For the first time in seven years, Dada plays in Dallas to dedicated fans alongside local Post Punk Band Telemetry.
Dark post-punk band Telemetry lays the foundation for the night with their tone driven sound. Their dark and mystic sounds have bits and pieces of inspiration from Interpol and Joy Division. Anwar Alonso on drums does not miss a beat, making drums look effortless. Most drummers that play the way Alonso does are usually sweating and dragging by the end of their song but he looks so unbothered and intimidated by the speed and intensity of his playing. Guitarist and vocalist Oliver Watrin in his all black has this mysterious persona to him that makes Telemetry what it is. Guitarist Saulo Ramon stands next to Watrin being immersed in the reverb-drowned guitar and fun synthy effects. Ramon, much like Anwar Alonso, makes it all seem so easy.
After Telemetrys set, the room full of newbies and super fans begin to grow with anticipation as the band’s gear is loaded onto the stage. The last time Dada played in the Lonestar state was back in 2017, but the cult following exchanged stories of where they traveled to see them in the past years. The wide range of generations shocked a lot of older fans. The whole front row of the venue was full of new fans probably in their late teens to early twenties mostly wearing “Newbie” pins on their brand new Dada merch. As the lights dim and the main theme from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly starts to play over the speakers, bassist Joie Calio and drummer Phil Leavitt join the stage and take it all in while guitarist Michael Gurley follows behind with his contagious smile. The three quietly count off and play the intro to “Dim” off their 1992 debut album Puzzle. The whole front row sings every word while pushing each other creating a small mosh pit.
It didn’t take long for Dada to get the recognition they deserved. Known for their two lead singers Joie Calio and Michael Gurley, the LA-based trio climbed to number five on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart and number twenty-seven on Billboard’s mainstream rock chart in the 90’s for their first hit single ever, “Dizz Knee Land”. Dada made two more albums after Puzzle featuring some of their best songs yet. One of my personal favorites “Ask The Dust,” was played with such complexity and creativity. The tone driven guitar begins by playing the catchy intro lick and soon Michael Gurly and Joie Calio’s harmonies fill the intimate space. The way all three of them play together feels so trusting, it’s evident they have played together for years. The chemistry between them is unmatched, most of the time their eyes are completely closed while the three are playing. In the middle of “Ask the Dust,” they turned away from the song and integrated “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles into the already beautiful song. Iconic to say the least. After their little jam they come back together and finish out their original song with a rowdy audience. Transitioning into “Drum Solo/Posters,” Phil Leavitt plays the intro drum solo with his eyes shut tight. After a good while of Leavitt showing off, Joie Calio joins the stage with cowbells in his two hands and holds them out to Leavitt. Impressing the crowd once more, he continues to play drums while adding in cowbells all while his eyes closed.
Truly I have never seen a band with such dedication to their art or their fans. Michael Gurley and Joie Calio get up close and personal with the front row for every song being highly engaged with the whole venue. Phil Leavitt had a mic with him on the drums, and when he wasn’t harmonizing he would be talking with the fans in the front row or making small talk with his fellow bandmates. With their setlist full of fan favorites, they managed to sneak in a classic cover of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas which of course made everyone in the room go wild. Ending their breathtaking set with an encore of “Dizz Knee Land” and “Dorina,” the beautifully intimate room of Club Dada was filled with cheering and laughter as the band departed from the stage. While the house music begins to play and the lights grow brighter, the faces of the majority of the people in the room were so bright and full of joy knowing they will be onto the next show following the tour bus down to Austin to repeat the memorable night once more.
I am a Dallas-based photographer. I am social media manager and photographer for indie-rock band Laredo Two as well as writer and photographer for Prosper's online newspaper, Eagle Nation Online. I have always had a passion for anything music from playing shows myself (I play bass and guitar) to music photography. When I am not taking pictures or at a concert, I run a small jewelry business and work at a local guitar shop!
