LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Screaming Skunk Studios) - Last Saturday,was Dog Leg Preacher's day. In the heat of the July sun, in a small town outside of Seattle, Washington, this power foursome, featuring the ONLY 21-year-old Peruvian guitar prodigy in the United States, once again combined forces to fill the 85-degree day with music hotter than the sun itself. When all the sweating was over, and every piece of equipment was whisked from sight, the decision was unanimous and these dogs of rock began putting together the most important set list of their lives...the one that would put them on stage at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, home of the greatest and most famous motorcycle rally of the
Black Hills of South Dakota.
The legions of Dog Leg Preacher fans around the world have long savored the talent and skill of this band. What has inspired this kind of loyalty in this widely varying demographic of fans? When asked, responses vary from "It's HARD ROCK!" ('Angry Generation') to "It's something we can relate to!" ('Road Rash') to "It's a little lyrically unsettling" ('Sable') and, "It makes me feel a little 'nasty'" ('Weapon with Legs').
Jon Fosdick and Captain Joe Kurke, the original members of what was then a virtual band, enjoyed major success as a song writing/vocal duo in the virtual world for several years, reaping high praises worldwide for their combined talents. Based in a small studio in rural Snohomish County, Washington, Dog Leg Preacher had its humble beginnings with Fosdick who had more talent than a single musician could handle. Upon hearing Kurke's "Plant-esque" vocals, Fosdick decided that THAT was the vocal style he was looking for to bring to life the collection of musics and lyrics he had so deftly put together. So with Kurke on bass and Fosdick on drums, the search began for the best musicians they could find to join them to complete the power foursome.
When it was time to fill the lead guitar position, word went out quickly in the music community, drawing attention from some of the best players in the area. One eager applicant who was NOT known to the team was the young fellow from Lima, Peru. Well, who in their right mind would waste audition time on a lad who barely spoke English? The stars apparently were aligned perfectly for this band when Marcelo Portaro walked in to the audition. He had received recordings of the entire set list a few days prior to the audition. He walked into the studio with his well-used looking Strat and plugged in. He was quiet and humble, with a massive amount of wavy black hair that hung forward almost completely covering his face.
They played through the first of the three songs he was to have prepared for the all important audition. By the end of the three chosen audition songs, Fosdick and Kurke only nodded quietly to each other, in total awe of the talent they had just witnessed. Portaro suggested they continue on, as if to realize that time wasted in the studio is not time that a band gets back. They continued to work through the set list, and with finger dexterity usually reserved for seasoned players with years and years of experience, Portaro blazed forward through each song, never stumbling once.
The next step? Cutting the bass off Kurke and allowing him to front in his own inimitable style. Solomon Kane stepped forward to fill Kurke's shoes on bass and demonstrated talent on the Jaguar bass that only comes with years of diligent practice and playing. Kane, the quiet one of the group, slipped quickly and with the commitment level of a true professional, firmly into the pocket with Fosdick's often complex drum rhythms. Kane's smooth style and adept fingering makes it sound SO EASY, but the runs dropped next to Portaro's leads defy the skills of even the most advanced of players.
Portaro and Kane are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to skill and style. Kurke on vocals is reminiscent of Plant and Coverdale, and throws every ounce of blood and conviction into his nonstop lead vocals. Fosdick creates very driving and complex rhythms, allowing Kane and Portaro to create the kind of music that two very, very talented players thrive on.
There is nothing ordinary about this music. There is nothing sweet about it. This is original hard rock with finesse. This is a band whose level of determination and talent, all coming together at the same time as if Jupiter and Mars were shaking hands, has paved the way for the dream of most players - to play on a stage in front of a crowd whose members live and breathe the themes of Dog Leg Preacher's numbers. It's all about relating.
