Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen

We are pleased to premiere the video “Broken” by blues/rock power trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, directed by award-winning director, Jonathan Edwards and shot in the band’s hometown of Wilkes-Barre PA, in the historical Irem Temple Theatre.

“Broken” is a soul-cleansing shot of progressive blues/rock minimalism that’s as much about the space between the notes as the notes themselves. Dustin Douglas is a first-class guitar shaman, weaving together spellbinding riffs and solos that transport listeners directly into his world. His vocals are strident and strong, expressing the hard blues inherent in 21st Century life.

Classic elements of Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen infuse their trademark sexy grooves, infectious rhythm and Douglas’ soaring guitar work and unmistakable vocal. “’Broken’ is a very good sonic explanation of who we are as a band,” says Douglas. “Classic rock with a modern twist. We do our best to carry the torch of our power trio forefathers. The spirit of ‘The Jimi Hendrix Experience’, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Cream, and Mountain runs deep in my veins.”

The video was shot in the Irem Temple Theatre, currently a restoration project, and was Wilkes-Barre’s primary performing arts venue in the early 1900’s. It’s known for its Moorish Revival architecture, towering minarets and stained-glass dome. “The fact this beautiful ‘Broken’ theatre exists right in our backyard is amazing,” says Douglas. “There was no doubt this was the perfect location for this new video.”
Led by lead guitarist, singer, songwriter Dustin Douglas (Lemongelli, The Badlees), The Electric Gentlemen include Tommy Smallcomb on drums and Matt ‘The Dane’ Gabriel on bass.

The much anticipated new single “Broken” is released on April 30, 2021 and available on all digital platforms. Recorded at 8 Days a Week Studios in Northumberland, PA, and produced by revered engineer/producer and former Badlees/Cellarbirds bassist, Paul Smith, the song is the group’s first new music since their full-length album, Break It Down (2018).

The band will celebrate the release of their new single/video with its first limited capacity theatre show of the year, due to the pandemic, at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA on Saturday May 1, 2021 at 8pm.

Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen have won numerous Steamtown Music Awards including, Blues Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Guitarist of the Year, Video of the Year, Live Performances of the Year. They also received an Independent Blues Music Award nomination for Blues/Rock Song of the Year for their 2019 “Out of My Mind.” - ROCK AND BLUES MUSE with Martine Ehrenclou

Wilkes-Barre blues rockers Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen are set to release a new single, “Broken,” on Friday, April 30, and soon after, the power trio will celebrate with their first theater show of the year.

Recorded at 8 Days a Week Studios in Northumberland by revered engineer/producer and former Badlees/Cellarbirds bassist Paul Smith, the tune proves once and for all that the blues rock genre is most definitely alive and well.

Accompanying the song will be the release of a music video for “Broken” directed by award-winning director Jonathan Edwards of 570 Drone and shot in the band’s hometown in the historical Irem Temple building. Currently a restoration project, the deteriorating theater was Wilkes-Barre’s primary performing arts venue in the early 1900s and known for its Moorish Revival architecture, towering minarets, and stained-glass dome.

“The fact this beautiful ‘Broken’ theater exists right in our backyard is amazing,” Douglas said.

“There was no doubt this was the perfect location for this new video.”Releasing on all digital platforms next week, “Broken” has all the signature Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen elements – sexy grooves, infectious rhythm, and Douglas’ soaring guitar work and unmistakable vocals. He is backed by bassist Matt “The Dane” Gabriel and drummer Tommy Smallcomb.

“‘Broken’ is a very good sonic explanation of who we are as a band,” Douglas noted.

“Classic rock with a modern twist. We do our best to carry the torch of our power trio forefathers. The spirit of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Cream, and Mountain runs deep in my veins.”

This will be group’s first new music since their 2018 full-length album “Break It Down,” which found itself on the Roots Music Report’s Top 20 Blues Rock Album charts and the Top 10 Pennsylvania Album charts since its release. It also hit the Blues Album, Blues Singles, and Blues Rock Single charts.

Additionally, DDEG have won numerous Steamtown Music Awards, including Blues Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Guitarist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Live Performer of the Year. They also received an Independent Blues Music Award nomination for Blues/Rock Song of the Year for “Out of My Mind” in 2019.

Douglas released his first solo album, “Black Skies and Starlight,” in 2014 before going back to his power trio roots with the self-titled debut record “Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen” in 2016. They followed up with an EP, “Blues 1,” in 2017, before their sophomore album, “Break It Down,” came out the following year.

Now “Broken” is set to blast Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen’s already soaring trajectory into a whole new level of success.The song will be one of many they’ll play at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe) on Saturday, May 1, their first theater concert since the onset of the pandemic last year. Capacity will be limited, and social distancing will be enforced.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets, which are $20, are on sale now at mcohjt.com.

“As if the new single and video aren’t enough to be excited about, to get back on the stage at such a beautiful theater after such a long break to celebrate this release will be beyond special,” Douglas said.

After that, they’ll play a free show at the Nescopeck Township Fire Hall (589-591 Zenith Rd., Nescopeck) on Friday, May 14 with regional favorites Low Hanging Fruit. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, food sales benefiting the Nescopeck Township Fire Company, and craft beer sales by Berwick Brewing Company, the concert is being presented by the Briggs Farm Blues Festival to thank fans of the long-running event for their continued support over the past year and their eagerness to return on July 8-10. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the music begins at 7 p.m.

“It’s going to be a fun, energetic night of great music, and it’s about time for it!” spokesperson Dena Briggs said. - NEPA Scene/Rich Howells

Like many other regions that don’t receive national attention, northeast Pennsylvania has a vital music scene. Consider bands like Cabinet, the Badlees, blues artist Clarence Spady and the late reggae artist George Wesley, to mention a few. Wilkes-Barre guitarist and emerging singer-songwriter Dustin Drevitch has already built a reputation in the area as a dazzling guitarist with animated stage presence. His new band, Dustin Douglas & the Electric Gentlemen, is a power trio with a sound that hearkens back mostly to the era of Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Cream. Dustin is working with bassist Matt “The Dane” Gabriel and drummer Tom Smallcomb, both of Wilkes-Barre. It’s somewhat rare to find a youngster (Drevitch is 28) embracing that kind of music. He likes playing his axe through vintage equipment, and describes his music as a bit of hybrid between contemporary and classic blues rock. He is very proud of this album, which contains all originals, given the many years he has played cover tunes. Take my word for it. He has Jimmy Page’s licks down.

Dustin has been playing since age 12, and was praised for his passionate vocals and charisma even then. He also played and recorded with the acclaimed Badlees as their lead guitarist for five years and will still guest with them on occasion. This is his second CD as bandleader, and he claims this is the record he’s long wanted to make. While 2014’s Black Skies and Starlight was a song-oriented outing, this one has, as bassist Gabriel says, “the allure of bringing back the power trio. That was the catalyst.” There’s a short video on the band’s website that describes the making of the record, which was recorded in a top-floor room in the Downtown Arts building, a re-purposed church in Wilkes-Barre. Dustin talks about the importance of chemistry and why it was important to record it all live.

“If you like the guitar and you like the blues and rock and roll, you’re going to like us,” Dustin said. From the opening track, “Ain’t Your Poppa’s Blues” you sense a sturdy, no-nonsense sound. Other notable tracks are “Queen of the North End” and “Bad Man.” Blues rock is often played badly but like any genre, there are those that can rise above the mediocrity and demonstrate a real flair. This album will give you only a glimpse of how strong this trio’s riveting live show is as I witnessed at this year’s Briggs Farm Blues Festival. You can catch them at the Pennsylvania Music Festival on October 28th. If we’re lucky, Dustin will sit in with the Badlees too.

– Jim Hynes - Elmore Magazine/Jim Hynes

Wilkes-Barre blues rockers Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen made a small club in Plains feel like an arena on Friday, May 27, filling the River Street Jazz Cafe with badass original tunes and plenty of improvisational jamming that reverberated long into the night.

The concert, which began with a groovy alt rock set by Half Dollar, served as a record release party for the Gentlemen’s new self-titled album, premiering songs that struck hard like the bright lightning bolts behind them. And where there’s lightning, there’s rain, so with the recent passing of Prince, the band finished off the evening with “Purple Rain,” “Cream,” and many other classics from the Purple One’s respected repertoire in an impressive tribute set. - NEPA SCENE/Rich Howells

Although he’s had previous successes as a frontman and instrumentalist, Wilkes-Barre singer, songwriter and guitarist, Dustin Drevitch is just hitting his sonic stride.

His trio, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, celebrates the release of a new self-titled album at 9 p.m. May 27, at the River Street Jazz Cafe, 667 North River St., Plains.

After a tenure as lead guitar player with roots rockers, The Badlees, Drevitch released his debut record under the name Dustin Douglas with 2014’s “Black Skies and Starlight.” Drevitch said the song-oriented record, which he wrote and arranged alone, was a departure for him and a result of what he took away from working with The Badlees.

The new record, he said, is a return to a more familiar mode of song construction, working with bassist Matt “The Dane” Gabriel and drummer Tom Smallcomb, both of Wilkes-Barre.

“We started writing as a three piece, which for me, I can say is my most comfortable zone,” Drevitch said.

Drevitch said the upcoming release is his way of embracing his riff-centric tendencies and his love for playing guitar as well as the trio’s interpretation of heavy blues.

“It’s the allure of bringing back the power trio,” Gabriel said. “That was the catalyst.”

The album was recorded by Kingston native, James Yamrus, in a homey, top-floor room in the Dowtown Arts building, a repurposed church on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Drevitch said he chose to work in the space because he didn’t want to record in a studio. The room quickly became a source of inspiration.

“Two of the songs on the record were written here, on the spot, level checking,” Drevitch said.

The chemistry among players was essential to the process.

“Not every trio works,” Drevitch said. “As much as I fill up the space, they have to too, and they do. Tommy’s my favorite drummer and Matt is my favorite bass player.”

Gabriel said Smallcomb took his rhythmic feel to a new level and working with Drevitch has improved his intuition in a live setting.

“This band can rip your face off in one moment and then just play as gentle as a lamb,” Smallcomb said. “With these guys, the bar is high.”

Drevitch said it was important for the record to have a live feel, so the band recorded everything live.

“My favorite records are live sounding records, like Black Crows ‘Lions,’” Drevitch said. “I like going in to every record differently.”

Yamrus said the live feel is maintained through recording; production is moving forward cautiously to not dilute that authentic sound.

“We’ve got a big drum sound, pretty awesome three dimensional guitar parts, bass parts,” Yamrus said. “It all worked out great. What we’re trying to do is make sure we don’t lose that.”

Drevitch, who speaks of the album like a musician who knows what he does well and is proud to share it, said he feels comfortable with the material and the record is one he’d want to listen to.

“If you like the guitar and you like the blues and rock and roll, you’re going to like us,” Drevitch said. - The Weekender/Matt Mattei