5 Question Friday With The Dignitaries' Tony Daniels
I haven't seen Tony Daniels since 1992. Back then he was the coolest guy I knew. Seriously, it was high school and he was the one guy who was laid back about absolutely everything. Everyone else had typical high school drama. Tony behaved as if none of it mattered, because it turns out, none of it did.
Now he's in a band called The Dignitaries. They're playing something called 'Rock Music'. Just when I thought it had become extinct. Tonight, the Dignitaries will be at the New Frontier for their CD Release Party for their first album, Rocket Science. Tony was nice enough to take some time and be part of 5 Question Friday.
1. How did the Dignitaries get started?
The 5 of us have been friends for a very long time. Life took its course and we never got the opportunity to hang out or keep in touch. The Dignitaries were born out of a twice a month jam night between friends just to hang out and keep in touch. Someone would bring a case of beer, another a few pizzas, and we would rock out in between hanging out. Before we knew it, The Dignitaries were born.
2. There are a ton of bands coming out of Tacoma these days, what do you think makes the music scene here so diverse?
Tacoma has always had great bands coming out The Sonics, Girl Trouble, Seaweed... I am not certain what makes the scene as diverse as it is, for me it’s just cool to be a part of it, to participate in it. I suppose, and this is just a guess that the weather may have something to do with it too. What better way to spend a rainy day than to play an instrument or write a song.
3. What place in Tacoma would you like to play but haven't yet?
I've always wanted to play either. The Rialto or The Pantages Theaters. I remember seeing a lot of my favorite Seattle bands play The Paramount in Seattle. To me The Pantages was always Tacoma's Paramount. Plus if we ever got the opportunity to play The Rialto or The Pantages, it means that our music has gone beyond the bar scene and reached more people. And that would be way cool.
4. How would you describe the Dignitaries to someone who hadn't heard them?
I just tell people it's old school garage rock with the energy of a punk band. Its hard to explain because at our root we are very much a garage band, but we all have different influences we bring to the table which gives it something fresh. It gives it an energy... there’s just something special about it.
5. What's next for the Dignitaries?
Well Rocket Science comes out tomorrow at the CD release show. We've been sending it out to radio and print publications. The summer is pretty much booked with shows already. There are no definite plans right now, but I think we're just going to ride the wave Rocket Science makes for us and hope that it opens a few more doors along the way.
Thanks to Tony for participating in 5 Question Friday. You can see the Dignitaries tonight in Tacoma at the New Frontier, 301 E 25th St, Tacoma, WA, 253-572-4020 .
You can find the Dignitaries at http://www.reverbnation.com/dignitariesmusic#!/venue/536059
As always, if you or someone you know, wants to participate in 5 Question Fridays, contact me at jackcameronis@gmail.com
-Jack Cameron