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Laid back dudes: the subdudes |
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Written by Glenn BurnSilver
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Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
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 Geographically speaking, Fort Collins and New Orleans are miles apart. Culturally, that gap widens significantly. Yet, there is one thing that brings the two cities together—and we’re not talking about Lucile’s restaurant either. Rather, it’s the subdudes, with members living in both locales.
While it seems such separation could create some anxiety and difficulty for a working band, founder, accordion player, keyboardist, and Fort Collins resident John Magnie explains that the two cultures work together to create the band’s signature sound that melds both New Orleans’ steamy essence and Colorado’s heat-baked, back porch vibe.
 “Yeah, that’s what’s nice about the band, we have both cultures to work with,” Magnie said. “The feelings are very different and that works well in our music. It gives it that cool vibe, you know.”
When the members of the subdudes gathered in 1987 for what was supposed to be a single performance focusing on individual songwriting talents, their sound was as fresh and welcoming as summer breeze blowing in off the bayou. In short order, the band gelled, bristling with an energy that reflected the two cultures and garnered popular acclaim, but always leaned heavily on the Louisiana roots with more pronounced zydeco overtones.
Eventually, the thrill was gone and the band split, reforming as Tiny Town and The Three Twins. Magnie admits these ventures, while good for the soul, were less successful than the band as a whole.
“We got all pissed off at each other and didn’t really want to be around each other,” Magnie explained matter-of-factly. “We were all writing different things and started other bands. Why’d we get back together? I guess it just made sense. We could do better (monetarily) as one band.”
Perhaps it is age, families, or several years of cooling off, but the subdudes’ latest album (and second since reforming in 2003), “Behind the Levee” (Back Porch), reflects a slightly mellower, easy-going side of the band. The accordions, breezy harmonies, gospel touches, R&B edge and rhythms that bubble like a crawfish boil remain, but the overall feeling is much more relaxed or “mature” as Magnie clarified with a laugh.
“He went for that more mature vibe,” Magnie said, referring to Keb Mo’, the album’s producer. “And that is a little mellower. I didn’t always agree with his direction though. He was shooting more for that radio feel, and I felt that was taking away some of the subdudes essence. But I guess it’s worked — we are getting more radio time.”
True. Perhaps at no time since the early heyday of the band has the subdudes, which also includes Tommy Malone, Steve Amedée, Tim Cook and Jimmy Messa, been in more demand.
“Oh, man,” Magnie began when the topic of the subdudes’ full-scale reemergence comes up. “Sometimes it seems like bad luck and no one is interested and then something changes and you’re everywhere, man. And you get played on the radio. Right now, I guess it’s going good.”
GO TO THE SHOW
the subdudes and Lyle Lovett
Doors 5 p.m., show 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Tickets $44.50, $54.50, $64.50 through TicketMaster, 303.830.TIXS
LOW-FLYING DUDES
For the uninitiated, subdudes is spelled with a lowercase “s.” Accordion player and band founder John Magnie laughs about that. “That’s the subdudes, man,” Magnie said. “We’re always flying below the radar.” | Only registered users can write comments.
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