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Drummer Kurt Neumann and guitarist Sam Llanas first met during high school and soon found they had considerable shared musical interests. The pair began playing together, with Llanas, despite very little experience, dropping out of college to play alongside Neumann. In 1980, under the moniker Da BoDeans, Neumann and Llanas developed a local following in a nearby town and subsequently signed with Slash Records. Bassist Bob Griffin and drummer Guy Hoffman arrived shortly afterwards, recording on the band’s debut full-length “Love & Hope & Sex & Dream” in 1986. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the critically acclaimed record swelled BoDean’s fanbase and was heavily marked by roots rock influences.
After topping the Rolling Stone magazine poll for Best New American Band, the group announced they were working with Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison on their follow-up. Released in October 1987, “Outside Looking In”, saw the BoDeans take greater influence of ’80’s rock, epitomised by the lead single “Only Love”. In support of the record the band toured on U2’s The Joshua Tree Tour, following which Hoffman announced his official departure.
BoDeans’ third full-length album “Home” arrived in 1989 marked by the arrival of keyboard player Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol. Featuring a more refined, roots rock aesthetic, the band’s subsequent album, 1991’s “Black and White”, was their most ambitious to date. Complete with synthesisers, drum machines, and heavily-affected guitar tones, “Black and White”, saw the group strongly inspired by the musical climate’s new wave and alternative rock acts. The release was followed by their fifth studio album “Go Slow Down”, issued in 1993. Led by the single “Closer to Free”, which found itself as the theme song to the television series “Party of Five”, the album did wonders for BoDeans’ national exposure and is noted for its acoustic, homemade approach.
In 1995 the double-disc live album “Joe Dirt Car” was released followed by the Greg Goldman-produced full-length “Blend” in 1996. Following the release the band were dropped by Slash Records and in 2003 signed with Rounder Records. Their first album in eight years, “Resolution”, became a popular release among loyal fans and was followed by “Still” in 2008. The full-length “Mr. Sad Clown” appeared in 2010 succeeded by “Indigo Dreams” in 2011. Following the release of “Indigo Dreams”, Llanas departed BoDeans, and wasn’t featured on the band’s 11th studio album “American Made” in 2012.
The rock band BoDeans from Wisconsin have been going strong since 1983, and don’t show any sign of slowing down in the industry. Their Heartland/alternative rock sound is fresh and innovative, and every time they perform, I’m returned with nostalgia to my teenage years. They were well received by the public and critics in the beginning of their career, leading them to international fame and touring. They’ve consistently released albums since the mid 80s, which is rare for a long standing band.
Although the line up I saw most recently aren’t all of the original members, if anything it improved and freshened the sound, rather than allowing it to grow stale and over played. It was interesting to hear some of the classics almost remixed, but I loved it! The instrumental skills as well as vocals from BoDeanus are fantastic, and it’s refreshing to see an authentic band who don’t need backing from a fabricated house band.
The show was reasonably long, and they managed to play a good selection of the hits. They were great at shouting out to the audience, engaging with everyone by getting them to sing along which was cool, and a really nice personal touch. Hopefully the great music will keep coming, because I’ll keep going back for more!
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