Local rockers Dirty Sweet have been a buzz band since their inception in 2003, building a legion of fans through a series of great rock shows at venues up and down the coast. On May 24 through 26, The Casbah will be the scene of three nights of CD release shows in honor of the band’s long-awaited debut album, ” “¦ Of Monarchas and Beggars”.
Few acts can fill the venue on one night, let alone three and this multi-night stand is a testament to the size of their following and the impression made by their classic rock inspired sound.
According to the band’s guitarist Mark Murino, the idea for multiple nights at the club came from owner Tim Mays.
“You know what the Casbah is to the San Diego music scene, it’s the nucleus,” he said. “There was never any question as to where the CD release party would be, [but] we were honored when Mays suggested we do three nights.”
The band, which also includes vocalist Ryan Koontz, guitarist Nathan Beale, bassist Shaun Cornell and drummer Chris Mendez-Vanacore, recently signed with local label Seedling Records, run by another local artist, AJ Croce.
“The deal was a pretty easy decision for us; all arrows just pointed at it,” remarked Murino. “We respect the label, the staff, the eclectic nature of the label.”
Murino, tongue in cheek, describes the band as “five brothers banded together to rock! We have no choice in the matter,” he said.
“The plan is always rock ‘n’ roll for us. That’s just where we come from. We weren’t gonna start a mariachi group or a polka band.”
While some might consider four years a long time for a band to wait to issue their debut CD, Murino points out it wasn’t for lack of trying.
They just wanted to make sure things were just right.
“We could’ve put out a few mediocre, shabbily recorded albums in that time or wait till we had a strong set of songs under our belt,” he admitted. “But Nate joined the band a year and a half into it, and I think it definitely changed our dynamic and our sound. We kind of threw everything out the window and started over.”
The band has had many memorable performances, including a spot at the 2006 San Diego Music Awards, but it cites a performance at Rimac Arena with The Killers as a highlight.
Murino’s more reluctant to divulge any lowlights.
“I don’t really like reliving the bad ones because it’s usually my fault,” he joked.
Many area bands have had a tough time when they head north to Los Angeles clubs, where pay to play and indifferent crowds are the norm. Dirty Sweet, however, has managed to break through, with a recent Viper Room residency to their credit.
“I don’t think it’s just L.A., I think it’s hard getting anything going outside of your home-town,” Murino commented. “I’m not going to lie, there [is] a stigma attached to L.A. But there’s no place quite like it. If you can give it to them, they’ll take it, and that’s true whereever you go.”
It looks like 2007 will be Dirty Sweet’s year, fulfilling the promise they’ve shown all along.
Best of all it captures the band as they truly sound onstage. ” “¦ Of Monarchs & Beggars” is full of great, loud, brash rock ‘n’ roll in the tradition of such groups as Free or Faces.
Even the most jaded rock fan will find themselves tapping their feet to such potential hit singles as “Delilah.”
For the moment, Murino is happy to concentrate on the matter of three CD release shows in a row.
“Right now we’re pretty focused on making it a fun night for everybody,” Murino said.
Future plans include more recording and touring Europe, with a simple already in place.
“Our goal is [plan] to have ‘career highpoints’ and to not embarrass ourselves too badly in the process,” he joked.