 It is one hour before the new year as I am writing this. Having a Guinness and playing my new PRS Semi-Hollowbody. I was supposed to be playing a show tonight with Bipolar Jukebox, but it was cancelled last week and I couldn't get anything else together in time. I am bummed not to be playing, but have found some enjoyment playing this new guitar all by myself, dare I say, even INSPIRATION! While the personal side of things for me were not so good for 2011, I should say that musically it was one of the best years I have had in a long time. It just goes to show that life is what it is, and you can't expect to have it all at once. It's a balance of good and bad, and you have to roll with it and find the things that bring you happiness to keep you going. I am more aware than ever that music will always be a lifeline for me, and I feel very fortunate to have an outlet to let go of the pent up emotions, to be able to "bleed out" through the guitar and at least for a few hours, forget about the bad stuff and just play. The musicians I currently play with are as good as it will probably ever get for me, and it's great to find like minded individuals who see things the same way. They play for the same reasons, and all have a healthy level of humility as well. To have a talent is a privilege; not a weapon, or some kind of entitlement, and I am grateful that those who choose to make music with me are of the same ilk. I feel truly blessed tonight, and look forward to more musical lighthouses throughout 2012. That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis Heading into late fall and things have been busy. I've started playing with Bipolar Jukebox and it's been going well. I have to employ all facets of my playing including electric, acoustic, and Banjitar to cover the cast stylistic scope that they cover in a night. The Banjitar is a six string banjo that plays like a guitar but sounds like a banjo and is a fun new flavor to introduce into what I do. Very cool. Hopefully people will come check them out. The scene has been very slow as far as fan turnout, and it can get very frustrating to say the least. Especially since I can remember six or seven years ago people always came out to shows. I think it is partly due to the economy, but also people being afraid they won't like something new because they haven't heard it. I know lots of people wish I would just get Dr. Juice back together, but that is not going to happen any time soon. Sorry. There is more to life and music than long endless jams and I personally have no interest in doing that stuff anymore. I need depth and song craft. I am getting that now and couldn't be happier. The show with Billy Megofna, Rich Obrero, Mike Rau and Joe O'Brien went so well that we have decided to keep doing it, and plan to book more shows. That was such a special night and a treat to play with such great players with the BEST attitudes and humor. We have such a camaraderie and brotherhood, and it was the easiest night of new music I have ever learned because they made it so fun. We will eventually come up with a name, but right now we have joke names like "Guitar Sent Her" and "Megofancheraubrerian". Keep an eye out on the schedule for future dates. There are more Bipolar Jukebox dates as well as duo shows with Andre Balazs, Laura Ganci, and Mike Rau in the books as well. That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis Hey there! Fall is upon us! Lots going on musically and I'm excited to get more into detail about some projects going on. First, don't miss the one night show (9/30) that Billy Megofna and I brainstormed called "A night with Billy Megofna, Dennis Fancher, and Rich Obrero." It is an opportunity for three guitar players who hold each other in high regard to get a chance to play together and play songs that really mean something to each of us, instead of playing easy songs to jam to all night with endless solos. We will be accompanied by the multifaceted Mike Rau on drums and the incredible Joe O'Brien on bass (not the one from Dr. Juice, the other guy with the same name who also plays tremendous bass haha). We are playing a very diverse list of cover songs and it is going to be a great time. October will see me debut with Bipolar Jukebox as well. See the calendar for details. I can't say enough about the songs and musicianship in that band and am delighted to get a chance to try and fit in to what they do. That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis Wow. I really have neglected the news page. My apologies! I have been super busy and trying to reinvent myself musically at the same time. Sadly, the music scene has claimed another band, this time it's the Matt Zeiner Band. The lackluster-support from the scene and loss of interest in the band have led the band to decide on disbanding after our last show at Musikfest in Pennsylvania on August 12th. It's been a good run and I wish everyone in the band well on their future endeavors. I am sure that Matt and I will continue to play together over the years in other projects and duos, as there is too much chemistry there to ignore. In the wake of the Matt Zeiner Band, I am going to start doing some recording and shows with Bipolar Jukebox, one of my favorite bands in the CT scene today. I went to see them recently and Andre Balazs asked me straight away if I was interested. I feel very lucky and flattered that they share the excitement I have to play with them. It's funny how things work themselves out sometimes in life. The old saying of "one door closes....." John Mayock and the Homesteaders are on the verge of releasing an EP very soon, hopefully sometime this month. Recording has been going great and the live shows are a blast. I really love that band! Still doing the duos with Rau, Ganci, and Greca too. Also I am headed to Nantucket the 4th, 5th and 6th with Spookie Daly Pride and returning there on Labor Day weekend for another run. It's been great to be so musically busy this summer. That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis A quick update for the end of March. It's been one of the coolest years of music for me in a long time. I have begun duo collaborations with Laura Ganci and Mike Greca as well, which is a new and exciting direction for me. I am very lucky to have such great songwriters to add my thing to. There are many new dates on the calendar reflecting this as well. Also, MZB as well as John Mayock and the Homesteaders have both begun recording for their respective and long awaited new albums. I also have been working on some tracks for Bill Bonnell's new CD due out by summer. Lot's of cool shows coming with MZB, The Homesteaders, and Spookie Daly Pride, check the calendar for a show near you! That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis Ok it's time to update this place. The throes of winter are upon us, yet the music never stops! Despite what I thought was going to be a laid back year, I have some cool things going on and my musical appetite has been sufficiently whetted to dive into another year of musical chameleon-ism. I'm excited to mention the upcoming collaboration with Laura Ganci. If you haven't heard of her, check her out at www.Lauraganci.com. She is a wonderful singer-songwriter who has the gift of painting with words and music. She opened for MZB at Sully's in January, and completely blew me away. After purchasing her CD I knew had to work with her. We are playing together on March 5th at Mondo in Middletown, CT. It may surprise you to see me move in this direction, and that's just fine with me. In my search of ultimate musical expression, in my mind, it seems very natural to be drawn to those who do it so naturally, and everyone has something to teach. I am hopeful that more will come of this in the future with Laura. I have added some more dates to the calendar, more to come. Plenty of MZB, John Mayock and the Homesteaders, and Spookie Daly Pride peppered throughout the year. There are more yet to be announced collaborations and shows in the works as well. Keep an eye out here! That's all for now, be good kids. Dennis Happy New Year everyone. As you can see I don't really have much going on right now. Everything hit a wall, and frankly so have I. I am not even upset about it. I am so tired from last year it's not even funny, and maybe a break will be good. While some good things happened last year, there was a lot of "spinning of the tires", so to speak, and not much forward momentum. Too much going backwards for my taste. So, the calendar will remain sparse except for when some new and interesting things pop up. I have to try and avoid the brain burn that is beginning to set in. Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis Yep, time to update the news page. Been keeping busy with various bands. John Mayock and the Homesteaders have been going strong with great reception across Connecticut and in Woodstock New York. I also played with Spookie Daly Pride at the Vault in Boston which was fun. The Matt Zeiner Band is keeping busy learning new songs and playing some showcases, as well as preparing for our return to Infinity Hall in Norfolk on December 17th. Also of note is the return of The Dr. Juice Trio to the Main Pub in Manchester on November 26th. Aside from all the gigs, I am also doing some studio work with the aforementioned Homesteaders, as well as on Mike Greca's next record due out sometime mid winter. Check out the calendar as it is constantly being updated with more shows from all the acts I currently juggle! Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis So.... I acknowledge the long gap between updates. I have just been so busy, really, but in a good way. Lets see, lots of stuff to talk about. First, after having the entire summer off the Matt Zeiner Band is back in action. You can check us out on Sept. 25th at the Main Pub in Manchester Ct. Also notable is the MZB will be returning to Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Ct on December 17th, save the date! I still have one more round of Nantucket craziness with Spookie Daly Pride before the season ends, Oct 8th and 9th. So far it's been nuts out there! In other news, The Mayocks have taken a hiatus for the time being...though I am still actively playing with John Mayock and the Homesteaders in the interim. It's a killer roots/rockabilly/alt-country outfit with a little harder edge. I am also picking up some studio work in the middle of all that, and that's a nice challenge as well. Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis Hello all, spring is HERE! Lots going on as we head into summer. First, The Matt Zeiner Band is officially starting recording of it's first ever studio album, and the first recording featuring the new lineup. Tracking will begin in the next few weeks and it is hopeful that it will go quickly as we are going to try and capture as much of a live vibe as we can. Also don't miss the upcoming Black Eyed Sally's performance of the MZB on June 12th with special guest saxophonist Kris Jensen from the Dickie Betts Band. Finally keep an eye out as Matt and I will be doing more duo shows sporadically throughout as well. You can keep up with all things Matt Zeiner at www.Mattzeinerband.com. Also keep a close watch on my Reverbnation music player posted below the calendar. Mike Rau and I have been completing many songs for our longtime coming CD and have been uploading some of them on Reverbnation to give people a taste of whats to come. Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis Yeah I know it's been a while. Sorry! Anyway, a few things to mention here. First, there is a benefit for Brian Maskery at the Old Well in Simsbury Ct Sunday May 2nd. It will run from 2:00 to 10:00 PM and will feature a lot of bands including Dr. Juice, Matt Zeiner, Shortness, Flipper Dave, Berkshire Bluegrass, and others TBA. Brian is a great friend and longtime supporter of local music who is recovering from a brain tumor. There will be raffles as well as the bands to raise money for him in this time of need. I truly hope you can stop in and show some support. Another cool last minute development, the Matt Zeiner Band will be opening for Max Creek at the Warehouse in Hartford on April 23rd. Its been a while since I've seen or played with Creek so it should be a fun night. Check it out! Next, tickets for the Matt Zeiner band at Infinity Hall on May 15th are still available. Visit the Infinity Hall Website (www.infinityhall.com) for info on tickets or click the link on my calendar. Finally, the Mayocks are appearing again on the Better Connecticut show on April 30th. Be sure to tune in! Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis Just a quick February update. Tickets are on sale for the May 14th Matt Zeiner show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk Ct. There is a link on the calendar page if you wish to buy tickets for this show. We are very excited! The calendar is filling up very quickly so keep an eye out for more dates with all the bands I play with. Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis Happy New Year everyone. Lots of cool stuff happening this year. The Matt Zeiner Band is taking off full flight now, even though the drum chair is a revolving door at this point. Hopefully we can get someone permanently in that role but at the same time it is a pleasure having so many great drummers at our disposal. Everything else is pretty much the same....Mike Rau and I still working on our Cd, The Mayocks still working on their new CD....the odd Spookie show. I really have a good outlook on the coming year musically. Be sure to check the calendar, more dates being added all the time! I also added a couple new pages to the website to change things up a bit....check em out! They aren't all finished but will be very soon. Thats all for now, be good kids. Dennis |
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