Coming soon the Red Devil Lounge

::: DADA :::

::: INFO :::

Dada is back after a self-imposed hiatus, which lasted from June 1999 until March 2003. As Joie Calio (bass/vocals) states, "We really never went away, we just took a really long vacation... to figure out what our next move was going to be." Although time has passed and the band has not been recording and touring, their fans, (bordering on fanatical), have continued to be, well--- fans--- in the truest since of the word. Dada’s fans have never been the kind of people who are into the "flavor of month." Once a Dada fan, always a Dada fan. Dada’s music is still very relevant and continues to have broad appeal including being featured in the "The Brady Bunch Movie," "Charmed," "Real World," and "Homicide."

In 1992, Dada exploded on the scene with their critically acclaimed debut release, Puzzle (#2 Billboard’s Heatseeker Chart) on Miles Copeland’s now defunct, I.R.S. Records. The single "Dizz Knee Land", (#5 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart), set the alternative radio movement - just then hitting it's stride - on fire, and quickly migrated to mainstream rock and pop stations. The third single "Dim", (#24 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart), further solidified dada's reputation as a band to watch. Puzzle sold over a half million copies and made a number of critics "best of year" lists. Sixteen months of constant touring followed, both as headliners on the club circuit and as openers for Sting, Izzy Stradlin & the JuJu Hounds and Material Issue (USA), Crowded House (UK), and Depeche Mode (Portugal). September 1994 saw the release American Highway Flower (#5 Billboard’s Heatseeker Chart) --- which had a harder feel, both musically and lyrically, than it's predecessor reflecting the band's evolution from a studio to a touring band. The single, "All I Am," spent 8 weeks on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks Chart. Money problems at I.R.S. cut short promotional efforts in February 1995. The album quickly fell off the charts. Dada fared no better with their third release, El Subliminoso in April 1996. I.R.S. Records was on its last legs by this time, and folded just as the band was winding up the first leg of the tour. A lack of promotional support doomed the CD to obscurity before it could get started. A pity, as El Subliminoso was perhaps the group's most artistically complex and satisfying offering.

The band signed to MCA Records in 1997, and released their self-titled fourth CD, Dada (#32 Billboard’s Heatseeker Chart), and completed an abbreviated tour of New England and the Mid-West with many shows, selling out and several lasting over two hours. In August of 1998, the first single from the MCA release, the Gurley/Calio penned, "California Gold," became the most added new single on radios stations across the nation. This CD received favorable reviews, as did a 33-city headlining US tour. Once at MCA Records, the band felt as though they had finally found a home. Phil Leavitt (drums) elaborates, "when we got to MCA, we really felt as if we were going to stay put for awhile and get the support from a major--- things however changed very quickly." Touring plans for 1999 were abruptly put on hold and then cancelled as MCA's parent company Seagram’s was bought by Vivendi. Soon Dada, along with a host of other artists found themselves without a label. A final appearance before 14,000 fans at Norfolk Virginia's Harborfest on June 5, 1999 marked the band’s last live performance as a group. Immediately following that show, Dada officially went on hiatus.

Over the next 3 years, Michael Gurley (guitars/vocals) and Phil Leavitt formed BUTTERFLY JONES and recorded their well-received, highly publicized debut release, Napalm Springs , (2001) / Vanguard Records. The band got substantial press and excellent reviews, and in 2002 the band was chosen as Best New Indie Artist by BareFoot Rock Indie Music Website. Michael, Phil and the addition of bassist, Aaron Schwoerer, continue to perform and are writing material for their sophomore effort. Additionally, Michael continues to perform around Southern California with his jazz trio, MICHAEL GURLEY AND THE NIGHTCAPS, comprised of keyboardist, John Gilmore and drummer, Phil Leavitt--- playing original jazz compositions as well as jazz standards. They have released two independent CD’s, Champagne, Champagne and Euphoria.
Phil Leavitt regularly performed with the critically acclaimed BLUE MAN GROUP and continues to perform with Uberschall (comprised of fellow Blue Man Group drummers) in Las Vegas. He did a short drumming stint with the Gin Blossoms in the summer of 2002 and today continues to work steadily doing voice over work through the William Morris Agency.

Joie Calio moved to Seattle and began working as an A&R scout for MCA Records, spending time with his family, and writing new material which ultimately secured him a solo publishing deal. In Spring 2001, a chance meeting with Portland-based producer and guitar wizard Rob Daiker leads to the single "Stupid Songs About Love" which was released as a promotional item by MCA to industry tastemakers. It garnered immediate acclaim and MCA green lighted more studio time resulting in additional songs, recorded under the project/band name CANDY APPLE BLACK. He performed around Seattle, penned a soon to be published book and recorded his debut solo effort entitled, The Complications of Glitter , completed in December 2002 and released in October 2003 on Blue Cave Records/thumbsucka records (Calio’s imprint).
Fast forward to 2003--- Joie, Michael and Phil are together again. The first half of the year, the band did a series of short one-week stints focusing on the Midwest and East Coast markets, while the second half of the year the band embarked on an extensive 7-week (late September to mid-November) 40-city US tour in support of their new Live CD release, on Coach House Records, entitled Live: Official Bootleg, Vol. 1 taken from a live performance @ The Galaxy Theatre, Santa, Ana, CA in July 2003.

In February 2004, dada will be releasing it’s fifth studio effort on indie label, Blue Cave Records, followed by extensive tour dates throughout the year. So hold on --- Dada is alive and well, and re-connecting with all their fans to give them the best show ever. Dada is one of the greatest live bands you’ll ever see, with performances regularly lasting 2.5 plus hours--- bordering on legendary!

“

close window