My friends were mostly outgoing socialites and I was that awkward girl in the back wearing all black, in long Wednesday Addams braids listening to my Best of David Bowie CD. I was the textbook definition of small town gal with big city dreams and little motivation. I never could have dreamed of the life that was just around the corner, through those doors at the ole watering hole Bourbon St. in New Port Richey. On a whim, I went to check out another local band that someone I knew was in. Needless to say, they weren't exactly the best and I almost bolted. Harry Dash was the headline act and everyone suggested I stay, little would I know that my future was forever changed from this point on.
As their stage time approached the nearly empty floor was growing more a buzz with chatter from a very diverse crowd, mom's and their daughters, leathered old biker dudes and piereced punkers all talking about their favorite Harry Dash song they were hoping to hear that night. I knew I had to stick around, the rest was history... they came, I saw and they conquered that stage. I was spellbound by the lyrics and the energy that night. I had never seen a crowd so into a band, and as a rookie band promoter I knew I had to get the word out about this band.
Stopping off after the show at the merchandise table to be greeted by an elderly, British man wearing a shirt that said "Sex Bomb" across it (I didn't know then it was the name of one of their songs) I asked him if there was any way I could help promote.... before I knew it I was being whisked around the room being introduced to all the band members and his son, the lead singer of Harry Dash, Rich Wise.
Rich and his father Dave Wise, a.k.a. Daddy Dash. became a second family to me. The guys --Richie Reitter, Josh Maloney and Steve Dube -- have a brotherhood in this band that you only see in highly successful bands like U2 and they were like big brothers to me as I ran their fan site, raided their fridge, helped promote shows, took tons of photos and mediated tons of living room band practice sessions. I learned more from them then I did in any textbook about the music business, life and friendship. I spent many a long night traveling around with them to some amazing concerts and they even played a concert at my high school. Needless to say that day, it was the real life "Rock and Roll High School" and the kids there couldn't thank me enough. I knew then that my calling wasn't so much the music business but to create the same inspiration that they had given to me through their music and guidance.
Upon my graduation from high school as Harry Dash played a show with Seven Mary Three again at Bourbon St, I knew in the back of my mind that this was the end of an era. Sadly, life called... I went off to college, moved away from home and lost touch with many of the band members as they changed their name to Tenspoke Indies. But what I never lost is the fuel that this amazing band gave me, I can fondly remember sitting on a plane flying over Germany listening to the song "Our Time Is Now" (click for video) with a smirk on my face as I realized our time is now and that's all we have.
Experience Tenspoke Indies (a.k.a Harry Dash) in a rare reunion show at Bourbon St. in New Port Richey on November 28.
Purchase tickets here.
Visit their myspace for more information: http://myspace.com/tenspokeindies
Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tenspokeindies
This post is dedicated to Dave Wise a.k.a. Daddy Dash for teaching me that I should never let the bastards get me down. The universe is lucky to have such a wonderful soul now. Thank you for changing my life; I'll never forget you. See you next time around.
