subdudes

the subdudes' seamless synthesis of blues, rock, Gospel, and new Orleans R&B--combined with insightful original lyrics, masterful instrumentalism, and rich, soulful vocal harmonies--emerges as a sum much greater than its considerable parts.

Biography

Their rich gospel inspired vocal harmonies, insightful lyrics and relaxed, rootsy grooves have been a subdudes signature since the band's inception in 1987. It's what indelibly ties them to such other icons of Americana as The Band, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder and The Grateful Dead. As Billboard put it, "The music of the subdudes breaks through with resounding clarity. The subdudes are different, but good different."

On Primitive Streak, their fourth album and second for High Street Records, the subdudes deliver their irresistable blend of country, gospel, rock, folk, and New Orleans r&b with typically laidback charm and topnotch musicianship.

Catchy numbers like the buoyant "Sarita" and the hard-hitting "Love Somebody" could help the subdudes gain significant radioplay this time around. And the special guest appearance of Bonnie Raitt on "Too Soon To Tell" couldn't hurt. Elsewhere on Primitive Streak, the subdudes indulge in glorious five-part harmony (with the help of 'fifth subdude' Willie Williams of the Zion Harmonizers) on the soulful, country-flavored "Carved In Stone" and "Faraway Girl". They resurrect the rumba influenced rhythms of New Orleans legend Professor Longhair on "Why Do You Hurt Me So?" And they rock with raunchy abandon on "Love Somebody" and "Break Down These Walls".

Originally hailing from the tiny sugarcane town of Edgard, Louisiana, three members of the subdudes relocated in New Orleans, where they began working with bands like the Continental Drifters and Lil' Queenie & The Percolators. It was the fateful night of March 3, 1987 that they took their current name for a gig at Tipitina's. Following a move to Colorado later that year and after finishing second to Lonesome Val in Musician magazine's best unsigned band contest, the subdudes were signed by Atlantic Records, which released their debut in 1989. After a second album for the label in 1991 (Lucky) the subdudes were picked up by High Street, a subsidiary label of Windham Hill. Critical praise for Annunciation has won the subdudes a fervent following, including such celebrity fans as Huey Lewis & The News, Joni Mitchell, Roseanne Cash and Shawn Colvin. And while the four members reside in different parts of the country, they still have the same chemistry they had in the early days when they lived in two houses on the same block in New Orleans. "We find it a little harder to collaborate now because of where we live," says Fort Collins resident Amedee. "But whenever we do get together to work on new material, whether it's in New Orleans or Colorado, it just instantly clicks. It's all very intuitive and natural."

SUBDUDES CONTACT INFO
Fan Mail Address:
305 W. Magnolia, #217
Ft. Collins, CO 80521

Itinerary Hot Line 307.235.4902

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