Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Dowd.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It was a warm winter’s night in the year of our Lord 2008. Having been invited to Jam Cruise by my BFF, Bret Crow, I was responsibly enjoying Magic Hat’s #9 on a cruise ship in the Caribbean dancing to a salacious set by Hot Buttered Rum.
After an adventurous amount of #9s, I realized I wanted to be the rum that was so hot and buttered. That is to say, I wanted to be the performers on stage – the leaders of love, the captains of culture, the purveyors of passion! And after a very unsuccessful stint in a cover band named Lincoln Park, I joined Bret and our friends Matt Cochran and Gabriel Baker to form Puddin Taine!
We play party funk, and while the lineup has changed, the music has always been about expressing yourself, spreading the love, and having fun! Plus, we don’t play any Linkin Park covers (anymore), so we’re doing pretty well now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
So far, the road has treated us fairly well! Some friendships have been lost, and the remaining have been tested, but I’ve found that challenges are only as difficult as the people you work with. If you find it difficult to work with someone(s), there’s a good chance every challenge will seem difficult.
But if it’s easy to get along with everyone, most challenges seem trivial because you enjoy working towards a solution. But the struggle is real as we’re also starving musicians and we’re trying to finish an album so if anyone could donate, we could really use the help! Our gofundme is…
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Puddin Taine – what should we know?
Puddin Taine is a funk band, but moreover, Puddin Taine is a spiritually invigorating and soul-enriching experience that envelops all senses. You hear the sultry sounds of groove and TV theme songs. You smell the funk emanating from the stage and appreciate its delightfully sweet, musky odor. You feel the instruments emoting with each rock and every roll. You taste the sweat tossed from the singer’s luscious locks and immaculate body. You see the proof is in the Puddin Taine! Any band can play good tunes, but only a few can put on a great show. We do both, and we’re just getting started…
Puddin Taine started jamming its way into the hearts of many from the rooftop of Cool Beans – Bar and Grill in Denton, Texas. It was from those late night sessions that we forged an eclectic, funky/dance-able/rock-ish sound from the influences of Les Claypool, James Brown, The Doors, and Madonna. After developing our chops and chemistry as the backing band for Open Stage, a former variety show in Richardson, Texas, we ever-so-gradually came to the realization that we don’t suck. Thus, Puddin Taine was born!
Since our official conception, we’ve been making the rounds in Denton, Texas playing at the likes of Backyard On Bell, LSA Burger Co., Andy’s Bar, Abbey Underground, Dan’s Silverleaf, and Harvest House. In Dallas, Texas, we’ve been slaying at the likes of Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, American Airlines Center, The Curtain Club, Deep Ellum Arts, and Jazz Fest, the House of Blues, and Sundown at Granada. With Bret “Bass Taine” Crow on bass guitar and vocals, Brandon “Wild Taine” Dowd on vocals and trumpet, Brandon “Sweet Taine” Arthur on electric bellyfiddle, and Zack “Bang Taine” Haygood on drums, we form a formidable band of gents whose only goal is to put a smile on your face and help you express yourself and inspire you to dance and spread a little love!
Puddin Taine – We probably love you!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our original drummer, Gabriel “Main Taine” Baker, deserves credit for the name and origins of the group. And he deserves credit for some of the funkiest drums this side of the Mississippi. Our bassist and singer, Bret “Bass Taine” Crow, is deserving of all glory for being a master of music and the fun, comedic spirit of the band. If he can’t make you laugh, he will.
Our guitarist, Brandon “Sweet Taine” Arthur, is an honorable man of peace and positivity and brings some sick licks on the bellyfiddle! Plus, he either appears to be or is Jesus, which never hurts. Our drummer, Zack “Bang Taine” Haygood, is the lovable wild card of the group and brings a plethora of energy and love. You just never know what he’s gonna do next!
Our past members that deserve more credit than they originally got – TPherball “Cap Taine” McGillicutty (his Christian name) brought tenacity and a keen eye for detail, Ethan “Enter Taine” Bouchard brought an infectious enthusiasm and genuine compassion, Jordan “JoJo Taine” LaChance brought true joy and smooth, slippery keys, and Matt “Robo Taine” Cochran brought peerless skill on the sax, keys, flute, djembe, Xbox, etc.
Our friends who have made us sound good – Jason Rochester of Mockingbird Sound Recording Studio, Joel Adair, and Cris George!
Our friends who have made us look good – Kennie Monroe Wirth of KMW Photo, Ed Steele of Ed Steele Photography, and David Williams!
Our friends, old and new that show up and support us deserve more credit than they currently get. I try to high-five and hug as many as I can every show, but I fear there is no amount of hugs that could affirm our debt to them.
And then my mom, Suzanne Dowd, who just so happens to be the best person ever.
Contact Info:
- Email: datpuddintaine@gmail.com
- Instagram: @datpuddintaine
- Facebook: facebook.com/datpuddintaine
- Twitter: @datpuddintaine
- Other: youtube.com/puddintaine
Image Credit:
David Williams, Ed Steele, Kennie Monroe Wirth, Laura Barnett, Paulo Castillo
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