Dusty Pockets bring sprightly album release show to Rialto
Local rock and blues-infused Americana group The Dusty Pockets “seek to tell meaningful stories” with performances of their original music and inventive tributes in and around Bozeman. Those talents will officially materialize with the release of the band’s first album, Hard Line, later this month.
In anticipation of the upcoming record release barn burner at the Rialto, The Rolling Zone got together with Dusty Pockets lead vocalist Dave Walther and bassist John “Griff” Griffith for a sometimes-animated conversation about their debut release and assorted frames of reference.
RZ: The Dusty Pockets have been popping up around the region over the last couple years. For those unfamiliar with the band, who is this group?
DW: We’re a group of musicians from all over who have centralized in Bozeman. Three out of the five of us played in Cure for the Common, amongst other bands. Griff and I have played in a lot of others as well, regionally and beyond. The Dusty Pockets came together organically. It started out as a two-piece, then we just kind of built it up. [Our music] is based off of songs I write with a lot of creative collaboration. We like to call it our own blend of – what is it Griff?
JG: Recreational Americana.
DW: It’s a wide variety of all American music – blues, country, even soul. We cross genres quite a bit, but it happens pretty naturally in my opinion.
RZ: What can folks expect to experience at a Dusty Pockets performance?
photo by Lo Hunter
DW: They’re kind of a ride. There’s slow, sentimental ballads, then there’s upbeat stuff with horn sections in some shows. It really does vary. And that’s the point, for it to be an experience and not the same kind of song over and over again.
RZ: Featuring the Horn Stars-assisted lead single “Born to Run,” the album is called Hard Line. How was putting this thing together?
JG: We made it ourselves, so that’s pretty slick.
DW: Yeah, in a studio we built in Griff’s house. Instead of putting money into studio time, we put it into building our own little space [where] we have the resources to do everything ourselves. It’s entirely recorded and produced by us but does not have the sound of a garage recording. It really came out well and we’re happy with it. It was a fun experience and really came out well. It’s available everywhere on July 27th.
RZ: How does this 10-track debut represents this collection of musicians.
DW: We have the fortunate problem of having a lot of original material. With everybody being in other bands, it took a little while to get the point where we were prioritizing this one. The launching point was when we did 11th & Grant with Erik Funk, but there were still scheduling problems with [our] other bands. Once we started getting going, we decided it was time to put out a real album because there had been enough lineup changes – the band was very different, and our goals had changed a bit. It took a little while, but once we got into the album phase, we had a sea of songs to choose from. So it became, ‘Which songs do we feel best represent this group?’ It was fun to be able to put it together, to kind of cherry pick and make the best piece, the best whole.
RZ: It’d likely be difficult to pick any one favorite, but are there any songs in particular you’re excited for people to hear?
DW: All of them for sure, but I’m excited to see what people give us the most feedback on – what songs are their favorites off the album. There are a few I feel came out really well sonically. “Hard Line,” the title track, is just very title-track sounding, if that makes any sense.
JG: I like “Daggers,” it’s unlike any other tune on the record.
DW: It’s a little deeper, more introspective kind of tune.
RZ: That was actually my favorite one. I’m always curious to see what song is chosen to end an album.
DW: That was the cool thing for us too, being able to sculpt it with that in mind. To make it an album and not just be like, ‘Oh we’re going to release this single.’ Yeah, we’re going to release singles to give people a taste, but we wanted it to be an experience cover to cover. It was really fun to have that opportunity to sculpt the album how we saw fit, to end it on the note we wanted to end it.
RZ: Is there a great story behind any of those songs you’d be willing to share?
DW: I would stay “Yellowhead” is the most interesting, storytelling kind of song. It’s about Mary Yellowhead Road, the place I grew up. It’s a backroad where people go to party, a mixture of redneck hunters and natives since it’s on the reservation. There’s a really eclectic blend of people and it’s always fun to rummage through the carnage and debris that’s left over. There’s a lot of imagery in that one. It’s an interesting place.
JG: I wrote one tune on the record called “Dogs.” A buddy of mine went to prison and I took care of his dog while he was away. That tune is about his dog entering my house where I already had a dog. Each verse is from a different perspective, whether it’s from the old dog, new dog, or me. That’s kind of that. [laughs]
RZ: Are there artists you guys like to cover that might also inspire your own music?
DW: We do a lot of covers from The Band. We did a Band tribute last summer, kind of the start to this Cannery District party going on. We’re also doing the last one this year. It’s a tribute to Little Feat & The Allman Brothers on Sept. 5th that we’re calling “The Little Brothers Tribute.” When we do those, you’re kind of diving head-first. It’s not just learning the song for a wedding, it’s really putting a production together and digging into it. You start understanding why your heroes are your heroes. When you get to really put the talons into a song like that, you can’t just give them up after the tribute show is over.
RZ: Anything crazy off-genre that might trickle in a little bit?
DW: It’s different every day. We’re kind of music freaks about everything.
JG: We’ve been listening to a lot of Wheeler Walker, Jr. lately. It hasn’t really been influencing the content of the music that much, but it sure keeps us laughing together. There’s no bad music –
DW: – there’s plenty of bad music, but there’s no bad genre.
JG: We’ll go with that.
RZ: Who are some completely underrated artists out there today?
DW: Ahh… The Dusty Pockets. [laughs]
JG: The Congress is a band I’ve always looked up to. They’ve got ridiculous songwriting, ridiculous voices, ridiculous musicality. I love watching those guys play and it’s not very often anymore. They’re a big one for me.
DW: Paul Cauthen is my kick right now. He’s pretty country, but showy. Elvis-y, Roy Orbison almost. Very tasteful music – something new and fresh on something old and familiar. He’s turning us more and more into a country band with every show.
RZ: You’re The Dusty Pockets. Where did that name come from?
DW: It kind of dropped down from the heavens upon us. It went through a lot of name searching and this one just stuck. I can’t even remember the time or place, but we tried it on for a while and just really liked it. Playing music, you’re trying to stay in this pocket, a range of area you can hit and be on-beat. But I can’t say that’s how it came to be. Maybe that’s just how I justify it.
JG: It’s art. It’s open to interpretation.
RZ: The album is out at the end of the month, then what? What plans does this band have for its future in music?
DW: The stars are the limit! Honestly, we’ll go right back into the studio. We’ll keep playing shows and promote the album for sure. But like I said, we have a catalog of songs to choose from and want to get those down, and we’ve got some new songs in the meantime. We’re going to get through the release party and these summer shows, then start recording again this winter.
RZ: Final messages?
JG: Thank you for reading and getting to the end.
DW: Thank you even more for coming to The Rialto on July 27th. Our good friends the Lazy Owl String Band will be opening to add to the eclectic nature of the show. We cross a lot of genres and they don’t really do what we do. Our bands have very different styles, but they’ll bring a similar energy. It should be a really fun show.
The Dusty Pockets take the Rialto stage on Friday, July 27th with help from the Lazy Owl String Band beginning at 8:30pm. Advance tickets to this 18+ show are $10 at www.rialtobozeman.com, $12 in-store at Cactus Records, and also available at the door depending on availability. Doors at 7:30pm.
The Dusty Pockets are Dave Walther (guitar, vocals), John Griffith (bass, vocals), Garret Rhinard (keys, vocals), Matt Rogers (guitar), and Joe Sheehan (drums, vocals).
Learn more about The Dusty Pockets at www.thedustypockets.com or find them on Facebook for updated show details and band announcements, @Dustypockets. Their debut album, Hard Line, releases July 27th. The collection and limited edition vinyl are available for pre-order through the band’s website. •
