The American Hot Club Band
Who We Are
Nov. 2007
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American Hot Club Band |
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Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, The American Hot Club Band is a four-piece guitar-oriented band with a play list of 60s rock and soul tunes, some 50s rockabilly, and a few originals. Band leader Dave Sharp believes it is important to establish a core sound in order to present original material properly. "In pop music, the only way to develop a style is to play lots of covers and learn what style is best for you," Sharp said, "and it also helps to read a little about the history of rock music. There's no question that its hey-day was in the 60s. We jump around a bit between styles. We're not a Beatles tribute band, but we're definitely grounded in the 60s."
AHCB centers around Dave Sharp who sings lead and harmony, and plays guitar, keyboards and harmonica. Sharp typically alternates between keyboards, four guitars (Gretsch, Rickenbacker, Carvin, Alvarez/acoustic), harmonica, and bottle-neck slide guitar. The band originally formed in May 2005 when Sharp began jamming with local musicians at weekly open mics in Montgomery County clubs. Jam sessions quickly turned into bona fide gigs as several musicians joined Sharp's evolving musical ensemble. Over the past year, the band underwent personnel changes but maintains a nucleus of top-notch musicians. Besides Sharp, regular players include Stoney Johnstone (bass) Mike Lessin (guitar), with guest appearances by Joey Tarball (bass), Pat Puglisi (guitar), Scott Harlan (bass), Morris Freeman (drums), and Robert Scottsdale Ranks (guitar). Regular players these days are Sharp, Harlan, Freeman and Ranks.
Over the years, Sharp has written numerous songs and released two CDs. He has played the Washington, DC blues circuit with Blind Date (also known as Problem Child), expressed his inner child with the originals rock band Dave Sharp and Enemies of the People, played in party band Cartel, played the Southern Maryland beach music circuit with Teezin With Fred, and played in a folk duo (The Dave Sharp Duo) with bassist Scott Harlan.
To hear demo recordings of the American Hot Club Band, go to bottom of page and click MP3.
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