Odd Fellows On An Even Day by Dark Side

An LP (Rumors in Our Own Time/Legends in Our Own Room) was produced with USE guitarist, Paul Rieger, during 1979 and on into early 1980. Joining shortly thereafter, drummer David Reeve (OHO's current drummer) helped the band integrate its various influences and explore a range of music that encompassed 60s R&B, punk, humorous pop, garage and gothic-progressive rock. The band defied easy categorization, living up to the notoriety that Dark Side members Jay & Jeffrey Graboski, Mark O'Connor and David Reeve established in 70s OHO (1973-1977). Dark Side remained true to a music that was stripped down and driving, yet capable of an emotional subtlety not usually associated with bands of their ilk.

"Odd Fellows On An Even Day" includes 6 of the 8 recordings from the band's 1st 2 EPs, the entire "Rumors/Legends" LP, and 3 very rare basement recordings that include 2 never-before-released songs, "Dogs On Drugs" and "Another Crack In the Jaw." ("In the Dark" was included on the late Greg Shaw's "Battle of the Garages Vol. 1" on a Voxx Records LP in 1981 and again together with Vol. 2 on CD in 1993.) In 1986 Dave Jarkowski, Jay Graboski and drummer Bobby Ginyard recorded "Back Up Man," the CDs closer, featuring former OHO/Hand to Mouth chanteuse, Grace Hearn, on backing vocals. Bill Pratt engineered this session at his Bratt Studio in Woodlawn, MD.

Surviving members reunited in the spring of 1995 to record "Dark Side '96," a cassette-only release, co-produced with OHO bassist/engineer Steve Carr at his Hit & Run Recording Studio in Rockville, MD. Three tracks from that live-to-digital-2-track session are included in this anthology.

On June 5, 2004 Dark Side (with honorary members Gyro on bass and Johnny Cochran on keyboards) performed as one of ten finalists in the Washington, DC edition of Little Steven's Underground Garage Battle of the Bands.

"Dark Side is difficult to contain within a genre. In fact, it is nearly beyond categorization. The 1st thing that impressed me were the nervy punkish vocals. I heard David Johanson of the NY Dolls, a dash of the suave Brian Ferry (Roxy Music), Elvis, and bit of the raw sensuality of Jim Morrison, quite a bit to cram into just the vocals.

The sound is HUGE--a wall of sound--not unlike the Phil Spector aural experience. Listening repeatedly to this CD reveals new little quirky pieces here & there--tiny morsels hidden under the instrumentation. The tunes are straightforward rock 'n roll, but again they straddle a myriad of genres--punk, rock, rockabilly, new wave, and pop. The Side's sound can be compared to (on various songs) Roxy Music, The Tubes, The Animals, Elvis, Bruce, the NY Dolls and THE RAMONES. There is the smash of the guitar power chords, the staccato punch of the organ & the pounding rhythm of the drums. You will just have to listen for yourself to hear all the stuff they crammed into these tunes. "Good Boy" is that kind of song where you immediately know the words & can bop along or wave your fists in the air. YOU are a member of the club, YOU are right at home. This CD is full of little gems that are like sparklers, totally amusing and temporary. If you need to just have a good time, throw this platter in the disc changer."

-Kat Dickinson (Music Monthly, July '06)

"Although the feel is definitely 60s, the band have a powerful and aggressive 80s attack and they breeze through a fine selection of songs with hints of the Ramones and Springsteen. The record is FUN and often finds me smiling out loud at the great hooks, stomping pop feel and humourous lyrics--the band sure know their stuff as the lovely spoofs-thrown-in-as-fills indicate too. A most rewarding album, it's like Big Sound's 'Bionic Gold' but with 10x the punch!" -Comstock Lode (UK)

"It is rock in its most primitive incarnation. 'Where The Action Is' carried to a frenzied extreme. A focused, robust effort of playful rock 'n' roll experimentation that aims for the heart. The horns punch, the sound is full and lively--this record crackles with energy. A perfect context for David Jarkowski's soaring growl."

-Unicorn Times

"Dark Side make energetic and raucous revivals with a driving rhythm section setting the tone for Jarkowski's raunchy vocals: a rockin' good time. The Side bring sources as different as Presley, Alice Cooper, rockabilly, Springsteen and the Bonzo Dog Band. With abundant enthusiasm the lineup makes consistently engaging and stimulating old-wave rock that shows incipient signs of modern weirdness and an up-to-date sensibility."

-Trouser Press

"Sure man, this is some mighty real R&B-infected rock in the Springsteen/Parker tradition. David Jarkowski's edge gets the point across. The band really FLIES, and I don't mean Northwest Orient. Production and packaging are in the same league as all the crud you buy at $15.98."

-Stefan Hammond (Minnesota Daily)

"What really impressed me was the way the band has consolidated its influences into a coherent style where, at its best, Dark Side manages to speak the dialect without stealing anybody's lines. The band operate on the most economical formula rock 'n' roll has to offer: a strong melody, solid hooks and an accessible beat."

-J.D. Considine (The News American)

"For flat-out rock and roll with comic relief it's tough to beat Dark Side. Their 'Fun In Nicaragua' ranks with the best stuff the Bonzo Dog Band ever did."

-Michael Yokel (Baltimore City Paper)

"Dark Side play a fusion of new wave and progressive rock, and the result is interesting, enjoyable, and strange. The band has a neo-60s sound that bears a striking resemblence to the pop rockers that scaled the charts when most of our parents were in high school. The guitar work is excellent throughout and mixes well with the ever-present organ. The standout cut is 'Fun In Nicaragua.' The song sounds like something third-graders sing during recess. I can't help but LIKE this album. I hope Dark Side are not the future of rock and roll, but they are an interesting sidetrack."

Scott Flood (Night Rock News)

"Co-founder/guitarist Jay Graboski is not only back, but he's better than ever with Dark Side. The tracks resonate with grit and guts. Chock full of sonic surprises, this CD shines a fresh new light on Dark Side."

-Mark Bounds (Music Monthly)

"The 60s live on! The guitar work throughout this CD is excellent and the album flows with a uniqueness and power that make the music vital. Versatility and musical emotions make Dark Side a band that has rock and roll captured." -New Music Review

"Dark Side lunges forward with the kamikaze style of bands who believe there's no tomorrow." -Washington Times

"David Jarkowski tells the truth. Jay Graboski provides an explosive lyric. Mark O'Connor proves you can't watch too much TV and David Reeve's and Jeff Graboski's drummings have plenty of muscle and no unnecessary licks. Thanks for the great graphics, vintage photos and for making each cut segue seamlessly into the next. Highly collectable."

-Pam Purdy (Baltimore City Paper)

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