Following the spring 2015 release of Slim Cessna’s Auto Club new 2xLP + Live DVD, “An Introduction for Young and Old Europe,” recently formed label imprint SCACUNINCORPORATED (operated by the Auto Club themselves) announced the debut full-length album from SCAC side project DBUK, titled Songs One Through Eight available this October.
Also known as Denver Broncos UK, the Denver-based, gothic-Americana quartet features core Auto Club members Slim Cessna, Dwight Pentacost, Munly Jay Munly and Rebecca Vera, and plays a beautifully haunting brand of stark acoustic-gloom that will inevitably send shivers down the spines of the most seasoned fans.
Having worked with an array of prominent musicians in the past, including members of Devotcha, Tarantelle, and David Edwards of 16 Horsepower, DBUK lead-vocalist and celebrated alt-country songwriter / storyteller Jay Munly’s voice is equal parts Peter Murphy and Nick Cave, and contrasts beautifully with Rebecca Vera’s falsetto on a number of the tracks on Songs One Through Eight. The album’s strings and percussion are intoxicatingly dramatic and are provided courtesy of Auto Club members Dwight Pentacost and Slim Cessna respectively, all culminating to create one of the more evocative releases the genre has seen quite possibly in years.
To date, the band has released one single (“The Red Cross is Giving Out Misinformation” b/w “Immaculately Warded Children”), and appeared on 2013’s Jack White “Rockin’ Legends” tribute album alongside Wanda Jackson, Shooter Jennings, Robert Gorden, Los Straightjackets, Gary U.S. Bonds and more.
DBUK will be playing some select Slim Cessna’s Auto Club upcoming U.S. tour dates, including a stop at Nashville’s Muddy Roots festival in September, was recently named the Westword Weekly’s Best Denver American Artist of 2015, and will be announcing a series of fall U.S. tour dates beginning in October (more details coming soon).
Ghettoblaster recently caught up with Pentacost to discuss the band, record and touring. This is what he said.
How did the concept for DBUK materialize?
Through an ectoplasmic cerebral disturbance.
Did you add UK so you wouldn’t get a cease and desist from the Broncos?
No, we just wanted the name to sound cool.
How would you describe your sound? What are the predominant influences in your wheelhouse?
Our sound is timeless and has broad appeal.
When did you begin writing for Songs One through Eight?
Approx. ten years ago.
Is there a theme that runs throughout the record or that ties it together?
No.
Are any of the stories autobiographical?
Yes, all of them.
The album will be released on your own label? Is it challenging to be responsible for all the details or is it nice to be captain of your own destiny here?
We haven’t noticed much of a difference as we have handlers to tell us what to do.
You guys will be playing some of the forthcoming Slim Cessna dates, right? Will it be difficult to be doing double duty?
Yes, we will be playing some of them. It shouldn’t be too difficult for us if we conduct ourselves in a professional manner.
Do you have plans to tour independent of Slim Cessna? No, we plan to bring him along every time we tour.
(Catch DBUK and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club live:
DBUK LIVE:
8/29/2015 Austin TX Austin Public Library daytime Series
9/4/2015 Cookeville TN Muddy Roots Music Festival
10/15/2015 Austin TX Mohawk Club w/ Ben Miller Band
10/16/2017 Dallas, TX Three Links w/ Ben Miller Band
10/17/2015 Goldthwaite TX Goldthwaite Music Fest
10/24/2014 Denver CO Mercury CAFE- RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club Live:
7/22/2015 Reno NV The Loving Cup
7/23/2015 Salt Lake City UT Urban Lounge
7/26/2015 Denver CO Underground Music Showcases
7/30/2015 Seattle WA The Barboza at Neumo’s
7/31/2015 Portland OR Mississippi Studios
8/1/2015 Olympia WA Music on the Mounds
8/2/2015 Astoria OR Fort George Brewery/ Public House
8/16/2015 Fort Collins CO Bohemian Nights at New West Fest
8/26/2015 Wichita KS Lizard Lounge
8/27/2015 Norman OK The Opolis
8/28/2015 Dallas TX Three Links
8/29/2015 Austin TX Red 7 Inside
8/30/2015 San Antonio TX Paper Tiger Inside Room
9/1/2015 New Orleans LA House of Blues Parish
9/2/2015 Nashville TN Exit / In
9/3/2015 Atlanta GA EARL 9
/5/2015 Cookeville TN Muddy Roots Music Festival
9/6/2015 Tulsa OK Mercury Lounge
For more information, visit: Facebook.com/DenverBroncosUK www.slimcessnamusic.com)