal harmony... for instance, I can see the vocal blend formula on song choruses as such... Rob, 3rd below... John, lead... Steve, 3rd above... myself, 5th above... Also, the idea of 4 guitars playing different inversions and parts would be very harmonic, and unusual. Good times ahead."

After much searching for suitable new recruitments to Pacific Groove, we can announce that rhythm guitarist and singer, John Baxter has joined the band. We had previously announced that guitarist Rob Kendrew and singer Wendy Ashman had joined, but they very quickly proved that they would not be able to make a regular commitment. Dan: "The apathy that Rob and I have encountered in recruiting new members has been unbelievable! People come along, try out with us, say they like it, and then we never hear from them again! But in John Baxter I can safely say we have a diamond bloke! John has only been playing guitar for about 3 years, but he is showing total dedication and a twice weekly commitment to learning guitar parts and vocal harmonies. He is a nice player and has a good voice too. We are now looking for a keybaord player, who sings, can play keyboard bass and has a drum sequencer!"

Also a date has been set to commence recording of the long awaited second PACIFIC GROOVE album... November 26th! Below is the intended running order, with lead vocals.

APPROACHING THE FLUFFY OUTSKIRTS OF ALMOST THERE

The New Album from PACIFIC GROOVE. Recording commences late November 2006.

Tracklisting

CALIFORNIA DREAM (Dan)
KID FROM L.A. (Dan)
GUARDIAN ANGELS (Dan)
DISTANT SHORE (John)
LOVE TAKES TIME (Dan)
RUN AWAY WITH ME (Dan)
INDIAN SUMMER (Rob)
SAN FRANCISCO (Dan)
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND (John)
ONE AND ONE IS LOVE (Rob)
IT DOESN'T MATTER (Dan)
WIND OF CHANGE (Dan)

All songs written and composed by Dan Russell

Expected release date...APRIL 2007

Dan says "I placed an Ad for a new female vocalist to start the rebuilding process of Pacific Groove, after the recent mass exodus... and along comes Wendy Ashman from my local village!. Wend, 40, lives in Corston, 2 miles down the road from the hamlet of Corston Fields, where I reside! She came along for the audition with her friend Sue, who is a very positive, motivating force, and who is very interested in helping out with gig getting etc, and also her son. Rob and I quickly realised that Wendy does not possess a lot of belief in her vocal talents, but with a little coaxing we got her to sing a song she had performed at an X Factor competition in Corston. We said we would harmonise with her so to give her moral support. But as soon as she started to sing, we stopped and had to listen! Out of the mouth of this very sweet and shy woman, came this incredible sound! I felt goosebumps! Her voice was strong, pure, soulful, tender, warm and resonant. Absolutely beautiful! Not exactly the same as Karen Carpenter, but possessing the same wonderful and unique qualities that she possessed! Rob and I were blown away! When she finished singing Rob said "You're hired!". And I wasn't going to disagree! We wondered why she didn't believe in her voice! She said that Karen Carpenter is her idol, and uncannily she even looks like her! I can't believe our luck! Wendy has simply one of the most beautiful and expressive female voices that I have ever heard! Also, Rob Kendrew, 49, an excellent acoustic guitar player and harmony vocalist came for an audition last week. Dan " He picked up the songs really quickly on guitar, is a really nice guy, from Bradford on Avon, but hailing from Yorkshire originally, wants to play the picky parts and alternate inversions, and has a nice harmony tenor, or baritone, voice. I can tell he will be a good man to be on the team" Rob is into alt country and suggested a Ryan Adams song and Last Train To Clarksville as some covers. We are confident he will be joining the band!

In keeping with losing a band member every Monday for the last 4 weeks, Maddie Tomlin has decided to call it a day! Dan says: "Maddie has been a real trouper since last October, a regular rehearser and added much to the vocal blend. But with the advent of a gigless few months ahead she has decided to find herself a new band that gigs more regularly, probably in the cabaret field. We wish her well and we will miss her enthusiasm". Dan, Rob and George have decided to take a summer break before starting to rebuild the band. Watch this space!

Following the wonderful gig played by the band at the Keynsham Music Festival on July 2nd, attended by Dan's mum, 86 year old Connie, there is some shocking news! But more about that in a minute... The Keynsham gig was the first time Dan played live in his hometown, and the first time his Mum had seen him perform in public! Also the stage was erected metres away from two paramount incidents that happened in Dan's life back in the Summer of Love, 1967! As an 11 year old he had his first romantic kiss on a nearby bench with local girl Ann Rogers! Hi Ann! Where are you now!? Also he and his brother, Martin, suffered a double beating up by a couple of bad lads, near the swings! Now the shock news! Dan: "It is with great sadness that I have to report that Mark Voisey and Tony Veste have left the band. They have both left for personal reasons, which, out of respect for both of them, I will not elaborate on. They both joined the band in the Spring of 2005, making them joint longest serving members, along with Kate Gold and Chris Hales. I will miss their musicianship, friendship, support and good humour, and it just remains for me to say I thank them both from the bottom of my heart for all the good things they brought to the band. I wish them luck in their future endeavours." Finally, the lyrics to Dan's latest album Life Will Set You Free have now been posted.

George Liddell, Newcastle born Conga player and multi percussionist, has joined the band. He answered an Ad Dan put in the local Free ads paper. He started his musical journey back in the days of skiffle, pre rock n roll, was part of the 1960s music scene and spent the 1970s living in Africa. He runs percusson workshops and apart from Congas, Bongos and percussion, he plays xylophone, marimba, keyboards and harmonica. He also sings, chants and growls! Says Dan: "George is a thoroughly nice guy, laid back and a real character. At his third rehearsal with us he sang Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain and John Denver's Leaving on a Jet Plane, in a wonderful bassy resonant voice, reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Lee Marvin. Really different and really soulful! He is tall and thin, like Tony, and smokes a pipe to the Scouser's cigarettes. They are like bookends. Visually, George is a cross between d.j. Bob Harris and Yes guitarist Steve Howe!" Also, a female singer, recommended by former Groover, Dave Hill, came along for an audition. She sang really well, and was being groomed to sing a few lead vocals, as well as harmonies, to take the load off Dan. Unfortunately she decided she couldn't join the band at the present time because of the commitment involved. Great shame, not least because her name was very similar to Mark Voisey... Vika Moisey!! Spooky! It would also have meant she would have been the 4th member of the V TEAM!...Veste, Voisey, Vika and Dan's middle name, Victor! Can you imagine the onstage intros... Vark Voisey and Mika Moisey!

Dan Russell - Life Will Set You Free - Click for full details

Back in April, singer Suzy Mizrahi auditioned with the band. Explains Dan: "As you know my multi harmony dream is a relentless thing, and when I found out that Suzi, who selected us to play for the Keynsham Music Festival, was an accomplished singer with close harmony groups, I couldn't resist in asking her along to a rehearsal. She was a lovely, positive spirit, and joined in on the coda of California Dream, to create a stunning 5 part blend - Suzy taking the high soprano line. But unfortunately, due to personal reasons, the time to join was not now, but would like to in the future. My dream would be to have 3 female vocalists - Bev, Suzy and Maddie, and merged with Mark, Rob, Tony and myself to create mindblowing 7 part harmony arrangements! But logistics and common sense are prevailing at the moment!"

Dan continues: "However, Bev and I are planning to commence recording an album of my songs at the home studio that her partner, Duke has set up. A strong contender for the name of this duo project is Yosemite Yell! It will be great working with Bev again. I've missed the positivity and passion that she brought to the band during her time with us."

Pacific Groove Live 2006 - click to enlarge image

An excellent gig was played at the Village Hall, Compton Dando in early May. Dan: "It was a very special occassion for me. Not only did we perform excellently, but nearly all of my best friends were there... Howard, Margaret, Dave, Mark O, Jason and Howard H! I have a lovely photo of the 2 Howard's, both bonded by a love of Pink Floyd. If they were so inclined, they would make a fabulous management team for the band! It was great to see Howard H again. He recorded the show and popped in to see us during a break in his tour with David Gilmour. He will be back in June to help and advise with our sound once more, but expressed a wish not to disrupt the band by coming back as a playing member on keyboards, but I hope we can twist his arm because he has a very unobtrusive playing style anyway."

Dan has also released his new solo album 'Life Will Set You Free'. This follows hard on his previous solo album, 'Freeing In The Rock World', which nudged out in December 2005, barely 5 months ago. For full album details and Dan's thoughts on his latest opus click here.

There has been a difference in opinion in the Groove ranks regarding a Conga player/percussionist to be added to the band. Dan: "Mark feels we can take on the duties between us, but I feel an experienced, talented player is what we deserve and need. Watch this space!"

Dan: "And finally, our thoughts are with Tony at the moment. Last week his mother passed on after a third heart attack in about a month. So, Groove fans, if you wish to send condolences to the lovable Scouser, please do so via the website, I'm sure he would appreciate them. They say when a soul leaves the world, another enters. Cade Waterson, new born son of Robbie and his wife, Wendy, was born this week! Congrats to them both... that is an outlaw's name if I ever heard one!"

A helluva lot of things can happen in a month! First of all, Dave Woodford made it clear that his agenda was to infiltrate the band with his own compositions and to oust Dan's stuff! This was gleaned after a torade of abusive texts to Dan, claiming that he, Woody was a better songwriter than Dan and challenged him to a songwriting duel! Dan "The whole thing was laughable! I told Woody that as a songwriter he was a great bass player!" Tony has now returned to the fold for a third time, and played a great gig with us, after initially getting lost, at the King's Head, Easton-in-Gordano. Dan "Everyone, young and old, were whooping and hollering, and they wouldn't let us leave the stage! Who said you need to put covers in the live set to get people's attention!?". Dan and Mark found Dougie, a young 18 year old drummer, at the Hop Pole pub in Bristol, and unfortunately, after a great audition on his electronic drum kit, decided he could not commit due to being in another band. But John, a friend of former Groover Dave Hill, may be interested in the drummer vacancy... watch this space!

Howard, in his role of keyboard technician, has joined David Gilmour and Rick Wright, of Pink Floyd, on a U.K. and European Tour, so we won't be seeing him until June. We will miss him because he has crafted our sound beautifully and added some great keyboard sounds to the mix, as well as some sequenced drums. But the good news is that founder Groove member, David Woodford, bass player and harmony singer from Swindon, is now in a position to give full commitment to the band. Also Maddie is being gently coaxed into playing bongos, to add to her mighty fine percussion skills! So the line up is very much looking EAGLES "unplugged"... 2 Acoustics, Electric, Bass, Bongos and 5 PART HARMONY! Dan's true vision is indeed, coming to fruition!

Dan has announced the release of his new solo album... "Freeing In The Rock World". Dan explains; "At the start of 2005 I bought myself an 8 track digital studio. Throughout the year I've been recording some songs that have been kicking around for the last few years, and also some new songs. Most of the renditions of these songs have been performed with just lead vocal and guitar, except Planet Janet, Run Away With Me, California Dream and Ocean of Love, which I added extra guitar parts and harmonies, and a reworking of Sway, with former Groovettes, Jan Edwards and Claire O'Connell, adding lead vocals on the verses and harmonies on the choruses. I am very happy with the album."

Overall, it is a very eclectic album. It includes many songs that embibe the romantic summer optimism of Road To California, but include many songs with "adult", political and anti religious content... and a fair amount of love spurned bitterness and Grumpy Old Man fare! But even the bitter songs are delivered with Dan's peculiar sense of humour!

DAN RUSSELL - FREEING IN THE ROCK WORLD
Album Released December 2005

FREEING IN THE ROCK WORLD
MILLENIUM MAN
PLANET JANET
FRIENDS
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WITH YOU
DAM IN MY SOUL
HOPELESS ROMANTIC
RUN AWAY WITH ME
GENTLE MAN
COATHANGER MAN
CALIFORNIA DREAM
FUNK ALL NITE
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND
SWAY
LOVE TAKES TIME
HARDEST PART OF THE PLAN
OCEAN OF LOVE

All songs written, composed, arranged, recorded and produced by DAN RUSSELL at Pensamiento Studios, Corston Fields, Bath, England - January to December 2005.

DAN RUSSELL: Lead and Harmony Vocals, Acoustic 6 and 12 String Guitars, Electric Guitar.
JAN EDWARDS and CLAIRE O'CONNELL: Lead and Harmony Vocals on "Sway".

© 2005 Apricot Armpit Music. Album initially available on cassette only, priced £5 GBP plus P&P.

Wow! So much has happened in the last two months! Bev and Dave have formed a duo, playing covers, and have left the band at the present time! From Bev's point of view it was because of financial necessity. Her partner, Duke, is very ill at the moment, and she needs to earn money to support her family, and the cabaret route, which she has done before, seemed the best option. Dave wanted to help her, but also prefers to play covers, and in a smaller combo. As he says "Less people means you get more done". We don't expect Dave to return to the fold, but Bev has expressed a wish to return to the Groove when Duke has recovered and is able to babysit their young son, Jake, once more! This will probably be next spring.

Meantime, Dan had a bit of a bust up with Tony, and the latter left for a couple of weeks. Chris also left the band over loyalty to his friendship with Tony! Dan and Tony then resolved their differences, and the latter returned to the fold, as did Chris!

Meantime, Dan advertised for a female harmony singer, to take on the role of the higher registers. This caused great insecurity in Bev, who thought she was being replaced! She felt reassured when Dan told her he was purely looking for someone to sing harmony, not to take over her lead vocals with the band! After two singers were auditioned seperately, and found to be karoake singers, Maddie Tomlin has joined the Groove! She has a lovely, sweet, high voice, and can sing harmony naturally due to playing and performing in a close harmony group for the last few years. She loves Dan's songs, as does her bass playing husband, John, who has sat in and helped with finding harmony parts. She is a really nice lady and is continually baffled, and amused by Dan and Mark's insistence that they are, indeed, Buffalo Bill and Wyatt Earp, respectively! The 3 part harmony blend between Dan, Mark and Maddie has sounded fantastic.

Dan then advertised for a replacement for Dave on lead guitar....and up pops Rob Waterson! Dan was delighted to find out that it was the same guy who very kindly gave him a lift to watch the Doobie Brothers, back in 1995! Rob is not only a fabulously subtle and spectacular guitarist, in the Joe Walsh mould, "talk box" and all, but possesses a lovely, gentle and resonant baritone voice. The 4 part harmony blend produced at the last rehearsal was, according to Dan, absolutely amazing and a complete dream come true!

The plan is for Dan, Mark, Maddie and Rob to continue playing the Open Mike circuit in search of gigs. When the gigs come up the other members will be called upon to play those, if they are available. For instance, the last full paid gig at a Cider Mill in deepest Somerset was played by Dan, Mark, Tony, Chris and percussionist Tim, who replaced drummer Barry, who was unavailable.

So basically, there are two bands now:

PACIFIC GROOVE QUARTET
DAN RUSSELL Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
MARK VOISEY Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
MADDIE TOMLIN Vocals, Shakers
ROB WATERSON Electric Lead Guitar, Vocals

PACIFIC GROOVE ORCHESTRA
DAN RUSSELL Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars
MARK VOISEY Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Vocals
ROB WATERSON Electric Lead Guitar, Vocals
MADDIE TOMLIN Vocals, Shakers
BEV MAY Vocals, Tambourine
CHRIS HALES Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesiser, Strings
HOWARD HOWES Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Synthesiser, Strings
TONY VESTE Bass Guitar
BARRY ALLEN Drums, Percussion
TIM BURROUGHS Congas, Bongos, Vocals
COLIN TRUMPER Tenor & Soprano Sax, Clarinet, Tambourine

As Dan says, "Not only is my dream of 5 part harmony a reality in the Orchestra line up, but I have at last emulated Brian Wilson's band numerically!" One more thing. Howard is nearly at the end of his 3 month tour with Fab Macca's band. Dan has been in constant contact with H during his stint as keyboard tech across the United States. Recently, his hotel in L.A. had been very close to Capitol Records, the Beach Boys label! But unfortunately the big man didn't have time to storm the building with Dan's "Road To California" album!

Due to a deteriorating domestic situation in early August, Colin decided he would have to leave the band because he wouldn't be able to give full commitment. This was unfortunate because it was just a week before a Garden Party Gig for Howard's Godmother's 80th Birthday Party for her acting fraterntiy friends on the 13th, and a high profile outdoor gig at Bristol's Dockside. But a phone call to Tony and he agrees to strap the bass guitar on, initially for the two gigs.

After two fine perfomances by the band, minus Chris, who was on holiday in St Lucia, Tony agrees to rejoin on a permanent basis. Meantime, Colin asks if he can rejoin playing his first instrument, the saxophone, which would mean his commitment need not be so total. In subsequent rehearsals the sax really works, especially on the more jazzy numbers. I have suggested to Colin that he could play flute too, which would sound really nice.

The Garden Party Gig well and we perfomed 11 songs, which included Howard's party piece on the Hammond Organ... "Gimme Some Lovin'". Tim Pigott Smith, Honor Blackman and Michael Kitchen were the famous names at the event, and Michael came and shook our hands and said how much he had enjoyed our set. A young lad there asked me if I had a CD of the band, which I promptly gave him, and he said, as a songwriter himself, he really liked the song CALIFORNIA DREAM. It turns out that the young man was Michael Kitchen's son! I envision father and son listening, literally, around the Kitchen table to our album, planning when we can play for their Christmas Party... now that would be nice!

As Chris returns to the keyboard fold, Howard takes off for three months on a 3 month East to West Coast tour as keyboard technician with Paul McCartney and his band! After all the big names he has been involved with over the last 25 years, the garden party gig was the first he had played as a musician since he was seventeen!

We await the call from California for Pacific Groove to support Macca and his boys on a gig at Santa Monica Auditorium! Watch this space!

We can confirm that popular and charasmatic bassman Tony Veste has left the band! Dan says: "We are all very disappointed that Tony has decided to leave because not only was he a fine bassist, but he was a real livewire character as well. His reasons were that he simply felt he was ready to gig, and the band were not quite there yet. He also felt he would like to try music nearer his heart i.e. jazz and blues. He said it was a hard decision to make because he was very fond of everyone in the band and he really rated my songs, which was nice. He will be missed, but life goes on.

We have auditioned Colin Trumper, a bass player who had run a blues project that Mark, Dave and Chris had been involved in. He has picked up the songs really well, is a really nice guy and we welcome him aboard! As Dennis Wilson was the only Beach Boy who could surf, then Colin is the only Groover who actually sails! He regularly sails his boat up and down the River Avon in Bristol!

Also, drummer Barry Allen, who joined the band for a while last year, at a time when that line up was starting to break up, has rejoined! Barry used to play drums and sing in country rock combo, Country Blue, is a really nice laid back guy and is a builder by profession, as Mark is. And as Mark is singing lead on our version of the Eagles "Take It Easy", then Barry used to sing lead on that other popular song from that first album by the Californian combo... "Peaceful Easy Feelin"! Does this mean all self employed builders are great Eagles fans, this is the eternal question!

We are also very plesed to welcome our soundman and mentor, Howard Howes as a playing member in the band! Howard had expressed a great wish to be more involved with the band, and he will take on the role of second keyboard player. As Howard says, while Chris is playing piano or organ, he could add some strings or synth, and I can hear some keyboard dobro from Howard added to Chris's keyboard banjo on Yosemite Jim! In fact I can see Chris and Howard working out orchestrations for the songs, which is very exciting!

My dream of reproducing the sound and musical variations of Brian Wilson's band is getting nearer! The icing on the cake will be the vocal harmonies! Bev and Mark have worked really hard on the harmonies with me. Our 3 part oohs! are starting to sound stunning, with Mark singing to the top of his high tenor range, then Bev pushing her naturally low voice to soprano and me doing the castrato falsetto at the top! I swear one day that my plumbs will drop out onto the floor! Chris adds his nice low voice on some songs, while I know Barry is midrange and Colin is more a baritone. We soon will be producing some stunning 6 part vocal arrangements, I can see. Dave and Howard tell me that they can't sing. We will see!

Talking of singing, Bev has been doing some wonderful lead vocals. Not only has she sung with power and soul on songs like Yosemite Jim, Kid From L.A., Sway and Run Away, but we have discovered that she has a really beautiful and tender side to her voice which she displays on the choruses of Pacific Grove, Flowers, Wind Of Change and on the Rascal's song, Groovin'. Mark is also singing the lead on Love Takes Time, a favourite of his. His voice reminds me of David Clayton Thomas, the lead singer with Blood Sweat and Tears.

Dave and Mark's guitar playing is fabulous. Dave is playing the solo to Flowers with a fuzz guitar sound straight from Ernie Isley! Fantastic! And Mark's finger picking and general playing is beautiful. And my old stalwart Chris continues to play excellent keyboard, always coming up with new sounds and experimentation. The future is so bright we gotta wear shades!

"APPROACHING THE FLUFFY OUTSKIRTS OF ALMOST THERE"

There have been details filtering in of the possible tracklisting for the second Pacific Groove album, working title "Approaching The Fluffy Outskirts Of Almost There" (Hey! The cover art is already done!). There is a strong possibility the tracks, with lead vocalist, will be as follows:

CALIFORNIA DREAM Dan
KID FROM L.A. Bev
HARDEST PART OF THE PLAN Dan
LOVE TAKES TIME Mark
WIND OF CHANGE Dan & Bev
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND Dan & Bev
SWAY Bev
IT DOESN'T MATTER Bev & Dan
BROTHERS AND SISTERS Dan & Bev
YOSEMITE JIM Bev
PACIFIC GROVE Dan & Bev
RUN AWAY WITH ME Bev
OCEAN OF LOVE Dan
SEND ME DOWN AN ANGEL Bev
GENTLE MAN Dan

Welcome to the Summer at last! The sun is shining, the skies are blue, reflected in the brilliant new website by Jason Allen! Everything is rosy in Garden California, although Dan hasn't had a chance to grow his huge sunflowers this year, he has been too busy with the band! But Jason has carried the spirit of the Sunflower onto the website, as you can see!

Dan says "So much great stuff has happened in the last few months! But firstly I have to say a big thank-you to Jason for designing the new website! Beautiful! The blue is a genuine sky blue and the sunflower touch is lovely! It kinda makes the photos, especially in the new Gallery, even more colourful!

When I last spoke, Bev, Dave and Mark were just about to join at that time. What fantastic additions they have proven to be, such positive, talented, dedicated souls, all three! You can read my personal analysis of the new members, and also Chris, Tim and Tony, in the new biography section. But Tim has unfortunately decided to move on. He felt the band was getting a little large for his liking, he wanted to gig more and also felt his folk influenced songs didn't quite fit into the Pacific Groove sound. He said he wants to form a band around his compositions, and he was writing more and more these days, playing more guitar and playing less percussion.

The band sound has been heading more towards playing with a drummer, but Tim was not keen to take on that role. Tim is a nice guy, and he will be missed, and we all wish him well with his new project. I have had contact from a drummer called Nick Jones, in answer to an ad. He is 36, currently playing with a blues band until mid July, when he is leaving them. He is into the music of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and C.S.N.Y., all founding fathers of the West Coast sound of the 70s. He says he plays like former Byrds drummer, Michael Clarke, with lightness, but with drive and also occasionally plays jazz! Absolutely perfect for us!

We played a great gig at the Southville Arts Trail recently. It went down really well, and my son, Lol, took some photos! I've left the best news for last! Bev had been working with a keyboard player before she joined us, putting some vocals to his songs. His name is Howard Howes and he has been helping us out greatly recently. He has been a professional sound engineer for 25 years, working with such illustrious names as Genesis, Howard Jones and George Michael!!

For the last 5 years he has been working for Paul McCartney, and is touring the States with him in August, for three months!! As we speak he is about to do a two week stint with Andy Williams and then on to do the sound for Live 8 in London!! He has been doing the sound for us at our rehearsals, giving us good advice on sound, tunings and arrangements and basically being a mentor for us, giving his time free! He's doing it because he really rates my songs and wants us to get success as a band! We are all really excited about things. We have recorded a new version of Sway, with Howard, and he wants to produce an album with us in January! Instead of revolving doors, I see doors opening! Watch this space!"

Wow! So much has happened to Pacific Groove since the turn of the year! Out go Christian Liberati, Paul Jones, Jan Edwards, Claire O'Connell & Lisa Middle. In come Dino Dini (and out again!) & Tony Veste. Also, it looks like singer Beverley, acoustic guitarist Mark and lead guitarist Dave could be joining! Here's Dan Russell to fill you in!

Dan says "It seems that revolving door just keeps on spinning! I'm afraid I had to sack Christian from the band! I firstly would like to say that I really like the guy as a person, he's kind, he's weird, he IS Niles from the comedy series "Frasier", he writes great songs! But basically he is lazy, and can't be bothered to work on the songs! The final straw came when he refused to play guitar on one of my songs, because he felt tired... but then played the more energy requiring bongos instead! I'm really sad that Paul told me that he couldn't make the full commitment, but because of the distances involved and his work schedule, we could all see it coming. He's a very talented guy and we hope we can persuade him to produce our next album."

"Jan, Claire and Lisa always preferred the smaller, vocal based rehearsals with me, and even suggested it could be a seperate thing called Dan Russell's Voices. They can only rehearse on average once a month, due to other commitments, which is no good for Pacific Groove. Our good friend Dino Dini joined for a couple of rehearsals, has some great songs and is a fine guitarist. But he soon realised that he couldn't give a full commitment, due to other musical commitments. Scouser Tony Veste has recently joined, had a few rehearsals, and played a gig with us. He did really well to learn the songs so quickly, is a fine, inventive bass player and a real character! Acoustic Guitarist Mark Voisey and Lead Guitarist David Hadley have just joined and are both fine players, and Mark sings too. And Singer Beverley May is rehearsing with us this week. She sounds like a real rock chick, which will give us a nice cutting edge. Out of the ashes Pacific Groove is Groovin' once more!"

NEW LINE UP

DAN RUSSELL Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitar
CHRIS HALES Keyboards, Vocals
TIM BURROUGHS Congas, Bongos, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
TONY VESTE Bass Guitar, Vocals
BEVERLEY MAY Vocals
MARK VOISEY Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
DAVID HADLEY Electric Lead Guitar

GIGS 2005

CHELSEA, EASTON 13TH FEBRUARY
THE CRYPT, ST PAUL'S CHURCH, SOUTHVILLE 2ND APRIL
SOUTHVILLE CENTRE, SOUTHVILLE 21ST MAY
THE PROM, BISHOPSTON 3RD AUGUST

Dan Russell says "Hi everybody! Hope you have all had a good year. Mine, as usual, has been a complete rollercoaster in all aspects of my life. But that's the way I like it! I'm really pleased with the current PACIFIC GROOVE line up. Everybody's been working hard in rehearsals. Christian has taken up playing the bass and has come up with some great lines, Chris is becoming more and more inventive on keyboards and even plays Keyboard Banjo on Yosemite Jim!. Paul has been playing some delightful electric guitar and has written some great new songs. The other day he presented to me all the chording to 4 tracks from the famous new SMILE album! Jan, Lisa and Claire are singing like angels, the harmonies are absolutely beautiful now! Also Drummer/Percussionist Neil Robinson and Conga/Bongoman/Percussionist Tim Burroughs look to be joining in January! And then there is the new album! At last! It really pleases me to be able to release the first Pacific Groove album, 3 years since it's conception. A big thanks to Jason for putting the album together and for another beautifully inspired cover. Read on for all the details. The album should be in the shops in January. Happy Christmas, whoever and wherever you are. And may the new year be another full of fun and happiness. Roll on the Summer! Groove on!"

Pacific Groove - From Stockwood To Woodstock

1. LET IT GO (Jones/Russell/Gold)
2. CHOCOLATE TOWN (Allen/Russell)
3. LOVE TAKES TIME (Russell/Allen)
4. THE BOOK OF HER DREAMS (Russell/Orchard)
5. EASY (Jones/Russell/Gold)
6. THIS IS 4 U (Russell/Orchard)
7. COUNTRY GENTLEMAN (Russell/Jones)
8. SPACE FOR GRACE (Russell/Allen)
9. BETTER DAYS (Russell/Woodford)
10. HOPE COVE (Russell/Gold)
11. DISTANT SHORE (Russell/Jones)
12. WATERY SUN (Russell/Jones/Gold)
13. THE SUNSET RUN (Russell)

Tracks 1, 5, 7, 11, & 12 Produced and Recorded by PAUL JONES at Wilsonesque Studios, Cardiff. Tracks 4, 6 & 10 Produced and Recorded by STEVE ORCHARD at Shoebox Studios, Stockwood. Track 9 Produced and Recorded by DAVID WOODFORD at Lofty Heights Studios, Swindon. Tracks 2, 3 & 8 Produced and Recorded by JASON ALLEN at Chronik Bionik Studios, Keynsham. Track 13 Produced and Recorded by PETER BOERE at Stackpool Sound, Southville.