EMQ’s With KENNY DUBMAN
EMQ’s With KENNY DUBMAN
Hi everyone. Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Southern Rock Solo artist, Kenny Dubman. Huge thanks to him for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Kenny Dubman; I play guitar, sing and write all the tunes. I’m a solo artist; this leg of my musical journey started after a particularly rough patch in my life. I hadn’t written a song in over 20 years prior to the tracks on my first solo record (“Reckless Abandon”, released 2016). While I was crawling out of my deep dark hole, so to speak, in 2013, I stumbled upon “The Whippoorwill” album by Blackberry Smoke and got totally hooked. After about a year of listening to it every day, my own song ideas started to come. And here we are, getting ready to release album #3, “Conflicted”.
How did you come up with your band name?
As I mentioned, I’m a solo artist… but when I play live, I bill myself and the band as Kenny Dubman And The Conspiracy Theory. I dug that name for the band because lately, everything that goes against certain agendas are labelled “conspiracy theories”, only to emerge as actual facts a few months later. What’s the saying…. ”what’s the difference between conspiracy theory and fact? About 6 months.” Although lately it seems more like 2 or 3.
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m from the USA. The scene certainly isn’t what it was in the 80’s… I mean in pockets, yes, but not like Europe or South America, where people still seem to be insane over Rock and Metal. The South and Midwest seem to be the true music hotbeds in the US; I live in New Jersey in the northeast and the scene here is not good at all. My music definitely has a Southern appeal; some would label it Southern Rock, but I don’t know that I’d go that far. I’m hoping to make plans with some agencies in the South to get down there and play.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
The full LP comes out on May 17th. Right now we’re on our second song / video release for a track called ‘Modern Day Jesus’, which can be found on YouTube on my channel. All you need to do is search Kenny Dubman and you’ll find it. Please do! While you’re there, check out the first release as well, ‘Old Dog’, which features some ripping guitar work by Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke.
Who have been your greatest influences?
As a guitarist… Neal Schon, Ace Frehely, Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Mick Taylor, Jimmy Page, Frank Marino, Warren Haynes, Dickie Betts, Michael Schenker, Brian May, David Gilmour. Others that I love but maybe didn’t shape my style as much are Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoades, John Sykes, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, Eric Johnson, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Joe Satriani, Slash… I’m sure I’m forgetting a bunch. As far as bands that have really built who I am as a writer and overall musician…Zep, Floyd, Queen, Rush, Allmans, Skynyrd, Pat Travers, Thin Lizzy…
What first got you into music?
My mom’s Hendrix and Santana records blasting around the house as a kid. A wailing electric guitar made me go bat shit. My first concert was Johnny Winter in 1975, and that pretty much sealed the deal.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke, Warren Haynes, Sheryl Crow are the first to come to mind.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Honestly not all that familiar with particular festivals by name. Any festival that leans more toward a Southern / Americana vibe would by my target audience, as I’m not Metal. Honestly, I’m thrilled to play for 100 people if they’re really into it and responsive!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A pipe bomb. Hahahahaha just kidding! Not sure I’ve ever gotten anything I’d call weird, any gift from a fan comes from a really heartfelt place, so….
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thanks so much for having an interest in the music I write… It’s the greatest gift you can give a songwriter! And thank you for coming to shows… without you, they’d just be rehearsals, and I fucking LOATHE rehearsing.
If you could bring one Metal/Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Jimi Hendrix.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the writing; when a song comes together and you really know deep down inside that it’s a keeper, there’s simply no better feeling in the world. I love playing live when the room sounds killer and the audience is really keyed in and digging it… and letting you know. I hate the fact that it’s so hard to get my stuff heard by large numbers of Rock fans that I know would love it. There’s a gazillion bands out there, more than ever now, and every form of social media is utterly saturated with us LOL.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
That music is basically given away for free now… that’s fucked.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here”. All time fav.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Anything tangible is good, downloads are not tangible, therefore not my preferred medium. You can’t hold a download and read the lyric sheet and look at the cool pics. For me, it’s CD’s. I have a CD player in my car, and that’s the only time I can really listen with no distraction. So yeah… CD’s!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Couldn’t possibly name a “best”, there have been thousands over the years, many of them killer. How about this… it’s gonna be our album release show… The Saint, Asbury Park NJ, 6/17/22. I’m picking a future gig instead, hahah!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Running a charter fishing boat for hire, or working deck on a commercial fishing boat.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
That’s a good one! Hmmm…. my mom, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump. Fieri and Flay are in the kitchen, of course!
What’s next for the band?
Album release 5/17/22.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Website: www.kennydubman.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennydubman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennydubman
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnRvb1y_CM9gnx08mOurt6A
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
How in the fuck should I know? Hahahahahah a biscuit?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Yes! All things Kenny Dubman can always be found on my website, www.kennydubman.com including how to get hold of my new record when it’s released on 5/17/22. Thanks for listenin’!!
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