Heroes & Stars
The spirit of Alberta shines through our people; people who inspire each other to realize possibilities and every-day people who become our heroes and stars.
Stars
The Dudes
Alternative and rock performers
Hometown: Calgary
February 19, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Website
Dan Vacon - Vocals / Guitar
Brady Kirchner - Bass / Vocals
Bob Quaschnick - Guitar / Vocals
Scott Ross - Drums / Vocals
The Dudes, a Calgary-based band, infuse an emotional blend of Al Green and flaming Lips - soul music and early 1990's distortion. Dan Vacon, singer-songwriter for The Dudes since their start in the late '90's, has the ability to draw audiences in through his distinct vocal style - a mixture of strong pop melody, sly double entendres, and pure soul.
The Dudes have produced several lo-fi releases since their inception, however their last musical offering, "Brain Heart Guitar", propelled them from the Calgary independent musical scene (where they voted Calgary's 'Favourite Band of 2006, 2007, and 2008' by FFWD Readers) into a more national spotlight, and spread their understanding of true rock and roll soul. The Dudes toured across Canada numerous times since the release of 'Brain Heart Guitar", with the likes of Pride Tiger, Two Hours Traffic, Hot Hot Heat, and Finger 11. As well as showcasing at festivals like Halifax Pop Explosion, Pop Montreal, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, The Canadian Junos, and the West Coast Music Awards.
Recently signing to UK label One Four Seven Records for a 2008 UK/Europe release of 'Brain Heart Guitar', the band recently finished 2 promotional tours of those regions in 2008, and is now receiving an influx of positive reviews for the album by Europoean blogs and magazines.
Pressing forward, The Dudes completed an album's worth of new tunes in Vancouver, Canada with producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland), and mixer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Franz Ferdinand). The album will be released in June 2009, and is expected to be the catalyst fo transforming The Dudes from a Western Canadian phenomenon into an interntionally recognized band in the world of rock and roll.
