Elu The Dust
Santa Ana, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | INDIE
Music
Press
Punky Reggae Party
RICH KANE
Published on January 09, 2003
DOMINION STATUS
THE BLAME GAME
BAMBOO GROOVE RECORDS
(10-TRACK CD)
Dominion Status brand themselves as "reggae-influenced power pop," which is fine and all, but not the whole picture. Read that word "reggae," and you usually know exactly what you're getting, yet these guys go deeper. Is an accordion necessarily "reggae"? If not, someone better tell them because they've got one wheezing through the whole title track, a loving paen to forgiveness that's as warm as a lipstick sunset. Is rapping "reggae"? Then, hey, you try shutting Dereck Blackman up as he rattles off rhymes with such a kick-back ease during "The Fallen" that it's as if he has had them memorized for decades. Are loud, screaming electric guitars and punky drum abusings "reggae"? Then skip right over the album's best song, "Honest," one of the best get-in-the-car-and-stomp-the-accelerator tunes we've heard in a while, even though the lyrics are more about bald declarations of love than reckless vehicular abandon. It's an anthem, really, something that sounds like the greatest Pearl Jam song they never recorded. So let's get this labeling thing right: Dominion Status aren't really "reggae-influenced power pop" as much as they are a straight-up rock & roll band. Then again, calling a band "rock & roll" these days can bring about a whole other canon of misfired definitions, so call them whatever you want—just as long as you listen.
Contact: www.myspace.com/dominionstatus; teakhouse2001@aol.com.
- OC Weekly
Punky Reggae Party
RICH KANE
Published on January 09, 2003
DOMINION STATUS
THE BLAME GAME
BAMBOO GROOVE RECORDS
(10-TRACK CD)
Dominion Status brand themselves as "reggae-influenced power pop," which is fine and all, but not the whole picture. Read that word "reggae," and you usually know exactly what you're getting, yet these guys go deeper. Is an accordion necessarily "reggae"? If not, someone better tell them because they've got one wheezing through the whole title track, a loving paen to forgiveness that's as warm as a lipstick sunset. Is rapping "reggae"? Then, hey, you try shutting Dereck Blackman up as he rattles off rhymes with such a kick-back ease during "The Fallen" that it's as if he has had them memorized for decades. Are loud, screaming electric guitars and punky drum abusings "reggae"? Then skip right over the album's best song, "Honest," one of the best get-in-the-car-and-stomp-the-accelerator tunes we've heard in a while, even though the lyrics are more about bald declarations of love than reckless vehicular abandon. It's an anthem, really, something that sounds like the greatest Pearl Jam song they never recorded. So let's get this labeling thing right: Dominion Status aren't really "reggae-influenced power pop" as much as they are a straight-up rock & roll band. Then again, calling a band "rock & roll" these days can bring about a whole other canon of misfired definitions, so call them whatever you want—just as long as you listen.
Contact: www.myspace.com/dominionstatus; teakhouse2001@aol.com.
- OC Weekly
THE BLAME GAME
www.dominionstatus.com or www.cdbaby.com
If there was one major breakthrough for which we can thank the late-70s New Wave movement, it's recognizing reggae's far-reaching potential. The Police, Joe Jackson, Bad Brains -- even Aussie followers Men At Work -- showed what the islands' homegrown gospel could accomplish in terms of both pop and power, setting the stage for acts like Sublime and 311 decades later. Today, the discoveries continue, as dreadlocked bands such as Dominion Status take Caribbean credo to new destinations. Titled The Blame Game, this hard-touring Orange County trio's release actually visits several different styles – soul, folk, funk – but their foundation remains irie-induced variety, built on taut drum slaps and vibrant guitar blasts from pure aggression to chorus-coated chords. And like their most inspiring, upbeat predecessors, the musicianship isn't just tight -- it's natty. -- Matt Walker
- Surfingthemag.com
THE BLAME GAME
www.dominionstatus.com or www.cdbaby.com
If there was one major breakthrough for which we can thank the late-70s New Wave movement, it's recognizing reggae's far-reaching potential. The Police, Joe Jackson, Bad Brains -- even Aussie followers Men At Work -- showed what the islands' homegrown gospel could accomplish in terms of both pop and power, setting the stage for acts like Sublime and 311 decades later. Today, the discoveries continue, as dreadlocked bands such as Dominion Status take Caribbean credo to new destinations. Titled The Blame Game, this hard-touring Orange County trio's release actually visits several different styles – soul, folk, funk – but their foundation remains irie-induced variety, built on taut drum slaps and vibrant guitar blasts from pure aggression to chorus-coated chords. And like their most inspiring, upbeat predecessors, the musicianship isn't just tight -- it's natty. -- Matt Walker
- Surfingthemag.com
DOMINION STATUS - THE BLAME GAME - BAMBOO GROVE RECORDS
While Dominion Status is hailed as a reggae-influenced power-pop band, the reggae influences are few and far between on THE BLAME GAME. This isn't a bad thing; I was just hoping for a kick-ass reggae album. Instead I got a very soulful pop album. Dominion Status is one of those bands I wouldn't necessarily listen to on my own, but after listening to THE BLAME GAME I'm glad I had the chance to experience them. The tracks on the disc are catchy, upbeat, and arranged very well. Another thing going for Dominion Status is vocalist Dereck Blackman. While he doesn't sound like anyone in particular, he sings with the passion of Angelo Moore of Fishbone. When the reggae influences do shine through, Dominion Status resembles The Police, which is always a good thing. THE BLAME GAME is a great album if you're looking for a nice change of pace. Some of the best tracks include the title track and "Everything". With the right exposure, this band can make it big. Until then, Dominion Status will just have to settle for making excellent music for the sake of making music.
-Dane Jackson - Skratch Magazine - Skratch Magazine
DOMINION STATUS - THE BLAME GAME - BAMBOO GROVE RECORDS
While Dominion Status is hailed as a reggae-influenced power-pop band, the reggae influences are few and far between on THE BLAME GAME. This isn't a bad thing; I was just hoping for a kick-ass reggae album. Instead I got a very soulful pop album. Dominion Status is one of those bands I wouldn't necessarily listen to on my own, but after listening to THE BLAME GAME I'm glad I had the chance to experience them. The tracks on the disc are catchy, upbeat, and arranged very well. Another thing going for Dominion Status is vocalist Dereck Blackman. While he doesn't sound like anyone in particular, he sings with the passion of Angelo Moore of Fishbone. When the reggae influences do shine through, Dominion Status resembles The Police, which is always a good thing. THE BLAME GAME is a great album if you're looking for a nice change of pace. Some of the best tracks include the title track and "Everything". With the right exposure, this band can make it big. Until then, Dominion Status will just have to settle for making excellent music for the sake of making music.
-Dane Jackson - Skratch Magazine - Skratch Magazine
Discography
OUR NEW SELF TITLED CD IS OUT NOW!
Photos
Bio
ELU THE DUST:
Two insightful musicians sat down one day, simply contemplating the wonderful inscrutability of life and music. Their thoughts incidentally alighted on a couple of their buddies, also proficient musicians. Eventually the inexorable tides of fate brought them together, thus creating the magic that is Elu The Dust. The fact that life is multifaceted, just like the peaceful ocean that becomes raging and tempestuous when in a storm. So also should human emotion be expressed through the freedom of music. The purpose of Elu The Dust, is to interpret true feeling and emotion, by application of the venerable medium of modern Ska, Reggae, Rock Music.
Dereck Blackman (originally from Trinidad & Tobago and the son of the legendary creator of Soca Music, the late Ras Shorty I), takes you on a phantasmagorical excursion, exploring enchanted valleys of soulful, emotive Lead Vocals, and tasty Guitar Licks. John McKnight (a former member of the legendary Los Angeles Funk, Punk Rock outfit, Fishbone), weaves his spells by masterfully manipulating, guitars, keys and trombone. Kevin Smith, on Bass possesses the ability (by incorporating incessant, infectious Bass lines) to compel you to get up and shake your ass. Josh Tanner on drums, like a clever magician, can formulate a formidable potion, consisting of potent drum beats, that will make you giddy with glee. The musical ecstasy ingested through your ear hole, will translate you to a rarefied plain of perpetual euphoria.
With three cds released (the three cds were released under their previous name, "Dominion Status") in the last few years to rave reviews and a placement on the TV show 90210. They are now poised to release their self titled latest offering, which is scheduled to be released by Spring of 2014. The new Enhanced CD, also includes the Music Videos for the singles, Third Engine, Fading and Whiplash. Look for it on www.itunes.com, www.cdbaby.com and your other favorite music stores and sites.
Band Members
Links
