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TRACK OF THE DAY! The extraordinary has happened! The first track off of "Too Proud to Practice" was selected Track of the Day at GarageBand.com! You can check out "Proctor, Gamble and Huff" here: Track of the Day. Meantime, reviews of "Too Proud To Practice" keep overflowing our mailbox. We've managed to pick a few of them up off the floor before the cleaning lady got to them. They're posted over in our press section. Enjoy! |
DUKE FAMOUS!
Following close on the heels of the release of our album, "Too Proud To Practice",
Duke Fame is featured in the October issue of "Performer Magazine", no longer available on the
web at PerformerMag.com (but trust us, it was!...maybe Will can email us the new link, if it is archived...or maybe I can get my butt up off the couch and look for it myself). Special thanks to reporter Will Mason and
photographer Justin Sonfield. Will, you are welcome to come
sing Guided By Voices with us any time.
Meantime, reviews of "Too Proud To Practice" keep overflowing our mailbox. We've managed to
pick a few of them up off the floor before the cleaning lady got to them. They're posted over in our press section. Enjoy!
The Party was Great!
Duke Fame's CD Release party for "Too Proud To Practice", at Langford Sound and Stage is history.
The sound was great! The Stage was great! There was BEER! Even the BEER was great!One band we won't mention that begins with a "G" and rhymes with
"Arlington" totally flaked out on us at the last minute, which turned out to be excellent! First, they didn't embarrass themselves, because
the other bands were amazing. Second, "Opposing Force 4" filled in at the last minute, and they were awesome! I loved Georgia Pines.
Just remember, if you have the opportunity to see a band that begins with a "G" and rhymes with "Arlington", do yourself a favor and avoid it. I know five bands and
two venues that won't be dealing with them again. Maybe they should change their name to "Flakington" or "Flakes on a Plane" or something more appropriate.
Thanks to
Opposing Force
CD Update!
Okay. "Too Proud To Practice", is done. Stick a frock on it. I don't know what that means, but it's done just the same.
I don't think it will look good that way, but after you buy it, you can stick anything you want on it.
It will be available at Langford Sound and Stage this Friday (see below).
We got a lot of mail on this, and I need to point out that neither aliens nor babies were harmed during the making of this CD.
That was all made up by the magazines to sell copies. We did manage to kill several beers, though.
Each.
Per session.
And the occasional munchie. Also the bass player got attacked by a dog when he went to pee once. The dog's okay, though. And it turns out the bass player really didn't need to go all that bad, anyway, until a bit later.
Rumor also has it that Duke Fame will appear in a magazine due to hit the stands any day now. Stay tuned for more on this!
So get down to Langford and get your hands on a copy of "Too Proud To Practice", while you can!
Great New Venue in Atlanta!
Duke Fame's CD Release party (either "Too Proud To Practice", is being thrown up, so to speak, at Langford Sound and Stage in Roswell. The sound is great. Stage is great.
We. Will. Have. Beer.
Joining us will be, ahem, Garlington, Point Blank, Tayl, and The Tiles. This, ladies and gentlemen, and all of you in between or to either side,
is going to be a show not-to-miss! We're going to be there Friday and Saturday, there are NO excuses. Come on down and hear
some of the best original music in the south. No Brag, Just Fact.
CD Update!
According to an article on page four of the Globe, next to the picture of the Alien baby recently born in Africa to
Hollywood parents, it is reported that the pictures for the cover of the new Duke Fame album, "Too Proud To Practice",
were spirited from the earth by aliens . . .
Translated, the photographer couldn't download the pictures to the FTP site and ended up leaving town with the pictures still in the camera.
But I have, in my CD player, the very first pirated copy of TPTP. You know the album can't be far behind then! It is excellent. It really exists. And
the pictures are due back in town in a couple of days, and a day after that it goes to press!
Really!
CD Update!
According to our friends at the National Enquirer, the mix is done and the new Duke Fame CD, "Too Proud to Practice" was sent off to be mastered.
The album art is to be completed this week. According to sources, Donnie Smith was rattled by the Paparrazzi and forgot his drums last week. He showed up to the practice/photoshoot
empty handed. One can see how something like this would happen - thank goodness he wasn't carrying a baby! After all this time, though, fans should be
willing to wait an extra week, no?
The band considered renaming the album, the "Transparent" album - a progressive evolution from the Beatles "White" album, then the "Black" album from Spinal Tap, to "Transparent". The album would have no markings, and be encased in an unmarked, clear jewel case. While this would have lubricated the task of completing the artwork, there were some technical difficulties - namely many retailers do not have the equipment necessary to read transparent bar code at the checkout stand. Although initial marketing studies found consumer acceptance in the format - mainly as a high-end table coaster - the band elected to suck up the extra week and release "Too Proud to Practice" in it's original form.
Special thanks to Allan Ploth of Deep End Studios for his excellent work.
Dreams DO Come True!
After lengthy negotiations, Mary LeFevre, one of Duke Fame's biggest supporters - well, actually, Mary's not big per se, but she's really fast, according to her hockey teammates. And she's
agreed to be the manager of the band, and help out with schedules, swag, promotion, and all sorts of things so Duke Fame can get off the stick and write songs. Perhaps also she'll be able to get Duke Fame back into
some of those venues that we've managed to get ourselves kicked out of at some time in our dark past. Welcome to the crew!
Welcome Donnie Smith!
The reports you have read are true. After falling out of a coconut tree onto Brandon's head, Steve came up
with the idea of having a drummer that not only had a different name than anybody else in the band, but a different name than anybody else in the band has
ever had before! It took months, but we not only found a drummer that wasn't a Steve, Kevin, Eric, or Mike, but didn't even rhyme with any of those names. Those of you
who caught us at the Kirkwood Flower and Art festival know what I'm talkin' about. Come on out to one of the shows and see for yourself.
CD Update!
As reported in Variety, the new Duke Fame CD, "Too Proud to Practice" is recorded mixed and is off to be mastered the week of June 18. Special thanks to
Allan Ploth of Deep End Studios for his excellent work. Stay tuned for
more information on how to get your hands on a copy.
New Drummer for the Band! Donnie Smith!
The reports you have read are true. After falling out of a coconut tree onto Brandon's head, Steve came up
with the idea of having a drummer that not only had a different name than anybody else in the band, but a different name than anybody else in the band has
ever had before! It took months, but we not only found a drummer that wasn't a Steve, Kevin, Eric, or Mike, but didn't even rhyme with any of those names. Those of you
who caught us at the Kirkwood Flower and Art festival know what I'm talkin' about. Come on out to one of the shows and see for yourself.
New CD! Almost! Really this time!
As reported in Variety, the new Duke Fame CD, "Too Proud to Practice" is recorded and being mixed just in time for summer. Special thanks to
Allan Ploth of Deep End Studios for his excellent work.
Sexy Photos!
I have just thrown up...more photos on our photos page, that is! Holy crap...I'm sleepy. But here they are...from our last show at 10 High on January 31, 2006. Just check out the amazing crowds we draw. Click here.
A New Album for a New Year!
I have just finished listening to some rough and almost completed tracks off of our new album, "Despair?". Let me tell you...if these puppies don't sell, then there must be some right-wing conspiracy that doesn't want the world to reach the enlightened state of mind that Duke Fame will surely bring everyone. Or maybe just because nobody's heard of us...one of those. So, if you hear it and you like it, you should spread the word! Be a part of the Duke Fame street team! If you are interested email the Duke Fame Army at dukefamearmy@dukefame.net.
PISS OFF BRANDON!
Brandon is planning a guestbook for everyone to sign, a links page for friends of the band and other assorted updates to the site, including making it look pretty. Bug him to get off his ass and do something about it. E-mail him at firfer@dukefame.net. You can also report any dead links to him, but our guess is that he won't do anything about it.
Join the Duke Fame Army:
Not as strong as the Kiss army, but much cooler than the Salvation Army, the Duke Fame army is ready to march! Screw Uncle Sam, the Duke Fame Army needs you. We all need to be loved and we can't think of a better way to get that love. Much more effective than therapy and whole lot cheaper, the Duke Fame Army is better than Prozac. Join up and we promise to shower you with more love than you can stand. Think of all the benefits you will receive in addition to the satisfaction of being part of the Duke Fame Army. In addition to being kept up to date on all Duke Fame happenings, such as gigs, news and the latest releases, you can discuss diaper changing techniques with Steve. Perhaps chat with Mike S. about why he keeps hurting himself while doing the most simplest of tasks? Maybe ask Brandon what he could possibly be thinking about when he agreed to join the band. Better yet, you could win a date with Mike C. The possibilities are endless. All we need is your e-mail address and we'll keep you up to date on everything Duke Fame and we promise to sell it to anybody who will buy it. What more can you ask for? To join, click here:
dukefamearmy@dukefame.net.
Despair
This is the name of our new album currently being recorded at The Deep End studios right here in the ATL. Despair...why such a sad name you ask? We don't know. Sounds like a good follow-up to our first album, "Regrets". Ok. So actually we like the name because it goes well with our cover art. You'll see...
So far the album sounds great, thanks in large part to our recording engenue, Allan Ploth...as masterful as he is bald. For more information on this awesome studio, check out the website at http://www.deependrecording.com. We are just about done recording 14 great tracks, including what is sure to be our first single, "Proctor, Gamble and Huff". Also included on the album are the rockin' tunes, "Bad Maria", "All Hail the Monument Club", Brandon's punk love song "2nd Chance to Get it Right the 1st Time", as well as his gushy mushy ballad written for his soon-to-be wife, Beverly (appropriately titled "Memory Bucket"). This album will be one for the ages.
You can FEEL the excitement!
After another excellent show on Saturday, November 19, I believe everyone is getting truly pumped for our album's release. I have just finished listening to some rough and almost completed tracks off of our new album, "Despair?". Let me tell you...if these puppies don't sell, then there must be some right-wing conspiracy that doesn't want the world to reach the enlightened state of mind that Duke Fame will surely bring everyone. Or maybe just because nobody's heard of us...one of those. So, if you hear it and you like it, you should spread the word! Be a part of the Duke Fame street team! If you are interested email the Duke Fame Army at dukefamearmy@dukefame.net.
Thanks to the big crowd that showed up at Mulligan's Saturday night. It was wonderful to see y'all. The Crumsy Pirates were wonderfully crumsy, as usual! Check 'em out at http://myspace.com/crumsypirates. Also, we all got a listen to the upstart young (and we DO mean young) teenage group, The Volatiles. Makes me wonder if I really DID have angst as a teenager...or maybe I was just gassy...I'm not sure.
Picture pages, Picture pages...
Thanks to everyone that showed up for our very successful (at least that's what they tell me) show on November 2 at the 10 High. Check out the rockin' good time that everyone had on our photos page!
Nov. 2 - Big Shoe at 10 High
Our biggest show of the week! We will be performing with Travesty Theory and White Widow. Travesty Theory plays some serious hard southern rock. I think they toured with Sevendust last year. Good for them! And for you potheads out there, White Widow is not the marijuana, but rather a kickin' rock band with a really beautiful lead singer. Almost as beautiful as Brandon (just don't tell him that). For more info on the show, check the Upcoming Shows section below.
Nov. 19 - Mulligan's
I know what you're thinking...Mulligan's again?! Well...before you decide to wash your hair, you should know that it's not JUST Duke Fame who we all know and love, but also the wonderful Crumsy Pirates. They will delight all who come with their amazing blend of old school punk rock. Come listen to the beautiful tones of the Pirate Queen!
Also, check out the cool new poster here!
Nov. 19 - Rated Arrrh!!
Duke Fame will be playing at the 10 High with our friends, the Crumsy Pirates. Come for the Duke and stay for the amazing punk vocals of the Pirate Queen herself. Seriously, they are a great show and for more info, check them out on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/crumsypirates/. For more info on the show, check the Upcoming Shows section below.
Last-minute gig
Hey! We've been invited to play Mulligan's tonight, Friday, October 21. Come out and see!
We survived DragonCon!! (and all we got was this lousy blog)
What a kick-ass DragonCon gig! We played to a room the size of a football field. It was great...ok, so we had, on average, about 10 people in the room throughout our 1.5 hour gig. But, those 4 fans in the front (especially Bob, who had quite a bit to drink) truly loved us! They might even want to see us again. By the time we all woke up the next day, Steve joined some cult that worships Lt. Tasha Yar and donates at least 60% of all earnings to Denise Crosby. That is why we renamed our band Duke Yar. Ok...so this isn't really true...but we ARE bummed that we missed the annual Klingon beauty pageant. I am glad that we agreed not to judge, for we found out that 3 of the 7 judges were found gored beyond recognition in their hotel rooms the next day.
Don't forget! Duke Fame takes the stage again this Saturday, September 10 at our favorite joint, Mulligan's, in Oakhurst (see dates below for more info). Check out our new poster! You'll be sorry if you don't!
DRAGONCON!!
Wow. What a pairing. Duke Fame and DragonCon. We are set to play at 11:30 p.m. for the opening concert kick-starting the 2005 DragonCon! We guarantee a crazy night for all who are lucky enough to attend. For more info on DragonCon, you can check out their website at dragoncon.org
In addition, we are also scheduled to play at Mulligan's Saturday night, September 10 and the 10 High on Wednesday night, November 3. See concert dates below for more information.
What a Tryp
Thanks to all of our fans who braved the scary Friday the 13th gig at Trypfest 3. It was hugely successful, except that Steve lost the wet t-shirt contest. Oh well...there's always next year...Our ultra-geek drummer, Mike, brought out his mini-video camera and ended up recording the whole show in surprisingly good video/audio quality. Since the whole movie is 500MB, we are working on either shrinking it or maybe streaming it so that our fans who just couldn't make it out will feel as if they were there. Check back soon for the video and some other nice photos!
NEW GIG - Saturday, July 23 at Mulligan's
Apparently, we are quickly becoming the new house band for Mulligan's. We will be playing with our good friends, The Cogburns. In a nutshell, they kick butt. Amazing stuff. Gotta see it to believe it...so mark your calendars now. We recommend you check out their website at http://www.cogburns.com (it definitely puts this website to shame).
BREAKING NEWS!
We would like to announce our NEW drummer...er...our OLD drummer...er...our NEW OLD drummer, Mike Sudul! It's great to have you back, man!
TRYPFEST 3 - Friday, May 13 at Mulligan's
We have been welcomed to open the musical portion of Trypfest 3. It will take place in the parking lot outside of Mulligan's Restaurant and Sports Bar. Trypfest is a great outdoor art/music/food festival for every type of person. We are honored to kick it off with a good 35-45 minutes of pure bliss. So come on out around 9 p.m. and see us in action. Then hang with us as we really like to eat our...I mean meet our fans...
Mulligan's is located at 630 E. Lake Dr. in Decatur. For a map, Click here.
GIG TIME! - Saturday, April 9 at Mulligan's
We know there are a bunch of y'all out there that are feeling left out of the Duke Fame bandwagon. We have great news for you! Anyone who attends the Saturday, April 9 gig at Mulligan's will be considered a part of the original Duke Fame Army. That's right! As members of the original DFA, you will be able to make fun of all the other bandwagon groupies. So come out and join us for a belated St. Patrick's Day celebration at Mulligan's located in the heart of Oakhurst (for a map click here)
RECORDING - Our new album to be out soon
Yes! It's finally time! We have started to record our sweet sounds so that we can live forever...in your cd player! Expect to see a full-length album out within the next few months. We are STILL looking for good album titles. So submit your ideas to DukeFameArmy@DukeFame.net!
One more gig! - Duke Fame lights up at the 10 High...AGAIN!
Thank you all who came out to our last successful show at the 10 High! Wouldn't you know it? They loved us so much they wanted us back! Well, we checked our schedule and found that we did have some time we could pencil in a show. So, mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 1.
Another Gig! - Duke Fame lights up at the 10 High
Thanks to Coach (AKA Steve), Duke Fame is now set to play at the 10 High on Thursday night, July 15th. If you bring a copy of our old CD, we will happily sign it for you! How awesome is that?! And, if you don't have one (yet), don't fret! We will agree to sign anything you present to us. This could be a photograph (of anyone...except Steve Bartman), another band's CD (NOTE: if it's a Journey or Styx CD, only Derrick will be signing it), and we even sign body parts...at our own discretion...
We understand if you couldn't make it to the Rusty Rooster. God knows I wish I hadn't made it. But there is NO excuse for missing this show! In fact, any lame excuses will be featured in a new website feature, that I will affectionately call "Lame Excuses". Later, playahs...
Thursday, June 10, 2004 - Mullets and the Mechanical Bull
Wow! What a show we played last night at the Rusty Rooster. There is nothing like rockin' out to a huge crowd (there must've been at least 8 of you on the dance floor) and then looking up from the stage and seeing some mullet-wearing pansy-ass cowboy riding a mechanical bull and getting flung off after 0.2 seconds...I thought I needed to be funny, but he did everything for me. Thanks to all of you in the Duke Fame Army that came out. Ok...all 13 of you. It was a regular Last Supper. Since that's all there were, I would now like to thank everyone personally...
I would like to thank Andy for the drink, it was much needed at that point. I would also like to thank Brian for the Sex Pistols comment...actually, I am not sure that is a compliment...Johnny Rotten doesn't exactly have the best voice I have ever heard...but I am sure you meant well. Thanks to my sis and my cuz for supporting us! Sorry you had to suffer through all those Creed-Metallica-Limp Bizkit wanna-bes. (Note to self: if you have a big beer gut...DON'T be wearing leather pants...ugh...) Thanks to Mike and Duncan for showing up. You guys rock! I appreciate y'all being nice and saying we sound good. Thanks to Derrick's other friends, Chad, Toby, Brian, Franklin and Justin that showed up and made us feel very wanted. Lastly, but not leastly, thanks to Enid and Shannon. I am sure you are now realizing how much better we sound in your garage...
Pictures are here! Check 'em out!
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - Brandon is waking up!
Good morning, loyal Army! In the coming weeks, this website will be overgoing an overhaul. It will be absolutely amazing! It's going to win a Webby Award! So start clicking around once in a while to see some new stuff...like my head being shaved...or pictures of the (current) cast of characters. There will eventually be a message board for all of you to tell us how much we suck. Life is grand...now where was that Flash book...?
New Gig!
We have a gig scheduled on Wednesday, June 9 at some point after 8 p.m. ET. We will be one of many bands competing for amazing prizes at the MEGA Battle of the Bands at the famous Rusty Rooster Saloon and Dance Hall! We could use all of your support because the band that brings the most fans gets something like 3 bucks! So yeah...come watch us on our way to winning the grand prize of $1000, a limo ride to HiFi Buys Amphitheater where we will play on the Sirius Satellite Radio Stage, a professional photo session and a gig with a national act at the Rusty Rooster! Woo-hoo! We're talking big time here!
Recording soon...
We here in the Duke Fame command center are working hard to bring to you, our loyal fan, a new album. We plan to hit the studio sometime in July and will hopefully have a new album for y'all to put in your CD player, or use as a coaster, or frisbee, sometime in August or September. We are still taking ideas for an album name (send your ideas here). So far our working title will be "Midnight in the Garden of Evil Knievel". If your idea gets chosen, we promise to send you nothing (OK a free CD - but that's it). Eventually, when Brandon finds the time, which we all know could be months, he will put all the suggestions on the Web page and have everyone vote on them. Also, we love e-mail. Please contact us with any comments, suggestions, complaints etc. to DukeFameArmy@DukeFame.net or any band member's e-mail address.
Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - The Turnover Saga
Much to tell y'all. First of all, good news and bad news concerning Mike Sudul...he and his wife are now the proud parents of one Luke Sudul. Congratulations, Mike! Unfortunately, he will be leaving Duke Fame to take on the more important role of father. You will be missed, dude.
Taking over drumming duties is Derrick Shean. Being an ex-cop, Derrick is a perfect fit! Ok. I have no idea why that's a perfect fit...but it sounds good. Don't fuck with us during our show (Derrick has been known to carry when playing!). An added plus to the addition of Derrick is his ability to sing using creative new headphone technology, made popular by such artists as Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. Welcome aboard, Mr. Nasty!
Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - Bittersweet
Bittersweet news for sure. The band is very saddened to lose bassist (and some say, heart of the band) Kevin Bell and singer/guitarist, Mike Amacher. Kevin and Mike, we wish you the best of luck with your new lives. Don't forget to write! Plus, maybe you can hook us up with some great gigs down in Savannah and Albuquerque.
On a much happier note, the band would like to announce the recruitment of its two newest members. Joining us as singer/guitarist is Brandon Firfer (veteran of various Atlanta Christmas choirs and solo bands that play in front of his mirror at home). Also joining us is Kevin Sullivan who plays bass, guitar, and sings. He was formerly with Cadillac Elephant, The Stooge Brothers, and also a solo act. He is one of the hosts for the open mic night at Limerick Junction. Kevin also loves long walks on the beach, kung fu movies and the planet Saturn.
If everything goes to plan, we should be recording this coming year and a new CD should be out sometime in late summer/early fall. Look for more shows coming soon as well as we start booking some in the next few weeks.
INTERVIEW!
As weird as that sounds, someone actually was silly or nice enough to interview the band. Must have been a slow month or someone dared them to do it. You can see the interview at http://www.erasingclouds.com/06janu.html. Thanks to Dave Heaton at Erasing Clouds for doing that. Believe it or not, Dave Heaton isn't the only glutton for punishment. Will over at Music Misfits has done the same. A collective group hug from the band to Will (in a manly way of course) for being such a great supporter of the band. See that interview at http://www.musicmisfits.com/Features/dukefameint.htm .
REVIEWS!
Check out Duke Fame reviews from (in no particular order) Sound the Sirens, Impact Press and 1340 Magazine. Thanks to all of you.