The Dubious Battles - A Showcase of Songwriting and Friendship

cross-pol*li*na*tion (n.): The transfer of pollen from one flower to another, producing stronger and more vigorous plants. These genetic diversities often result in the evolution of new species.

The same can be said of music.

Blending the sweet sounds from some of Charleston's rock royalty, The Dubious Battles is evolution at its finest: a homegrown supergroup born from a collaboration among friends. Originally formed during the 2011 charity tour "How the Other Half Gives", The Dubious Battles features Luke Cunningham, Ryan Bonner and Tyler Mechem, each solidly successful with their individual projects but coming together again out of a mutual appreciation for one another's talents.

"We enjoyed being around each other," Cunningham says, "singing each other's songs and playing music together so much that we knew we'd have to get together again and do something collectively."

So when Cunningham was invited to perform at this weekend's Jail Break Festival, he saw it as a golden opportunity for The Dubious Battles.

"I thought that, given Jail Break's focus on art and creativity, it would be the perfect event to showcase this side project that we've been itching to unveil."

The performance will include original songs composed by all three members (they currently have close to twenty in various stages of progress), unreleased solo material and favorite tunes from each of the guy's other projects: the Luke Cunningham Band, Ryan Bonner and the Dearly Beloved, and Crowfield. And while there are no concrete plans to record a full album, The Dubious Battles have been working on ideas for an EP and have released their first single, "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", a nostalgic folk tune with an irresistible cadence and sweeter-than-honey string section, riding the vocal harmonies like a warm summer breeze.

"Luke, Ryan and I have known each other for a long time...but we were always creating our own music, separately," Mechem says. "Now, we're all in it together. No matter who brings the song to the table, we all need to be proud of what we perform. There's a lot of trust that goes into that."

The Dubious Battles take the stage at the Jail Break Festival this Saturday (4.27) at 6pm. For tickets and other festival information, visit www.jailbreakcharleston.com.

To download "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", visit the iTunes Store. 

Band Websites
The Dubious Battles
Luke Cunningham
Ryan Bonner
Tyler Mechem

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St. Paddy's Day ~ Charleston Style

Charleston may not exactly be known for its Irish heritage, but it damn sure knows how to celebrate St. Paddy's! There's plenty to do around town over the next few days, so pull on your drinkin' boots and program those cab companies into your phone - it's gonna be a long weekend!

 

FRIDAY ~ 3.15
* "Goodbye, Goodnight, So Long" - Crowfield, the 2012 CPMA Rock Band of the Year, plays its final show tonight at the Charleston Music Hall. Joined by friends Ryan Bonner, Luke Cunningham and John Satterfield, this beloved band's grand finale is sure to be one filled with good tunes, tears and tales for the ages.
@ Charleston Music Hall
Doors 7p
$20

* Happy Story Hour, the thoughtful and at times haunting duo comprised of Mackie Boles and Jordan Igoe, join forces tonight with Sinners & Saints (Charlotte) to finger pick and strum their way into your soul.
@ The Mill
Doors 9p
FREE - 21 and up

* West Ashley's Tin Roof is playing host to a metal blues brawl with local badasses Bully Pulpit and Wilmington import Thunderlip. The parking lot will be tight, the music will be loud, and the PBR will be nice n cold!
@ Tin Roof
Doors 9p
$5


SATURDAY ~ 3.16
* The Next Charleston Record Expo is going down from 10a - 5p at Monster Music & Movies in West Ashley! Admission is free and parking is plenty (remember, the Citadel Mall is just across the street). There will be food trucks, vinyl vendors and sweet deals on everything from dive bins and rarities to imports and collectibles! Bring in your old vinyl if you're looking to trade!
Monster Music & Movies
10a
FREE

* Repeated winner of The City Paper's "Best Of" awards for Most Authentic Pub and Best North Charleston Bar, Madra Rua Irish Pub recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in Park Circle, and on Saturday proudly celebrates the Tenth Annual St. Paddy's Day Block Party and Parade! East Montague will be shut down for the parade at noon, followed by food trucks, artists, family fun and three stages of live music (full schedule, below)! With entertainment ranging from Irish classics and swing tunes to blues and funk, the show will be capped off by local line-up, Wadata at 6p.
Madra Rua Irish Pub / East Montague Ave. / Park Circle
12p
FREE

* A mash up of regional bands are lining up your Saturday night at Tin Roof, with Modern Man (Greenville), Cement Stars (Charlotte) and Knives & Daggers (Asheville). Not sure about the cover for this one, but bring a couple bucks for the door, just to be safe.
Tin Roof
Doors 9p
? - 21 and up

SUNDAY - 3.17
* "St. Patrick's Brunch and All Day Erin Go Bragh Party" - Drink off the hangover with the good folks at Tin Roof! They'll be cooking up a tasty brunch menu starting around noon, and celebrating with Irish festivities throughout the day. Stick around for gypsy sex rockers The Royal Tinfoil that night, hitting the stage around 9p!
Tin Roof
12p Party / 9p Tinfoil
FREE / $5 - 21 and up

 

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