Dryve
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| Dryve | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  San Diego, California, USA |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Christian rock |
| Label(s) | SaraBellum Records |
| Website | http://www.dryve.net |
Dryve was an alternative/roots/pop/rock band from San Diego, California. The band's unusual instrumentation - including a Hammond organ, accordions, and a harmonica - gave them a unique sound. The San Diego music scene is well known for producing Christian rock bands such as Switchfoot and P.O.D.,[1] and despite its brief national life Dryve produced what the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music calls "stellar examples of Christian rock at its best."[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band was formed in 1993 when two folk duos merged to create one group. The first consisted of Paul Donovan (guitar, vocals) and Cory Verner, (guitar, vocals) childhood friends[3] who had played together since about 1990,[4] and the second of Keith Andrew (drums) and Steve Pratschner (guitar). With the addition of David (keyboard, sax, organ) and Michael Pratschner (upright and regular bass guitar), both brothers of Steve Pratschner, the band's lineup was complete. By the fall of that year that had recorded their first demo, dubbed South.[5] In November of 1994 they released their independently produced debut, Hum. The release lead to some local recognition: The first track, "Happy Song", won the 1994 San Diego Songwriters' Guild contest, and the album was nominated in the "Best Rock Album" category at the 1995 San Diego Music Awards.[6]
Dryve became well known locally, and between 1995 and 1996 Dryve played 90 shows in the San Diego area.[4] During this time they opened for acts such as Possum Dixon, Jars of Clay, and Jeff Buckley.[7] Their break came in 1996 after opening for Black Eyed Sceva, later known as Model Engine, at a local show.[7] They signed with SaraBellum Records and soon began touring the country. Their first national tour was in the fall of 1996 with labelmates Black Eyed Sceva and the Dime Store Prophets.[4]
February of 1997 saw the release of what was to be the band's only nationally distributed album, Thrifty Mr Kickstar. In support they toured with Sixpence None the Richer and Model Engine.[8] In June of that year Dryve was featured at the Cornerstone Christian music festival. Thrifty was critically acclaimed, and took the title of "Best Adult Alternative Album" at the 1997 San Diego Music Awards. [9] Their song "Nervous" received some radio airplay alternative rock stations and charted on Contemporary Christian music stations, peaking at #22.[2] The band's final tour began in October 1997 with The Call.
[edit] Post Break Up
Dryve broke up in 1998 but its members have continued to pursue other projects. Paul Donovan is singing and playing guitar in a San Diego band called The Midwinters. Michael Pratschner continues to play bass guitar at his home church in Encinitas, CA. Steve Pratschner teaches guitar lessons, leads worship at his home church, and continues to write and record his own music. Cory set up a home studio where he writes and records his own music and also plays at his home church.
Keith Andrew has probably been the most musically active since the breakup of Dryve. He played with Justin Stevens, formally of Dimestore Prophets for a few years and toured with him a number of times to places such as Europe, UK and Russia. In 2001 Keith got involved with a band in Los Angeles called 'Parlour' (later to be changed to Marjorie Fair) who quickly got courted and signed by Capitol Records. Unfortunately, the business end of things grew very shady and unethical so Keith left the band. Also based in Los Angeles, Keith Andrew worked with a band called The Paper Dolls who did a number of showcases for major labels including Interscope, Capitol and Virgin Records. They also worked with a few top name producers such as Dave Jerden (Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction) and Damon Elliot (Pink, Macy Gray). Currently, Keith is playing with a band called The Tallships based out of San Diego. The Tallships are signed to a European label called Minority Records and completed a seven country European tour in Summer 2006.
[edit] Style
Dryve brought a unique sound to the San Diego music scene and beyond. For instance, few bands use a Hammond organ, but even fewer bands tour with one. They also mixed two male vocalists, harmonica, and accordion into their songs. The resulting sound was so unique that Cross Rhythms commented that "the only band that sound like Dryve is Dryve!"[10] Their most popular song was called "Rain". It has been played by worship groups in churches throughout the country. Part of its appeal was the lengthy, dreamy, yet powerful guitar solo by Steve Pratschner.[2] As described by The Lighthouse: "It starts off slow and worshipful... Then it grows and grows to a full extended instrumental jam of praise."[11]
Other standout songs included "Nervous": a "near perfect hit single",[2] and "Television": an angst-tinged hard rock tune.[12]
[edit] Discography
- 1994: Hum (independent, Reviews: The Phantom Tollbooth)
- 1997: Thrifty Mr Kickstar (Sarabellum Records, Reviews: The Phantom Tollbooth, Cross Rhythms[10])
[edit] Members
- Keith Andrew - drums
- Paul Donovan - guitar, vocals
- David Pratschner - keyboard, sax, accordion, Hammond B3 organ
- Michael Pratschner - bass guitar (regular and upright bass)
- Steve Pratschner - guitar
- Cory Verner - guitar, vocals
[edit] References
- ^ Decker, Edwin. "VATICAN OF ROCK: Why does San Diego breed such God-happy bands?", San Diego CityBeat. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
- ^ a b c d Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Dryve", Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 270-271. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ Bronham, Chad. "Dryve". CCM Magazine. ISSN 1524-7848.
- ^ a b c Stonehocker, Linda (1996-10-13). Dryve. The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Andrew, Keith. Due to the millions.
- ^ Harris, Craig. allmusic ((( Dryve > Biography ))). All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ a b Dryve. Dryve's Band History. Archived from the original on 2004-08-25.
- ^ Stonehocker, Linda (1997-04-13). Jeremy Post of Model Engine Interview. The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Past Awards Winners. San Diego Music Awards.
- ^ a b Horner, Sandy (October 1997). "Dryve - Thrifty Mr Kickstar". Cross Rhythms (41).
- ^ Rock, Ed. Review: Thrifty Mr. Kickstar by Dryve. The Lighthouse electronic Magazine. Archived from the original on 2000-05-24.
- ^ Parks, Chris. Dryve's Thrifty Mr Kickstar. The Phantom Tollbooth.
