“Hello, we are The Dirty Names and we play Rock and Roll”
Five sexy, bold, confident, skinny guys strut on stage, sporting tight jeans, blazers, slicked hair and rings, snag their guitars, whip out this catch-phrase, then plow into 45 minutes of the most phenomenal Rock n Roll since The Rolling Stones. They’ve drilled their set so each song flows seamlessly into the next, never allowing a moment where you aren’t dancing your heart out. They are the epitome of professional rock n rollers, from their 60’s image to their stage presence to keeping crowd energy soaring and making sweet love with every person in the hall. They’ve choreographed dance moves that pull the audience in, making it impossible to be an unmoving hipster – you have to shake your booty to these guys. The crowd is in the palm of these masters’ hands and they take us for a ride. It’s pretty much 45 minutes of pure bliss. It sure was on Saturday March 26 when they headlined at Arlene’s Grocery in the Lower East Side.
The band is Harrison Cofer on lead vocals and guitar, Kit Whitacre on lead guitar, blues harp, and vocals, Matt Rose on drums and vocals, Sam Wetterau on bass and vocals, and John Countryman on keys and vocals. With five singers, it’s impressive how beautiful and clean the harmonies are. Usually rock n roll has basic vocals, but The Dirty Names push the envelope, while still pulling out the ol’ doubling up on the mic at times, so reminiscent of The E-Street Band. On their song Keep On Moving, they manage to get a perfect train blast harmony.
Harrison’s voice is rich and nuanced with a slight southern twang and a whole lotta attitude. Every girl in the audience croons when he shakes his skinny hips and flashes those heartthrob eyes in their direction. He is a front-man for the ages. I would venture with confidence to say that Kit is going to go down as one of the best guitarists and performers of our day. He melts faces with his tasty and mind-bending solos, putting his guitar in his crotch and thrusting out licks that make every musician envious and every girl heated. He has also nailed several of Chuck Berry’s signature dance moves. Sam is one amazingly solid bass player and has such a full energy with his lively, full-body pumping performance while simultaneously holding down the back-up vocals. He’s got that air of total confidence and badassery. Matt defies all drummer stereotypes. The most charmingly handsome gent with baby blues that’ll melt any girl’s heart as he smiles ear-to-ear in genuine enthusiasm. And a brilliant musician, co-writing tunes and singing beautiful falsetto harmonies while laying the driving rock n roll backbeat that makes you wanna boogie down forever. John Countryman is the 2011 version of Jerry Lee Lewis, wailing so hard on his keys that his fingers blur. He is also a crazy-man on stage, smashing, throwing, and elbow-dropping his keyboards throughout the set.
The Dirty Names are phenomenal. If you ever have the chance to see them, DO IT!!! And check out their website http://thedirtynames.com/ but remember that nothing compares to their live show. As soon as the right person gets wind of them, these guys will be jet-setting all over the world, so see them in small venues while you can. They’re playing the Mercury Lounge on Friday April 22 at 10 PM. Don’t miss this, seriously. You’ll be in for the best showmanship, the most up-tempo, smoking Rock n Roll, a whole lotta dancing, gorgeous babes, rad dudes, and you’ll leave with a grin that’ll light up the night. Last night they managed to create a sense of comradery in the room so that everyone was dancing together and Harrison got the entire place to have a collective ‘Cheers’, laughing and clinking glasses with total strangers. The crowd loved them so much they almost stormed the stage demanding an encore, which the band graciously gave us. Some of my favorite tunes are “Pootlehead” “Salt Water Jackie” and “Don’t Try (Making A Move)”
The Dirty Names are the single best Rock n Roll band since The Rolling Stones. Maybe better. Only time will tell.