Dandelion

I Think I’m Going To Be Sick (Ruffhouse)
by Joe Hacking

“Our little scene was comprised mainly of degenerate mutants with parties in dank basements and run-down basements, no PA, and hours in line waiting for some loser to fill up beers for all his buddies,” recalls Dandelion singer, Kevin Moore. “It really was fun and all, but it grew old fast, and it was time to get things going.”

So, dusting off guitarist Carl Hinds’ 8-track recorder, Carl, Kevin, Kevin’s brother Mike on bass, and Dante on drums, set about to recording their growing catalog of originals. They produced a six song demo which enabled them to begin paying their dues in Northeast clubs. After months of playing every dive within a day’s travel of Philly, Dandelion booked some time in a local recording studio. The final product was I Think I’m Going to be Sick, and was released on indie rap label, Ruffhouse Records. With their recent signing to Columbia, I Think I’m Going to be Sick has been re-released for mass-consumption.

The band members grew up in late ’70s/early ’80s suburbia, and you can hear it in the music they produce. As a member of the same period of American history, I can appreciate what Dandelion is doing. It’s all in there: ’60s British Invasion, ’70s Guitar Rock, punk rock, one-hit-wonder alternative, and a dash of grunge to keep it contemporary. They mash it all together into a powerful, intentional sound that stirs memories of jacked-up SS Chevelles, concert t-shirt wardrobes, and pre-“Say No To Drugs” America. At times, Kevin’s voice gets a little too grungy and their riffs mock Nirvana’s older material, but in all, Dandelion delivers some quality music with this disc. Seeing them open up for Black Market Flowers at the Middle East, the band brought an energy to their work not present on the disc. They’ve been trained well in the smoky bar rooms of America.